"It's impossible to have a routine while traveling."

I hear this often from haters of long-term travelers.

It's definitely harder, but I typically seek the same offerings in different cities. Call it whatever you want, but it feels like a routine to me.

The following are my favorite things to do, no matter what city I'm in, to maximize the experience.

10. Hang out at the hostel

This may be a little basic, but you can have the most unexpected and eye-opening conversations by talking to other travelers.

I find it fascinating that hostels create such a culture of openness with strangers that few other social settings do successfully. I've met successful entrepreneurs, military servicemen, and people from all walks of life in hostels. Hearing their stories is one of the great joys of traveling.

Bonus points for traveling solo–these conversations seem to come much more naturally in that setting.

9. Find the outdoor gym

I work out every day while traveling and 50% of the time, I'm looking for an outdoor gym to do my calisthenics workout. Outdoor gyms are free, saving me over $1000 on day passes in the last 8 months alone.

All I need to do this workout is a pull-up bar, so whenever I'm walking around a city, I'm craning my neck in search of one. These outdoor gyms are also a great place to meet locals–I've gotten some great restaurant recommendations from other gymgoers over the months!

8. Sit in a park or coffee shop and write

Whenever a park is one of the top things to do in a city, I take that as an invitation to bring my laptop and write!

Whether it's Hyde Park in London, Ufschötti in Lucerne, or Vondelpark in Amsterdam, sitting and writing outside brings such a relaxed, slow-paced feeling to the day. If it's too hot, or I need WiFi, I'll pivot to a coffee shop or cafe and indulge in some sweets while writing.

Exploring all day can be exhausting and writing can be a solid way to break it up.

7. Find the best view in the city

Oh man, this is the best.

Something about nice views always makes me think about life and be grateful for all my blessings. It also gives me a greater affinity for the city if it's beautiful from up above.

Some of my favorite cities in the world like Barcelona, Athens, and Seoul are also places I've found to have the most spectacular city views.

Coincidence? I think not!

6. Party

Come on. Who hasn't gone partying in a new city they're visiting.

I don't enjoy partying much when I'm home. But when I'm traveling, it's one of the best things to do. It can be a great way to connect with locals and travelers, make memories you'll never forget (or remember 🤔), and feel more connected to the place you're visiting.

It's also no coincidence that some of my favorite cities in the world (in addition to those I mentioned above), like Madrid, Bangkok, and Prague

5. Try the local food

You can't go to France without trying a croissant, Germany without eating schnitzel, or Turkey without having a kebab.

It's against the unspoken rules of travel. Wherever you are, you try the local food at least once, but ideally more than once.

After all, food is amazing, and local food is even more amazing. Bonus points if you find an authentic restaurant and avoid the low-quality tourist traps with photos of the dish on the menu, salesmen begging you to come in, and food that costs double what it should.

4. Free walking tour

This is the best budget traveler tip in almost any city. Google "CITY NAME free walking tour" and find the best option based on the reviews.

You'll walk around the city with tons of other budget travelers and learn about the city's history more engagingly than most museums. Plus, you'll meet like-minded people and maybe even get a restaurant recommendation from the guide.

Tip $5-15 and voila! You've completed a free walking tour.

I do these in almost every city. They are one of the best travel hacks out there.

3. Watch the sunset

It's why I quit my job. Allegedly.

But it's one of the best things to do while traveling. Life moves too fast at home. We never have time for anything.

But vacation is our time to slow down and be reminded of the little things in life. Considering this is effectively a year-long vacation, slowing down and watching the sunset never gets old.

It can be an amazing memory to share with friends, a way to unlock a deep conversation with someone you just met, or a personal moment to reflect on what's gotten you to this point.

Whatever your reason, the sunset is there for you. Every single day.

2. Go for a run

As someone who loves to exercise while traveling, going for a run kills two birds with one stone.

It's a great way to stay fit, obviously. When travel can easily take you out of your fitness routine, running can get you back in it. All you need to do is step outside and begin. It costs $0, and has the added benefit of allowing you to eat more food when you're done!

It's also a great way to see the city. Most cities have beautiful running paths along rivers, in parks, or near landmarks. This means that while running you can also go sightseeing! What's better than that?

No two runs will ever be the same when you're constantly traveling so there's no fear of monotony.

Simply put, going for runs is one of the best things I've done on the road.

1. Hang out with locals

This is the undisputed best thing to do while traveling.

Meeting travelers is cool and all. But meeting locals is the best way to understand their lifestyle, the country's culture, and the people on a more personal level.

It's not always easy to find, but take advantage if you can. My best travel stories almost always involve locals–bonus points if they invite you to hang out with their friend groups. It's the best way to feel like you're living a true day in the life in the city.

Some of my best local experiences have come in Cebu, Philippines; Vienna, Austria; and Zurich, Switzerland because I got to hang out with local friend groups.

Not coincidentally, these cities hold a special place in my heart.

What are your favorite things to do while traveling? Let me know in the comments!