Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with tourist

Suggest some pretty places near Barcelona for a short pre-Barca trip!

Cantdosleepy — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:35:18 -0800

I'm going to Barcelona for a week at the end of May. I fly in at about 7pm on Saturday, and want to spend three days seeing the countryside around the city before spending the rest of the time in the city itself. I'm looking for suggestions of some picturesque villages either along the coast or in the countryside where we can find a B&B and see some pretty things. I don't mind hiring a car if that's the best way to see the area.

Any other lovely tourist-y things you might know about in the area are very much appreciated...

Visiting Amsterdam in November

lpcxa0 — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:21:57 -0800

Visiting Amsterdam (hopefully) over the 11/9 weekend - what to do? Visiting Amsterdam with one of my friends 11/6 - 11/10 and am looking for things to do. We are already planning on the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, and the Van Gogh museum but would like to hear other things to do or experiences visiting Amsterdam in November.

Any other advice is appreciated, we may or may not head to a coffee shop or smartshop.

Insurance options for the recently unemployed in Tokyo?

princeoftheair — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 18:32:04 -0800

I'm an American living in working in Tokyo, but am planning on moving to the states in a few months. I will leave my current job in a month that is providing insurance and take a month or two off to get my affairs in order. What are my options for insurance after I resign? As far as I can tell, there is government insurance that I can buy into for being uninsured, but if I report that I have no job I will be switched over from my working visa to a 90-day tourist visa. I'm happy to switch over as I am planning on leaving anyway, but can I still register for insurance to cover my last couple months? Would it be possible to register for the insurance and NOT mention I am unemployed? Are there other options to alleviate my medical emergency anxiety?

I would just go without, but I have gotten pretty sick a couple of times in the last few months that required a hospital visit. I would gladly pay for some peace of mind that this point. I appreciate any information on this as my google searches have been rather unhelpful.

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 to do in DC next weekend?

Bebo — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 14:02:11 -0800

I'm heading to Washington DC next weekend (March 15-18) and wondering if there are any cool events/exhibits going on. I found the Washington Post events calendar, but it was a bit overwhelming so I'm hoping some mefites can steer me! I've been to DC many times, so the first-time-tourist things (Lincoln memorial, etc) don't apply. I'd love to hear about specific events, or else general neighborhoods that I might like to explore. Last time I was there I was introduced to the Phillips Collection which I loved!

Me: late 20s, staying near GWU. I like photography, good food (paleo, but I can usually find something to eat anywhere), good cocktails, walking, exploring neighborhoods, window-shopping. Not into dance clubs or sporting events.

Recommendation for a guided tour in Beijing?

handful of rain — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:59:52 -0800

I have a free day in Beijing in March and am looking for recommendations for a guided tour. Can you help? In March I'll be on a long work trip through India and China, and will find myself with a weekend in Beijing free. For one of the days, a Sunday, I'd really like to see some of the highlights of the city. I've traveled/lived internationally before and usually love to spend a free day in a new city with extensive walking and exploring on my own, but the language factor for me (I speak no Mandarin and have never been to China) is very intimidating. Since this trip is very much a business trip, and I have a one-day respite from work, I'm just hoping to get a glimpse of the surface of Beijing (eg Forbidden City, The Great Wall, maybe a meal someplace) without being overwhelmed by the details and logistics of getting around. My ideal scenario would be find someone who speaks English well enough and can take me around the city in a private car.

A cursory Google search returns some promising hits, but I'd really love personal recommendations (or to tell me why this is a terrible idea, etc). The fact I'm a solo traveler makes my search a little odd, too - although I wouldn't be averse to joining a group tour, I suppose, I'd also be open to paying more for a private one. Thanks in advance for your help!

PS - just to head off the question, I'm trying to avoid asking advice from my Beijing colleagues because I don't want it to be interpreted as "please spend your Sunday away from your family and take me to the Great Wall." Even if they truly would be thrilled to do this, as I'm in the middle of a long work trip I would dearly love to not make work-related small talk for the whole day.

