Life is a collection of little moments. Fragments of time where every new experience becomes a chance to make a memory. That’s why vacation is so powerful. It presents you with an opportunity to seek the undiscovered, find the unexpected and celebrate the joy of trying something new.

Here are five ways you can make the most of every trip when you travel with Hilton Grand Vacations.

1. Walking Tours: Step Out For A Stroll

   

Discovery is all about diving into the real of a destination. And there's no better way to explore a new city than on the ground level, at a casual pace, with a local guide. You can explore special districts, historic areas, storied roads, mom-and-pop shops and local neighborhoods. There’s always something to see, learn and enjoy — in cities of every size.

Follow in the footsteps of Johnny Cash and other country music legends with a guided walking tour on the streets of Nashville. Soak up the spooky vibes on a nighttime walking ghost tour in New Orleans. Enjoy an afternoon promenade through Charleston’s landscaped gardens, riverside footpaths and cobbled alleyways.

Insider tip: Plan a walking tour at the start of your trip for a “first look” at your destination. You’ll get a feel for the area and know your way around for the rest of your stay.

2. Experiences: Make Entertainment The Main Event

Imagine building your whole trip around a bucket-list event. Maybe it’s a concert at Red Rocks, a Broadway show in NYC, a music festival on the West Coast or a chance to see a Formula 1 race. Whatever your interests, there are so many ways to make entertainment the main event on your next vacation.

   

• Travel for sport. Plan a trip to Orlando for the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Redefine the fun run with a vacation focused on a big race, such as the Chicago Marathon. Consider a game-changing getaway centered around visiting epic stadiums, Halls of Fame and sporting events.
• Find your Zen. You can always make self-care the main focus, too. There’s a whole world of wellness travel that’s meant to help you relax and recharge — from fitness retreats to yoga escapes and spa getaways.
• Don’t miss a beat. Make music the heart of your vacation. Follow your favorite artist to cities you’ve never seen. Find a festival that features headliners you’ve always wanted to hear. You’ll leave the experience with much more than a playlist.

Fun fact: Hilton Grand Vacations Members and Guests rock out on the regular with HGV Live!

"If you enjoy live events, especially live music, go to an HGV Live! show. The events are up close and personal; it’s awesome. Hilton Grand Vacations treats you very well. For example, transportation and food are provided. From start to finish, it’s a first-class operation. It’s fantastic."

Your vacation experience can focus on food and wine, too. Let’s dig into that right now.

3. Foodie Bliss: Eat And Drink Like A Local

Food is half the fun of vacation. In some cases, it’s the reason for the entire trip. Because every destination has its own unique flavors to savor. You can enjoy cooking classes, food tours, food trucks and tasting rooms. Plus, you don’t need a Michelin star or even table service to experience life-changing local eats. There are always hidden gems to find and fun ways to sample local fare.

   

• Tap into tastings. Visit breweries in Central Florida, tour whiskey distilleries in Scotland or sample vino from the world’s best wineries.
• Take a cooking class. When in Rome — learn to cook like an Italian. One Hilton Grand Vacations Owner learned to make pasta from scratch in Florence.
• Eat what you catch. After a day on the water, there’s nothing better than a restaurant that offers to cook what you’ve hooked. There are several cities in Florida that make fishing and feasting quite a treat.
• Shop local markets. This is an especially fun experience when you’re staying at a Hilton Grand Vacations property. The fully equipped kitchen makes it easy to stock the fridge and whip up some delicious eats as you play chef in your Suite.  

4. Active Adventures: Go All In On The Outdoors

Say goodbye to busy streets and urban jungles for a bit. Go experience the awe-inspiring natural wonder of the great outdoors instead. Because spending time among the trees, under the stars, in the desert or on the water can make you feel over the moon.

   

• Cast a line for some spectacular fishing in the Smokies.
• Hit the hiking trails at Bell Rock in Sedona and stop at Crescent Moon for a picnic.
• Take a break from the theme parks to find the best freshwater springs and places to kayak near Orlando.
• Plan a Bajan-style beach day that includes swimming with turtles and snorkeling through colorful coral in Barbados.
• Take a once-in-a-lifetime journey through lava fields and craters in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
• Go on a caravan safari to see close-up views of the animals at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
• Try cross-country skiing while exploring 30 miles of trails in Breckenridge.
• Get a bird’s-eye view of wine country with a hot-air balloon ride in Sonoma.

5. Day Trips: Take A Vacation During Your Vacation

   

Calling all day-trippers: Let’s talk about how to enjoy two getaways in one vacation. Whatever city you start in can become your home base for a second, shorter adventure.

Set your sights on surrounding areas to see if they are any nearby towns, landmarks or must-see spots to add to your trip list. If you’re staying downtown, sneak away to explore the suburbs. If you’re close to another popular vacation destination, consider renting a car for the day or finding a local tour to join.

Las Vegas is a great example for this kind of multi-stop adventure — with so many natural wonders just a short drive away, including Grand Canyon National Park.

Read “5 Ways Hilton Grand Vacations Helps You Vacation Better Together” to see how Hilton Grand Vacations Owners use travel to inspire new traditions.