15 Reasons Visitors Bureaus Are a Traveler’s Best Friend

You know those little offices , sometimes called welcome centers or tourism boards . Man , they are gold mines , whether you're road tripping through Texas or landing in some foreign town halfway across the world . I've got 15 reasons that's right , a bunch of them, for US travelers to make that stop , plus an additional five tips if you're traveling abroad .

So stay tuned and we'll be right back . So what are we talking about here ?

Whether it's called a visitor's bureau , a tourism board or a CVB , which stands for Convention and Visitors Bureau , it's usually a small office . It could be downtown or at a rest stop or near the airport , run by folks whose job it is to help you figure out what to do at a destination . In the US , every decent-sized town has one .

A lot of the smaller towns have them as well , and sometimes they may be a county-wide operation , and overseas you'll find versions in tourist-friendly cities . They're not there to sell you junk . They're there to make your visit work .

I've walked into these places from San Antonio to Salzburg and every time I've walked out with something useful, a map , a tip or a heads-up about a road closure or something else .

Today's focus is mostly on US travel , since most of my listeners are in America and love hitting the road here , but I'll tack on some international pointers at the end , because I know some of you are eyeing passports and may want to do some travel internationally .

The point is these bureaus are free , they're local and they've got answers that your phone can't always give you . Let's start with the 15 reasons for US travelers and then we'll wrap up with those foreign extras . First up visitors bureaus have the latest on what's happening in town . You're not just getting a website's outdated calendar .

I mean , these folks know what's going on today , tomorrow and next weekend . Say , you go into someplace in North Carolina and they tell you about a bluegrass festival starting on Friday that hasn't even hit Google yet , or a farmer's market popping up on Saturday morning .

I've gotten tips about free concerts , live music venues or some monthly flea market or something that's going on in a lot of different places . What you get out of it is simple . You catch events that turn a regular stop into something special , without digging through a bunch of old online posts or trying to look up and see what Google can tell you .

Number two they've got free maps and guides . I'm talking the physical stuff , paper that you can hold , fold and mark up . You know , the phone's great until your battery dies or the signal drops , righ ?

I can't tell you the number of times I've stopped by and spoke to the folks at the Visitors Bureau and found out about some historic places nearby that I didn't even know about . They've got brochures too . I mean hiking trails , historic sites , whatever . You walk in and you walk out with a plan in your hand , no data required .

And you know we're going to go through these fairly quick today , so it's not going to be a real long podcast . But number three talk to locals that know the place . I mean they actually know . They live there . These aren't the call center robots . They live there , they work there . They've seen it change .

In Victoria Texas I stopped by the Welcome Center and was asking about locally owned places to eat , because I like visiting the small mom and pop, locally owned places in towns that I visit . You know the ones that have been around for a while and the locals know about . Well , they pointed me to Fossati's Deli , the oldest delicatessen in Texas .

Opened in 1882 by an Italian immigrant and it's still owned by the same family today , and I gotta tell you the food was fantastic . You could ask anything . Is this road construction still a mess ? I heard that over here was closed down . Where's a quiet park I can visit ? You get real answers from the people who aren't guessing .

They live there and they know . Number four you find hidden gems . They'll point you to the hidden gems , because every city's got spots tourists miss . Small museums and quirky sites , a view that nobody talks about . In Bandera , texas , I was told about the Hill Country State Natural Area .

I'm usually not one for going to big parks or bird watching and things like this . It's just not me . But this is a 5,369acre site that was gifted to the state of Texas by the family that owned the Merrick Bar O Ranch . The owner stipulated that it be kept far removed and untouched by modern civilization . So when you get there the roads are not paved .

It's an old ranch road going through the ranch . It's old Texas man , with a few old buildings still standing around . There's hiking and horse trails and streams and fields and no crowds and you won't see any asphalt anywhere on that place . And you get to walk away with something unique , not just the same postcard stops that everybody else hits .

Number five they know about all the discounts and deals . Now a lot of bureaus have coupons laying around . There are two-for-one museum tickets or a cheap boat tour , whatever . I've gotten free passes and discounts to attractions and passes to those hop-on , hop-off buses that drive around and hit all the interesting sites . It doesn't sound like much but it adds up .

They might even tell you about free admission days or something like that . You have some cash and you get more out of your budget . Reason number six they've got the current safety

info . The websites might say a park's open , but the Bureau will tell you if a trail's flooded or a downtown street's a little dicey after dark . I just recently returned from Oconee County , South Carolina . It's up in the far northwest corner of the state .

The Visitor's Bureau told me about a stretch of highway that was closed because of the recent hurricane that went through there . They said they just hadn't had time to get it repaired yet or the money hadn't come through .

That doesn't surprise me , but I needed to get to a small place in the county , so she directed me to a road that took me there , but I had to go up and over a mountain . It got me to where I needed to get , though , and I tell you it was a nice little ride , much better than probably being on that highway .

But you stay safe and you get to skip all the surprises Because , like I said , this is the place that knows all that stuff . Reason number seven they help you dodge the crowds .