Angelino Assistance Needed!

vibrotronica — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 09:00:22 -0800

Recommend me some stuff to do in Los Angeles in January! Starting on Monday, I'm going to be in Los Angeles for two and a half weeks for work. I'm gong to be staying with a friend who is familiar with the city, so I will have a part-time tour guide. I'm looking for good food (street food and kick-ass mexican are a bonus), good local music (my inner music geek wants to go to the Whiskey A Go-Go. is it worth it?), cool bars, art (I am staying close to LACMA, so I am definitely going there), touristy stuff (especially off the beaten path film history. Not really interested in Disneyland), and, for my wife who will be joining me for the final weekend, vintage clothing stores. I won't have a car, so tips for getting around when my hosts will be unavailable are also appreciated. I have considered getting a rental car, but I am not getting paid a fortune for this job, so recommendations on that issue would also be welcome.

Los Angelinos, go nuts!

Midwest weekend

quiet coyote — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 17:03:11 -0800

I want to spend this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday driving around to see/do fun, cheap things in a ~3 hour radius from Champaign, Illinois (closer is preferred). Can you help a sister out? I love music, thrifting, antiquing, outdoorsy/active stuff, good food and drink, and art. I already go to Kickapoo and the main flea markets around here (Arthur and Gordyville, namely) pretty frequently. I've looked at roadsideattractions.com and may try some of those. Weird ideas are welcome.

I would prefer coming back to Champaign for Friday and Saturday nights over getting a hotel somewhere. Closer to Champaign is preferred to save gas money.

Montreal visit, brief, help me plan

meinvt — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 10:32:51 -0800

Looking for recommendations on everything from places to stay to things to do in Montreal. Nightlife, possibly with partner, and Sunday tourism. Help me put some structure to my rough outline of a visit. I've neglected nearby Montreal for too long, so I'm taking a one night trip up this coming Saturday to start exploring. The only pinned event is a first date dinner and drinks via online dating. So, I'm looking for fun flexible plans that would be good recommendations for if the date goes well, and also for some fun if it does not. Dinner itself will be downtown near Station Guy-Concordia.

I won't be able to make it up to Montreal until a couple hours before dinner at best, but would like to check in to a hotel and have some thoughts on what to do if I have time to kill. I'm not averse to some window shopping and people watching.

As to nightlife, I love live and/or danceable music. Rock, to mellow jazz to hip-hop and dubstep. In the event I'm heading out alone, I'm looking for recommendations on places a single guy can feel comfortable wandering in on a whim.

And then, I'm wide open for cultural and tourism attractions that I really ought to check out Sunday. Art, architecture, cultural history all fascinate. My ideal trip has me arriving, parking the car at a hotel and not driving again until I need to come back to Vermont Sunday afternoon.

I wanna go to New York City Cuz they tell me it's the place to be

ricochet biscuit — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:22:51 -0800

Something New-York-esque to do in early March? I will be in NYC for a weekend in early March 2013 (the 1st through the 3rd, if it matters) with a companion and looking for what local mefites might recommend we do. Some Broadway show? Some restaurant we shouldn't miss?

Background: we are a couple of Gen-X Canadian city dwellers. She has been to New York only once, for several days earlier this year; I have been a half-dozen times when I was younger -- most recently about nine or ten years back, but usually lacking either time or money. The obvious touristy things (Empire State Building etc) have been dealt with, and now we are looking for something else. We are not really looking for $300 dinners or noisy live music, but are open to any suggestions. I have seen this previously, but some of it is very summer-specific.

We will be staying on the Upper West Side and are flying home early Sunday afternoon, so it is really Friday afternoon and evening and all day Saturday we have at our disposal. She is mostly a lurker on MeFi, so a meetup is not something I am trying to engineer but if on happens to be going on that weekend HINT HINT, I am sure we could swing by for a bit.

Where to get my onsen on?

aladfar — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 19:22:06 -0800

Where to get my onsen on? I'll be visiting Japan (12/27 - 1/08) and would love to spend a few days somewhere wintry, mountainous and full of hot springs. Preferably at an interesting ryokan. Any suggestions? Also: If any Tokyo mefites are down for a meet-up, do send me a message.

NYC this weekend, storm impact I should know about?

maxg94 — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:21:38 -0800

My teenage daughter and I are heading to NYC on Saturday for a one day bus trip. Are there areas we need to avoid due to the storms still and are there any special things happening we should try to do? The bus drops us off near Times Square mid - morning and we have until about 7pm. I think trying to see a last minute show would use up too much of our day. On our last trip, we walked Chinatown, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Battery Park. We also spent a short amount of time in Times Square just to see it, but won't spend much time there again.

