Getting up, getting out, and traveling the world is an ambition that most people harbor to some degree. Touring with a friend, significant other, or family member will give you a bonding experience like no other, but that experience will be filled with compromises and will often be more about the person than the place. To really see the world, to be fully immersed in the experience, the choice that more savvy travelers are making, and making more often, is to fly solo.
View in gallery Traveling alone is the adventure of a lifetime . It’s a whirlwind of sights sounds and culture, and one small person in the middle of it all.
Melbourne, Australia
Via vroomvroomvroom.com.au
Australia in general is considered one of the safest travel destinations in the world, which makes it perfect for lone sojourners. Melbourne is a hive of culture and activity, sporting events and adventures galore. Visitors can check out the Aussie Rules Football games, see Monet’s Vetheuil at the National Gallery Victoria, and take a rental car down the Great Ocean Road.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Via siam-longings.com
With a more relaxed atmosphere than bustling Bankok, Chiang Mai is the perfect Thailand getaway. Casual street fairs and colorful bazaars entertain in the city limits, while day trips to ruins, temples, rural villages and animal sanctuaries round out the full Thai experience .
Cusco, Peru
Via timdoddphotography.com
In the middle of Cusco is the Plasa de Armas, a central meeting ground and ongoing festival filled with landmarks and adjacent to other historic locations, such as La Catedral . A four day hike down an Inca trail brings more athletic visitors to Machu Pichu, the Incan City, or alternative transportation delivers less enterprising visitors for a half day visit.
Chicago, Illinois
Via coffeefest.com
In Chicago, a game at Wrigley Field followed by a trip to the Museum of Science and Industry and ending with a show at the Shakespeare Theater satisfies a diverse palette, and that’s not the half of what Chicago itself has to offer. In the surrounding area the Illinois Hollocaust Museum commemorates and educates, while the Baha’i House of Worship the only North American temple of that particular religion.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Via theculturemap.com
Parks, Palaces, Bohemia and Roller coasters compete for tourists’ attention in Copenhagen. From Hamlet’s famous Kronborg Castle, to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, to the 431-year-old amusement park, Bakken , Copenhagen keeps travelers busy and fascinated.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Via trailfinders.com
A beautiful melting pot of world cultures, Kuala Lumpur is one of the gems of Asia. The Islamic Arts Museum shows off an enviable collection of fine craftsmanship, while the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre specializes in modernist entertainments, and Aquaria KLCC displays marine life from Malasia and around the world in one of the finest aquariums on earth.
San Francisco, California
Via businessinsider.com
San Francisco exemplifies California at its finest. A trip through the redwood forest puts visitors in touch with nature, while a short drive North takes them right into wine country. Alcatraz island is closed to prisoners but open for tours, and when guests need to sit down for a minute and just drink in the culture, San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood offers all that could be wished in the way of local color.
Nairobi, Kenya
Via sandstoneandamber.com
A trip to Kenya usually means a safari to photograph the native fauna, and the most common starting place for these safaris, is Nairobi. Far more than just a bus plaza for wildlife enthusiasts, Nairobi is a font of tourism musts. Caught between the Nairobi National Museum, the traveling Masai Market, and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage, would be safari goers must watch out that they don’t miss their jeep!
Auckland, New Zealand
Via heartofthecity.co.nz
Auckland condenses all the adventure New Zealand has to offer into one amazing city. Daredevils base jump from Auckland’s Sky Tower, Tolkien fans journey in bus loads to see the Hobbiton movie set, naturalists marvel at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and history buffs stroll through the world famous War Memorial Museum.
New York, New York
Via celestecotaphotography.com
New York is renowned for its theater scene, museums, parks, and architecture. It is home to the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, also known as the New York Public Library, the headquarters of the Explorer’s Club , and the tiny Mmuseumm collection of overlooked objects, the entirety of which is housed in a freight elevator.
Valparaiso, Chile
Via letsgochile.com
Valpariso is a hub of activity, particularly for visitors during Cerro Abajo , the annual downhill bike race. After the speed demons have done their thing, there are theatrical performances and art exhibitions in the Cerro Carcel, and night time tours of the city’s cemeteries, as well as good food and salsa dancing at the city’s oldest bar, Cinzano.
Sinaia, Romania
Via gotravelaz.com
Sinaia, a mountain resort that boasts thrilling ski slopes in the winter, is not to be passed over the rest of the year! Mountain hikes are plentiful and gorgeous, while indoor attractions include tours of the historic Sinaia monastery around which the town was built, Peles castle, and numerous museums and villas.
Johannesburg, South Africa
Via saspecialist.southafrica.net
Johannesburg bustles as the industrial headquarters of South Africa. It is heaven for museum lovers. The Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill giving insight into the history of the region. Gold Reef City combines information and entertainment with amusement park rides and historical exhibitions. The Wits Art Museum hosts an impressive display of African Art.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Via reykjavik.com
Most Icelandic tours begin in Reykjavik, and for visitors waiting for the road trip to start or those just looking for a quick getaway in the city itself, Reykjavik is a font of amusement. Down town the Whales of Iceland exhibit is the largest of its kind in the world, the Harpa concert and conference center hosts lively entertainment, and Hofsstadir Historic Park dives into the country’s Viking past.
Seattle, Washington
Via lonelyplanet.com
Also known as the Emerald City, Seattle Washington condenses metropolitan amusement with outdoor adventure. Visit the first ever Starbucks at the Historic Pike Place Market, the Museum of Pop Culture, or the Pacific Science Center, then hit the trails to hike through the beautiful Cascade Mountains.
