All stories about "Sightseeing"

It's summer, and in San Francisco, if summer falls on a weekend, we like to get out and enjoy the weather. Sharpening your flirting chops on the cutie over in the corner isn't so bad either, so we have compiled this nifty little sampling of excellent places in which to take advantage of both the summer weather and the summer lovin'. And if all goes well, you can transition from flirting into one of our suggested SF make-out spots.

During the summer, weekends in New York City are sort of dead. With people hopping the jitney to the Hamptons or off to the Jersey shore for the weekend, you'd think that the city was a landlocked desert. Not so! You can enjoy seaside fun even in the heart of the city, and not just at perennial favorite Water Taxi Beach. The travel time is minimal, and there's no need to join an annoying house share with people you will inevitably grow to hate. Oh, who are you kidding ... you already hate them.

Ever since baby-faced oil swindler Roman Abramovich traded Moscow for Mayfair in 2003, a red tide of Russian super-rich have been making London their home. Belgravia estate agents have gleefully rubbed their hands raw as Russian bidding wars pile tens of millions onto already obscenely-priced luxury mansions, and obsequious Knightsbridge jewelers are now employing Russian-speaking staff to help part these newcomers from their cash. So if a prospective billionaire settler, fresh off his Lear jet, asks you to show him around town for a day (money no object of course), what are you going to do? Here's a sample itinerary you might try, costing a paltry sum northwards of twenty thousand pounds for the day.

Forget pulse-pounding cab rides, stifling subways, or touristy buses -- the best way to see Manhattan is from a vantage aboard the nautical vehicle of your choice. Barring seasickness, one can find a multitude of excursions to satisfy your boating desires while observing this surprisingly tiny island. That can mean doing the physical rowing yourself, gorging on a three-hour waterborne brunch, or getting trashed on a happy hour cruise, depending on your concept of pleasure and the depth of your pockets. One of the simplest and most flexible options is the ever-expanding New York Water Taxi, with 12 stops and counting; but there are, of course, other choices.

There's no point raving about Sydney's harbor, because you've really got to see it to believe it. While those who live here don't take its beauty for granted, many forget to actually leave the foreshore. While taking a ferry over the water is a quick and easy means of claiming to have lived the Sydney Harbour experience, the moment really shouldn't be rushed. The best option is a cruise aboard a slow-moving vessel, replete with quality dining and drinking, so every sight and sound can be properly absorbed. Luckily, there's no shortage of options.

Everyday on Gridskipper we give you a new map. Some are new, some are fetched from our archive, newly updated. Happy Gridskipping. Given you visit them once the extreme heat subsides, gardens can provide a haven for those with urbanity overload, even if you still see the tops of skyscrapers or hear car engines from within. In New York especially, personal gardens can be limited to window boxes or patches of plants dominated by evacuating canines. Manhattan is the only borough without an official botanical garden, but there are many a plant oasis amongst the hustle and bustle. Although not mapped here, there are also over 100 community gardens that dot the city, and many can be found on the Garden Locator. Regardless, there are many examples proving that "the Garden" does not always mean that eyesore of an arena in midtown.

photo credit

I was in Central Park the other week and realized that even locals need survival guides. So I asked a few of my friends who visit the park more than I do, and I noted placed I stumbled upon by accident and came up with this list. Have any others? Have a favorite place where you can walk for a few feet without running in sunbathers or dog poop? Feel free to leave them in the comments.

The original "Public Enemy Number One," mob kingpin Al Capone, may be the most famous criminal of all time. Capone is best known as a Chicago crime boss, but he spent his formative years in Brooklyn before moving on to terrorize the midwest. This map includes all of the most important locations from Capone's childhood and early years as a small time New York gangster. It's a great guide for anyone whose idea of a fun sightseeing trip involves remembering the days when the Brooklyn waterfront was filled with brothels, and complimenting the wrong woman's physical assets in Coney Island could get you slashed. (photo)

