What's the most interesting thing you learned as a "tourist" in your home city?
Jul 19th, 2006, 05:05 AM
#1
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What's the most interesting thing you learned as a "tourist" in your home city?
Touristing" in your own city is always a great experience. I look forward to out-of-town guests so that I can view my own city through a visitor's eyes. Always enlightening. How about you?
Jul 19th, 2006, 06:50 AM
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I don't know whether this is exactly what you're looking for but....We live in the suburbs of Chicago. Every chance we get, my husband and I go into the city on Sunday afternoons and play tourist. We're always looking for new neighborhoods to check out. And I couldn't begin to tell you how much more we appreciate living near Chicago as a result of these little get-aways! 
I can also relate to your post, kaudrey, as we lived in DC for 4 years. Nearly every time we had company we discovered something we hadn't seen before.
I can also relate to your post, kaudrey, as we lived in DC for 4 years. Nearly every time we had company we discovered something we hadn't seen before.
Jul 19th, 2006, 06:51 AM
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I've travelled I-80 from Omaha to Des Moines hundreds of times. Nothing there but miles of farms on flat terrain. When a California native drove that route for the first time, he casually commented that it was "beautiful country." I'm still not sure if he was (1) trying to be nice or (2) admired miles of flat terrain not covered by strip malls.
On a somewhat side note, we have a guest room filled with tourist info for any visiting family. Included is a list of literally scores of things I think someone might like to see in this area. Earlier this year, a cousin asked to be taken to the Hard Rock Cafe, something not on my list.
On a somewhat side note, we have a guest room filled with tourist info for any visiting family. Included is a list of literally scores of things I think someone might like to see in this area. Earlier this year, a cousin asked to be taken to the Hard Rock Cafe, something not on my list.
Jul 19th, 2006, 08:53 AM
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I've lived in or around Philadelphia for most of my life. Whenever we have an opportunity, my wife and I like to pick a a new spot to explore within the city. Last time, we took the trolley from our home in West Philadelphia to 19th and Market. We walked down to Pine St., and walked all the way down Pine to Old City. I remember remarking to her that if people want to see how real Philadelphians live, this is a walk I'd recommend.
Jul 19th, 2006, 08:54 AM
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I live near Panama City Beach. One of the most popular restaurants is Capt Andersons. It has been recognized by Southern Living Magazine. I do not eat there unless it is part of a banquet or dinner meeting. There are too many other great seafood restaurants in my area that are less expensive and have less of a wait. A friend who used to live in this area came for a visit last week, and I wanted to take her out for dinner while my DH entertained her young children with putt-putt golf. She really wanted to go to Andersons, as we locals call it. So, I took her, and we had a lovely evening. However, my food was not nearly as good as some other local restaurants.
Jul 19th, 2006, 10:33 AM
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Work in downtown Chicago and recently started going to lunch at 11am so I can exercise walk without having to run into many people. Just walked down the lakefront all the way to the Museum of Science & Industry, and the other day my route took me to Millenium Park where I took a picture of my reflection in the Bean with my camera phone. Don't know why I didn't do this sooner - such a nice break and get to see so much of the city.
Don't know why I didn't do this sooner - such a nice break and get to see so much of the city.
Jul 19th, 2006, 11:23 AM
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I live in SF and the one thing that out of town visitors make me resee, is the views and the charm of SF. I'm so accustomed to them that I forget that even the view from my house is quite spectacular.
Jul 19th, 2006, 01:45 PM
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I "discovered" the fantastic Cantor Center for the Arts at Stanford University a few years back when I was looking for things to do with my mom on one of her visits. It's a great museum with a wonderful Rodin sculpture garden.
-Bill
-Bill
Jul 19th, 2006, 02:25 PM
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Just two weeks ago I took my son the Germantown section of Phila. and we toured the old one room schoolhouse. I learned that they really did use dunce caps - there was one on display.
Across the street is a house that was a major stop along the Underground Railroad. I had no idea. The house behind ours is from the 1700s and the owner claims that his house as well was a stop on the RR.
It is fascinating for me to see pictures from around here (suburbs) when there was only dirt roads and transport was by horse and buggy. For some reason, I think of the US west that way, not the east!
Across the street is a house that was a major stop along the Underground Railroad. I had no idea. The house behind ours is from the 1700s and the owner claims that his house as well was a stop on the RR.
It is fascinating for me to see pictures from around here (suburbs) when there was only dirt roads and transport was by horse and buggy. For some reason, I think of the US west that way, not the east!
Jul 19th, 2006, 04:13 PM
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Although I've lived here my entire life (44 years), and it's not a tourist destination (it could be), I still play tourist with myself and my son. I've been introducing him to the wonderful architecture of Buffalo and its' neighborhoods for a few years now. Before summer ends we will tour city hall and Frank Lloyd Wright's Graycliff on Lake Erie. My son knows where all the other Frank Lloyd Wright homes are located, as we drive by them often.