Paro, Bhutan
Via finisterra.ca
The central hub of any visit to Bhutan, Paro hosts the country’s only international airport. Though your journey may take you all throughout Bhutan’s beautiful mountains and idyllic valleys, Paro is more than capable of sustaining tourist interest. Tours of the Buddhist temple Paro Dzong, glimpses of traditional Bhutan at Tshering Farm House, and shooting matches at the Archery Ground enthrall visitors.
Barcelona, Spain
Via travelinvision.com
Barcelona draws guests from around the world with incredible beaches such as the Port Olimpic, nightlife at the Palau de la Musica Catalana, the famously quirky garden Parc Guell, and countless exhibitions of Art Nouveau design and craftsmanship.
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You can ignore every other set of Washington D.C. travel tips you read. There’s so much more to The District than the Capitol Building, a wax museum and a four-hour line for a White House tour. On many trips over the years, I’ve developed a list of must-see travel experiences that I can no longer keep to myself. If you love D.C. like I do, and you’re due for a visit, take these tips with you to experience something special.
[ All Photos and Video by Seamus Payne for TheCoolist.com. Follow Seamus on Instagram . ]
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1. The Surreal, Hypnotic “Light Tunnel” of the National Gallery of Art
The amazing light tunnel of the National Gallery of Art is one of D.C.’s best-kept secrets. It occupies a pedestrian tunnel beneath two wings of the gallery, a section of the building that most visitors might miss. This tunnel hosts the lighting artist Leo Villareal ‘s “Multiverse”, a constellation of 40,000+ LED bulbs. These bulbs are controlled by a software system that allows them to shift, twinkle, swirl and dance as guests view the show from below.
On my last visit to Washington D.C., seeing the light tunnel was a top priority. I brought my camera and spent a few hours on site producing the above video.
2. The Solemn Intimacy of the Lincoln Memorial at Night
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Of all of the tourist hot spots in Washington, D.C., the Lincoln Memorial is one of the busiest. During the day, it can be a bit of a mess of selfie sticks, boy scout uniforms and sweat. In a crowd, it can be difficult to appreciate the sanctity of this monument. Fortunately, the memorial is open 24 hours a day, welcoming guests at all hours of the night.
I visited the Lincoln Memorial at the stroke of midnight, July 4th, 2015. The crowds were mostly driven away by rain, leaving me enough room to reflect on the monument and work with my camera. As a photographer, I knew that the above photograph could only be achieved at night, when all ambient daylight was gone from the interior. This brought out the subtle architecture behind President Lincoln that frames his figure and his message.
If you want to have some intimate time with Abe, or you want to capture a powerful photograph, visit the Lincoln Memorial at night.
3. Amazing International Food – and the Steak Frites of Bistrot du Coin
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Washington D.C. is very much an international city. There’s a large population of foreign dignitaries and staff that come to D.C. and want a taste of home. That leads to many unique, lesser known restaurants around the city that cater to these cultures. If you do a little planning and research ahead of time, you can find some pretty special meals you’ll have a hard time finding elsewhere.
My personal favorite has its share of French and Mediterranean adherents — Bistrot du Coin in Dupont Circle. In contrast to many other French restaurants in the United States, there’s nothing pretentious or progressive about this place. The decor and the menu likely haven’t changed in the last decade. It’s traditional French food the way Grand-maman makes it.
My suggestion? Order Le Steak Maison. It’s your basic Steak Frites with Béarnaise, and it’s the best I’ve ever had. If you’re not feeling steak with fries and want something a bit more formal, try the Navarin d’agneau. That’s lamb stew in a light tomato garlic sauce with vegetables. You’ll be back for more.
4. The DC Metro as a Destination of its Own
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I feel quite strongly that the DC Metro is the most important work of contemporary civic architecture in the United States. It is as functional as it is beautiful, a work of architecture that protects its guests while inspiring awe at the same time. It was recently awarded the 25 Year Award by the American Institute of Architects, an award given to projects that have stood the test of time.
Some daily commuters may loathe the system. As visitors, we’re granted fresh eyes to experience the DC Metro as its own work of art. When you visit Washington, D.C., I encourage you to look at the Metro not as a means to an end, but an end of its own. Take time to step off the subway and to walk through its stations. Experience it slowly. Look at the work of architect Harry Weese and really take in its almost other-worldly nature.
I first experienced the DC Metro at the age of 3, and it was the first time architecture really made an impression upon me. 30+ years later, and architecture is central to my livelihood. As a lifelong fan of architecture, I cannot stress how awe-inspiring and important this work of architecture is. I hope you see it as a destination of its own when you visit D.C.
5. Georgetown’s Historic Identity and Youthful Vibrance
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When I travel to Washington, D.C., I stay in Georgetown. It is about as old as a community can get in the United States, but its spirit is young and progressive. There are buildings here in Georgetown that date back to the mid 1700’s, but today they’re occupied by Apple Stores, fashion brands and myriad cupcake shops.
One virtue about Georgetown is that it’s slightly off the beaten path of tourism. Sure, it gets plenty of out-of-town visitors each year, but its a bit out of reach of the Metro and it’s inconveniently far away from most of the museums and monuments. So it feels a little more neighborhood-ish than downtown D.C. proper.
This summer, I spent a long weekend in Georgetown at The Graham Hotel, a travel experience I shared with my friends (and for that trip, sponsors) at Booking.com. If you haven’t experienced a vacation in Georgetown, check out my full photo essay now.