Babylon on the Spree has been all atwitter this past week with the news that Pope Benedict XVI is planning to visit Berlin sometime next year. Big Bennie's visit, ostensibly to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, will mark the third time he has returned to Germany since becoming Pope, but it would be his first time in Berlin. Born in Bavaria in southern Germany in 1927, Bennie visited his childhood home two years ago and even made it to Cologne back in 2005 to hang with the homeboys as part of World Youth Day. Since then, eighty-year old Pope hasn't been traveling much, spending most of his time dictating his memoirs to a cat named Chico. But just like the rest of us sinners, he has difficulty passing up an all-expenses paid junket in Berlin. Like every other newbie in the city, Bennie is sure to hit Berlin's notorious hot spots -- the after hours parties, fetish clubs, and dimly lit backroom bars which keep Berlin humming all night long -- while the daylight hours will be filled banging out emails and sipping milchkaffee or shopping for fabulous new Pope-wear in Mitte's fashion-shocked frock shops. God knows he's got the budget! But there is just so much to see and do in the city, and tourists (even those with a direct line to Mr. Big) are always running short on time, so we thought we'd help His Holiness by pointing out the places that are definite must-sees for every new Pope in town.

Visitors come from far and near to experience the magic of New York City. The last thing they want is for their starry-eyed vision to be extinguished in a fiery supernova, which is almost exactly what happens when a trip is interrupted by unplanned vomiting. We want you to enjoy the city without restraint, but hope that our efforts to keep dry cleaning bills down, ambient air (more) breathable, and puking in its proper place (model-frequented restaurant bathrooms) will prevent unnecessary burst-outs. So, to save your vacation we have compiled a list of tourist destinations that warrant a warning. Leave us a comment if you have "Ralphed", or even just thrown up in your mouth and swallowed it, at a tourist destination not on the list. (photo)

Washington has long served as the backdrop for Hollywood blockbusters -- at least 200, according to a tour company website. So, I had a lot of choices while making this list, which was largely inspired by our recent look at "State of Play". My instinct was to put "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" at the top of the list, but here's the rub: it wasn't filmed in DC. Background shots were taken in the city and projected onto a screen in Hollywood. Learn something new everyday, no? Here's a guide to sites used in a few of my favorite Washington-centric films, but please send more via the tipline.

Having survived the twin terrors of twentieth-century Budapest, the Nazi occupation and then forty years of communism, the antique buildings and narrow streets of District VII's historic Jewish Quarter are now facing a more modern, but no less destructive, force -- real estate development. Built up in the 19th and 20th centuries as Budapest's Jewish community shared in the economic expansion of the Austro-Hungarian empire, the area contains dozens of beautiful art nouveau structures, many still impressive despite often crumbling facades.

If you are American, calling London cheap is a major stretch. But the truth is that a city this large and lively has plenty of relative bargains and free bonuses if you know where to look. Here's a roundup of where to eat, sleep, shop, and entertain yourself and stay chic on the cheap in one of the most expensive cities in Europe.

DC celebrity sightings usually involve James Carville, Mary Matalin, and a plate of pasta at Café Milano. But this month, Washingtonians are getting a treat straight from Hollywood: some misguided director has decided to use our fair city to film State of Play, originally a BBC series. Now everyone has their "I saw Ben Affleck drinking coffee! I drink coffee, too!" story. The movie features the archetypal cast of Washington creatures: the aforementioned Affleck plays a philandering Congressman whose mistress is found dead, Rachel McAdams is the intrepid reporter who writes about the murder, and -- as far as I can tell -- Russell Crowe is a homeless-looking dude who skulks around U Street and Mount Pleasant. Jason Bateman, Robin Wright and Helen Mirren also have roles. Here's your own Hollywood map to the Washington stars.

Recently I praised Philadelphia for being America's new brewing capital. And despite flack from a few Portlanders, I stand by my claim. Portland's got more breweries, but at least in my experience, which I admit is probably limited, Philly's tend to be better. I really want to like Rogue for helping push American craft brewing forward and all that, and for naming a beer "Dead Guy", but that stuff's like carbonated sugar water compared to Weyerbacher, Stoudt's and Sly Fox. So while we sit back and watch the Democratic party eat itself alive campaigning for Pennsylvania, the only way to make it through this grueling nomination process is by drinking. Hence the following guide to craft breweries in and around Philly offering tours and/or pub service. And I know there's more out there, so let us know in the comments or via the tipline.

