What are the best ways to explore a new city?

There is not one way but many ones to explore a new city. Here are below my observations and suggestions.

Get lost. Have you seen the French movie L’auberge espagnole by Cédric Klapisch?

Curate what the locals and foodistas such as the guests and hosts of the TV show Très Très Bon has tried, evaluated, and highly recommended. World travelers such as Bruno Maltor do the same for spots they have explored and suggest you discover. Such as Les Ambassadeurs (the Ambassadors) in the TV show brought by RTBF.

Read a printed book or comic/bande dessinée about the city.

When you are in the capital of the country figure out what other cities are worth exploring by train, bus, car, or bike. In less than 1-2 hours. So that you can come back to your hotel by the end of the day or days later.

Do you map spots to explore per interest? Record shops. Second-hand clothes shops. Local food hubs such as local markets, flea markets, food halls. On Google Maps or Collections or any other open-source tools?

Mapping is a way to make sense of the chaos and to share with discernment with your colleague,

Tech and startups centers. Coworking and third places.

Museums and art galleries. Seasonal and permanent exhibits.

Street art spots. Sports centers. Parks, gardens, and lakes. What else?

Ask your entourage if they have already been to the new city that you are keen to explore. Ask for recommendations, ask for shared Google Maps or a digital list. Via instant messaging, email or when you meet your family, friend, or colleague in person.

Throw an arrow on a printed map of the country of your choice or the map of the world. Then you have a challenge for yourself to go exploring the new city.

Hear a podcast hosted by locals on the new city that you consider exploring. This is what I did before my trip to Dublin, Ireland few years ago.

Hear a music playlist on the new city you want to explore. To discover the references and spots the song and artists mention with lyrics. So that you can explore the spots on the ground.

Subscribed to a blog written by world travelers.

Go with the flows when you are exploring the city. Don’t use any GPS, social media or printed guide or map. Just follow the leads through the indications every city has with traffic signs. Because walkers and drivers can check them if they want to go to a place in a new city.

How do you marinate yourself and learn from different cultures?

Meet in person a strong tie in your global network. Do the same with a weak tie. Over a coffee or lunch in the new city. Back in the days I met at various times two community hosts in Paris, France. When I was on vacation in Copenhagen, Denmark, few years ago I met one of the co-authors of the book, The Neo-Generalist, in which I am mentioned.

Explore the new city by bike, bus, train, or walking. Downtown. In the suburbs. In the gardens, parks, wood.

What are your best ways to explore a new city?

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