Tourist Traps

The Statue of Liberty, the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls: what do these locations all have in common? All are exceedingly common tourist attractions, or "tourist traps," depending on who you're talking to. If you asked three different tourists in New York City what they're most looking forward to doing, you'll get three different answers. Some prefer to stick to sightseeing around the most famous locales, while others itch to stray from the beaten path.

I am dead set on the latter opinion. To me, nothing is worse than being looked down upon as a tourist, I want to experience a location as the locals would, visiting small hole-in-the-wall spots and only the most hidden delights that a place has to offer. I don't see the point in visiting a place such as the Statue of Liberty or National Mall if there are perfectly good digital tours available, or Youtube videos giving a first-person perspective of the attraction. After arriving home from a vacation, I want to be able to tell stories of experiences that are unique to me. Many people have looked down upon the Midwest from the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, but how many have climbed and tumbled around in the interactive City Museum, just a few miles away?

Another aspect of tourist traps that I detest is the crowds. Lines that don't move at a speed more than an inch per hour, throngs of people so dense that you can hardly even see the sight you came for: all of this ruins the magic of such attractions. With the less-common locations, one can experience its joys without the frustrations of being pushed around or squished by sweaty, exhausted tourists. Additionally, without the onslaught of the crowds, you're free to interact with the locals, and perhaps even find recommendations for further exploration.

Oftentimes, I hear others express beliefs that common tourist attractions are popular for a reason – because they're beautiful or historically-important locations. This I can agree with – but I can't help but scowl at the way that beautiful locations quickly become inundated with gift shops and the like, ruining the draw of natural beauty with pushy salespeople.

So, remember this: unrestrained beauty can be found anywhere you visit – as long as you're willing to put in some effort.

Opinion by Lucy Foxworthy