You ask them when the big attractions are getting slammed , like , hey , man , when is it just a zoo to go visit the Liberty Bell over here , when's the best time to visit the cave , the museum , the park or some other attraction , and whether it's a place where school kids take field trips or when the tour buses start arriving .

In St Thomas , the US Virgin Islands , they have cruise ships that dock for the day and the island gets swamped with cruise passengers . Well , the tourism folks know when they're arriving and can tell you the best times to avoid the crowds . They know the patterns . You'll get a lot smoother visit , a lot less elbowing through the lines . Number eight .

They'll tip you off to nearby towns or sites . You're in Santa Fe , new Mexico , they might say well , check out Los Alamos 40 minutes north and the old atomic lab stuff . You know we were talking about Oconee County they told me about right across the border , 20 miles away in Georgia . They have the Currahee Museum .

You know that's the one from Band of Brothers where these guys went and trained . Three miles up , three miles down Currahee Hill . Well , currahee Hill is still there . They've got a great little museum and they've got the recreations of the barracks and a couple of guard towers and some trucks and stuff .

And if you're game you can do the three miles up and three miles down . I don't know if I could walk it . My knees are shot . I'm damn sure not going to run it . But if you want to , hey , knock yourself out . But you know , I did not know it was that close to where I was at . But this way you can stretch your trip a little wider .

You can find a few of the extras that you may have missed , because they have connections with the tourism bureaus in the next town over . They know where all that stuff is at and they can hook you up . Now we're on to number nine . They'll give you the history and the context , not a lecture , just a quick rundown on what made that place tick .

In Wichita , Kansas I was told about their aviation history and why they are known as the aviation capital of the world . I did not know that before I got there . Why I don't know , but I didn't .

I mean all the pioneers , like Beechcraft , Textron , Cessna , they all were there and they all made a huge contribution to Wichita and the aviation history , even up to World War II when Boeing plant manufactured B-29 aircraft . They have a great aviation museum in Wichita and they also have one of two fully restored and flying World War II B-29 Superfortress aircraft .

A fantastic , fantastic museum and tour . You walk away understanding why you're there and you're not just snapping pics for no reason . Number 10 , they know what's free . Parks with no entry fee , public concerts , walking tours that don't cost a dime . In Brenham , texas , I was told about a lot of free things to do in town and nearby .

And , let's face it , you go in there with a family . You have you and your spouse and a couple of kids . It starts costing a lot of money by the time you start paying for everything . So if you can get free stuff , why not ? They told me about the Antique Rose Emporium , which is an operating nursery .

You can actually go there and buy stuff , but it's also eight acres of antique roses and native plants and perennials and herbs and wildflowers . I mean , we're talking about a free botanical garden that you can just wander around . They have the Brenham Fire Museum , which has all kinds of cool stuff and old fire trucks and things .

They've got an antique carousel in one of the parks and nearby you have Washington on the Brazos , where Texas declared independence . The Star of Texas Museum is right there , along with Barrington Plantation , which is a living history farm that belonged to Anson Jones , the last president of the Republic of Texas .

So you get to enjoy the city without opening your wallet every five minutes . There are always a lot of free things to do . If you ask the tourism bureau , they can point you in the right direction . Number 11 , you get help with logistics . You need a bus schedule , you need parking tips ? Well , they've got it .

In Savannah they've got this hop-on , hop-off trolley that runs around town . It's great . I enjoyed the heck out of it and they told me the best stops to get off to visit the things that I wanted to see . So you save time , you don't get lost and you figure out all the practical stuff really fast

. I'm telling you , if you ever get to Savannah , you got to do that hop-on , hop off trolley . It takes you to all the best places . And that brings us to number twelve . They are the go-to source if you're planning a family reunion . You have a family spread out all over the country and you're planning that once in every 10 year reunion ?

Well , these folks can help you out . They can tell you the best part of town to book that vacation rental home so you're close to everything . They may be able to get in touch with a restaurant owner that can accommodate your 30-member group or a caterer that's in town . Give you some ideas of places and things to do for your large group .

You know it's the same for conventions . That's why they call them Convention and Visitors Bureaus . That's what their job is . But you don't have to be the largest organization to get help . Maybe you belong to some Facebook group for authors or antique collectors or some local group that you have .

Heck , even a podcaster's group , and you want to have a small two-day convention and bring people in so they can all meet up and do whatever . Well , the Visitors Bureau can help you with all the logistics . That is what they are there for . Number 13 , they'll update you on the weather . Is rain closing the site ? Is heat shutting down a trail ?

They know what's happening today . They can tell you what roads to avoid during heavy rains or places that are just not good to visit because of the weather . For instance , in parts of Texas , those little lazy rivers and streams ?

Well , man , they turn into raging flash flood areas when we get a heavy rain and people not used to the area get stranded , or worse , at some of these low crossing areas . Well , they can hook you up and they can tell you about these places so you're prepped for whatever the sky has in store for you . Number 14 . Connect with local tours or guides .

Not the big bus companies , but the small outfits , the local experts . Man , I've done walking ghost tours in Savannah , a walking tour of Jack the Ripper locations in London , and had guided little known of and out-of-the-way museums when some personal collections may have turned into some kind of huge collecting passion .

