Let's Talk About the Thing No One Really Wishes to Address...Tourist Traps

Every time I hop the ferry to Port Jefferson, Long Island in New York, I see it.  Everything around the port is there to separate tourists from their money.  Expensive hotels and restaurants, shops with all kinds of expensive items.  You can't walk two feet without finding designer teas or a giant sweet shop with everything sugar can make.  

You'll notice if you travel Long Island, that most villages have a British phone booth and an old fashioned stand clock somewhere around.  Most places have a giant Adirondack chair that you can take your photo in.  It's just part of the spiel.  I always have to look closely, but there are places that aren't tourist traps.

So is the plight of the traveler just trying to get a look at the world outside the bubble they live in.  What's a tourist to do?  A lot of research.  I learned this early on. 

 

 

We've all heard the expression, "Tourist Trap".  I remember when I was kid, going to Sandusky, Ohio to Cedar Point.  My parents and my friends' parents all thought it was a tourist trap.  But was it the tourist trap?

Here's a story about when I was a kid and I went to Sandusky for a whole week with my friend Pam and her mom.  We got ourselves a cute little motel for cheap and investigated the whole area and all of the tourist "attractions" that it had to offer.  We went to Cedar Point.  I mean, it's the most famous roller coaster park in the world.  We wouldn't pass that up.  But was it the tourist trap?

Our first "attraction" was called the Blue Hole, aptly named and it wasn't far from the amusement park.  We decided to check it out.  It cost a bit to get in (It's long since closed now) and it was indeed, a hole.  It was called a bottomless pool of water.  It was way overpriced and we only needed about two minutes to observe it.

After a very disappointing visit to a so called natural wonder, we eventually went to another attraction called Seneca Caverns.  Today, it will cost you $24 for the regular tour.  They also have other activities and special tours at times.  This was a great place, and it didn't cost anywhere near $24 back then.

Seneca Caverns when I was there as a kid had seven levels of rudimentary trails before you reached the bottomless river at the lowest achievable level.  You had a guide and the tour took a while.  It was a lot of bang for you buck.

But that's not all.

Guess where the bottomless river is attached to?  That's right.  The Blue Hole.  We learned that week to skip the hole and take a tour of the caverns.  There's also a place called Crystal Caves (not the one in Virginia) that when I was there (many years ago, so something may have changed) was not much and barely more than someone's basement.  Also expensive.

We also visited a drive through dinosaur park.  This was in the late 70's and it was hilarious.  The dinosaurs were fiberglass and had speakers in them.  They made noise when you drove by.  You got a booklet telling you about the different kinds of dinosaurs and it took about 20 minutes for the whole thing.  Way overpriced.

Be aware, Ohio's fascination with dinosaurs has never ended.  You can still normally find something to do with dinosaurs around Sandusky.

If you really wanted to waste your money, you could combine the dinosaurs with Mystery Hill.  This was supposed to be a magic spot that defied gravity and a host of other ridiculous carnival tricks.  It was fun, so I'm not sure I would say it was overpriced, but it was pricey.  Tough call.  Once again, it didn't last long and we were stuck looking for something to do the rest of the day.

Most of these attractions are long gone, so I'm sure you can draw your own conclusions as to how much of a tourist trap they were.  However, Cedar Point, it turned out wasn't the tourist trap.  That place can keep you entertained for days.

Today, I travel in different places.  But there's always something there that costs more because it's for tourists.  So today, I give some free advice.

Sometimes you don't even realize what's going on.  Helsinki was one stop that amazed me.  We visited the old port.  Sounds cool.  But wow.  Someone planted an entire market full of reindeer meat products and all things made with lingenberry.  They parked a sauna and pool place on the harbor.  There was a giant Ferris wheel right there.  You couldn't miss any of it.  Was it all at local prices?  Did you even know?

Be aware.  In the city center or at an old port; places like that; they see you coming.  If you are American, you stick out like a sore thumb.  All of a sudden you pay to go in a church.  Everyone wants to be your best friend.  In many cases, the prices at the restaurants and booths in a tourist shopping area are non existent.  Never go anywhere unless there are visible prices; particularly for food.

