The experts-in-everything at Lifehacker have an interesting comment thread going right now, with readers’ tips for getting info while in a new city, especially places where you didn’t expect to end up, or have extra time on a business junket, and did no pre-trip guidebook reading. Suggestions range from the tech-enabled – downloading podcasts, checking websites like TimeOut and VirtualTourist – to the decidedly analog – getting toasted and talking to the locals at the corner bar. Commenter FizzyPopMan even weighed in with one of my favorite low-budget tricks:

“2. SEEKING THE HIGHEST VIEWPOINT.

This is kind of obvious I know, but wherever there is a tall office block or tower with a public viewing area, I will always climb it (well take the lift/elevator anyway). I take a city map with me and attempt to relate this to the direction I am looking. This is a really good way of ‘getting your bearings’ and I am surprised that more people don’t do it. It sometimes involves paying an admission fee (but is usually worth it). If I can’t find an observation tower I make my way to the highest viewpoint (again, map in hand). For example, some of the best views in the world are free (e.g. Hong Kong, San Francisco, Edinburgh….you get the picture).”

Head on over there and throw in your two-cents’ worth.