City guides
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Visit Chelsea Market in New York only once per trip.
It is a cool place but really overpriced.
- It is overpriced.
one person who lived it
Take the free Staten Island Ferry to view the Statue of Liberty.
It provides good photo opportunities at no cost.
one person who lived it
Refuse CDs offered by strangers on the street.
It is a common scam that can lead to harassment or forced payment.
one person who lived it
See a Broadway show in New York if you have never seen one.
Professional long-running theatre shows offer a spectacle that college musicals cannot match.
one person who lived it
Eat in Queens for affordable, high-quality meals.
Food there is amazing and cheaper than other boroughs.
one person who lived it
- Eat in the Lower East Side of New York.1
Walk the High Line in New York.
It is an incredibly pretty walk.
one person who lived it
Take the subway to Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
You can find cheap, great food, interesting people, and skyline views.
one person who lived it
Visit Eataly in Brooklyn, New York.
The food there is amazing.
one person who lived it
Consider visiting in mid-to-late fall to potentially avoid crowds and save money, though be aware that some residents report it remains busy.
Tourists are reportedly gone, attractions remain open but cheaper, and weather is more palatable.
- Some locals disagree, stating the area is always busy and packed.
one person who lived it
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Visit the Tour Montparnasse in Paris to avoid the long wait times associated with the Eiffel Tower.
It offers a view without the hours of waiting required for the Eiffel Tower.
one person who lived it
Arrive at major tourist attractions 10 minutes before they open to avoid crowds.
One person reported waiting only short periods for every major attraction by doing this.
one person who lived it
Observe what tourists are photographing to discover interesting sights in your city.
A stranger's perspective can reveal the beauty of a place you are used to.
one person who lived it
Visit a tower or observation area to see the whole city and get oriented if you are new to the place.
It provides a good picture and helps with orientation.
one person who lived it
Have a picnic in Central Park, preferably on the Upper West Side.
It is a pleasant activity; the Upper West Side is less touristy.
one person who lived it
Visit in the dead of winter to see Christmas decorations and enjoy indoor attractions without crowds.
You can view holiday displays and have museums, the zoo, and other indoor venues largely to yourself.
one person who lived it
Avoid visiting St. Louis as a tourist destination.
It lacks major attractions and public transit, and it is easy to wander into dangerous areas.
one person who lived it
Walk past street hustlers with an angry, hurried demeanor and decline without eye contact.
This signals that you are not a buyer or appear to be a local, reducing engagement.
one person who lived it
Visit the Virgin Islands for beaches and local restaurants.
The beaches are excellent and the local food is tasty.
one person who lived it
Find the oldest unpaid museum docent to hear interesting stories.
Many are retired and have time to share detailed knowledge.
one person who lived it
Read about a museum's background stories and context before visiting to deepen appreciation and notice details.
Knowing the context helps you notice details you would otherwise miss and increases enjoyment.
one person who lived it
Avoid visiting during the Cherry Blossom Festival due to extreme crowds.
The foot traffic is described as awful and overwhelming, causing significant stress.
one person who lived it
Take a bus tour of Philadelphia.
Guides know a lot about history and provide interesting sidelights like window taxes.
one person who lived it
Visit Chicago between May and mid-October for pleasant temperatures.
The weather is considered beautiful during this period.
one person who lived it
Skip bus tours that drive by celebrities' homes.
The activity becomes tedious quickly.
one person who lived it
Revisit museum exhibits after learning about their cultural context to uncover deeper layers of meaning.
Understanding the significance behind objects, such as crafted masks versus flashy sneakers, can provide newfound enlightenment.
one person who lived it
Visit Washington, DC for free world-class federal museums, walkability, and good public transportation.
The city is beautiful, culturally rich with free museums, and easy to navigate on foot or by transit.
one person who lived it
Thank volunteer museum attendants for their volunteering.
It brightens their faces.
one person who lived it