If someone offers to take your picture, don't automatically say yes.  They'll probably want money for it.  Once the picture is taken, they can argue for quite a while.  Don't get trapped.

Is this to say that tourist attractions aren't worth the money?  No, not at all.  Just make sure it's worth it to you.  We spent a few days in Stockholm.  We took public transportation.  It was cheap for Sweden, a very expensive country in general.  They had hop on hop off buses for about double the price of a metro card.  All the transportation went to the same places.  Do five minutes of research on what tram you want to take and save yourself a lot of money.

We also tried to eat in Gamla Stan, the old town.  We went to a little place with prices on the menu, and decided to try Swedish Meatballs.  I know, it sounds hokey, but we were in Sweden.  We got heated up frozen Italian meatballs with dark brown flavorless gravy.  We weren't careful enough.  Make sure there are plenty of customers in a crowded area.  See if there are a few locals there too.  It helps you not get caught in a trap.

Also, be very aware of that burger and pizza culture in the northern countries.  The locals don't go out for Swedish or Finnish food.  They make that at home.  My method has become to try and get out of that touristy city center and eat in an area where locals live.  You may not end up getting authentic traditional food, but the burgers are pretty good.

My husband stopped for some goulash soup in the same neighborhood as the Swedish Meatballs on another day.  There were no prices on the menu outside the door.  I warned him, but he wanted soup.  It cost a fortune and was little more than broth.  One of the biggest signs of a rip off is a menu without prices.  Always avoid that.  I don't care where you are.

Then there was the old town in Tallinn, Estonia.  We were staying in an apartment in the highest point of old town and we found this restaurant around the corner from our place.  There was a mix up with the instructions from the host and the host at the restaurant helped me sort it out.  So we went back that night for dinner.  

It was a long way from the more touristy area that was full of western fast food and tons of overpriced gift shops.  We ate there both nights we were in town.  The staff was friendly and amazing.  The food was fantastic and Slavic, and the prices were completely reasonable.  They weren't located in the frenzied touristy part.  They were out of the way, and it was wonderful.

So, always take into consideration what it's worth to you.  I stick by my theory to never go to a restaurant that has no prices on the menu.  Be careful with anything you buy to keep or eat in a noted tourist zone.  Prices are always higher. 

I normally take public transportation.  Tours and tour buses are far more expensive.  I like to visit parks, grocery stores, malls, plazas.  I like to go to neighborhoods that are more local.  It's the best way to eat and shop.  I like to learn a bit about the places I'm traveling to.  Local places tell you a lot about the real place.  People actually live there.  Tourist zones are there for tourists.  It's what they think you expect to see in their country.  Normally, it's not the real deal.

I loved my time in the old towns on my last trip.  I also loved my visits to their parks, city markets and local restaurants.  It's all about what you want out of your trip.  Make sure you do research before you go traveling and figure out what you want to get out of your trip.

Remember, tours are designed to serve a group of cliche tourists.  Are you that?  It makes a difference.  Cruises are designed to give a taste of several locations while keeping you entertained on board.  Is that for you?  Make an informed decision.

I've learned what my travel style is like.  Everyone should figure that out if you intend to travel.  If you don't figure out how you want to travel, you won't have the best time possible.  Not every style is for every traveler.  Travelers and tourists are not the same thing.  Make sure you have all the information you can get before you go and enjoy!

https://senecacavernsohio.com/

https://sca-roadside.org/getting-to-the-bottom-of-ohios-mysterious-blue-hole/

https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/2314

https://travel.usnews.com/Stockholm_Sweden/Things_To_Do/Gamla_Stan_59393/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-dLz8pD-cY

https://www.passportsandpreemies.com/10-things-to-see-and-do-in-tallinn/

https://www.afar.com/magazine/how-can-i-avoid-tourist-traps-when-im-traveling

See more about my travels on Adventures for Anyone on YouTube!

https://www.youtube.com/@ninakindred9466

Take the Time and Take a Look At Some Lighthouses!

