Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with sightseeing

What are some fun things to do in Melbourne, Australia?

EatMyHat — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:52:47 -0800

What are the most fun things to do in Melbourne on holiday? I've got 4 days as a solo female traveller in my 30s. I'm not into footy but open to shopping, good places to eat (cheaply), cultural things and tourist attractions. Inspire me!

What's missing on our trip to San Francisco?

abbagoochie — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 15:44:13 -0800

I'm going to SF with my partner for our first wedding anniversary - yay! We've been before and have seen some of the sights (list after the break), but are looking for things we might have missed, awesome places we haven't eaten at, great things we haven't seen, etc, so we can make the most of it. Only limiting factor: neither of us drive. So, stuff we have both seen/done etc:

-Pier 39
-Coit Tower
-Musee Mechanique and Fisherman's Wharf
-Oakland Museum of California
-Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company
-The Clarion Alley Mural Project
-Dolores Park/Bi-Rite Creamery/Humphrey Slocombe Ice Cream
-Walked around the Mission, ate burritos at Taquiera Cancun/Walked down the Valencia corridor
-The Exploratorium
-City Lights Bookstore
-Walked around the Castro
-Walked around the Haight
-Seen the Defenestration building
-Been in the SFMoMa
-Walked around Golden Gate Park

Stuff I'm thinking of for us:

-Visiting the Computer History Museum
-Going on an Alcatraz tour
-Maybe going in the Kabuki Hot Springs (will we be allowed in with tattoos?)
-Maybe taking a day trip out to Yosemite (is it worth it for three hours?)

Anything else I'm missing? I feel like there's more but I just don't know about it.

Extra info: We are both early thirties, able bodied and relatively fit, no kids. We have four days.

Thanks in advance for any tips!

Cool London day courses I can take in May

storybored — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:43:42 -0800

I'm visiting London for two weeks beginning mid-May. Woohoo! It's been a long, long time since my last time and I'm super-excited. I'm going through the Ask threads and reading guidebooks. One question I couldn't find an answer to is: Are there any interesting/novel day courses on offer? I would like to mix up the sightseeing with something hands-on. Or a top-notch seminar... Any subject would be fine. The only criteria would be that it's something not found in a smaller city (like Ottawa, Canada :). I'll be staying in the Bloomsbury/Russell Square area near the British Museum and willing to travel, say, under an hour to get to the course.

What must I see in Japan?

Gorilla456 — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 21:18:04 -0800

I'm probably going to Japan at the end of July for roughly one week. What MUST I see or do in that one week? I'm primarily interested in sightseeing - temples, historical type things, some hiking in the mountains, stuff like that. Maybe a bit of nightlife thrown in. I'm not sure if I should pick one city and explore it better or try to go around to different cities during my one week.

I know basically nothing about Japan. What's a decent one-week itinerary that involves sightseeing and maybe some nightlife? Any other tips for travel in the country? I'm also somewhat low-budget, so any specific recommendations for lodging are welcome as well.

Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende: The Scenic Route?

carsonb — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:02:47 -0800

In July I'm flying into Mexico City for my friend's wedding in San Miguel de Allende. I have two days (or so, it's pretty flexible) to get from the airport in FD to SMdA, can you help me figure out the best route and/or means of transportation? And also what I should do for fun and/or adventure with the extra day or so I have to explore the area? I'm traveling alone. I have some little Spanish, more all the time, and some big itch for adventure. I've been to Mexico before, but really only the state of Sonora. My budget is fairly limited—I can't hire a palanquin, and I can't go skydiving or anything—but I'm willing to save extra to make this a memorable trip.

Looking at maps, I feel a little daunted by the distance between the two cities (~150mi) and don't really know where to start looking for a way to get from one to the other. Oh, and back again for my return flight...

