161–170 of 182 posts
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I’m routinely surprised by native San Franciscans who’ve never been to Alcatraz, seen Pier 39, or gone whale watching. Yes, they’re touristy things to do. They’re also very interesting and lots of fun!
Alcatraz or whale watching? Sure. But Pier 39? I’d rather poke my eyeballs out with a stick. I can eat shitty fast food at home, thanks.
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I love sarcastic, passive aggressive comments that add nothing of value
Your opinion is contradictory and based on falsehood. Nobody goes to NYC to experience what the locals experience. There, better?
Categorically false. People absolutely do do this. I do this when I travel anywhere. You don't have to start working a retail job in Hells Kitchen to get a taste of life in New York. But if you ride the subway, visit central park, eat at restaurants frequented by locals instead of tourist traps, then you are in fact experiencing what locals experience.
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I’m routinely surprised by native San Franciscans who’ve never been to Alcatraz, seen Pier 39, or gone whale watching. Yes, they’re touristy things to do. They’re also very interesting and lots of fun!
Alcatraz or whale watching? Sure. But Pier 39? I’d rather poke my eyeballs out with a stick. I can eat shitty fast food at home, thanks.
The corollary of this is that if you are a local you should do some more touristy things. I don't mean to go to a tourist trap and get scammed, but just enjoy your city a little more and do some things that usually only tourists do. For example, despite living most of my life in London, I've never been to the Tower of London. Why would I? It's for tourists. Except it's probably quite fascinating, especially for a loc…
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While the folks like Bourdain did romanticize tourism, and TV shows are known to regularly kill businesses that don't know how to manage the increase in customers, they did at least project the proper attitude of embracing the differences in other cultures when they traveled to places. The current issues with tourism are significantly more to do with "influencers" and social media. Many places are overrun by people t…
Ah yes all those other people who want to take photos ruining your chance to take photos...
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> For example, despite living most of my life in London, I've never been to the Tower of London. Why would I? Why wouldn't you? Note: It's great, you should go.
Not the parent but it's lowbrow to do touristy things in London. And if you aren't going on holiday or an expensive weekend away or to an expensive restaurant, you're poor and your career is failing. I only half jest
My best travel advice (for urban areas) is simple: get lost. If you don't know exactly where you are or what's around the corner, you've got to take it as it comes, and that makes it all the more interesting. No FOMO or opportunity cost struggles, just what's in front of you right now. This is both easier and harder with smartphones and GPS. Harder because, well, you know exactly where you are and have to actively ig…
What are some of your experiences with this? I can say I've had good and bad - I've wondered through cities with no direction and found -- nothing, two that come to mind are Paris and Barcelona. I'm sure there is interesting stuff to be found here and there but mostly, outside of the main attractions, I found the rest not much more interesting than American suburbia. Yes, I'm glad I saw it to basically see that "life…
I live in Sydney, does anyone have any recommendations on things I should do? Things I'd like to try - * Visiting the tank stream (I believe there are tours) * The Greater Sydney Bike Trail * Walking from Manly to Bondi (80km along the harbour) Things I've done but recommend if you visit - * Walking the bridge (free) * Catching a ferry to Manly or Taronga * Climbing the bridge (expensive!) * Centrepoint tower (since…
I also live in Sydney, and the first question to ask is always "do you have a car?" (and then "how long you here for?")? A car makes it much easier to visit various spots (e.g. the national parks, Mount Annan ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/WJRcJY8RHtRLV7Tm9 ) IMHO is a better botanic garden than Royal (the one in the city) because it focuses on native plants, Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury, the various zoos which are further o…