Once you have done your homework and finalized yourvacation plans after a thorough review of your cheap traveloptions, including cheapairplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, discounttravel deals, and cheap vacation packages, itwould be a shame to waste your time and money on common tourist traps when farmore interesting spots deserve your attention.
Waiting in a three-hour line to go up the Eiffel Tower isenough to turn many a tourist against well-known tourist sites.
The following are tourist traps you should avoid and whatyou should do with your time instead, according to Schmiberty Schmell:
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Manyfirst time visitors to New York City want to check out Times Square known forits bright lights and big city vibe. Unfortunately, it is dirty, crowded and overrun with people dressed upin character outfits such as Sponge Bob. An attractive alternative is to head a few blocks east for some real cultureat the New York Public Library in Bryant Park.
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TheHollywood Walk of Fame is a rather ordinary sidewalk, crowded with tourists andtacky souvenir shops. Instead, check outthe historic Chinese Theatre or enjoy a cocktail at Chateau Marmont, where youmight spot a famous celeb.
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FishermansWharf is a waterfront San Francisco neighborhood on most tourists must seelists. You will find few locals ridingthe cable cars to Ghirardelli Square. Ifyou are looking for an authentic experience, wander among the tiny streets andalleys of nearby Telegraph Hill.
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TheLondon Eye is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe. However instead of wasting your time on anamusement park attraction consider riding a bike through Hyde Park, sippinghigh tea at Harrods, and/or checking out contemporary art at the Tate ModernMuseum.
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TheLiberty Bell might sound patriotic but queuing in line for a glimpse of acracked bell often disappoints. What ismuch more interesting is Elfreths Alley, Americas oldest residential streetwhich is just a ten-minute walk from the bell.
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Of allthe breathtaking waterfalls in the world, Niagara Falls in not the one tovisit. The natural wonder is obscured byskyscrapers, depressing casinos, and throngs of poncho clad visitors. Your time would be better spent crossing theCanadian border and ordering some poutine.
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Whilethe idea of standing at the cross section of four states (commonly referred toas The Four Corners) may sound cool, the actual experience is prettyanticlimactic, particularly for those who drove three or more hours out oftheir way to get there. Instead ofchecking out the commemorative brass disk, opt for a trip to the Great SandDunes in Colorado where you will view some of the darkest, starriest skies inthe country.
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Ratherthan waiting in an hour long line to get 20 seconds of face time with Leonardoda Vincis Mona Lisa, arts most enigmatic lady, check out some of the other35,000 pieces on display at the Paris Louvre, including some lesser known DaVinci works such as St. John the Baptist or Virgin of the Rocks.
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