 

I live in New England, and I love lighthouses.  Fortunately, those two things go together like peas and carrots as Forrest Gump would say.  There are well over 200 lighthouses in New England, at least 20 around Long Island and 7 on the Hudson River.  We have lighthouses.  Add in the lighthouse on Roosevelt Island and the harbor lights in New York City and you have an enormous collection of watchful lights.  With even more on islands like Block, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket and wow, what a collection.

In the summer, I like to visit the areas where the lighthouses are, especially places where there are a collection of them or where you can tour the lighthouse itself.  In Connecticut, we have both occasions in many ways, and it's a great way to spend your spare time in the summer.

You can see lighthouses in many ways.  I recommend a boat.  I like to take the ferry.  You can see a couple of lighthouses just riding the Bridgeport to Port Jefferson Ferry.  One of them sits in the middle of Long Island Sound.  It's a beautiful rock lighthouse that used to house a caretaker.

If you'd like to spend that weekend on Long Island, they have plenty of gorgeous lighthouses to look at and a lot of them are open to the public.  It's a great way to spend the day.

In Connecticut, there are also the tours.  Norwalk has a ferry tour to Sheffield Island.  New London has all kinds of lighthouse tours with the Cross Sound Ferry.  Most tours take 2 to 3 hours and the ones out of New London showcase at least 7 lighthouses; some tours see more.

The best part about visiting lighthouses, is that they are mostly each truly unique.  They were built in the late 1700's through the 1800's by many different people, so they each have their own distinct character.  Whether it's the coast of Maine, Cape Cod, Long Island, Rhode Island, the outlying islands off the coast or here in Connecticut.  There are many and they are amazing.

Don't forget the Hudson River Valley.  This area has so much to see and do; most of it historic.  The lighthouses really stand out.  There are boat tours out of Kingston, New York.  You can walk to one in Saugerties.  You can view the one in the river at Athens.  It's a great collection, and that's just a few.

No matter what lighthouse or lighthouses you visit, you'll enjoy them all.  From ancient to semi modern, house or tower, even that one on Orient Point with the disco ball that was an Air BNB.  They all have something significant.  Even the Statue of Liberty is technically a lighthouse.  Most of the lighthouses we all like to visit are not currently in use.  The ones that are, are typically maintained by the Coast Guard.

Gone are the days of people living their lives in a lighthouse, raising their families with live in teachers and such.  The modern time is that of automation and utility.  But make sure if you happen to be here on the East Coast; take the time to take a boat or a walk or a drive to see one of our magnificent lighthouses and take a trip back in time to when so much more was art. 

You can watch some of the tours I take to the lighthouses on my YouTube channel; Adventures for Anyone!  Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/@ninakindred9466

https://www.zazzle.com/store/imagings

https://www.longislandferry.com/Common/Help.aspx?page=lighthousecruise

https://www.seaport.org/

https://www.88844ferry.com/

http://www.newenglandlighthouses.net/

https://www.hudsonriverlighthouses.org/

https://hudsonrivercruises.com/sightseeing-cruises/?campaignid=17130356047&adgroupid=136826429752&creative=596034361835&matchtype=b&network=g&device=c&keyword=boat%20cruises&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17130356047&gbraid=0AAAAADAjm7mwOy3MULCMWcG8wu-4jT73l&gclid=CjwKCAjw4efDBhATEiwAaDBpbgSBgj_bQDfXFwQVaGCBgBUbOzDmlRNQmsR1LTcpgJRtqY0FU5SvShoCsiUQAvD_BwE

https://www.hrmm.org/solaris-cruises.html

https://www.capecodlighthouses.info/ 

Just Some Random First Hand News From Various Excursions on This Week's Fast Five!

Welcome to one of these weird little sessions where I'm giving you some information about a collection of things.  This comes because my life is a collection of things and this is a weird sort of life update.  So, hang on for this week's fast five!

 

1.    As you may know, I've started a YouTube Channel also called Adventures for Anyone, and I tend to post five videos a week.  They are not a certain theme.  You never know what I might come up with.  I don't like to be on camera, so you won't see much of me.  I wish I was more of a personality.

