I travel a lot for work. Here’s how I maximize my time in each city to turn every trip into a mini vacation.
October 1, 20240
I’ve grown to love exploring new cities on my own.
Olivia Bardo
Traveling for work has taught me to feel comfortable exploring new places by myself. I like to arrive a day early to make sure I have time to see everything I want to.
Since I’m usually able to check into my hotel room early, I can drop off my bags and get right to exploring the area.
In Pittsburgh, I used this extra time to go on a self-guided walking tour of the city, stopping by the Andy Warhol Museum and Point State Park.
During my first day in Chicago, I made sure to hit all the biggest tourist attractions, including the Riverwalk, the Bean, and Lake Michigan.
I wake up early to make the most of my mornings.
The evenings are great for taking advantage of the city’s various offerings.
Olivia Bardo
While in Chicago, I caught a Cubs game in the evening and watched the sunset over Wrigley Field.
Another evening, I wandered around the Art Institute and enjoyed a view of the skyline at a rooftop bar and restaurant.
If I’m not feeling up to leaving my hotel, I’ll do a quick internet search for some of the top restaurants in the area and order takeout. This way, I get to experience local flavors from the comfort of my bed.
I try to extend my visit and stay over the weekend.
I didn’t have too much time in Pittsburgh, but I still made sure to check out Randyland.
Olivia Bardo
If possible, I try to stay in the city for an extra day or two to truly indulge in a mini vacation.
After a long week of conferences and networking, I like to relax during my remaining time and visit some places I didn’t have time for earlier.
My Pittsburgh trip was short, but before I returned home, I stopped at a local coffee shop and walked through Randyland, an eccentric outdoor art museum.
Even though traveling for work can be tiring and time-consuming, there are plenty of opportunities to make the most out of each trip.
