There’s more to city breaks than sightseeing. These exciting hubs of activity can often have many unusual and unique attractions that can inject some thrill and variety into your trip. Below are just a few alternative activities to look into – whether you’re jetting off to Paris, New York or Tokyo.
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Night at the museum
Many cities have world-class museums that offer late night entry on specific dates. Visiting at night can be an opportunity to skip the crowds and enjoy the artefacts and exhibits in a different light. The likes of London’s British Museum and New York’s MoMA sometimes also host live performances and offer cocktails. Some museums also offer exclusive tours to restricted areas, themed parties or even sleepovers.
Escape room
Escape rooms are great activities to try with groups of friends or when travelling with multiple family members. They require you to escape a themed room by solving clues. The likes of Berlin and Chicago offer escape rooms inspired by local history – think cold-war bunkers and prohibition-era speakeasies. Some cities even have escape rooms inspired by movies or TV shows.
Walking tour
A guided walking tour can allow you to learn about the history of a city from a local expert. Most cities around the world will have English-speaking tours, and some of these are even free. While some of these tours focus on the main sights, others are more unconventional such as ghost tours of Washington DC and catacombs tours in Paris.
Cooking class
Don’t just taste local cuisine – learn to cook it yourself by taking a cooking class! This could include pasta-making workshops in Rome or pad thai cooking classes in Bangkok. This could be a romantic activity to do with a partner, or a fun bonding experience with friends. Make sure to book cooking classes well in advance.
Helicopter tour
Where should you go in a city if you want to get the best views? While most cities will have skyscrapers or hills with viewing decks, you can elevate your experience by booking a helicopter tour. This can give you a birds-eye view of all the famous landmarks. Just imagine swooping over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco or being able to circle the Parthenon in Athens.
Dinner cruise
Almost all cities are built around a major river or are overlooking the sea. For a unique perspective of the sights, consider booking a cruise. Such a cruise could take you under the Sydney Harbour Bridge or around the Statue of Liberty. For those willing to splash out on an even more immersive experience, consider a dinner cruise, allowing you to try local cuisine while enjoying the sights. This could be a lunchtime cruise or an evening cruise.
Hidden bars
Hidden bars have become a trend through many cities and they can often be a chance to get away from the crowds and enjoy a more exclusive experience. Across the US, you’ll find original speakeasies in many of the major cities, while the likes of Budapest has hidden ruin bars in old buildings. Other cities may have bars disguised as laundromats, florists or bookshops that may even require customers to provide secret codes.