It seems everyone wants to travel “off the beaten path” these days. From scouring the Internet for a destination’s most “authentic” local experiences to ditching guidebooks in favor of winging it with the locals while traveling, our itineraries have shifted their focus from cheesy tourist experiences to living like the locals do.
But let’s get back to the beaten path for just a moment. After all, they don’t attract the traveling masses without good reason. So here’s to the tried and true touristy (and yes, sometimes cheesy) travel experiences you just have to have anyway.
Gondola ride in Venice
No other city in the world is laced with picturesque canals like Venice, so don’t miss out on a chance to float through the city on a gondola. Open up your wallet, hop into a gondola and enjoy the sights as your gondolier rows you through the city’s most beautiful waterways.
Photo op with the Leaning Tower of Pisa
If you’re going to make it all the way to Pisa, you can’t go home without taking the token “holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa” shot. Sure, it’s cliche and just about everyone who’s been there has done it, but look past the cheesiness and create your own take on this popular shot.
Stand in four states at once at Four Corners
Let’s just say standing in two states at once is child’s play. If you head to Four Corners in the Southwest U.S., you can stand in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah all at once. Put your Twister skills to the ultimate test by finessing a limb into each state.
Visit the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower has become something of a cliche attraction for couples visiting Paris, but that doesn’t mean you should skip a trip up the tower altogether. The Eiffel Tower is even more grand and romantic in person than you’d imagine, and the view of Paris from the tower is unbeatable.
French Quarter for Mardi Gras
The French Quarter in New Orleans is known around the world for its annual Mardi Gras celebration, which you should experience just once for the parades, costumes and all around debauchery that overtake the streets come nightfall. Perhaps the most popular tourist attraction food-wise is the beignets at Cafe Du Monde, and it’s well-worth braving the lines for a taste.
Partying on Khao San Road
While Mardi Gras only comes to New Orleans once a year, Bangkok’s Khao San Road is a year-round party destination. Mention the name of this notorious street to any traveler and you’re likely to hear a groan of protest or a story that would put the guys from “The Hangover” to shame. At any rate, your best bet is to experience this party mecca for yourself while in Thailand.
Climb the Great Wall
The Great Wall is arguably the most popular tourist attraction in China, so it’s pretty much a sure thing that the Wall will be crowded when you visit. The Great Wall is also one of the most impressive examples of early architecture and engineering, though, so brave the crowds and experience this larger than life structure for yourself.
(Main image: Navin75 used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license)
