Adventure means different things to different people. For some, adventure may mean swimming with Piranhas in South America while for others it might be trying the Flan at the all-inclusive resort buffet.
Here are a few tips on how to find adventure in any city on your next trip.
Skip the Breakfast Buffet
Instead of eating breakfast at your hotel or the McDonald’s next door, there are McDonald’s everywhere, eat where the locals do. In order to do that don’t ask the clerk at the front desk but instead ask the housekeeper that cleans the rooms or the taxi drivers. They can usually point out a place where the food is good and the local people flock to in the mornings. Go early and you can get a feel for what is really going on in the city. Whether it is a breakfast place in New Orleans or New Delhi an early morning breakfast with the locals can lead to meeting new people, discovering new foods, and exploring new places beyond the main tourist sites.
Check out the Night Life
Some places close up at night but for most cities there is a vibrant nightlife that a lot of tourists never experience. In Europe it is common for people to start coming out at 9pm and stay out until early morning. In Prague the day time bars close and the evening bars open and stay open with music, drinking and fun until early the next day. In Asia there are Night Markets that offer food and merchandise with a whole different atmosphere than you will find during the day.
Be Spontaneous
You don’t have to plan every minute of your trip. A little spontaneity goes a long way. Start by observing what is going on around you. Is there a side street lined with shops? What about renting a scooter or a car and exploring the outlying areas. Or check out that interesting looking place a few streets away. Get out of your comfort zone just a little and see what happens.
Take the Bus
Instead of the overpriced taxi with the foreigner only rates get your public mass transit on. Take a few bus rides in the Balkans, a Jeepney in the Philippines or a Songtao in Thailand and you just might find the adventure you’re looking for. All three allow you to just get off where you want. Keep your wallet close to you and pay attention to scams but have fun and get off anywhere it looks interesting.
Ask the Local Police
This one is tricky. But when all else fails and you need that adventure fix try this. When I was in the military there were establishments on the “black list”. They were usually the best places to go. So ask the local cop on the street, the shop clerk or the street vendor where there are some places off the tourist grid that someone might go to have some fun. They will probably point you to a pretty good place. If they tell you stay away from a certain establishment ask why. Sometimes it is because it might be owned by organized crime, which is not always a reason to avoid the place. It could be however that they prey on foreigners or violent crime often occurs. So judge wisely and you might find a memorable adventurous experience.
The bottom line is, if you look hard enough you can find adventure in any city. Just be open to new experiences and get out of your comfort zone a little.
Natalie says
I think be spontaneous is the best one. I have had some great times purely through making no plans.
thetravellingfool says
It usually works for me.
Mike Critchley says
GREAT suggestion about the breakfast buffet. In fact, I rarely make it up before the crack of noon when I’m on the road, but the suggestion of asking the housekeeper vs the hotel is spot on. I’ll try that next time around. As for the Jeepney and local transport, just did that for my first time in March. http://asiatravelbug.net/2012/05/06/my-first-jeepney-ride-5-tips-to-get-your-started-bayad-po-18/
Regarding asking cops for shady locations, I wouldn’t recommend that. Even seasoned travelers can get taken advantage of and find themselves in fairly threatening surroundings by going too far off the beaten path — and to me there’s a different between thrill and risk of bodily harm, theft or rip offs. If you are a bad-ass in your home country and live that lifestyle anyway, yeah, go for it. But remember that even the locals avoid stuff like that, and usually for good reason. Anyway, great post!
thetravellingfool says
Well the police was somewhat tongue in cheek. But to give you a good example I knew of a restaurant that was off limits to some because of the owners connection to organized crime. I went there frequently because they were one of the best restaurants in town, never have any trouble there and the staff was friendly.
Derek says
Yes, yes, and YES! Fantastic tips! I am definitely a huge advocate and regular practitioner of the first four items you mentioned. As far as asking the police for tips though, I’ve only ever asked them for directions to an establishment I’d already looked up — next time I’ll have to see what they do (or do not) recommend visiting. Thanks for sharing!
thetravellingfool says
I would imagine adventure seems to find you no matter where you are Derek.
sanjeewa padmal travel blogger says
Good line up of tips. As far as planing is considered, while on holiday, never work with me. If i plan the day whole program is ruined. Therefore what i usually do is be spontaneous all the time. It works for me, maybe because I’m messy,
thetravellingfool says
When being spontaneous you open yourself up to new experiences as they come along. There have been times I wanted to go see something only to find something else interesting on the way.
gabi says
love it. next time i need to find adventure, i’ll know what to do. you guys are soooo cute. hugs, gabi
Adela @ FourJandals says
I love asking locals where to find. Always provides a tasty meal 🙂
Reena @ Wanderplex says
Great suggestions. I would be wary of the police in many countries but sometimes they can be amazing allies in your adventures. One time in Easter Island, we ran into trouble with a dodgy taxi driver and the police ended up getting involved. They were absolutely lovely and felt sorry for the hassle we experienced so they took us on a driving tour of the island (in their police car!) and showed us some amazing lookouts we wouldn’t have found ourselves.
thetravellingfool says
Agreed. The police comment was sort of tongue in cheek but is grounded in truth. While I was in the Military we always found the best spots to frequent by those that were off limits. Most of the time the off limits areas were put there by over reacting although a few were fairly dangerous.