Whether you are traveling for leisure or for business, it is not uncommon to find yourself in a new city filled with diverse people and cultures unknown to your familiar hometown. Your first instinct is to visit all the spots that make up the DNA of the city giving it a celebrity profile.  It’s more or less a check in the box to say, “Yeah I’ve been there,” with not so much further meaning that gives depth to your visit. Â
But what I crave – and I’m sure many fellow avid travelers will agree – is to know the deeper culture and the composition that makes up a destination.  The hidden spots only intimately known by the locals are the spots that I want to dig up and discover to experience for myself. (Related Article: How to Travel Cheaply, Tips for Pinoys)
I’ve listed three reasons to go beyond just the tourist attractions, to peel back an extra layer, and find yourself immersed in the everyday treasures the locals see and experience.Â
3. It’s totally overrated.
There is some merit in being able to check out all the wonders that everyone talks about.  By no means am I discouraging you to visit the infamous Time Square, the Colosseum in Rome, and Bourbon Street of New Orleans.  What I do strongly encourage is to set aside some time to see what else the city has to offer.  Ask the questions: “Where is the hole in the wall place that the locals go to?” “What special dishes have history and meaning for the city, and where can I find the best spot that serves it?” By asking these questions, you’ll find experiences that are not so superficial and will give you the opportunity to temporarily live vicariously through the experiences of the locals in all the unknown parts of the world.
Related Article: Around the World Trip: 8 Preparation Tips for Filipino Backpackers
2. Tourist Attraction Tickets are quite expensive
You definitely need to bring back the overpriced trinkets for yourself and friends. It’s a must. But there is no need to pay a premium for an average cup of clam chowder.  Tourism fueled locations are full of spots with what once was something great.  The very thing that made it so great is now replaced with premium prices and mediocrity.  Ask any local, and you’ll get tons of advice and opinion of better places to eat and things to do without breaking the wallet.
1. As cliché as it may sound, locals DO know best
Whenever I travel, the first thing that comes to mind is to think through my list of friends and networks to see if there is someone who is local to the area.  Friends always have the best suggestions and things to watch out for.  I have been using the app Tripext to get connected to locals in the case I do not have friends in the area.  Locals who are familiar with the area have more knowledge for the most efficient ways to get from place to place. Through word of mouth, they know how to discover the best hidden spots.  A local will tell you that the image of his/her city through the tourist lens is only the surface; it’s what’s beneath that makes the city real.
I have found that sometimes it is very difficult to see beyond the tourism and spend hours researching and scoping out the hidden gems of potential cultural experiences. Tripext has been instrumental in connecting me to locals who can give me the insider information to go beyond the played out attractions.  I’m able to use the app to get real time text messages from locals I reach out to for the insider scoop. What once was a time consuming frustration of mine has been resolved connecting me to people who live and breathe the culture every day. Check it out and provide fellow travelers with your input!
Whatever the reason may be for traveling, make your next travel experience an eye opener and look beyond the tourism. Â Get plugged into the culture and witness the vibrancy and distinct make up of each destination. Â Whether it is a week-long vacation or a short business trip, allow yourself to put your finger on the pulse of the living city. Â Navigate through your destination bringing home experiences really worth sharing.
