How to Find Local Eateries When Traveling

The only thing I love more than traveling is finding the local eateries while I’m there. Food encompasses a lot of a region's local eccentricities and flair. Here are some suggestions to find local eateries when traveling.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Tour guide
• Internet access

1. Ask your travel agent. If purchasing a trip through a travel agent, ask about local eateries. Most agents are knowledgeable about the area and past clients often pass on to them what they loved.
2. Purchase a city guide or get a travel book from a travel club. For example, AAA has statewide travel books that highlight popular restaurants in the area. There are numerous other publications that do the same.
3. Hop online. The Internet is a wonderful tool. You can type in the type of cuisine you enjoy along with the city and state and numerous restaurants will pop up. You can read reviews and hear what people had to say.
4. Check out the city and state's information bureau. Most places have a website that details citywide ordinances, historic information and travel services. By reading about that town’s historic district or downtown area you might gain a feel for the towns eateries. Some towns even have links or recommendations for tourists to enjoy.
5. Ask the locals. Most people love to rave about their favorite restaurants. Ask someone where a delicious bakery or coffee shop is. Most people will be more than happy to help. If you are visiting friends or family request they show you where the best pizza parlor or Thai place is.
6. Investigate. Set out on the town for a day and investigate. Look for local cafes that look popular or search for a tiny whole in the wall. Often times, these rare finds are the best kinds.
7. Keep an open mind. This is the biggest suggestion I can give. If you try a new ethnic food or cuisine you may be delighted. Since different parts of the country have different flavors, be willing to experiment.