Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with travel and 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 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!

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?

Recommended urban sights in San Jose, Costa Rica?

benzenedream — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:43:53 -0800

Unique sights in urban San Jose, Costa Rica I've got a few days in San Jose, Costa Rica. We've done many of the standard wilderness trips while here and would now like to do some urban exploring. What would you recommend to see and do in San Jose and surrounding suburbs that is not in the usual travel guides? We are both foodies and geeks.

How to appeal a tourist visa denial?

forforf — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:52:34 -0800

My sister-in-law in Japan was denied a tourist visa to visit us here in the US. It's especially disappointing because my wife and sister haven't seen each other in over a decade, nor has she ever met our kids. Is there anything we can do at this point? Some background: My wife's sister-in-law immigrated from South Korea to Japan to be with her fiancé, whom she eventually married. She overstayed her visa in Japan pretty significantly, but now, due to the marriage, is there legally. They are not well off, and have saved for a considerable amount of time to visit us. However, when she interviewed at the embassy for a visa she was turned down due to the risk she would stay in the US illegally. Obviously, my sister-in-law, wife, and kids are all extremely disappointed, my sister-in-law is especially distraught.
I've done some google searching and read some previous askme's (like this one). I'm worried now that there is no recourse, but I'm still holding out some faint hope that someone might have some options to pursue. Has anybody been through something similar that can offer some advice?

Fun things to do in Kansas City?

damn dirty ape — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:35:57 -0800

Fun things to do in Kansas City? I'm spending the weekend in KC and have a couple of things planned, but wouldnt mind hearing some other recommendations. What shoudlnt we miss? Where should we eat? What are some off-the-beaten path activities? Thanks.

Greensboro to Cape Fear

jammy — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:18:41 -0800

NorthCarolinaFilter: A friend is traveling between Greensboro and Cape Fear and back again - They would love to hear some ideas on what to see? what to do? Especially interested in any recommendations of the historical variety (museums, tours, etc.).

Alternatively, suggestions or tips on interesting ecological or sustainability projects in this region would also be welcome - also, social justice projects.

Thanks!

“I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.”

blue_beetle — Sat, 24 May 2008 12:07:29 -0800

Great places in the world to visit (or short-term volunteer opportunities) when traveling alone?

Do you know the way to San Jose?

nax — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:18:27 -0800

San Jose California last 3 days of Feb. About a third to half that time will be blocked off to visit with relatives and see our daughter in her touring show. What else should we do? Head up the bay to SF, or is there cool stuff in town? (We'll be staying perforce in an airport hotel, no help for it-- should we rent a car, or is public trans good?)

Is Lonely Planet my best bet?

kyleg — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:45:30 -0800

What is the best UK travel guide to give to an American student spending the semester there in the spring? She'll be in Gloucestershire, with short trips to London and around the Continent depending on time and budget.

Your ideas for nontraditional, off the beaten path, interesting, insightful things to do or see in or close to Venice, Florence, and Rome, Italy?

Askr — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:13:54 -0800

What are your favorite nontraditional, nontouristy, alternative, culturally-insightful things to do in or near Venice, Florence, and Rome? I mean the deeper anthropological kind of culture, not museums, opera, etc. I'm not looking for the usual must-see tourist destinations or the things that epitomize a city. I want the fascinating little finds you accidentally stumbled on and loved, but which few or no tours would have found because they aren't "sights". If it can give me a glimpse of how contemporary Italians see the world, to appreciate a bit more what it's like to be them, that's a turbo bonus. No points off for plain old fun activities either. I've read every Italy thread on here and haven't quite found what I'm after. My parents invited me on a guided package tour of Venice, Florence, and Rome next week and the following week. Italy's not high on my list of travel destinations and I'm not a package tour kind of guy at all, but it's free, foreign, and family, so I'm going and am sure I'll have a good time. I'd like your help in reducing that touristy malaise feeling and replacing some of it with interesting insights and experiences.

There is a lot of the usual museum/monument time on the itinerary. I'm not a museum/monument kind of guy. Paintings paintings paintings, churches, aaagh! Don't care! Don't wanna take all the same obligatory pictures everyone has taken for a century or follow a guide around the whole time as they tell me about this or that set of ruins. For me, travel is about learning about how the world looks through other cultures' eyes. I know some of this can be informed by their history or past cultural products such as art or architecture, but what I want is to get glimpses of what life is like for ordinary people there right now to the degree I can in a very short time - what their big issues are, what their worldview is and how it differs from mine. Optimism, cynicism, assumptions, prejudices, filters, priorities, norms, oddities. A guided package tour of sights is not a great way to do this but it's what I have to work with.

So I want to break away from the tour group at least once per city and go do my own thing - - interesting, educational, insightful, off the beaten path kinds of things, especially any that help me understand what life is like for normal contemporary Italians. I don't want to see sights (I'll already see plenty, e.g. David, Sistine, etc.); What I want is some hint of contemporary cultural anthropology. It could be anything - some interesting local custom, some political event, some unique civic activity, some un-famous piece of history that influences the present in a fascinating way, some cultural fixture (e.g., I wish there were some soccer games during my stay). What have you found in or near these three places that was your special find that people wouldn't normally find on a tour, and which enriched your experience and understanding of Italy and Italians?