That being said; I have been traveling a bit and there might be some things on there that spark or inspire you to travel on your own, so check it out.  I do a lot of local traveling.  I let you know when there's something important going on in my area or an area I'm traveling to.  Could be important.

I also am still posting a video here and there from last fall's travel to Porto, Portugal and our recent trip to Helsinki, Finland; Tallinn, Estonia; and Stockholm, Sweden.  It's summer here, so I'm visiting New York City a lot and taking a lot of trips along the shore.  Once in a while I'll be in the mountains, so I mix it up a bit.

I appreciate any attention the channel gets, and would love it if you could check it out; like and subscribe; comment and share; and hope you enjoy it. It's becoming a lot of fun for me and I like to share.

https://www.youtube.com/@ninakindred9466

2.    OMNY.  What is it, you ask?  That's the new system for the New York City Metro System.  That's right, welcome to the news portion of our post.  

Is it in a test phase?  No, it's completely operational.  Are there problems?  Maybe.  There are a lot of complaints, but there aren't any definite answers on whether it's system related or operator issues.

It's new folks.  Most of the countries I've been visiting lately in Europe have something similar.  For anyone who thinks it's a disaster; it will work.  It works in other countries.  Here's the deal.  Instead of a moldy old metro card, you can get a shiny tappable new metro card.  It will be called an OMNY card.  For anyone who chooses to stick with a preloadable card, there won't be much difference.  Read the rules on the machine.  If you use cash, it will only give back up to $9.95 in change in the denominations available in the machine at the time.  You will also be able to buy one with a variety of cards and digital wallet options.

The main thing that I'm getting is that you can use your tappable credit or debit card as well.  I didn't try it when I was there yesterday, because I have lingering monies on old metro cards, but I will try it soon.  The way I took what I read was that you can tap your card and it will work.  They say give it a minute the first time, so it can link up with your credit card company and/or bank.  After that, it should be quick and easy to just tap.

There are some considerations when tapping with your credit card.  First, always use the same card.  This will allow the system to work with you.  If you go from metro to bus or other system, your transfer will be free as long as you always use the same card.  Just make sure you transfer within two hours of the first tap, and the system will follow.  This should work on many things, Staten Island Rail, Roosevelt Island Tram, and the Air Train at JFK as well as buses and things.

There are a couple other things that I read about the system.  First, always use the same card.  Can't emphasize this enough.  There will no longer be week passes with this system.  As long as you use the same card, it will not charge you more than $34 a week.  Always use the same card.  You also can use it to pay for up to four people at a time.  No more than that.

Will there be some problems?  Sure, but change always has some glitches.  Just be patient and give it a try.  Metro cards will still work until the end of the year, but make that change now and get used to all things new.

https://omny.info/

https://www.mta.info/fares-tolls/subway-bus/tap-and-go

https://www.mta.info/fares-tolls/subway-bus/reduced-fare/omny

https://www.nyc.gov/site/fairfares/OMNY/omny.page

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZHkn788ZQJOMuW3uTQpDVWW4aXeKB1EW

 

3.    The Staten Island Ferry.  I hear Scarlet Johansen owns one, and what a hoot that must be.  No matter how you look at it, there's only one ride like it in the world.  And some people take that ride twice a day to commute to and from work.  However, as tourists, we love the ride.

First and foremost, the Staten Island Ferry is free and runs every half hour.  When you arrive as a tourist, you stand out like a sore thumb to the scammers and they'll try to sell you discounted tickets.  Total scam and everyone should know that.  The ferry is free.

But, if you're visiting the city, it's something that I highly recommend.  There's a few things to do on Staten Island, and you do have to exit the ferry when you arrive.  There's a farm league ball team close to the terminal.  There's a collection of stores and restaurants right next door.  If you do nothing else, that will give you a taste of the lengths these folks have gone to in order to welcome visitors.  The view of the rest of New York City is amazing as well.  Then, you can always catch the ferry back.  It's free and runs every half hour.  Free.  Can't emphasize that enough in a very expensive city.