Our other trip was in the summer, so doing a lot of walking was no big deal. I am not sure how the winter weather will impact that part. Also I have never been there around Christmas time so all of that would be new as well.

I'm not biking this whole way just to take a picture in front of the White House.

vulgar_wheat — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 21:09:47 -0800

Biking to Washington, DC, arriving Oct 19 and leaving the 21st. What should I do (bike-related and not) while I'm there? Y'all helped me have a nice time in San Francisco and Portland with my bike, and I figured I would ask for more travel help.

I've been planning my trip so far with the purpose of getting there and haven't thought much about what I'll do once I've arrived. I'll be arriving in the early afternoon on the 19th, staying in a friend's place in Vienna, and leaving some time on the 21st, and that's about all I know. I'd prefer to get around by bike, but I'm not opposed to taking the metro if it's bike friendly.

If there's some sort of neat bike-related thing going on that weekend, or a particularly scenic bike trail, or cool things in general that are easy to get to by bike, I want to know. I'm also interested in restaurant recommendations, with the caveat that I'm a vegan.

Are there weird DC bike idiosyncrasies (locking, helmets, laws, whatever)? I don't want to bike all that distance, only to get a ticket for doing or not doing something, or lock up my bike with my u-lock to find when I get back that my rack or front tire has been stolen.

My only plans so far are to go to some bike shops, test-ride some imported city bikes, and eat lots of delicious vegan food. There's gotta be something more for me to do (though if anyone knows where I can test some nice imported Dutch or English or Italian bikes I'd be much obliged). I went to DC earlier this year as a tourist, but mostly stuck around the Mall, museums (Newseum, Crime and Punishment, Spy Museum), and also made my way to the Zoo.

For what it's worth, I'm a Pittsburgh cyclist who averages somewhere between 15 to 20 hilly-to-mountainous miles a day, is comfortable with somewhere up around 60 or 70 miles, and I'll be on a road bike. To be fair, I'll be coming off of 5 days of biking about 70 miles a day.

Where to park at the beach?

KimikoPi — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 01:25:18 -0800

Going to Maui. Where do people park cars to visit various beaches? I'm planning a trip to Maui for this December. I'll be renting a car and staying at a hotel that's not on any beach. So when people visit the various beaches in Maui, are there parking lots? Where do people park?

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!

Going to San Francisco and Portland; what am I doing?

vulgar_wheat — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 19:14:08 -0800

Planes and Trains and Bikes, oh my! or, Going to San Francisco and Portland for a week and a half; what should I do and see and eat? I'm flying into San Francisco on Sunday (29th) until Thursday night (about 4 and some days), taking a 17-hour train to Portland, and then staying around Portland (another 4 and some days) until Tuesday (7th) night.

I like museums and gardens, except for most art museums. I'm also interested in general sightseeing. Not particularly interested in going to stores unless they are really nifty in some way or another. (Things that generally make that list: bookstores of a certain size, tiny stores that really focus on one thing). Money isn't exactly an objection for anything, but I'm also not inclined to spend a lot for something that won't be amazing (or at least memorable).

I'll have my bike with me, so I'm interested in general logistics (how do drivers react to cyclists, how important it is to really lock the sucker up, etc) and also places I should bike to. I hear that biking the Golden Gate Bridge is a thing, and that Portland is really bike friendly, but what else? I am not super fit, but I've recently done 50-mile rides and can bike indefinitely at a leisurely pace, for what it's worth.

I'm also very interested in food recommendations, with the two restrictions that I am vegan and also 21, so drinking isn't a thing for me. Places with communal tables are extra interesting to me, as are other things that might get me to meet people in the area.

Lastly, what do I need to know or do or bring to prepare myself for a 17 hour train? My parents insisted that I get a room, so ... I have a room. The cheapest one, with two beds, so I guess I'm sharing with some stranger.

I've been to San Francisco before, but 10 years ago and I remember nothing; Portland is a total blank slate to me. This is also my first time really traveling by myself, so I have no idea what I'm doing at all. I've read some of the previous asks, but was hoping for a few more datapoints.