One of the most recognizable landmarks in Paris, the Arc de Triomphe is often considered a must-see, and many visitors make a special trip to the western end of the Champs-Elysées to examine it up close. But some people don't realize it's possible to go up inside the arch and admire the view from above. Since mid-February, the French government has made the trek more enticing by inaugurating a new permanent multimedia exhibit meant to educate visitors about the history of this famous monument. The exhibit includes a special telescope that provides information about surrounding city sights. While the Arc de Triomphe is the best known of the city's arches, it's just one of several arches -- triumphal and otherwise -- scattered throughout the city. Here's a guide.

Perhaps your only idea of Paris is that it's nice in the springtime and that "in the rain the pavement shines like silver." Or perhaps you've already hung out "here in the slums of St Michel" and "on an island in the river." Whether you're a Paris newbie or an old hand, just for you, O Musical Theater Maven, we've mapped the most musically memorable spots in the city. The only rule is that the source musical has to have played on Broadway (thus the distinction between Musical Theater and Musical Comedy, which is an important one). If we've missed any, let us know, and we'll do a follow-up. (If you're looking for An American in Paris on the list, we already covered it here.)

With last week's announcement of Busch's four-park deal in Dubai -- they'll be running a Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, and Aquatica water park -- it's worth revisiting what's been going on with all the developments we've covered in Dubai before. And there are plenty of new schemes in the offing as well. Someone somewhere really should maintain an obsessive blog about what's popping in Dubai real estate (hello Curbed?), but failing that, here's a roundup of some of the biggest, weirdest, and most expensive skyscrapers and manufactured metropoli in Dubai and environs. Not comprehensive by any means, because I have a life, you know?

The subway isn't just a part of New York's public transit system, the subway is New York itself. And while it has its problems, the 700-mile network of underground trains works remarkably well, making it both a great way to get around the city on the cheap and an attraction in its own right (though nowhere you'd want to linger longer than necessary). I've ridden the subway pretty much every day for as long as I've lived in the city, at all hours and in varying states of alertness, and only rarely encountered problems or major delays. In that time, I've learned a few things about how to make the ride as smooth as possible. I'm sure you've got the basics down, so here are seventeen graduate-level tips on how to make the subway work for you. Add your own in the comments.

1. The Unlimited-Ride MetroCard is the Way to Go
Unless you're really not going to be moving around the city much, buy a one-day Fun Pass (good for partiers, as it is valid until 3:00 a.m.), or a seven-day unlimited MetroCard. The beauty of the subway is, once you're in the system, you can go as far as you want. There are no fare zones to worry about. Just go.

2. Swipe Fast, Not Slow
If you keep getting a "swipe again" message at the turnstile, you're probably swiping your card too slowly. The secret it to swipe it fast. Remember, everything in New York happens fast. MetroCard swiping is no different.

3. Keep Your Train Door Options Open
Stand a few paces back as the train enters the station. This isn't just for your personal safety, but also so you'll have a wider choice of train doors to choose from. Instead of immediately committing to enter the train through the nearest door, you can take your pick of several based on which one has the most people exiting. I don't know why people commit to one door, no matter how crowded the car is. As the conductor says, "please use all available doors."

4. Memorize a Few Terms
It's essential that you know the difference between uptown and downtown, local and express. Don't hesitate to ask people for help. You could fumble with your subway map for ten minutes, or have someone point you to the right train in ten seconds.

5. Stand Away from the Platform Edge
It's every New Yorker's nightmare to fall or get pushed onto the tracks in front of an oncoming train, and sadly, it's a nightmare that occasionally comes true. Yes, there are some dipshits who "hang ten" over the platform edge and crane their necks to see if a train is coming around the bend. Don't be one of them. Hang out near the center of the platform, and hone your weirdo radar. Give 'em a wide berth.

6. Hold On If You Must, But ...
Just assume that every exposed surface in the train is covered with flesh-eating bacteria. Hold on to the poles or handrails if you must, but make a beeline to the restroom when you get to your destination and wash your hands vigorously. Try not to touch your face in the interim.

7. If You Can't Get A Seat ...
Standing by the door is the next best thing. Just remember, if you want to be "door guy," you should allow other passengers to board ahead of you and get on last. And be sure to stand aside as people enter and exit at subsequent stops. It's obnoxious not to.

8. Watch Your Stuff
Naturally, you'll keep purses zipped, wallets secure, etc., but pay special attention to your iPod. It's one of the most commonly swiped things on the subway (I myself have witnessed a subway iPod theft), especially since using it makes you oblivious to what's happening around you. The moment of maximum peril is immediately after the doors open. That's when some little punk will grab your shit and make a break for it. Be aware.