Here's the other great thing about this trip.  It's easy to get to, easy to find, and easy to take.  South Ferry is the last stop on the red 1 line subway at the southern tip of Manhattan.  You exit the terminal and walk right into the ferry terminal.  It's nearly impossible to get lost as long as you board the subway toward South Ferry and every subway stop will tell you that.  The ferry terminal has restrooms, snacks, drinks and air conditioning that can make a huge difference in the middle of summer.  The ferry is set up for you to sit outside and watch the world in the famous harbor go by if you like.  You get cool views of the Statue of Liberty.  You get to see Governor's Island, the working harbor and so much more.  It's a great sightseeing trip.

Lastly, if you like a good boat ride, they've got you covered.  I go on it once in a while just for the ride.  Just remember, it's not for tourists, but they are used to having tourists along for the ride.  It's there for transport, not luxury.

https://siferry.com/

https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/ferrybus/siferryschedule.shtml

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60763-d143363-Reviews-Staten_Island_Ferry-New_York_City_New_York.html

https://www.exp1.com/blog/new-yorks-most-famous-ferry/

https://www.nyctourism.com/new-york/staten-island/

4.    Light House Tours From New London, Connecticut.  This is a great way to spend an afternoon, and I do it once in a while.  The company that runs the ferry from New London to Orient Point, Long Island operates lighthouse tours in the summer.  They have a variety of tours.  You can take the classic lighthouse tour as I normally do.  It goes from New London to Orient Point and back stopping to look at all the lighthouses along the way.  It's a great ride and they tell good stories too.

They also have a lights and sights tour that goes more along the shore and toward Newport, Rhode Island.  Also lighthouses and different ones from the other tour, but some unique additional sights along the way.  This tour and the classic tour normally alternate days.  Tour number three is a sunset tour and I hear it's lovely, but have never gone on that one.

Most tours take between 2 and 3 hours, and are a lot of fun.  If you get seasick, take Dramamine.  There are snacks and drinks available on the boats, and there are restrooms available.  There's a lot of outdoor seating so you can get a good view of the lighthouses, so take a seat and relax.  The captain will always turn the boat around so everyone on all sides of the boat get a chance to see each and every lighthouse.

It's a lot of fun, and don't worry if you didn't purchase you ticket online in advance.  Arrive early, and there will probably still be space.  If you want to make sure though, purchase your tickets in advance online.

https://www.lighthouse.cruises/

https://ctvisit.com/listings/cross-sound-ferry-lighthouse-cruise

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g33852-d10538534-Reviews-Cross_Sound_Ferry_Lighthouse_Cruises-New_London_Mystic_Country_Connecticut.html

https://www.visitconnecticut.com/state/connecticut-lighthouses/

https://www.nlmaritimesociety.org/lighthouse-stewardship.html

5.   The Sheffield Island Light Tour.   This one is a great little tour out of Norwalk, CT.  They go Wednesday through Sunday in season.  They also have special events throughout the season.  This is a quick trip from dock to island and the trip takes a whopping 3 hours.  

While on the trip you get the opportunity to tour the inside of the lighthouse, where the owners and their family used to live.  It's now a museum and the island is a nature reserve.  This is a great place to bring a picnic, take a walk or just enjoy the water, the island, the animals and birds, and the view.  The staff is also great, and they will make sure you have a good time.

If you take the train to South Norwalk, the dock is a short walk too.  So you don't have to drive if you don't want to.  Once again, it's a great way to spend some time along the water in the summer.  Do purchase your tickets ahead of time.  It's a small boat and can sell out.  I purchased my tickets on Eventbrite.

https://www.seaport.org/tickets-and-prices

https://ctvisit.com/listings/sheffield-island-lighthouse-and-harbor-tour

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g33871-d2233662-Reviews-Sheffield_Island_Ferry-Norwalk_Connecticut.html

https://ctvisit.com/events/2025-cruise-and-tour-greens-ledge-sheffield-island-lighthouse

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-cruise-and-tour-to-sheffield-island-lighthouse-museum-tickets-1247384022189

There you have it.  I do a lot of running around during the summer, and I love the activities so much that I do many of them again and again.  Keep reading to find out more about some of my favorite activities as the summer goes along.  Just remember, there are great things to do, no matter what you like, just always keep exploring and enjoy!