Dust tickled his throat as he parked his car before the wooden fence in the gravel parking lot. Weeds choked the gaping holes in the mildewed boards before him. As Dave climbed from the front seat, his nose twitched at the scent of rust, machine oil and exhaust. Here we have more sensory details, giving the scene more character and a stronger sense of place. By doing as much homework as we can.
Travel guides can be helpful, as well as atlases, almanacs and biographies of the local celebrities.
Find out all you can about the history and geography of your setting. Of course, nothing beats actually being there. If not, use your friends. Contact people you know who live there for their impressions or if you know someone who will visiting, ask them to pick up the tourist guides and maps to the hot spots, parks and other sites. If all else fails, look for fiction stories written by local writers.