One of the things I love to do while traveling is to try to live like a local as much as possible. Now, this isn’t always possible. If you’re at an all-inclusive resort or on a guided tour, you may not have the ability to get out and stretch your wings. But in other cases, you can and should. that’s actually one of the benefits of lodging options like Airbnb and VRBO. They have you staying in neighborhoods, hosted by locals who can tell you their favorite restaurants and shops.

Here are some ways to live more like a local:

• Try to follow cultural norms for eating times. That will get you into restaurants at the same time as locals.
• Remember what I said Monday about always reading signs on public transportation? The intended audience for most of those signs is the local population. If you go to a show or concert, you’re likely to be surrounded by people who live there.
• Don’t be afraid to chat with locals who are working at the places you visit. Ask your wait staff what local folks order there. Ask the museum guide for her favorite place to get a snack. Ask the desk clerk at the hotel where he takes hos kids on the weekend. I have found some of my favorite places that way.
• Try to get out of the tourist areas at least occasionally. In the neighborhoods, you can shop where the locals do.

Part of the joy of traveling is getting out of your usual patterns, meeting new people, and experiencing new things. So get out there and live like a local.