7 standout spots that locals love
Can you keep a secret? Us neither. We’ve uncovered tucked-away beaches, cool artsy neighborhoods, and under-the-radar shopping spots in seven hot destinations
Some of life’s most cherished travel memories happen when you step off the tourist trail and seek out the spots that locals love. Perhaps your passion for art steers you towards an underground gallery scene, or you indulge a love of fashion in a vintage shopper’s paradise. Your roving taste buds might lead you to a district serving up authentic global dishes. Whatever your current obsession, visiting these lesser-known neighborhoods will make a vacation uniquely yours.
Best for: Quieter surf spots and underground arts
World-famous Surfers Paradise beach is the undeniable darling of Australia’s sunny Gold Coast, but savvy locals have their own favorite spots. Family-friendly Currumbin (pictured top) is one of them, a perfect, less crowded swath of sandy shore for all levels of surfers, with kayaking, fishing, and SUP-ing nearby.
On land, Goldie locals love Currumbin’s thriving arts scene: The suburb’s industrial spaces are fast fostering underground galleries and studios. In Headworx Collective, you’ll find the artist-run HIVE gallery space, while Dust Temple combines a café with event space and exhibitions, plus workshops and life-drawing classes. Stay at boutique Tessa’s on the Beach for panoramic ocean views.
Best for: Traveling the world on a plate
Over the past decade, the old workers’ district that borders the 200-year-old Lachine Canal in Montreal has blossomed into a globe-trotting foodies’ paradise, with some of the best international restaurants in the city.
Try Satay Brothers for Singaporean street food, Arthurs for Jewish fare and Maquis Yasolo for Afro Québécois. Over at Atwater Market, brimming with local produce, there are even more international stalls; pop to Le Petit Sao for Vietnamese snacks and iced coffee. Book into the Hotel William Gray aparthotel for a homelike stay.
Best for: Supersize street art
Since Cancun was first developed as a tourist destination in 1970, it has become one of North America’s favorite beach-vacation destinations, and most visitors stay—and never leave—the Zona Hotelera. But a more local feel awaits downtown, in El Centro. And for fans of street art, it’s an area ablaze with colorful murals and works by some of the most talked-about street artists in Mexico.
In 2016, Cancun hosted Meeting of Styles, the long-standing international street art and graffiti event—the same year that Spanish artist Spok Brillor was invited to take part in PangeaSeed’s “Sea Walls” project and painted Game Over, a large-scale mural depicting marine animals in a gum-ball machine to raise awareness on ocean conservation. Today, Avenida Yachilán, Avenida Uxmal and Avenida Bonampak function as canvases for brilliant Mexican street artists such as Areuz, Paola Delfin and It’s a Living—just wander the streets, or take a tour. Finally, end your day poolside at Mezcal Hotel.
Best for: Wild-swimming adventures
When nature-loving residents of Orlando feel the need to escape the bustle of the city, they make a beeline for their preferred spring-fed swimming hole: Rock Springs Run for tubing, Blue Springs to see abundant manatees, or De Leon Springs for scuba diving. But for adventurous wild-swimmers, it doesn’t get much better than the clear, spring-fed waters of the Wekiwa River, perfect for cooling off after hiking the trails of Wekiwa Springs State Park, or kayaking the waterways. At the end of the day, retreat to The Alfond Inn in nearby Winter Park, featuring a pool and spa.
Best for: An incredible indie food scene
Even in the vast, food-obsessed British capital, the south-of-the-river neighborhood of Peckham is famed as an incubator for independent new culinary businesses. Peckham Levels, an old multi-story parking garage turned multidisciplinary arts and enterprise venue, has a food hall offering everything from Senegalese soul food at Little Baobab to the Korean street food at Masta’s.
Rooftop bar Frank’s was a pioneer of the Peckham food and drink scene when it opened in 2009; now it’s a cherished London institution (open for the summer from May). It’s absolutely worth visiting on a rooftop bar crawl of Peckham, also taking in Bussey Building and the CLF Art Lounge. Just a short Tube ride away is the colorful Church Street Hotel by Belvilla.
A cultural guide to London
Best for: Cutting-edge street style
When seeking out Osaka’s legendary street looks, many tourists make for Amerikamura (the “American Village”), the city’s former warehouse district-turned-trendy hot spot. But it’s the city’s low-key Horie neighborhood that local fashion and art students flock to. Head to music venue Namba Hatch on the waterfront for excellent people-watching, with locals modeling their creative styles.
Meanwhile, Orange Street is lined with independent streetwear, vintage and homeware boutiques (aim for the Master-Piece flagship store and cult retro store Real McCoy’s). And the area’s old furniture showrooms have steadily been converted into designers’ ateliers, with organic bakery Westwood Bakers on hand to fuel hipster shoppers. Mimaru Osaka Namba North welcomes all ages with kitchenettes, an arcade and bunk beds.
Follow The Amazing Race to Osaka
Best for: Mexican American culture
In the “City of Neighborhoods,” historic Pilsen is the cultural heart of Chicago’s Mexican community. For art lovers, trips to see the 16th Street Murals and the always intriguing, always free National Museum of Mexican Art are essential. Then hit the shops: Check out locally owned Mestiza for colorful folk art and Sleep Walk Chocolateria & Cafe for a barrel-aged mocha. Break for lunch at one of the many taquerias; 5 Rabanitos is a standout local favorite. Spend your nights at The Publishing House B&B, a cozy spot serving a full breakfast.
Anna Hart is a culture writer specializing in adventure travel and positive-impact tourism. Her work has appeared in Vogue, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times, and she is the author of the travel memoir Departures.
