Sightsee Like a Local

It’s fine to see the iconic monuments. But you have to think like a contrarian. You want to see them when everyone else…isn’t. Want to see the Taj Mahal, the Pyramids of Giza, or the Great Wall of China? Go at the crack of dawn, like 4:30 in the morning. You’ll have the place to yourself and the magical moment of seeing the sun rise. Want some examples? Check out the following tips from the guidebooks:

New Orleans

In New Orleans, of course you want to go to Café du Monde for the obligatory beignets and cafe au lait. But don’t go in the morning when every other tourist is crowding the tables. You have a couple of options here: It’s open 24/7, so go at 3 am when the locals are just getting started.

Also in New Orleans, it’s not just about sightseeing and cocktails. You can also help make a difference. There are sections of the city that are still hard-hit by Katrina and there’s still work to be done. Participate in a volunteer program with Habitat for Humanity and St. Bernard Project for a day, a week or a month to help rebuild these much-needed homes.

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