How to be a traveler not a tourist

With both reading week for postsecondary students and March break for high school students coming up, many people will be flocking to the airports and heading off on new adventures! As someone who will be remaining in Sudbury for this break, I’d like to impart some wisdom I’ve learned and gathered to make the most out of a new destination.

There is no one way to experience the world, but there are ways that you can make the most of the little pieces that you are lucky enough to see.

A tourist will: Stick to their group they traveled with and religiously follow the guidebook..

A traveler will: Seek out locals and ditch the guidebook at the first opportunity. There is no better way to learn about a new place than from people who know the ins and outs; the clubs with the best music, the quietest beaches, the fastest street food.   

A tourist will: Flock to restaurants and eat foods that are familiar.

A traveler will: Follow their nose to the small spot tucked away around the corner from the main street. It is easy to look for familiar neon signs, but you can learn so much about a place when you indulge in the tastes of the local cuisine. If the people are the heartbeat of a place, the food and the drink is the what fuels them. 

A tourist will: Make sure they are comfortable throughout their entire trip.

A traveler will: Find the right people and then knows it is okay to be uncomfortable. Take yourself to the edge of your comfort zone, and toe the line, allowing yourself to explore quiet alleys with street art and small galleries with free admission.

A tourist will: Buy hop-on hop-off bus tour tickets and use only that to see the town.

A traveler will: Find out how the local transit system works and pick up a pass – most have day and even family passes!. You get a feel for your temporary place when you move with the ebb and flow of people heading to and from work, or off to grab a quick lunch.  Of course, take note of when the last train leaves the coast to head back in town, but don’t tie yourself to too many train schedules.

A tourist will: Plan their days around checking off the Top Things to do in each city.

A traveler will: Find their niche and use that to guide what they do on their trip. If you’re not interested in history, don’t spend a day in a museum just because it is on the Must See list.  Spend your time in a way that is interesting to you, don’t cram in activities that aren’t up your alley.

A tourist will: Keep their nose glued to a map when rounding each corner and scheduling every minute of their day.

A traveler will: Wander without direction. This way, there is no pressure to make it anywhere on a certain timeline. You can explore the streets leisurely, stop when you’re hungry, and sit down when you find a pretty park instead of worrying about where you are and where you are going..