9. Watch Yourself
Muggings on the subway are rare. It's only happened to one person I know, and that was late at night, on the last car of a mostly-empty train, in the tunnel between Manhattan and Brooklyn, and my friend was drunk. Also, the cops caught the dudes who did it, because they were dumb enough to do it again the same night. If it's late and you're a little nervous, ride in the car that the conductor's in, which is usually in the middle. Generally, however, you have very little to worry about if you keep to yourself and act bored.

10. Don't Be Intimidated by Panhandlers
All kinds of skells will shuffle through the train with hard-luck stories, asking for help. "Hello, my name is Rafael Santiago. My friends call me Raffy. At this moment in time I am homeless." If you really want to help, you'll give to a legitimate charity, rather than encourage further panhandling. Some of these people, such as Raffy, are quite aggressive and know how to make you just uncomfortable enough to reach for some change. Whether or not you give money, stay quiet and keep your head down. Of course it's a nice thing to reach out to those less fortunate, but it's easy to get in over your head.

11. Most Buskers are Essentially Panhandlers with Instruments, but Some Are Genuinely Talented Musicians
Here are the buskers I like: Key Appleseeds, Shakerleg, the black guy who sings Beatles songs in the 14th Street tunnel between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, the mini-big band with the tuba player, the Mexican troubador who sings Besame Mucho. Here are the buskers I hate: any drummer who is not Shakerleg, the weird pan flute guy at Union Square, the blind "Lean On Me" guy. The Union Square station is probably the best station for live music, except for the frickin' bucket drummers.

12. Don't Hold the Subway Doors
Yes, the conductor will slam the doors in your face even if you just made a spectacular run down the stairs to make the train. It will hurt your feelings. Just take a deep breath and let it go. Much like the pain of childbirth, the pain of just missing a train goes away quickly. If you absolutely must hold the door, like, say, it's 2:00 a.m., and there won't be another train for 20 minutes, and your girlfriend just refuses to pick up the pace even a little bit, then hold it by putting your foot right at the bottom edge of the open door, where it forms a right angle with the floor. It's the most secure way to do it, and it looks less conspicuous. But really, don't. People will want to kick your ass.

13. Do Not Get Involved
Like I said, the subway is New York, and all kinds of crazy things happen down there. People will get into screaming matches with each other, as if they're in their own broken homes. It's like road rage, minus the separation of individual automobiles. I don't care if you have a masters degree in nonviolent conflict resolution, just look at your shoes and shut your yap. If you're uncomfortable, move to a different car at the next station.

14. Is That Guy Doing What I Think He's Doing? No, He Couldn't Be ...
It doesn't happen as much as you think, but there are some sickos out there. If it looks like the dude in the corner of the train car is jerking off, the dude in the corner of the train car is jerking off. In my 14 years of taking the subway every day, I've seen it twice, and heard several stories from others. Again, steer clear of such violators (duh), but rest assured that there are lots of undercover cops on the trains to deal with that kind of thing. And worse.

15. Apparently, You're Allowed to Smoke Cigarettes on the G Train
I don't know why, but so often when I take the G, there's a dude lying down across the seats puffing away. This is probably because the G is the most neglected train line. It's like a rolling Dumpster.

16. The Color of the Subway Globe Really Doesn't Matter Any More
There was a time when a green globe at the subway entrance meant it had a 24-hour token booth, and a red globe meant the entrance had restricted hours. Nowadays, if you have a MetroCard, you can pretty much use any subway entrance you want.

17. Where The Party At?
If you don't know where you're going and are just looking for a good subway stop to get out at and wander around, I have a few recommendations. Union Square is the gateway to the downtown party scene, but you'd do well to get out at 8th Street or Astor Place for an East Village pub crawl, and West 4th Street or Christopher Street to check out the best of the West Village. The Second Avenue stop on the F and V line is in the thick of the boozy action, as is the Bedford Avenue stop in Brooklyn on the L line. As I mentioned in my Tourist Tips post, the real party is downtown, because midtown blows. Bedford Ave probably has the highest proportion of hotties as well, followed by Prince and Spring Streets in SoHo, but they're hotties of a snobbier sort.