One of the best parts about visiting new places and new assignments is experiencing all of the unique offerings of the area. I traveled pretty frequently in my previous position with Aureus and had the opportunity to visit locations in the US that I may not have ever had the chance to see, had it not been for my work travels. I became pretty savvy at taking advantage of the often limited time I had in each city.
Aureus works with so many traveling medical professionals out on the road that I wanted to share my go-to resources in hopes of helping these travelers make the most of the time they spend in new areas.
Whether you are on assignment for three months or more, just passing through on the way to your next position, or taking a weekend trip to explore nearby locations, you can make the most of your experiences!
Head to the app store: My favorite apps for finding good local spots include Yelp, Trip Advisor, and Instagram. Try these searches on Trip Advisor and Yelp: “tourist must see list” or “top tourist attractions.” The key here is actually trying something new! On one of my most recent trips, I was in Grand Rapids, Michigan and a botanical garden came up on my list. It turned out to be amazing- complete with an enormous horse statue (don’t worry I have a photo) and seemingly endless grounds full of sculptures, waterfalls, and of course beautiful plants.
When researching restaurants, I highly recommend sorting your search results by rating so you capture the best of the best. You can bookmark restaurants and other selections on Yelp ahead of time so once you arrive, you can pull up your list and see which of your top picks is closest (or which sounds the best that day!) Be sure to check out the pictures for each place to get a good idea of what they serve and what they are known for! Be sure to take part in the local fare- many places have a particular dish for which the city or region is known!
Instagram is great for finding hidden gems in your new location! If you are in Sacramento, California, you can search hashtags such as #visitsacramento or #sacramentoeats for example. If you see something in the results that you like, you can click on the location tag on the post to find other pictures from that location to investigate further and can even pull up the location in maps right in the app!
Get an expert opinion: Ask your coworkers for recommendations for sightseeing or great areas of their city to experience. It is a great way to get the perspective of the locals. You might even receive an offer from your coworker to show you around the areas or join you at the great brunch spot they recommend! I once visited a client facility in North Carolina and received some advice from my HR contact. He advised me to “Do yourself a favor and take the ferry to Southport and eat at the Fishy Fishy Café.” I did exactly that with very little time spent researching and was so thankful for a local’s input and a new experience!
Go for a run, walk, or bike ride: Taking to foot allows for more exploring than driving sometimes can! It is a great way to slow down and take in your surroundings, or stumble across a tucked away boutique or coffee shop you may not have noticed otherwise! Search for running trails or parks in the area on Yelp and go for a walk or run at the lake or park to take in some nature and stay active while you travel! Maybe the area offers hiking trails or even stand-up paddle boarding for the more adventurous!
The travelers who get out there and take advantage of all the areas have to offer have the most fulfilling experiences while on assignment! Don’t forget to try something new and make the most of your trip!
Cathy Mutz is a Branch Manager with the Rehab Therapy division of Aureus Medical Group.