City travel can often feel overwhelming: the sights, the sounds, the people rushing by. All this activity, light and movement is a feast for the senses, but it’s easy to feel overcome by it all. And while safety is usually the number one concern for solo travelers, there are many other things to consider to make your big city experience a successful and enjoyable one.
Having lived and worked in Seattle for nearly the past five years and visited other large North American cities in the last year (New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Vancouver), I’ve picked up a few tips to help make tackling your first solo big city sojourn easy.
Check out the official tourism website
Big city neighborhoods are like smaller cities part that are of a larger whole. The local tourism board or destination marketing organization (DMO) usually offers an overview of these smaller enclaves, treating them as destinations onto themselves, offering information to help you decide which might suit you best.
Follow the local news
Following local news channels on the web or on social media can keep you up to date on what’s happening on the ground at your destination. If a big protest threatens to snarl your plans, you can work around it (or join in if that suits you). Local news outlets are often great resources for learning about all of the great opportunities to enjoy interesting smaller art exhibits, off-the-wall shows, and the random block party or street fair.
Get a lay of the land
Make sure you have a map on hand–if you’re using Google Maps on your smartphone, download and make your city map available offline to save on data and battery usage. Also, pay attention to topography. Traversing hillier cities like Seattle and San Francisco can be more challenging than you might expect.
Ditch the car
Without fail, every time I’ve visited a large city driving a car, I’ve regretted it. Not only do you waste valuable travel time sitting in traffic, getting lost navigating around the same one-way street for what feels like the millionth time is frustrating and just a bit demoralizing. Let’s not even get into the cost of parking. Ditch the car to save your sanity.
Take public transit
Public transit is a great option, often less expensive than driving a car. When I have the choice, I usually prefer to take light rail because it’s faster and street congestion is less of an issue. If you opt to use transit, be wary about traveling during rush hour–harried commuters can be unforgiving to visitors who doesn’t know where they’re going. Also, if you don’t like being in close quarters or crowds, consider using transit during off-peak hours.
Use your feet
Getting around on two feet is my favorite way to get around. Walking around a city is a truly special experience–you really feel the scope and scale of the city in a way you wouldn’t traveling in a bus, car, or subway. It might take more time, but scenes you might have missed while zipping past in a vehicle become a frequent treat when you’re on your feet. Plus, with all of the delicious eats you’ll likely find in a large city, a little extra exercise is a bonus.
Cluster your daily activities
If you’re traveling to a city that’s spread out–like Los Angeles at a whopping 503 square miles in size–concentrate your daily sightseeing to a specific area. You’ll spend less time zigzagging from place to place.
Skip the packed schedule
Although it’s tempting to max out your itinerary, plan a light schedule. Big cities also tend to be popular tourist destinations, and there may be long lines and lots of waiting around you haven’t anticipated. A packed schedule can make you feel anxious and lessen your enjoyment of your experience.
Do you
Spend time on things that matter to you. Don’t waste your valuable vacation on sightseeing or events that aren’t interesting to you, even if all the guidebooks and blogs say it’s the best thing ever. Travel your truth.
Big city travel can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Educate yourself about where you’re headed, plan how and when and how you’re going to get around, and don’t forget to enjoy yourself. Which big city are you ready to tackle this year?