How to find the best local hot spots when you're new in town

Unless you've got friends or family already living in the city you're moving to, it's not always easy to find the local hot spots right away.  Exploring the new city, finding new places and trying things out is one of the perks of moving to a new city.  Once you know where they are, you've got great places to play (or relax) on your days off and places to take your friends when they visit. 

An online search for local entertainment can give you hundreds and sometimes thousands of results.  So how do you narrow it down to find the best local hot spots?

The city's visitor center.  Even though you're not technically a "visitor", you are new to the area, so it a great way to learn about the most popular attractions.  The places the city is most proud of can often be found here.

The city's official website.  While you'll probably find more things about city government, utilities, etc. you'll also sometimes find a "things to do" section here. 

Local magazines.  In Fort Smith (where I live) we have a magazine called E-Fort Smith and one called @urban magazine— both great resources for finding out what's going on. These normally talk about more than just "things to do".  You'll usually find a very detailed calendar of events for kids, shopping, dining and night life.

Websites and smart phone apps.  Websites like urbanspoon.com and dinesite.com are great for finding the best places to eat in the area.  There's something about reading what other people have to say about a restaurant that makes you want to eat there (or not).  Areaguides.net is a great place for getting a general idea about what there is to do in town.  You'll get restaurants, moving theaters, events, attractions and more.

Ask the locals!  This is the never-fail option. They already know the best local hotspots and can easily (and quickly) give you suggestions about what you definitely shouldn't miss!