I think your town, despite the smog, is less boring than my town

polymodus — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:25:22 -0800

NYC activities for a (gasp) bridge & tunnel visitor? Would like ideas for activities, sightseeing that might be especially worthwhile or edifying. I have been living within commute distance of NYC, so while I'm familiar with the standard tourist activities, I would like to get to know the city a little better. What are some things I could try that might leave a lasting impression of the city?—actually, this is likely my last summer living in the area, so I'd like to make the best of it. I once bought a Fodor's guidebook, but I figured I would just ask here.

My favorite activities so far have been:
- Carnegie Hall & Lincoln Center (but now is off-season for classical music).
- Restaurants. NYC has truly great food, it is foodie heaven. I have been eating all over town, there is just too much! It can get spendy, so I stay on the lookout for cheap/specialty eats as well.
- The Union Square Greenmarket. This fills my inner chef green with envy.
- All the big museums. Favorites are still the MoMa and the Met.
- Shopping, e.g. lots of SoHo. I've also tried Chelsea and East Village for shops, but no success yet.
- Saw a documentary at the International Film Center.
- Running along 11th/12th Ave, The Highline (I was staying at a hotel that time).
- Haircuts. More expensive that in my town, but worth it. I'm due for another haircut this week.
- Strand bookstore. It is like a time vortex in there.

Possibilities:
- Nightlife (bars, clubs). I'm not much of a drinker nor dancer, but the few times I've been have been fun/exciting—for a shy person.
- Shows, performances. This is something I might look into further.
- Walking around neighborhoods (usually dovetail this with my fooding activities)
- Williamsburg, I have never been there. Cloisters. New York Botanical Garden.
- New York Public Library, never been.

I would love more ideas and I'm willing to have my horizons broadened as well. Demographic info: I'm a single, late 20's gay male.

Help me have a blast in northern Michigan

looli — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 19:19:36 -0800

What are the most super fun things to do in the eastern upper and northern lower peninsulas of Michigan? Next week, I'll be travelling from Sault Ste Marie, ON to somewhere in northern Michigan with my parents (mid-sixties) and my nine year old daughter, for a couple days. Right now it looks like our most likely destinations are Mackinac Island, Petoskey and/or Traverse City. I think 4 hours driving away from the Sault is the outside limit, but I am totally open to going places that are none of the above, if the attraction is compelling enough.

I'm looking for suggestions of great places to eat, fun things to do, interesting places to shop and unusual things to see. Weird and woolly is cool. Kitsch is also appreciated. Interesting to children is a high priority, though my kid has pretty sophisticated tastes, so it doesn't have to be entirely childish.

I'm not looking for any camping, hiking, nature-y things since we'll be spending a week camping at the most beautiful beach in the world the following week and that's all the outdoorsiness any of us needs. I've already favourited this earlier post but I'm curious about the Huron side, too.

A city filled with infinite possibilities

jadepearl — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 07:48:17 -0800

Will be flying into Toronto this Saturday for a conference until Wednesday. I will be in the Front St. area. I like to walk, transit and wander, so tell me where to go. I combed through the other Toronto questions with the most recent being a year old. I know that I need to hit Kensington Market and the shoe museum what else should I see? Any favorites?

Imagine you are choreographing a perfect few days to fall in love with a city and someone where would you place this romance of the city?

The rules of the romance: just by foot and transit; starts at Front St. on Saturday afternoon; never say sorry for quirky, thirfty or splurging with discretion; no fear of fat, sugar or deliciousness; day and night locales and ends at the airport on Weds. afternoon.

Oh, Bugger.

jrochest — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 16:17:07 -0800

I am a Canadian tourist in London. I've had my purse stolen. What do I do? Actions already taken and details inside On Friday night I was visiting a pub with friends from the conference I've been at. A very professional thief snatched my bag from under my chair. It contained EVERYTHING: passport, wallet with credit cards, debit and all my ID, my Iphone (which was turned off, but not locked) and my keys.

I have already cancelled the cards, deactivated the phone number and cancelled the passport. I get a replacement emergency credit card tomorrow; I also will visit the Embassy to get travel documents. What else do I/ can I do here and now? And what's the best way to go about replacing the DL and other ID?