That said, I scheduled some extra time so I don't have to feel rushed, racing to the wedding. I arrive on a Sunday, rehearsal dinner isn't until Thursday, but the house we're all staying in starts welcoming guests as early as Monday. Wedding guests will be trickling in that whole time. I'm thinking I'd like to show up on Tuesday, spend a few days with scattered friends before the wedding stuff starts in earnest.

That leaves a good portion of Sunday and all day Monday for me to do pretty much whatever I'd like around the Federal District. Or... I could spend the whole time on the road, wending. Consider me open to any and all suggestions. Thanks!

What are some cool things to do in Baltimore for a day?

mhh5 — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:13:57 -0800

I've got maybe a day to kill with my wife and kid in Baltimore... never really been there before, so what are some must-see things in the area? I've vaguely heard something about cherry blossoms... when do those bloom or where is the best place to view them? I'll be going in mid-April, so I've got some time to plan. TIA!

12 hours with a car on Oahu!

cgg — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 15:22:27 -0800

We have 12 hours with a car, starting in Waikiki and ending at the airport. What to do? We've been in Waikiki for a few days now, doing touristy stuff within walking distance. Before we leave on a red eye Thursday night, we will have a car to drive around and do stuff... Starting at 9 am in Waikiki and ending at 9pm at the airport.

Of course, the obvious question is -- what should we do? Admittedly, we came to Hawaii with little planning, but are just enjoying the food, atmosphere, beaches and sights of Waikiki on our virgin trip to Hawaii. We're very laid back, and basically just want to see the island of Oahu and sightsee for those 12 hours. Where should we go?

Things to do on the outskirts of New Haven?

NucleophilicAttack — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:19:27 -0800

I'm going to be in New Haven, without a car, on this coming Saturday and Sunday. What to do for fun? More specifically, I'll be in the 06513 zip code on the outskirts of town, near the Bishop Woods Sanctuary and it looks like not too far from a public park. Other than that, or touring the University (which I get to do during the week), what else is there to do?

I like museums and cultural type things in particular, and would prefer to spend my time mostly in-doors given the cold weather.

Difficulty: carless, but willing to use public transportation (or in theory, cheap cab rides)

What D.C. activities on a need-to-know basis?

Monochrome — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 20:46:57 -0800

What off-the-beaten-path activities can I do in D.C.? I would love to do something that makes me feel a bit like a VIP. I want the city to seem like it does in a spy novel. Seeing the vintage Congressional bathrooms, getting a behind the scenes tour of the Library of Congress, and unusual sights like the Pentagon's gold AK-47 are the kind of things I'm after. I'm going to be visiting the capital this winter, just before Christmas. I'm not afraid of the cold, however, so outdoor activities are just fine!

What should we see on the next six days of our cross-US drive?

vernondalhart — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 20:42:14 -0800

We are currently on the move to Kingston, ON from Vancouver BC, and we are looking at finding interesting things to do along our cross-US trip. Here is a map of the next six days of driving. What absolute must-sees are there along this path? We intend to (roughly) stay in Salt Lake City, Fort Collins, Lincoln, Joliet, London (Ontario), and then Kingston, although the last part of the trip is flexible. This gives us roughly 7 hour driving days, which should leave us time to stop along the way.

We're looking for things that are pretty close to this path that would be worth stopping at. Not the West Edmonton Mall type stops, but the actual bits of local interest, that aren't obvious as you zip along on the interstate highways. Nice vistas, interesting stores, ghost towns, good food, anything that you feel that really shouldn't be missed along such a trip.

What can I do with a weekday morning in Edinburgh?

lizabeth — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 04:10:38 -0800

I'm arriving at Edinburgh airport at 7.45am on a weekday, and taking a train from Edinburgh Waverley at 1.30pm on the same day. What can I do or see in Edinburgh (including getting breakfast somewhere) and ensure I catch my train at 1.30pm? More details inside. I'm flying from within the UK so I assume that getting out of the airport will not take too long. I've never been to Edinburgh so would like to see some of the sites if I have time. What are your best suggestions? I will just have a little wheely suitcase with me and am happy to drag it around with me. It'll be later this month but unfortunately the Fringe will just have finished! I'm interested in museums, interesting buildings, places to eat and have coffee, churches, cool things to take photographs of, the most straightforward way of getting from the airport to the city centre, and getting to the train station on time!

