I read an article this evening that details things to avoid ("what not to do") in the following cities: Los Angeles, Paris, London, Las Vegas, and New York. As I have visited all five of these cities, I feel qualified to judge this article on its merit. Yes, that's all it takes.
Let's take it one city at a time, shall we?
Los Angeles, California:
The article suggests steering clear of beaches such as Venice and Santa Monica. Now, I've already sung my praises for the former, while I feel like the latter has justifiably earned its place amongst LA landmarks. I completely understand that the Bohemian/gaudy nature of Venice and the ever-prevalent crowds of Santa Monica might get tiresome after a while, but for a short visit, I think either (or both) are worth checking out. I don't think you can really go wrong with many of the So Cal beaches, though.
I'm not even going to touch on the article's advice on celebrity stalking, since that interests me about as much as physics does (which is to say, not at all).
Interestingly enough, there are extended versions of these lists at Concierge.com. These lists offer some legitimate points, such as flying into an airport other than LAX and checking out the Hollywood sign from a more distant (yet still enjoyable) vantage point.
London, England:
I agree with the article's mention that biking around the city is a far more interesting way of traveling than the standard double-decker bus, especially given the city's new cycle hire. However, biking can be tricky (or impossible, actually) depending on the size of your group and/or the ages of the people with whom you're traveling. I'd stick to the Underground and good old fashioned walking, unless you're traveling solo or with another, equally agile companion.
The article also suggests visiting the Museum of London instead of Madame Tussauds, and here, I think I'm inclined to agree. For one thing, the Museum is free, something that is always appreciated on a vacation (or ever, who am I kidding). Also, I don't really understand why a space full of wax statues is exciting, especially considering some of the people who are immortalized. Amy Winehouse? Zac Efron?
Paris, France:
Visiting the Louvre can indeed be a draining experience, as the article points out, but I do think it's worth the time. Those who aren't overly interested in art can visit the most popular exhibits and those that they find most compelling. The article suggests foregoing the Louvre in favor of smaller, cozier art galleries, but I think this might appeal only to tourists who are passionate about art. The average traveler would probably rather check out the Mona Lisa than study Monet's water lily murals. Just a guess.
Las Vegas, Nevada:
The article's suggestions for Las Vegas are practical and have nothing to do with sightseeing. If there's one thing I consistently appreciate, it's sensible advice, so I have no qualms with this section of the article. Visiting ATMs off the strip and arriving early for a flight home are two prudent recommendations. A little money and time management never hurt anybody.
New York, New York:
In all my years (24, to be exact) of traveling to New York, I can safely say that I've never taken a carriage ride in Central Park. I've never been overly tempted to do so, either. Walking is definitely a smarter and more entertaining method of seeing the Park, so I'm in complete agreement with this portion of the article. Leave the carriage rides to romantic comedies and get out and experience the city the real way.
I'm also in complete agreement with the article's advice to avoid eating in Times Square. This particular stretch of Manhattan is inundated with chain restaurants that most people have access to in their hometowns. The article suggests traveling to Hell's Kitchen, a portion of the city that's merely blocks away from Times Square but offers far more ethnic and unique dining options. I agree, but also think that nearly every portion of the city has fantastic offerings, so I'd suggest not limiting oneself to a neighborhood. Look at a Zagat Guide or check in at Yelp for some reviews and suggestions all over the isle.
I started out feeling a little antagonistic towards this article, but it grew in validity as it progressed. There are some tourist clichés that are best avoided, and this article does a nice job of pointing out a few.
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