Chicago for middle-aged Chinese folk?

d. z. wang — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 14:28:10 -0800

My (middle-aged, Chinese) parents and sister are coming to Chicago with me for a week this August to attend my graduation, and would like to make a vacation of it while they're here. Unfortunately, I'm enough of a homebody that few of my pastimes in Chicago are appropriate for groups, so I don't know how to entertain them for a week. We have a few ideas, and would love if the hive mind could offer advice on those or suggest additional ones. A few ideas we had:

Both my parents have expressed some nostalgia for commuting to work by bicycle back in China, so we were thinking of renting some bicycles and riding out to a picnic lunch on a trail somewhere. Can anyone recommend a good bike rental place, and a quiet, unambitious ride?

They've also expressed some interest in doing the typical touristy things. Does anyone know what the "touristy things" are in Chicago? I was thinking of the Bean and one of the Field museum, Lincoln Park Zoo, Shedd Aquarium, or MSI. They've heard of some restaurant whose claim to fame is that it's located at the top of a tall tower downtown, so if I can find that place we'll go there for lunch in between.

I'll also give them a walking tour of my campus at some point, so they have some idea how I've spent the last five years away. If you've ever done this for your own parents, I'd love to hear what interested them and what you could have skipped.

Could anyone suggest some additional evening activities? One constraint is, my parents are not entirely comfortable with English, especially outside the technical jargon of their fields. They're fine for transactional conversations, but we should avoid activities like stand-up comedy that require real-time comprehension of idiomatic English.

A tourist in Brighton, England

mandymanwasregistered — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:19:50 -0800

What are a few interesting things to do/see in Brighton, England this afternoon? I'm taking the train from London to meet a friend for dinner and thought I'd head out a bit early to explore a little. I'm visting from Los Angeles, so it's all new to me.

I'm more of a "see a few things" than a "see all the things" sort of person. I like wandering around a bit, I require a coffee dose in the afternoon and a bookstore might also be nice.

what to do in Tampa with a toddler

glasseyes — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 15:27:23 -0800

Hello Mefites. I am a British person in my 50's, originally from Africa. I will be babysitting my 18-month-old grandchild in Tampa, Florida, in early August while her (British/American) parents are on honeymoon. I would be very very grateful for suggestions of fun things for a grandma and toddler to do in that week, bearing in mind I can't drive and will be taking public transport/walking with a pushchair. Google maps tells me we will be just off Cross Creek Road and nearby districts seem to be called Hunter's Green, Pebble Creek Village and Arbor Green. I'm used to walking 2/3 miles and back at a time but I'm told it might be too hot to take the toddler on such long walks.

Can I take the bus anywhere? My daughter seemed to think it might not be the best for a naive old tourist.

I'd be really grateful for suggestions and tips about how to do really ordinary pleasurable things with my grand-daughter. Is there a Trader Joe's nearby? Are there any ethnic food shops? Is there a good library? Are there some nice parks? is there anything special to the area we shouldn't miss?

Thanks in advance.

East Coast trip from Boston to DC -- ideas?

archagon — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 01:48:27 -0800

I'm planning on visiting the East Coast this July -- the area roughly from Boston to Washington, DC. I don't really have a set plan yet, aside from visiting NYC for a couple of days (up to a week), hopefully visiting Boston for a few days, and hanging out along the Maryland/DC border for a conference. Travel tips/suggestions? I've never been to the East Coast, so I have no idea where to go or what to do. What are some interesting destinations along my route? Large or small, touristy or obscure -- it doesn't matter to me. If you have a favorite city or town, museum, hostel, club, restaurant, food cart, statue -- whatever -- put it out there. I want as much information as I can get!

Current ideas: (just started brainstorming)
* touristy stuff in NY: Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, etc.
* Comedy Cellar in NY (maybe I can see Louis C.K.?)
* lots of pizza (and donuts, cheesecake, bagels...) in NY -- especially Di Fara
* Harvard and MIT in Boston
* White House, Holocaust Museum, and Smithsonian in DC

(I'm sure there have been countless questions on the topic, so if you know of any great discussions off the top of your head, please post them here.)

Thank you!

Aside from gorging on crab

Slackermagee — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 15:14:14 -0800

What can a guy do in Port Angeles, WA on an average summer day? I'll be in Port Angeles for four days for a friends wedding. I plan to get down there this Friday and leave Tuesday morning (so techinically five days but I'll be catching the first CoHo ferry north). I will not have a car and will be staying in the Olympic Lodge, what would the hive mind suggest?

I've been down three times in the past but always staying with the friends family (which obviously isn't going to happen this time around), so I've been around the waterfront, just never into any of the stores or shops or whatever else is down there.