One hurdle is that I speak almost no Italian, not having planned to go there. So it would need to be something observable absent language or there would need to be English speakers or literature, a tall order. Below is the itinerary, including what I'm considering skipping. There are a fair number of free afternoons and evenings built in. What is nearby that's not on this list, that you loved, that isn't a "sight" but was a great find? Not looking for restaurant/bar recommendations unless they happen to deliver what I'm looking for. If you don't have anything in the sort of cultural anthro insight category, yeah, just list anything fun or interesting or unusual that's not a major tourist sight. For example I keep seeing recommendations to go to Siena near Florence. But why? What do people like about it?

No need to focus on these knowns in your reply:
-This is a very short time to develop any real cultural insight
-Art and architecture and ruins and history are important
-Don't discount what you can learn from quality guides
-Not speaking Italian limits your options

Grazie!

Itinerary:

Nov 12-14: Venice
-backstreets walking tour (also planning on "getting lost")
-St. Mark's Basilica & Doges' Palace
-Accademia art museum. SKIP THIS
-a free afternoon
-2 free evenings and 1 planned dinner

Nov 15-17: Florence
-Accademia Gallery w/ David
-"Renaissance walk" - Duomo, Baptistery, etc. SKIP ONE OF THESE TWO
-Oltrarno area - walk/talk re Roman, medieval and 19th century Florence. SKIP ONE OF THESE TWO
-Uffizi art museum. MAYBE POP IN FOR AN HOUR OR TWO. (I know it's huge)
-2 free afternoons
-2 free evenings and 1 planned dinner

Nov 18-20: Rome
-Vatican Museum, Sistine, St. Peter's.
-Some free time in Vatican area for crypt, dome, whatever.
-Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon
-Free afternoon near area of Palatine ruins, Mamertine prison, etc.
-A few free hours in heart of city
-Evening stroll through historic heart of city.
-2 planned dinners and 1 free evening
.

Help me figure out my trip overseas!

pontouf — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 10:17:52 -0800

So I'm going on a trip this summer with my bf... my plan is to at least hit up Germany and Ireland, hopefully England too. I'm planning on this trip lasting for about a month, probably starting in August sometime. So my simple question is, what do you recommend? My more in-depth question is behind the link... So, I have a friend in Germany - that portion is already taken care of as far as what to do and where to stay. We will probably go there first, then travel with my friend up to Amsterdam for a few days. From there we will go to either England or Ireland, depending on my budget/plan. My main question has a few parts. First of all, what is/are the cheapest ways to get around, both while in one of these countries and/or traveling between them? Secondly, where should I stay in Ireland or England? Since we are going to be there so long and the USD is so poor, I don't want to stay in a hotel, at least not most of the time. Thirdly (and lastly) what should we do/see? Typical and especially non-typical touristy stuff is helpful. I want to visit Ireland because of my Irish roots and to see some castles. I want to visit England because it seems like a really neat country... My budget is $4000 (how does that figure sound for this trip? Does that sound like it might also cover an additional person's expenses in part?) Soooo... Go!

I go to Blackpool for my holidays...

champthom — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 18:10:12 -0800

What are some popular, regional touristy type attractions? What I don't mean is obvious tourist stuff - Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, Mount Rushmore, etc.

What I mean is pretty much the following criteria places that are typically visited by people from the surrounding area. Put-In-Bay for Ohioans, Kennywood for Southern Pennsylvanians or places like the 1000 Islands for upstate New Yorkers like myself.

To some extent, I'd include places like Blackpool, England or Myrtle Beach. I don't mean places like Cancun or any other "package" city (though that would be an interesting question for some other time).

So essentially, I'm looking for places visited mostly by regional residents, mostly geared solely tourism, typically considered a "traditional" vacation, and ideally should have some kitsch factor involved.

Should I reschedule a trip to Longleat?

ascullion — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 07:08:04 -0800

So, I've agreed to drive a group of people to Longleat Safari Park this weekend. It's been in the diary for months, but the weather forecast is not good. If you've been to Longleat before - is the bad weather going to spoil the trip? should we reschedule?

When in Rome...

dirtynumbangelboy — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 13:07:38 -0800

RomeFilter: What is there to do in Rome? A bunch of people are going to Rome in March 2008. What cool things are there to do? Obviosuly the usual touristy stuff (Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Coliseum, etc)... what's the unknown? What's off the beaten track? What are Rome's hidden gems?

Brooklyn! Where to go?

zaphod — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:23:31 -0800

Brooklyn, where to stay what to see that's not obvious? Going to visit cousin John whose over from Ireland for 2 weeks and staying in Brooklyn, near the corner of Washington & Lafayette Aves (NE of Prospect Park).

First, I need a place to stay and Brooklyn seems to have a shortage of Hotels! WTF, everyone wants to stay in Manhattan? ;)

About the best, closest place I can find is the Brooklyn Marriott at about $230 a night with taxes ($199 + $30), which for 2 nights is a wee bit steep. Do you know anywhere else that's a bit cheaper and that you'd recommend? I found a bunch of places with decent reviews on some other sites, but then some Googling turned up some interesting Police reports about hourly customers for a few places .... even somewhere the other

Secondly, what to see and do, eat & drink, avoid & run, that tourists wouldn't normally see of Brooklyn?

Before the cousin said he was going to Brooklyn I had the, incorrect, impression that Brooklyn was a bit unsafe. But, after a wee bit of research I've released that it's a vast city within NYC that has it's own character & charm that's unlike Manhattan. So, you the Brooklynite reading this, where should we (me the Paddy in Boston, and the cousin from the wilds of Ireland and his German gf) go to see the joys and experiences of Brooklyn? Always looking for suggestions for good places to eat & drink too!