There's nothing wrong with being a tourist, but it could make your travels even better to know that there's more than just sightseeing. Tourist sites are popular for a reason, but in between crossing items off your bucket list and taking photos of yourself in front of landmarks, try one of these options for a richer travel experience.
Get a job.
If you want to travel while digging into the surroundings, meeting tons of people, and making some extra money, getting a job is the way to go. It doesn't have to be stressful or too time consuming, but can give you the chance to stay in one place for a longer period of time. Plus, getting a job in a travel destination of your choosing can help you gain new skills, learn about the culture and network with a whole host of locals and other travelers.
Volunteer.
Along the same lines as getting a job , volunteering can help you submerge yourself in the culture while giving back. Find a volunteer program that fits your skills, interests or career goals and get started. Many programs offer benefit packages which can include room and board, social events and optional field trips around the area. By volunteering, you will have the chance to work alongside the locals while really getting to know them. Also, the projects that you work on will be telling of problems that you may have not known about before; giving you a deeper understanding of the everyday struggles of the place that you are visiting.
Make friends with the locals.
It's actually easier than it sounds as locals in many destinations are excited by the sight and prospect of talking to a foreigner. Spend some time in community spaces like parks or shopping malls, and you are bound to meet another friendly face who is interested in learning more about you. Offer to do a language exchange or go out for a coffee to learn more about life in that area from a local's perspective.
Go off the beaten track.
Travelers are always trying to get off the beaten track but by looking for these places in books or online, you are bound to find areas that others frequent. The best way to truly get off the beaten track is to forget your map, wander around and get lost. Be reasonable though and make sure to have a way to find yourself again and return to your hotel. Get brave, grab a traveling buddy and start off in a direction that goes nowhere near the typical tourist track. If you can, try asking the locals about their favorite place to visit and see if they can give you directions to get there yourself. Some of my best discoveries came from just wandering a new city and checking out anything that caught my eye.