How would you spend 3 or 4 hours in Edinburgh? Thanks!

Bedding Down in Barcelona

bearwife — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:28:46 -0800

We're staying for four nights in Barcelona in mid September. First visit for both of us. Really would appreciate hotel/B&B recommendations, and of course what sights and restaurants the hive mind recommends.

Making the most of a layover in Iceland?

padraigin — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 19:52:47 -0800

Four adults, two teenagers, two elementary-aged kids, and a 7 hour layover in Reykjavik. What can we do with that? The end of this summer's big extended-family vacation culminates in a long layover in Iceland. We'd love to get out of the airport and see something cool, eat something awesome, maybe soak in a hot spring--we'll be tired and not up to anything strenuous (no long hikes or bike rides) but other than that we're open to anything. None of us has ever been there, other than quick trips through the airport.

Where do we go, how do we get there, and is there anything that can be done in a few hours that we absolutely shouldn't miss? Special credit for restaurant recommendations and specific foods we should make a point of trying--we all love to eat.

Things to see in Norway!

jlibera — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 12:54:17 -0800

Where should I go in Norway, outside Oslo, in four days? The last day of my conference in Oslo is August 3rd; my flight back from Oslo is August 8th. I would like to rent a car and drive somewhere, with a preference for pretty scenery, but I'm open to cultural activities/events/museums etc. I will already have had the chance to see some of Oslo, so would rather go and sightsee outside it. What sort of itinerary would be reasonable?

Neat stuff to see in the Twin Cities

cuddles.mcsnuggy — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:18:52 -0800

So, my spouse & I are taking a spur of the moment trip to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area for the 3-day weekend. What are some quirky, interesting, delicious, unusual, or must-see things to check out in the Twin Cities and on the route between WI and MN? We are two 40-ish adults who'll be driving from southern WI and getting a hotel room for 2 nights somewhere in Minneapolis. Pretty sure we'll be seeing the zoo and either the Walker Art Center or the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Other than that though, we just want to see what there is to see around town. Or towns, as it were. We'll be leaving WI tomorrow (Sat.) morning, arriving in the Minneapolis early afternoonish, then driving back from MN to WI on Monday. We're interested in stuff like flea markets and interesting/unusual shopping, awesome food, local/artisanal beers, out-of-the-way or oddball museums, hole-in-the-wall treasures like quirky shops or amazing restaurants, natural curiosities, what-have-you.

Things we want to avoid: the giant mall, nightclubs, anywhere that's super crowded, gaggles of screaming kids, and popular chain-type places. Thanks in advance for ideas!

You have 28 days and $15k. Go!

drstein — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:52:32 -0800

You have 28 days (in one chunk of time) and $15,000 in cash. You can go anywhere in the world, as long as it's not in the United States (for more than 24 hours while in transit) or a US territory. This is going to be a fairly open ended question, and there are no right or wrong answers. Answers can be from your own experience, of course, or just fun things that you have thought about or heard about.
I may be in this very situation in mid 2012 and while i have a few ideas (like visiting Japan again) nothing is set in stone and I'm always interested in hearing what others think.

You aren't really a huge tourist type that wants to see the 7 wonders of the world, but want to go somewhere interesting and reasonably safe. You don't have to spend the entire $15,000. You're single, have no kids, and aren't bringing anybody with you.

Multiple destinations are OK. Where would you go and why? What would you do?

