What’s the best way to explore a new city?
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This is a fun question! Thinking back on my travels, I realized I’ve developed a consistent routine that seems to have started back in 2017.
New York City, New York, USA, 2017:
It was my first solo trip. Flying from SJU to JFK for a layover before heading to Ireland, I had nine hours to kill in New York. I had visited before, but always with family; navigating the city alone felt intimidating. Nevertheless, I was determined to “get lost in the concrete jungle” for a few hours. With only my backpack, I navigated the Long Island Rail Road from JFK to Penn Station… stopping almost every employee I saw to double-check my directions. Once I arrived, I found the nearest coffee shop with a four-star rating on Google Maps.
I ordered a bagel and coffee, people-watched for a bit, and then set out on foot. As I walked, my confidence grew. I started to understand the city’s rhythm, learning the streets and observing the locals’ fast-paced lives while avoiding the usual tourist traps. After four hours, I headed back to the station and caught my tram to Terminal 5 just in time for my flight.
São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, 2024:
Brazil for an important work gathering? Yes, please! It was my first trip to Brazil (3 more trips came after that one in the same year) and after 2 days of nonstop meetings, the return day I had a few hours to kill. What did I do? Walk down Rua Oscar Freire and visit 3 coffee shops. Some coworkers had recommended me a few, and Santo Grão was the one they were pushing the most for me to visit. I stepped in, and in Portuguese I ordered a Carioca, not knowing what it was, and the waitress/barista, sized me up and responded in Portuguese “you don’t want a Carioca, you’re going to want this one”. I don’t remember her suggestion, but I just went with it and it was a great decision! She brought it over, and as we spoke about Brazilian coffee, she mentioned that the Carioca was more of a “watered Americano coffee, and that it seemed like I would want an actual coffee and not something watered down”, to which I wholeheartedly agreed.
Montreal, Canada, 2025:
First time ever in Canada, and it was for a work trip! I found myself with two or three hours to spare. I had one mission: try Tim Hortons. I found one around the block and nearly ran there for a coffee. It was a mistake. The second I took a sip, I wanted to toss it. I walked to Dorchester Square, poured the coffee out after a second failed attempt to enjoy it, and sat for a while. Eventually, a coworker suggested and met me at a local coffee shop nearby. I got to order in French, enjoyed a fantastic cup of coffee, and set off for Old Montreal in a much better mood.
Long story short, the best way to explore a new city is to grab a good cup of coffee and start walking. Coffee (or tea if that’s your cup of preference!) gives you a firsthand taste of the local flavor, and the cafes are exactly where you’ll find the pulse of the neighborhood. Now, don’t be going to a Starbucks, stick to the local coffee or tea shops for the real experience and where the true culture and locals are.
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