The small places that the tourists just don't know about . You get a deeper dive and tailored to what you're into . Reason number 15 . You get to feel the city's vibe firsthand . These folks love their town and they tell you what makes it special , not just facts . You can learn about the people and events that make the area special .

When I visited Brenham , Texas , there was a volunteer with the tourism bureau , gave me a walking tour around the downtown area , pointed out all the places where historic events had occurred and told me about the history of the town and the people that built the city . You connect with the place . You're not just checking off boxes .

All right , that's 15 tips for the US travelers . Not bad 15 tips in 15 minutes . We're just smoking right along here . It works anywhere from Maine to Montana . But some of you are heading overseas , and I've been there too . Visitors' bureaus exist abroad , often called tourist offices , and they're just as useful , especially for Americans .

So here's five extra tips for when you're traveling outside the US

. Number one . First, they help with the language barriers . You're in Prague and your Czech language skills are zero , which mine were when I was there . Well , the tourist office staff usually speak English and they can help explain train tickets and schedules and point you to an ATM .

They can help you understand how to get around and tell you the best way to navigate those tourist sites . You get past all the confusion and you keep moving without fumbling through everything . Second , they'll clue you in on local customs .

They'll tell you what's polite , what's rude , so you don't stick out like a sore thumb , become that ugly tourist or , worse , offend somebody . In certain churches and temples you can't wear shorts , or women must have their hair covered with a scarf . There's all kinds of rules and customs that the average tourist just may not be aware of .

For instance , in Bali and this just came out like a couple of weeks ago they recently made new rules for tourists regarding respecting the local religious and cultural sites . Well , the tourist offices , they can tell you what to do and what not to do so you don't get in trouble and get fined or , worse , wind up in jail somewhere .

Number three you get reliable currency advice . They've got the currency advice that you can trust . When I was in Uzbekistan , the bureau warned me about shady exchange booths . Saved me from getting ripped off , I tell you . They'll tell you where to swap the dollars , where you can get your money exchanged or if cards work better .

You don't want to run afoul of the local police exchanging money at an unauthorized place or , worse , just getting ripped off . You keep your money safe and you spend it smartly . Number four they know the visa and entry rules . You're in Prague and someone says , well , you need a stamp to go here . Well , is that true or not ?

When I was in the Philippines , I found out how to have my stay extended and where to get it done in the least amount of time . In fact , I went to the office they told me to go to . It took me an hour and a half . Other people were saying , oh man , this is like a three-day process . Well , you didn't talk to the right people .

In Thailand there are things called visa runs . I did one of those too , and they can give you companies that do this visa run . The company basically picks you up in a van at your hotel , drives you to Cambodia , where you walk across the border for 15 minutes , grab a Coke to drink maybe , look at the trinkets they're trying to sell .

Then you walk back over into Thailand , get a brand new visa and they drive you back to your hotel in the same van that took you there . So they know all of the tricks and they can point you in the right direction . Make sure you don't run afoul of overstaying your entry or something like that .

Number five they can point you to the emergency resources if you need them . You lose your passport in Rome ? Well , they'll tell you where the US Embassy is . It happens People lose passports when they travel . You need a doctor ? Well , they've got numbers . Some of these places ? Well , I'll tell you .

In Manila , for example , Manila has a hospital that mainly caters to foreigners , so foreigners feel a little bit more comfortable going to this one , which has more of a Western feel to it , than some of the local hospitals . Not to say the local hospitals are bad , they're just a little different , maybe . So they can point you to the right direction .

They can point you to the hospitals that may speak your language . They can help you get the help you need and get in touch with your country's representatives if you need to , and you're covered

if things go sideways . They've got all the resources that you need to get the help you need . So there you go 15 reasons for US trips and five more tips . If you're traveling overseas , visitors bureaus are your first stop Free , local and packed with info .

Check out their website before you go , or call them and get info before your trip , especially if you have questions and you're traveling abroad . Take a few minutes to stop in and have a chat with them when you hit town , doesn't matter if you're in Omaha or Oslo . They'll set you up with maps , tips , deals and you get a feel for the place .

I've used them everywhere and they've never let me down . It beats scrolling through a phone in a parking lot somewhere trying to find information . And here's something you can do for them . If you had a good experience at a restaurant or a store or an attraction , tell them about it .

If you visited somewhere that's not on their website but you had a great experience , let them know so they can tell other people . They may want to add it to their website and that way everybody knows about it . If you take photos or make posts on social media about places , tag them as well as the business .

That way they know people were there and enjoyed it . On the flip side , if you found info on their website that is out of date or incorrect , let them know that as well so they can fix it . Some of these bureaus run on limited budgets and staff and don't always have a full-time tech person making sure that everything is perfect .

For instance , they might be listing a business that is closed or some information that is out of date . Well , let them know . They'll appreciate knowing it so they can get it fixed . So that's it . If you've got a story about a tourism bureau you've visited , hit me up at the Traveling Fool .

All you got to do is send me an email at editor@ thetravellingfoolcom , or go on the Facebook page Traveling Fool and send me a message . I might include it in a future episode . So that was quick , running about 22 , 23 minutes there . So until travels . time , safe travels . .