13 Things In Every Tourist Town
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

13 Things In Every Tourist Town

From gem mining to caricatures.

73
13 Things In Every Tourist Town
Zoe Perrier

Every vacation destination has a few distinct "tourist traps."

If you've ever been on a vacation to a popular tourist destination, you know all too well what I'm talking about. For the ultimate test, pick a place you've visited and see if all of the following apply:

1) Gem Mine

I remember doing this when I was little. It was exciting to find the littlest flecks of color in the sand. My dad and I used to tumble rocks, so I'm not going to lie, I used to love this.

2) Old Time Photos

Usually you can find multiple of these in tourist-heavy towns. I love playing dress up and I love posing for pictures, so I'm also guilty of enjoying these. I still have a picture of my sister, my mom, my grandma and I all in fishnet stockings posing with fake guns around an old car.

3) Go Karts

Depending on the place, some towns have more of these than others. One of my favorite places to visit is actually known for their go karts (and this picture is from there)-- Wisconsin Dells.

4) Mini Golf/Putt Putt

Bonus points if it's adventure themed.

5) T-shirt Store

For some reason, they always sell hermit crabs, and there's always a buy 2, get 1 sale.

6) Name on rice/name on ring

Tourist towns with lots of shopping always have a cart set up somewhere where you can have someone write your name on a grain of rice for a necklace, or engrave your name in a cheap ring, in case you forget your name while you're there.

7) Ice cream

You can usually find these anywhere, but tourist towns have a LOT of options, and it can be hard to decide. If you ask me, just visit one every day. Problem solved.

8) Assorted Museums


In case you wanted to know more about the place you're visiting than you do your hometown.

9) Chicken tenders at every restaurant

You might be thinking, "every restaurant everywhere has those." No. Most restaurants have chicken strips. Chicken strips are real chicken. Chicken tenders have that flavorless yoga mat texture to them because they're made out of the same cheap paste as chicken nuggets.

10) Hidden Grocery Stores

It's like they WANT you to eat at all the restaurants.

11) Water or Theme Park. Or both.

These are usually the big attraction in a lot of tourist towns. Some places have multiple of each!

12) Airbrush, Henna, or Real Tattoo Parlors

Who doesn't want to come home all tatted up? I think the tattoo parlors hope you get so spontaneous or drunk on your vacation that you get a ridiculously regrettable tattoo. As for henna or airbrush-- that's for the people who want to feel rebellious without the commitment.

13) Caricatures

In case the unflattering sunburn wasn't enough, you paid someone to distort your face on a picture.

If you've ever been on a vacation to a popular tourist town, I know you've seen most, if not all of these. There's a reason places have the above attractions-- because mostly they're fun, and they contribute to memorable vacations. We are all guilty of buying into these things, but it's part of the fun!

I hope you have a fantastic summer-- travel safe!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

53345
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

34286
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956846
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181606
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments