Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with tourist

How to entertain parents you don't get along with?

thegreatcokeolympics — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:29:58 -0800

Activities to do in San Francisco for mellow people... My parents and I will be visiting SF for christmas and staying a few days after. This is the first time in a while we are spending time together due to the inevitable drama and negativity that comes when we get together. I really want this trip to go well! I need some suggestions for activities that will keep us preoccupied (so we don't have the chance to argue or complain), but not annoy us, and by us, I mean my mother. This means nothing too loud or that has that "young person" vibe. I'm 28 and my parents are in their mid 50s, so I'm aiming for something age neutral.

I ask for suggestions because I seem to either find young person hot spots or family oriented spots (which inevitably means directed at kids), but nothing in between. Please point me in the right direction!

Also, nothing too expensive.

Thanks in advance for your help!

NYC on a Weekday

LolaGeek — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:35:33 -0800

NYC Filter: What's fun to do in New York City on a weekday? Three friends and I (two men, two women, all late-20s) will be in New York City as tourists on a weekday. This will be in the near future, so the weather will probably be chilly.

We are spending the previous night in a hotel just outside the city (a 30 minute bus ride away), so the first problem is getting into town during the morning rush hour. Should we take our time checking out of the hotel and leave in the late morning when traffic will presumably be lighter?

Once we get there, what's cool to do? We've all been to NYC before, but probably not on a weekday - is there something we should take advantage of doing while most people are at work? Free or inexpensive would be great, though we wouldn't be opposed to a museum or something with a reasonable admission price. But I'm sure there's tons of cool places to just go visit.

We'll be leaving the city probably just ahead of the evening rush hour, so suggestions for lunch are also welcome.

Where are the kid unfriendly places in Western Pennsylvania?

arabelladragon — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:55:18 -0800

Where in Western Pennsylvania / Northern West Virginia are the places you'd take your Mom but not your kids? Mom's coming to visit us in Pittsburgh. She visits fairly often, and we've done all the normal tourist stuff. The catch is that this time, she isn't bringing any of my younger siblings. I want to take her to all the awesome places you wouldn't take kids.

Mom loves history and politics. She doesn't drink, and has been lukewarm about Fallingwater and art&architecture. The Heinz history museum could be saved for a trip when the kids are here.

Simply going to Homestead or Donora and saying "stuff happened here" won't be too much fun. We'd rather go somewhere with a story - either with tours, or a museum, or something more than dollar general stores and a vague historical plaque.

The Duckboat tours won't be running the days she's here.

We're willing to drive up to 2-3 hours away but we need to be back in Pittsburgh at night.

Romantic Melbourne things to do?

burhan — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:25:16 -0800

Aussie Hive Mind: What are some some incredibly romantic things to do from say 10am to 3pm in Melbourne in late November, early December? I have 3 afternoons in Melbourne, during which I would like to surprise my wife by taking her to places she's probably never seen, or to do things she probably never has.

They don't need to be over the top - this is more about sharing mutual experiences than about 'wow'ing her with extravagance.

My wife is from Melbourne, but never had the opportunity to do little 'fun' things. This is my 3rd trip there ever, and apart from the campy tourist things I've done previously, I can't think of anything!

This would be last week in Nov, first week in Dec.

Ferris Bueller, you're my hero

Diagonalize — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:17:58 -0800

How can I channel my inner Ferris Bueller and have one great day, except in New York? It's my little brother's very first trip to the East Coast! He's coming to see me in Boston, but he also really wants to see New York while he's out here. I've gone looking through a ton of the old NYC touristfilter questions, but trying to combine all of those great suggestions with my limited understanding of New York and an extremely ambitious timeline is proving daunting.

Mostly because of limited funds, we were hoping to make this a one day affair; we take the Chinatown bus out there, see whatever sights we can manage, stay up all night, and then take the first bus back in the morning. I've never taken the Chinatown bus before, so please talk me out of this if it seems like a tremendously bad idea.

My brother is a lot like Cameron: sarcastic, funny, fairly disinterested in most things, but still an all-around good guy and generally more easy-going than Cameron. The only thing I know for sure he wants to see is Times Square (I know). We're both in our early- to mid-twenties, kinda square, but still adventurous, and this East Coast trip is supposed to be his big last hurrah before becoming a grown-up. “Life moves pretty fast”, so how can we have one great day in New York, on the cheap?

Should I rent a car during my week in Denver?

TheManChild2000 — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:20:29 -0800

I'm going to be in Denver for a seminar. Arriving Saturday, leaving Thursday. Staying a little east of the city center. Should I bother renting a car? I'm pretty outdoorsy but also pretty cheap. Does Denver have sufficient public transit to easily (and without taking hours) get out of the downtown area into natural places for hiking and swimming?

"Let them eat bagels."

whimsicalnymph — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:08:15 -0800

Where can I find the best bagel in NYC? At the risk of starting a riot, I'd like to hear MeFites' opinions on where the best bagel can be found in NYC.

I have lived in New York over a year, and I have yet to eat a bagel (I think Super Size Me made me not want to eat them for a while).

I have a friend coming into town in October, and as part of her visit, I'd like to take her to a great NYC place, with the best bagels on Earth. No small feat, but I imagine if anyone knows where such bagels can be found, the people of AskMe will know.

Where to stay and what to see in Berlin?

gramcracker — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 09:11:41 -0800

Where should I stay and what should I do in Berlin for a 4 day trip? (Single, clean, safe, cheap, easy to get to the major sights.) Heading to Germany to see a friend who recently moved there, but going to spend some time in Berlin first, never been there. Single, late 20s gay traveler, see the museums, shop a bit, maybe grab a drink. Neighborhoods/sights/attractions to avoid or not to miss? Thanks!

Fun in the sun

crewshell — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:04:42 -0800

My buddy and I (25,23) are hitting Kissimmee up today and staying through sunday afternoon. We know we can go to Disney world or Orlando or even a long drive to the beach but does anyone have any really cool fun suggestions for activities for us to get into? We are both crazy busy young professionals and are looking to cut loose and have a good time... we both want to try something new and hey, if we meet a few beautiful girls while doing it, even better!

Any suggestions? We will have a rental car, are open to spending a little cash and pretty adventurous! (on that note I am already considering sky diving)

Inspire us hive mind!

New York for the Young

ashaw — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 09:06:24 -0800

Help planning a 5 Day trip to NYC - Do you know of any secret delights that New York City has to offer? I need recommendations/advice on everything from where to stay to where to go. Much more details inside. Just to spark some ideas, I'm a twenty year old single british male traveller who has clichéd hipster young adult interests like: music (open mic, gigs, records), antique fairs, flea markets, good cheap vintage/secondhand clothes, coffee shops, cheap carnivorous food, literature, art, film as well as all the usual tourist traps (brooklyn bridge, statue of liberty, modern art museum etc).

I'm very much boggled by my research, NYC is huge and I don't know where to stay which is relatively cheap ($80 a night would be pushing it) and in a good location to get to all the areas. I know the US hasn't got the travellers mentality to hostels, so any recommendations would be excellent.

Would be great if someone could tell me if there is a sightseeing tour which can hit most of the tourist spots leaving more time to do the more unique, quirky stuff. I've been told the Lower East Side and Williamsburg are all good places to spend some time.

Remember the cheaper the better and bearing in mind I'm not of drinking age, so alternatives for night life would be really great.

Please help me to plan a fun trip in Vancouver for my mom

Xianny — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:45:39 -0800

VancouverFilter: My mom is coming to visit for 2 weeks and I need help planning a fun trip for her! More details inside. My mom had hip surgery last year and although she says she can walk fine, I don't want to take her on across-the-city hikes. She's also wearing a knee-high stiff plastic foot brace, so no activities that require specialised footwear (bowling, rollerblading etc).

With that caveat, she'll be here for two weeks. We'll be in the Burnaby/Metrotown area for the first week and then downtown (around Robson) for the second week. My dad will be joining us for the last 3-4 days of the stay. We'll be taking transit mostly but can rent a car for a few days for trips to out-of-the-way places.

I've only been in Vancouver for a short time myself so I'm not too familiar with the area. I'm from Singapore if that matters. My mom is pretty laidback, and I'm looking for low-budget activities. She tends to enjoy slightly active things like checking out a museum or walking through a park, but not more passive things like watching movies or going to a concert. She also likes to have lots of activities planned, not so much a meandering holiday.

I'm planning to take her to Stanley Park and Granville Island, and spend some time walking around downtown, but I'm not sure what other specific places we could go to. Also, if there's anything specific to see or do at Stanley Park or Granville Island, I want to know! Please help me brainstorm activities to keep my mom entertained.

So what's going on in NYC this weekend?

paxton — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:11:58 -0800

I know this is a semi-silly question with near infinite possibilities for answers, but what should I be doing to feel a little less like a tourist while I'm in Manhattan this weekend? There's obviously no shortage of things to do any day at any hour, but for those of you who call NYC home or are simply more familiar with its underbelly than I, what are you doing this weekend?
Suggestions for museums, food, gallery openings, off the beaten path shopping or even great people watching spots will all be entertained.

No more tourist buffets!

gushn — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:55:18 -0800

How prevalent are unscrupulous tour guides? How do I learn about their back-handed practices? On a recent family vacation, I hired a few tour guides and private drivers to take us around certain areas, as some less mobile family members were also traveling and hiring a local was more or less unavoidable.

I noticed that occasionally our guide or driver would recommend a restaurant or store with its share of tourists. I assumed that these places gave commissions or kickbacks to our guide, a fact which some of our tour guides did not even hide very well (to my annoyance).

Many of my previous travels have been independent, and I have stumbled across shopowners who would even admit that they would raise their prices when tour groups come by, as they would need to pay their cut to the tour guide. I would love to travel independently at all times, but sometimes the fact just can't be avoided for language, safety, distance, or mobility reasons.

It really irks me to be paying someone for a service, and then be milked for even more commission. Is this standard practice? How do tour guides and group operators usually conduct business and make money? What kinds of commissions do they receive at shops, restaurants, tourist sites, and other places? What are signs to look out for, and what can I do to hire more scrupulous guides?

Thanks.

How can I make the most of my I-10 roadtrip?

pupperduck — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 14:28:04 -0800

I'll be making a 4-day road trip along I-10 from Corona, CA to Pensacola, FL at the end of August. What are the must-do or must see places along the way that aren't more than an hour detour from the interstate? Any food or restaurants along the way I'd be crazy to miss?

Attending a wedding in Alabama!

captain cosine — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:37:11 -0800

Going to Auburn and Birmingham, AL for a wedding...Oh the possibilities! Yes, another "going to x, what should I do" thread. Well I like them.

I'm going to a high school friend's wedding in Alabama, with my girlfriend (who is even better friends with my high school friend). I've lived in southern CA for 10 years and I hear its going to be a culture shock (which is exciting). I'll be in Auburn and Birmingham for 4 days. I'm sure that much of my time will be occupied by wedding related activities, but I'm looking for interesting things to do in the downtime. This can include any range of things...touristy attractions? local hotspots? cultural centers? museums? historical sites? and for my foodie-ness, great restaurants or health-food stores/co-ops? Anything I should generally keep in mind whilst there?

While we're at it, is there anything I should keep in mind to prepare for the wedding stuff? My girlfriend is a maid of honor and will likely have some associated responsibilities/obligations. I'm going to the groom's bachelor party (never been to one before). I've met him once (we hung out for a couple days because our girlfriends were visiting each other).

This is the first wedding I'll have attended for a couple of my age (23...I think the bride/groom are each either 22, 23 or 24), so its a different and exciting perspective. Thank you for your advice!

48 Hours in Malibu, CA

SoftSummerBreeze — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:01:24 -0800

I've got 48 hours in Malibu and want to make the most of it. Please share your absolute must sees and must dos. Thanks! I'm staying on Carbon Beach and want to see and do as much as possible in the short amount of time I have there. Where should I dine? Where are the best places for scenic or celebrity photo ops? Best beach front bar? Any and everything else you can think of.

I'll have my own car, so getting around is not a problem.

Down and Out in Paris and London

the NATURAL — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:45:12 -0800

LondonFilter, ParisFilter: I'll be in London and Paris for about a week, starting next week. What are the coolest, most-offbeat, least-overplayed activities/destinations for a young (21) traveler? Yeah, yeah. The Louvre, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London -- all that stuff is great, but I'd like to do and see things during my two weeks in Paris and London that hinge on me being young and fun. (Disclaimer: I'm not discounting the value and coolness of museums, but on limited time and money, offbeat is better.)

So, MeFites, what can I do? Ideally these activities will be within the Paris and London metro areas, moderately easy to access via tube (or whatever France has), and edgy but not dangerous. (i.e., I shan't be buying hard drugs under bridges like Russell Brand.)

Bonus points for good food and good photo ops (for my Rebel XT, you see).

Cheers!

San Francisco tips

lattiboy — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:16:44 -0800

I have a few questions about my trip to San Francisco this weekend. Me and the SO are going to SF this weekend (Friday morning till Monday night). We're pretty much going to be doing touristy stuff (Presidio, Alcatraz, Aquarium, incredible amounts of eating, ect.) and I had a few questions for saving cash. We will not have a car:

1) Are any of the "city pass" type cards a particularly good deal for a touristy vacation? The Seattle cards are usually wildly overpriced for what you could actually do in a weekend.

2) Does the bus system sell day or tourist passes for a flat rate?

3) I'd love to see the redwoods, Marin, and Sausalito but the tours all seem very expensive and overly long. Is there a way to get to any of those destinations using public transit?

Thank you

2 ladies, 1 baby, Monroe, NC; What to do?

kgreerRN — Sun, 10 May 2009 18:46:20 -0800

Monroe, NC Filter: What to 2 ladies do next week 5/17-22 in Monroe; NC with an infant? I will be visiting my cousin (first time mom & new to town) in Monroe, NC next week; May 17-22, who has a young infant (breastfeeding, not quite on a set schedule of eating and sleeping). We would like to get out of the house with the babes a few hours a day or evening to a few fun, fresh places. All that said; please suggest your hidden treasures, must see, best kept secrets for the Monroe NC area, all the while; baby friendly (clean changing stations & no googly eyes if the baby starts fussing).
I would like to stay close, less than 20 mile radius; including Monroe, Wesley Chapel, Weddington and Matthews.
Some things we would love are farmers markets, historic landmarks, outdoor cafe/coffee houses, places/food unique to NC or the Charlotte area, gardens.
Thanks in advance!

Road trip USA for Aussie noob

b33j — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:09:17 -0800

International Travel novice: What do I need to know that I don't know that I don't know? I'm Australian (from warm Queensland), meeting a friend from the Netherlands in the USA (Florida) in February 2010 for a two month road trip that will go through Canada (via Texas, California, Washington and many other places - itinerary mostly not set in stone yet) with the aim to concentrate on mutual internet friends, natural beauty and historical places. Tourist attractions (like Disneyland), not so much.

I know that I need airline tickets (but when do I book?) and a passport (what about visas?). What else do I need to know? Tips on packing (buy my winter stuff there?), on flight luggage, changing currency, paying for things over there (travellers cheques? Will my debit card work? What about my Mastercard? Will I have to pay fees for exchange of currency?). How much will it cost? How much would you set aside per day for living expenses if you were doing it cheap? What about powering my battery charger for my camera - should I be the converter here or there? Storage for my photos?

What should I have asked in this question that I didn't think to ask? Books and websites much appreciated as well as personal anecdotes.

Non-NABber

goofyfoot — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:10:18 -0800

My partner always meets up with his family at the annual National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas, and next week I'm coming along. I may or may not have a ticket. What do I do while they're wandering around NAB? I'm sure NAB will be interesting for a bit - if my fella's dad has a ticket for me - but it's not something I can totally get into for four days.

What are the big highlights of NAB?

What's the best and cheapest laptop rental agency in Vegas?

We're staying in a Motel 6 on Tropicana, because we're bringing our dogs - where can I find a good park to sit in with them?

What to do and see in Washington D.C.?

pised — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:05:31 -0800

Heading to Washington, D.C. this week; what must I ABSOLUTELY see? I'm in Washington for a conference over Easter weekend and into the next week. I've never been before and I'm overwhelmed by options. Where should I go? What should I see? I'm not going to have a whole lot of time outside my other commitments, but I should have Saturday morning, all Sunday (which is Easter), and some mornings and definitely evenings next week. I'm staying at two places: one around Mount Vernon Square and the other near the Capitol. I won't have a car, so I'll mostly be walking or taking the subway.

I already know that I want to go to the Zoo, see the cherry blossoms, the Mall and the monuments, but what else in terms of touristy things that I need to see? I understand that most of the national museums are actually open on Easter - is that correct?

I'm hoping to shop, if I have the time, so please point me to fun shopping districts. (I'm Canadian and have a fascination with American stores that we don't have up here, so even if you're suggesting stores that you'd find in any American mall, I'd be more than happy!) I also knit and am hoping that some D.C. knitters could direct me to the best yarn shops in the city.

If you could tell me what the closest subway stops are to the locations you suggest, that would be wonderful. Thanks so much!

Washington DC hotels?

Karlos the Jackal — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:53:01 -0800

My wife and I are going to Washington DC next year for a few days. We'll be sticking to touristy stuff -- monuments, the Smithsonian -- so we want to be able to get to those parts and back fairly easily. We won't have a car. Where should we stay? Recommendations for areas or for specific hotels appreciated. What we're looking for in a hotel: quiet, clean, simple, air conditioning, in a safe neighborhood, maybe $250 a night.

We've been looking at some hotels online but we're not sure how easy it is to get around without a car, so we're not sure how far away we can stray. We are fine with public transportation if it's not too confusing.

Things to do in Calofornia

Green With You — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 08:44:24 -0800

I have a free day in California I wasn't expecting. What can one man do today in, oh, 12 hours? I'm staying in Corona, but I'm willing to travel around and spend some money (up to $200 for argument's sake). I know next to nothing about California except a vague idea that a lot of movies are made here, earth quakes, and the Governator. I made the mistake of not coming up with stuff to do earlier. In all fairness I expected to be working constantly while visiting California, but the building I was working at is closed today which I found out rather unexpectedly.

I can think of a few things. Go to a mall, museum, zoo, the ocean. That sort of thing. But what mall, museum, or zoo? Which beach to I head to? What are some other things that I'm not thinking of? Is LA worth driving to? And what things should someone absolutely try to do on their first visit to California?

Moldova

ashaw — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:30:45 -0800

Does anyone have any ideas on worthwhile places to visit during my stay in Chisinau, Moldova? I love to see sights and examples of very traditional places, relics of it's ex-Soviet history, etc. Furthermore, are there any bars/restaurants/museums worth visiting during my stay? Any suggestion is welcome, although since I am a tourist, ideally it'd have to be relatively close, if not in the city.

I have an interest in politics and history.