Rapid Los Angeles trip: What to see?

gofargogo — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:12:28 -0800

Rapid Los Angeles trip: What to see? We are nerds, and like art, food, gardens, architecture (I really want to stop by the Bradbury and see downtown). We'll have about 18 hours of free time to use. What can't we miss? My wife and I are flying to LA sunday morning, and flying out at 6pm Monday night. She's never been, and I've usually only visited for work. At least some of Sunday will be used up with work stuff, but sunday evening (after 4pm) through Monday should be free.
What should we see?

Also, I saw something in the LACMA (I think) about 10 years ago, it was a walkthrough installation of like old garage with an old american car and ventriloquist dummy sitting in it. Can any LA natives tell me if it's still there, and if it was indeed the LACMA? I saw it when the Van Gough exhibit was in town, if that helps.

Road trip itinerary from Spokane to SLC?

Pruitt-Igoe — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 23:18:36 -0800

My wife and I will be driving from Spokane to Salt Lake City soon and were wondering how we should space out our trip, and what there is to see/do/eat along the way. We're planning on leaving Spokane the morning of the 6th, and we have to be in SLC for a concert the evening of the 9th. (and then unfortunately we have to power back home to Calgary on the 10th). Should we drive straight to salt lake (or close by) on the 6th and spend a few days around there, or stop along the way and spend 1 day in salt lake?

We like national parks, hikes, museums, art, scenic drives, tasty food (price range does not matter) and wine. Given the short schedule we probably wouldn't want to drive too far out of our way. I'm open to suggestions!

Anaheimlich Maneuvers, OR Cuatro Gueros Locos, OR Four White Guys with a Hyundai

Rat Spatula — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:32:57 -0800

Going to Anaheim for a convention, need suggestions on things to see, buy & ingest in the evenings. Four programmers with a rental car and time to kill. Similar questions have cropped up before, but the answers have been sparse; maybe by adding some specifics we can improve the information.

0. We're only there for weekdays (as far as I can tell, this rules out the Bruery taproom.)

1. We are from the high plains, so I am pushing to get us down to the ocean at least once. Assume we only get one evening to try to make it to the beach; what's our best option for an all-in-one toes-in-the-sand-plus-cocktails experience?

2. Any oddball or really nice museums?

3. Gastropubs? I found the "Bruery Provisions", which looks interesting (and the little blips on Google Maps suggest it's sitting in the middle of a strip which might support some bar-hopping food action).

4. Microbreweries other than (or instead of) Noble Ale Works, Anaheim Brewing or Bruery?

Taco Road Trip 2011, Question from the Non-Taco-Focused Traveler

batgrlHG — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:29:45 -0800

Looking for a way to squeeze San Francisco Bay Area sight seeing/photography around husband's (slightly manic) Taco Truck Quest (seen in this Ask Me). Also hope to sneak in a few alternate food ideas. So first you might want to check the map y6 has posted of his insane list of taco places to visit. Happily I'm OK with tacos (he's been on this taco quest/mania locally for years now), and he's promised to stop at a few Asian food places (well, at least one) if we're not stuffed.

My specific question - checking out the places that he has us eating, are there any good outdoor areas to photograph containing architecture or sculpture? Or just random weirdness? (For instance, I'd file this photo of a recreated Stonehenge with Easter Island head as weirdness - that's on my Flickr account btw.) So far all I have on my list is the sculptures on various parts of the Stanford campus (Rodin, angel of grief).

The tricky part is checking your recommendation via the map - because we will be traveling to whatever is nearest the taco truck/restaurant - a few blocks drive/walk, tops. I'll probably tell y6 he can wait in the car while I go take photos of things nearby - since I predict he'll be groaning "why did you let me eat all that?!" (This may have happened often in the past. I should bring the video camera to document it this time.)

If you want to toss in recommendations for any Asian food places or trucks that are near any of his taco spots that might be fun too. Or a place that really knows how to do wonderful, delicious things with tofu. I've had such tasty dishes, but y6 has not (or won't admit to it) and honestly he should be given proof that such tofu does exist.

