We originally posted this a few months ago, but found it particularly compelling given our recent stay outside of downtown Austin. Getting yourself away from the tourist hub may mean a bus ride and some planning, but these tiny inconveniences will be rewarded twofold.
Often, when planning a trip to a city, we find ourselves looking downtown for accommodations. After all, on paper, business districts are attractive because they tend to have more transit, more well-known museums and attractions, and swankier hotels. However, in reality, staying downtown often leaves the traveller surrounded by homogenous financial buildings, lunchtime-only or high-end restaurants, and department-store shopping. If you're looking for a more offbeat trip, then staying downtown may not be for you.
What's an independant-minded traveller to do?
Why not consider putting yourself closer to the real heart of a city stay in a more residential neighborhood? Finding alternative lodging, such a bed and breakfast or a hostel, would likely get you closer to things that actually interest you like a local shopping district or some funky local restaurants.
Do a little research on a city's neighborhoods and see if there are any that fit your personality. We've found good neighborhood info on Yelp and even the venerable Wikipedia that helped us figure out what neighborhoods to visit. Headed to Seattle and want to find some great vintage clothing stores? Capitol Hill might fit the bill. In Atlanta for a weekend and don't want to stay at the Ritz? Little Five Points might be right up your alley.
The strange little shop or hole in the wall restaurant you find in your adventures may just be the key to a great trip. So next time you plan on hitting the road, keep your eyes peeled for a place where you can let yourself go and truely be yourself.
Staying in a cool neighborhood can be great. You get to see 'real life' in a big city like New York if you find a room in Brooklyn or the East Village. This summer we stayed near the Albert arts district in Portland, Oregon, and loved having easy access to all those cool restaurants and shops. It can be cheaper too.
At the same time, staying in downtown can be convenient, especially if you don't have a car, or if the city doesn't have decent public transportation.
I wish we had followed this advice the first time we went to Portland, staying downtown was troublesome because there isn't much interesting for us to do. Plus, it took time to get to the places we did want to go.
@darngooddigs: Would you recommend staying in that neighborhood in the future?
sure. we loved astoria street. it seemed like a real neighborhood - not too far from downtown, but lots of cafes and restaurants right there. I also recommend staying at the Kennedy School, which is right around the corner. here's a link to our review http://www.darngooddigs.com/kennedyschoolportland.html.
The ideal place for jaunting should not be too far from downtown where you can enjoy a bit of serenity as well as have access to good stores for shopping.
I think I might have the Travellious instinct... I just planned a trip to explore NYC and we stayed in Brooklyn instead of the city. It was better food, CHEAPer food, more interesting people, etc..
The Travellious instinct, I love it. We stayed out of the madness of SXSW and it was such a nice break to walk the quiet streets at night, hang out with the college kids, and eat in the cheap college joints. This whole post was inspired by staying in one of Portland's "best" hotels by getting a last minute deal on Priceline and then having to schlep it out to the neighborhoods to do anything fun. I'm going to have to try staying in Brooklyn the next time I head to NYC. Even local New Yorkers think that subway ride across the river is an ordeal. It's all relative I guess.
Also, with some downtown hotels, it'll most likely be a ghost town on the weekends. If you happen to be traveling for leisure, definitely take the post's advice and see what's around you at various times of the day (or night).
-Liz K.
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The one place I've been that doesn't fit this rule is Las Vegas - "downtown" in Las Vegas largely means Fremont Street, and everything is much less wallet-busting there than on the Strip, from the hotels to the buffets to the souvenirs. It's got a much more relaxed, homey atmosphere, and when you do want to head up to the Strip, the Duece double-decker buses stop right at Fremont Street, and I believe it's still less than $6 for an all-day bus pass (which are worth it!)
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