I recently toured the Central Terminal, which during Buffalo's heydey was one of the premier art deco train stations that served thousands every year. It has been closed for years and fallen into disrepair. Despite it's current condition, it is a wonderful piece of Buffalo's history and I'm glad I visited it for the first time.
My aunt from Oklahoma used to love visiting Buffalo. She couldn't get over the old homes. They really are beautiful.
Well, to answer the OP's question....what I've learned as a tourist in my own city is that it's a shame there aren't more tourists to see and appreciate the fabulous architecture and history this city offers.
Sigh.
If anyone is interested, here are a few links to some of my favorite Buffalo buildings:
City Hall (an art deco masterpiece)
http://tinyurl.com/hxwso
Richardson Comples (former Buffalo Psychiatric Center):
http://tinyurl.com/ervp4
Niagara Mohawk (electric bldg.):
http://ah.phpwebhosting.com/a/washng.../source/1.html
I could go on an on............
I recently toured the Central Terminal, which during Buffalo's heydey was one of the premier art deco train stations that served thousands every year. It has been closed for years and fallen into disrepair. Despite it's current condition, it is a wonderful piece of Buffalo's history and I'm glad I visited it for the first time.
My aunt from Oklahoma used to love visiting Buffalo. She couldn't get over the old homes. They really are beautiful.
Well, to answer the OP's question....what I've learned as a tourist in my own city is that it's a shame there aren't more tourists to see and appreciate the fabulous architecture and history this city offers.
Sigh.
If anyone is interested, here are a few links to some of my favorite Buffalo buildings:
City Hall (an art deco masterpiece)
http://tinyurl.com/hxwso
Richardson Comples (former Buffalo Psychiatric Center):
http://tinyurl.com/ervp4
Niagara Mohawk (electric bldg.):
http://ah.phpwebhosting.com/a/washng.../source/1.html
I could go on an on............
Jul 19th, 2006, 04:49 PM
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I rediscovered Iolani Palace as an adult. Those historical tours are wasted on elementary school kids! This time around, I absorbed all they had to say about it, and was able to marvel at King David Kalakaua's progressive thinking.
Jul 19th, 2006, 06:33 PM
#18
After we moved out of NY, we went back to see the WTC and Statue of Liberty, I was 10.
I worked in NYC downtown for 10 years and I commuted in and out. Now that I live in VA, we go back and see the sights with our kids (some for the first time)
In the Richmond area, everytime I take people to see the town, I see something that I have never seen. It is actually good to have guests
I worked in NYC downtown for 10 years and I commuted in and out. Now that I live in VA, we go back and see the sights with our kids
(some for the first time)In the Richmond area, everytime I take people to see the town, I see something that I have never seen. It is actually good to have guests
Jul 19th, 2006, 07:12 PM
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Your thread which I read this morning is a strange coincidance TC.
I live in a small city in the Sacramento Valley. Outside of the Outlets I couldn't think of anything to post to your thread.
This afternoon my daughter called and we went down to our favorite restaraurant and had wine and lunch on the terrace which overlooks the creek and the park.
At a table next to us was a Mom with a 15 year old daugher and a 11 year old son.
Somehow we got talking. They had driven down from Vancouver BC (one of my favorite cities). They had pulled off of I-80 to have lunch and somehow managed to avoid all the fast food places and the chain restaurants. They were on their way to SF for a week. And they talked about what they had seen in our little city. Who knew that what we take for granted (and at times are bored with) would be a delight to people on a road trip. I thought of your thread here while we talked with this delightful family.
I live in a small city in the Sacramento Valley. Outside of the Outlets I couldn't think of anything to post to your thread.
This afternoon my daughter called and we went down to our favorite restaraurant and had wine and lunch on the terrace which overlooks the creek and the park.
At a table next to us was a Mom with a 15 year old daugher and a 11 year old son.
Somehow we got talking. They had driven down from Vancouver BC (one of my favorite cities). They had pulled off of I-80 to have lunch and somehow managed to avoid all the fast food places and the chain restaurants. They were on their way to SF for a week. And they talked about what they had seen in our little city. Who knew that what we take for granted (and at times are bored with) would be a delight to people on a road trip. I thought of your thread here while we talked with this delightful family.
Jul 19th, 2006, 07:31 PM
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Not exactly the answer to your question, but LoveItaly's post made me think of it.
A TV show was filmed in my little southern town (actually the exteriors for two shows). I found it very strange that folks would travel here to see familiar locales. Then, I remembered enjoying a visit to Roslyn, Washington which stood in for Cicely, Alaska for Northern Exposure. That didn't feel weird to me at all at the time!
A TV show was filmed in my little southern town (actually the exteriors for two shows). I found it very strange that folks would travel here to see familiar locales. Then, I remembered enjoying a visit to Roslyn, Washington which stood in for Cicely, Alaska for Northern Exposure. That didn't feel weird to me at all at the time!