I'll probably only get y6 to try one non-taco-oriented place though. But my priority is always photography over food.

Oh and you'll note that his map extends from southern CA to SanFran? Only suggest photography and food for the San Francisco Bay Area because I have a feeling we'll only be stopping for tacos to eat in the car until we've arrived in the bay area. Or at least that's the sense I'm getting from the Serious Taco Roadtrip Guy.

Fun things to do in Pittsburgh when you're alive?

sandraregina — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:07:17 -0800

I'm going to be going to Pittsburgh to visit a friend this weekend. She works until 8:30 pm, however, so I'll be left to my own devices for the afternoons and early evenings. I'm totally cool with that, and I look forward to exploring on my own. But I need a place to start! Can you help? I know I want to visit the zoo/aquarium, but is there anything else that I could do (preferably free or cheap) during the day on Saturday or Sunday? Anything I should do?

I'll have my car, and I have a gps, but I'd rather not go too far afield so that I'm back in good time to spend the evening with my friend.

Thanks guys.

Big family in Vancouver

CrazyLemonade — Fri, 20 May 2011 10:57:22 -0800

Big family in Vancouver for 3 days. What to do? I'll be with my husband's family in Vancouver for some days (july 6 to 9), before we get on a cruise to alaska. No one has been there before except for me (I lived there for 4 months while in university).

I want to prepare some sort of itinerary, as it's easier to move around and sightsee that way, since we're a big diverse bunch of people (two aunts in their late 60s, my husband's parents, a single uncle in his 40s, 5 people in their 20s and two 15 year old girls), and it takes forever for us to come up with something to do on-the-spot, so I want to plan everything beforehand.

I'm thinking of showing them Granville Island and they'll of course want to walk around Robson St., but what else can I show them? I was in Vancouver in 2004 and I'm guessing some new things have come up, or maybe there'll be something interesting around the time we'll be there.

(Oh and we're probably going to take a day-trip to Victoria.)

Any suggestions?

Places for great photos in South Wales?

Mwongozi — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 02:48:45 -0800

Places in South Wales for photo-hungry tourists? My partner and I will be spending a couple of days in Cardiff. We have a car, and are both photo nerds, and so we are interested in finding some amazing places to feed our lenses. We don't mind travelling for up to an hour or so, but would prefer to stay within Wales.

Suggestions please? Both landscape and architectural suggestions are equally welcome.

Richmond, VA...next stop Big South Fork

shortyJBot — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 18:46:34 -0800

Any good recommendations en route from Richmond, VA to Big South Fork, TN? Or Big South Fork to Morgantown, WV? Hey Guys! I am meetings some friends for a long weekend of backpacking next weekend (April 16th). I'll be starting my drive solo after work Friday and would like to stop someplace for dinner and stop about 2 hours away from Big South Fork to rest up, stay the night, and leave quickly and early for the final leg of the drive early Saturday. I'm meeting friends at the trailhead ready to head out on the trail early Saturday. Any recommendations for stops on the way there?

After camping, I'll be heading from BSF to Morgantown, WV and can travel leisurely and spend a day or so seeing little towns, shops, or sights along the way. Any recommendations?

If it matters, I'm a solo traveler and a lady, late-ish twenties. I like nerdy things, thrift stores and flea markets, great music shops, good sandwiches, good veggie/vegan food (though I eat everything), and cheesy/funny photo opportunities.

Thanks, guys!

Is a big trip to the big rock worth the expense and effort?

mathowie — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 09:17:08 -0800

Is a trip to Uluru/Ayers Rock worth it? I'm taking my second trip to Australia this August and I have just two weeks. I'll be in Sydney for a bit, Port Douglas for a few days to see the reef, and a small town to see friends, but I could squeeze in a quick trip to the big rock if it was worth it.

So to travelers and Australians alike, is the trip to the rock worth it? Is it like a Grand Canyon style "whoa!" moment when you first see it? Or is it just a big rock?