When in Rome, they say, do as the Romans do. In other words, once you\u2019re done snapping photos of the Colosseum, divorce yourself from your DSLR and start snooping around small eateries for the best bowl of tortelli di zucca. Some communities lend themselves to living like a local; these are places where a sense of town pride persists and small businesses abound. \u00a0Here, like Jane Goodall, you can embed yourself deep in the trenches of local food and culture on an urban safari, recording and participating in the habits of distinct populations\u2014from the guttural cries of sports fans to the drinking habits of college students.<\/p>\n
Are you up for the challenge? Here are some of the top cities to explore like a native:<\/p>\n
Baton Rouge, LA<\/strong><\/p>\n Any vacation anthropologist can attest to the brilliance of celebratory rituals along Bourbon Street each night. By day, New Orleans neighborhoods like the French Quarter and Garden District tempt you to explore streets imbued with smooth jazz and the faint smell of fresh beignets. But while there are plenty of things to do in the Big Easy<\/a>, you\u2019ll find a sense of city pride that\u2019s hard to match 90-minutes away in Baton Rouge.<\/p>\n Begin your urban trek in Baton Rouge where this capital city saw its own beginnings: Spanish Town. Walk past candy-colored houses, soaking up the air of history and strong sense of community that define the city\u2019s oldest neighborhood. As you begin to ponder lunch, you\u2019ll spot an oasis just ahead. It\u2019s the Spanish Town Market, selling a sacred regional delicacy: Po\u2019 Boy Sandwiches. Eat up.<\/p>\n Fueled by your afternoon feast, you\u2019re off to investigate this community\u2019s leadership at the Old State Capitol building. Examine the museum\u2019s artifacts and documents, then continue your urban safari at Sally\u2019s Circa 1857, an antiques and architectural salvage shop. Browse felt hats with a story to tell and hold vintage vanity treasures in your hands. Is that a tiger you spot as you spill back onto the sidewalk? Follow the purple-shirted creature to its den, the Louisiana State University campus. It\u2019s here that you can assimilate yourself into a football tailgating ritual and get a treat at the legen-dairy LSU Dairy Store.<\/p>\n Fort Wayne, IN<\/strong><\/p>\n You\u2019ve penetrated the deeply committed basketball community in Indianapolis, which was no easy feat. You had to shoot a perfect set of free throws to seal the deal. Now that the athletic enthusiasts of the Hoosier State have accepted you as one of their own, your urban safari brings you to Fort Wayne (AKA Tree City, USA). With 86 city parks at your disposal, your examination of local leafy greens is sure to be extensive\u2014and relaxing!<\/p>\n With nary a throng of tourists to be found, it\u2019s easy to find a patch of green in Fort Wayne. Begin at Lakeside Park & Rose Garden, where nearly 26 acres of wide open space await. Linger under the pergola, marveling at intricate design; if you suspect the structure was modeled after a similar pergola from a bygone era\u2014you\u2019re right on. Just after studying the ripples in the reflecting pond, you\u2019re off to count the number of rose varieties in the National Rose Garden. Featuring more than 100, yep, it checks out. Your tour of local parks continues at the Sunken Gardens and then Johnny Appleseed Park before it\u2019s time for the dinner bell.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll eat\u2014where else?\u2014at the Coney Island Wiener Stand. Locals swear the steamed buns and Coney dogs are world famous. Grab a seat at the counter and order one with all the fixings. For research. Before you leave town, you\u2019ll make one last stop: The Arts Campus on Main. Grab a piece of chalk and write what you love about Fort Wayne on one of the available boards, leaving your mark behind\u2026if only for a while.<\/p>\n The Mission District, San Francisco, CA<\/strong><\/p>\n Ah, San Fran. To examine the City by the Bay as it deserves could take a sabbatical! Indeed, colorful communities such as The Castro and Haight-Ashbury offer a canon\u2019s-worth of material. Stop and examine a single neighborhood, though, and your safari becomes much more manageable.<\/p>\n Welcome to the Mission District. The best way to get to know the vibe of a place is through its local art. Get acquainted with the colorful Mission on a street art walking tour<\/a>. Continue your trek down the Valencia Corridor, where slow a meander through local shops immediately sets your heart to the pulse of the neighborhood. Shop for vintage home goods or your next good read. Dog Eared Books and Little Paper Planes are sure to have intriguing titles.<\/p>\n [viewfinder-image-landscape]<\/p>\n After supporting local vendors, you\u2019re off to discover what fuels such an artistic community. You begin your hunting and gathering at Tartine, where locals get their carb fix with freshly baked bread. Next, you\u2019re off to the Bi-Rite Market, a neighborhood store selling fresh produce and artisan cheese. Picnic in Dolores Park, and a local is sure to recommend tonight\u2019s live music at The Chapel. Of course you\u2019ll take their advice!<\/p>\n Lititz, PA<\/strong><\/p>\n This Pennsylvania community near Harrisburg bills itself as \u201cAmerica\u2019s Coolest Small Town,\u201d so it\u2019s definitely worth a visit when you want a Norman Rockwell type of vacation. You\u2019ll begin your deep-dive into rural PA with a stop at the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery. A local favorite, this place has been in the pretzel-making business for more than 100 years. First you twist your own faux soft pretzel, then you eat a real one. Yum. Get a taste of relaxation at Lititz Springs Park, which spans over seven acres. You can often indulge in regional art, music and crafts in the park as well\u2014it\u2019s a favorite spot to host events.<\/p>\n Missoula, MT<\/strong><\/p>\n A trip to the mountains can mean navigating busy ski resorts or the popular streets of Denver. But then there\u2019s Missoula. A town with a strong pulse, you will feel one part ranch hand and one part urban hipster during your visit. No matter, it\u2019s a recipe for awesomeness.<\/p>\n Your endeavor to see how Missoulians live begins just after dawn, with a hot cup of mountain coffee. Head to Black Coffee Roasting to pair your beans with artisan toast, or get your fix at Break Espresso. At the latter, you have the privilege of observing the last-minute studying habits of regional college students; watch as they voraciously highlight in their text books while sipping on a piping hot latte.<\/p>\n Learn how Montana residents make the most of fresh mountain air at the Blue Mountain Recreation Area. Hiking, biking, and equestrian trails let you unplug from the e-world and reconnect with the real one. The Blue Mountain Nature Trail culminates at a lookout point where you will feel at one with sky and earth alike. With an understanding of Missoula\u2019s natural splendor under your belt, it\u2019s time to hit the local watering hole. The Montgomery Distillery is a family-run business with deep Montana roots\u2014we can\u2019t think of a better place to grab a stool and shoot the breeze with some life-long Missoula residents.<\/p>\n San Antonio, TX<\/strong><\/p>\n Dust off your 10-gallon hat and practice integrating the term \u201cy\u2019all\u201d into your vocab: You\u2019re headed to Alamo City (and don\u2019t you forget it). A love of brisket and an appreciation for Spanish colonial architecture will immediately endear you to the locals. Tout your love of yummy hot spots like Top Top Caf\u00e9 and Earl Abel\u2019s, and you\u2019ll sound like a native in no time.<\/p>\n [viewfinder-image-small-horizontal]<\/p>\n Start your exploration of San Anton with a breakfast taco. You could order a short stack of pancakes, but you want to fit in, after all\u2014and breakfast tacos are a staple here. A long list of eateries along Hildebrand Avenue, including Taco Taco and Mary Lou\u2019s Caf\u00e9, have what you\u2019re jonesing for. While you\u2019re in the area, investigate some local treasures at Lasting Impressions Antiques.<\/p>\n