What about your own back yard?
#24
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Living in Southern California, I have so much to enjoy in my own area. I just got back from a weekend in San Diego and am off to the Central Coast in a few weeks. Fortunately driving doesn't bother me and I enjoy seeing new places. I have friends and family living all over the Southern California area and am always getting invited to stay at various homes, so I take advantage of the gracious offers. And when people come to visit, I always try and plan new activities, whether it be a museum we've never been to, a dayhike along a new trail or checking out a new play in town. I read the weekend section of the paper to get ideas as well as keep a copy of a travel guide for the local area for my guests to look through. I love to explore new areas, whether it's on foreign soils or in my own backyard.
#26
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I grew up in NY and I never went to the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island.
I have been living in Atlanta for over 7 years and I have never been to the Zoo, MLK memorial, or the Carter Center, nor the Cyclorama which everyone says you need to go when you have guests in town.
I have been living in Atlanta for over 7 years and I have never been to the Zoo, MLK memorial, or the Carter Center, nor the Cyclorama which everyone says you need to go when you have guests in town.
#27
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I live in Los Angeles/Hollywood ,Plus studied art at UCLA and have yet to make it to the Getty...(shame on me). I do have to mention that I have a different opinion of Catalina.It's changed so much in the past few years, lots to do now and it is really a lovely way to escape the traffic in L.A.
Definately, in my opinion, NOT overrated at all!
Definately, in my opinion, NOT overrated at all!
#28
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Since around the time of my 50th birthday, I do exactly what Idsant does. Once a year I check into a hotel at a distance from where I live, and not necessarily downtown Chicago either. This is the only way I've found that you see the things in your own back yard with the tourist's interest and eyes. Because of the changes over my lifetime, there are sections that I do try to avoid as they are too painful. Bit the bullet last summer and went through the old neighborhood that I grew up in as a child in the 1950's. I literally cried to see the marble stripped right off the churches, and to see one being used as a used furniture store. But mixed in here and there, there has been some rebirth and rebuilding too. I finally got up to the Glencoe Botanical Gardens and it is so awesome that I can't believe it took me 50 years to get there.
Don't overlook the museums and landmarks close to you, and don't think that if you saw them 10 or 15 years ago that you've done that now. For instance, our Field Museum and Art Institute are forever changing and evolving. There is so much to see, and so little time. Now I have to practice what I preach and get back to Rainbow beach on 79th Street and the lake this year.
Don't overlook the museums and landmarks close to you, and don't think that if you saw them 10 or 15 years ago that you've done that now. For instance, our Field Museum and Art Institute are forever changing and evolving. There is so much to see, and so little time. Now I have to practice what I preach and get back to Rainbow beach on 79th Street and the lake this year.
#30
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Alright, enough confessions already. Figure out what you like to do, find a spot within 50 miles to do it in, and go this weekend! Or try something you might like. I live in suburban Maryland and have never been to Camden Yard, but that's okay because I hate baseball. But I've been to all the significant art museums in Washington/Baltimore, Great Falls and most of the other national parks, etc. C'mon now, do it!
#33
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When I lived in Geneva, I never went to the UN or CERN.
When I lived in Paris, I never did make it to the Picasso museum, which I always meant to do.
Bit better about the whole thing now that I live in Shanghai, but there are still one or two of the "top 10 tourist sites" that I haven't seen.
When I lived in Paris, I never did make it to the Picasso museum, which I always meant to do.
Bit better about the whole thing now that I live in Shanghai, but there are still one or two of the "top 10 tourist sites" that I haven't seen.
#36
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When I lived in Paris, I never made it up to the Eiffel Tower. Why, from there, I cannot see it, but I made it to La Grande Arche at La Défense (less touristy) which I think is great modern architecture.
Andrea: Please put the Picasso Museum on your "must" list for your next Paris trip. It's worth it as well as the area around it known as Le Marais.
As for myself, being Swiss and living in Zurich, I am amazed how well some Americans do know Switzerland. I am very familiar with some areas, but I have not been quite all over my country (yet), although it is pretty small.
Andrea: Please put the Picasso Museum on your "must" list for your next Paris trip. It's worth it as well as the area around it known as Le Marais.
As for myself, being Swiss and living in Zurich, I am amazed how well some Americans do know Switzerland. I am very familiar with some areas, but I have not been quite all over my country (yet), although it is pretty small.
#37
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How funny that I read your question! I am looking under Atlanta on this site because although I was born and raised here and live here now, I have never been to the Coca-Cola Museum, Carter Center, Botanical Gardens...the list goes on. I am looking up places to go on an 'Atlanta Vacation' that my husband and I are taking next week for this very reason! I hope that all of you that have replied take the time to do the same.
#38
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I live in Vancouver, BC (Canada), and haven't been to the Capilano Suspension Bridge (one of the top tourist traps in my opinion)... but then again, there's a suspension bridge only a few miles away that's almost identical to Capilano, but it's free.
#40
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I lived two hours from Chicago and now regret that I didn't spend more weekends there. Now that we've moved, my husband and I are trying to go on a driving weekend trip (some with kids, some without) once a season.
I've made a point this summer to take my kids to a local park or museum once a week. I've enjoyed it as much as them.
I've made a point this summer to take my kids to a local park or museum once a week. I've enjoyed it as much as them.

