100 Ways to Slightly Improve Your Travel Experience #9: Take A Walk Around the Block

 

When you check into a hotel in a city location, within the first couple of hours, take a walk around the block.  Walk around three or four blocks if you have the time and energy.  This gives you a feel for the place, helps to locate shops and restaurants outside of the hotel and nearby.  When I don't do this, I am much more likely to do everything inside of the hotel, eating at the same restaurants, and shopping in the overpriced hotel shops.  I will sometimes go out in search of refreshments to keep in the room.  Recently I checked into a hotel, bought a small bottle of water in the lobby, for $2.50, when I took my walk I bought a six-pack of the same bottled water for less than $4 - and there was a small refrigerator in the room.  

This is not as easy in suburban or rural locations as it is in cities.  But still take five minutes to take a look around.  Often the small local businesses are delighted to have customers from out of town.