Travel like a local: Discover hidden gems with a vacation home stay
Want a more immersive, authentic travel experience? Skip the tourist traps—here’s how vacation homes help you live like a local.
Updated July 2025
Updated July 2025
Whether you're craving culture, cuisine, or connection, today’s travelers are leaning into experiences that go beyond the brochure. Instead of checking off a crowded checklist, you want to live like a local—to uncover the neighborhood bakery that never makes it on TikTok, or the trail that locals hike after work.
A vacation home helps make that happen. From quiet coastal towns to cozy mountain escapes, staying in a vacation rental can immerse you in the rhythms, routines, and realness of everyday life in a new place.
Here’s how to unlock an authentic adventure.
Unlike hotels that cluster near major attractions or highways, vacation homes are often nestled into the neighborhoods where locals actually live. Think pastel beach cottages just blocks from the marina or mountain chalets tucked into sleepy ski towns. These homes give you a front-row seat to community life—whether it's early-morning surfers, neighbors walking dogs, or farmers’ markets popping up on Saturdays.
One of the easiest ways to experience a destination like a local is to simply walk it. Take a morning stroll to find that café with strong coffee and zero lines, or let your evening unfold naturally as you follow the sound of live music down a side street.
Exploring on foot (or by bike) opens the door to serendipitous discoveries—the hole-in-the-wall taco joint or the thrift store full of vintage treasures.
With room to unpack and truly settle in, a vacation home offers the comforts that hotels can’t. You’ll have space for yoga mats, gear for the kids, or even your favorite slippers.
Whether you’re staying for a long weekend or a full month, having a home base helps you feel like a temporary local—not just a guest passing through.
Think about it: when you’re at home, do you order out for every meal of the day? The answer is probably no. Instead, save some money without skimping on local fare by cooking meals in your full kitchen. Visit nearby farmers’ markets, cheese shops, delis, and seafood markets to assemble a menu of locally sourced ingredients. (We think it’s the most delicious way to travel like a local.) And don’t forget to reward your hard work with a little something from the wine, beer, or spirits scene.
Pair your meal with a local wine or craft beer, and enjoy it on your own private patio. Cheers to skipping the crowded brunch spots.
Traveling to a place known for outdoor adventure? Renting equipment adds up fast. Luckily, many vacation homes come with perks like kayaks, paddleboards, bikes, or beach chairs—or at the very least, a garage to stash your gear.
At Vacasa, you can filter homes that include these amenities, or search for homes with easy access to trails, lakes, or boat launches.
From brewing your own coffee in the morning to tossing in a load of laundry after a beach day, it’s the small conveniences that make a vacation home feel, well, like home. More importantly, those saved minutes add up to more time for slow travel: reading on the porch, chatting with neighbors, or finding that bookstore no one’s talking about on Instagram (yet).
