If you still haven't planned your summer vacation, there's an app for that, but if you've already got flights booked, routes mapped, and hotels and apartments reserved, your job isn't quite done.

Planning the perfect vacation doesn't stop with the big logistics of where to go and how to get there. To truly get the most out of your holiday, you've got to do a little bit of research. But it's not hard to find the best things to do in the town where you'll be staying—just think like (or follow) a local. It'll keep you out of expensive tourist traps and allow you to experience the best gems of the place you're visiting. Here are five tips on getting the most out of your vacation this summer.

Find the best of just about everything for your perfect summer vacation

1. Just ask!

Ask MetaFilter is a board where members can ask each other anything, and the answer quality is really good. We've found great suggestions from locals on topics like restaurants in London, and the Hive Mind (as they call themselves) even helped a couple plan their honeymoon on the Blue Ridge Parkway!