Big-City Trips Minus the Crowds
You may be a tourist, but you don't have to act like one. Follow our off-the-grid ideas and you'll see a whole new side of these top vacation spots.
When you plan a trip to a destination like Orlando, Las Vegas, or New York City, you kind of expect to be stuck in the middle of tourist throngs. Or maybe you just avoid these locations completely because you can't tolerate the crowds. But for every tourist trap in a large city you'll find dozens of undiscovered offerings-quirky neighborhoods, obscure museums, interesting eateries, and maybe even the chance to run, not drive, over one of the most famous bridges in the world-that will make your stay more than worthwhile. To get you started, we've scouted some hidden gems in five hot vacation spots and thrown in some sightseeingoriented workout options. Not only will you enjoy a little adventure, at times you may feel as if you have the place practically to yourself. And that may make the idea of standing in line to have your picture taken with Mickey Mouse seem that much more tolerable later in your trip.
Skip the Memorial Tours - Washington D.C
Our nation's capital is understandably defined by politics, but there are plenty of non-government-related diversions, such as hip hoods and amazing art (including the National Museum of Women in the Arts, located in a former men-only Masonic temple), to keep you from getting memorial fatigue. If you've never been to D.C., go ahead and tour the traditional sites, but do it the speedy way: Pretend you're a Secret Service agent and run the 1.6-mile presidential-inaugural-parade route, which begins near the Capitol and ends at the White House. Or jog the gravel paths along the Mall from the Capitol building to the Lincoln Monument and back, about 3.5 miles. When you're ready to see the rest of the city, steer clear of touristy Georgetown and head to Adams Morgan (centered on Columbia Road and 18th Street NW), a low-profile, multicultural neighborhood that features everything from Latin hot spot Habana Village (where you can take salsa and merengue lessons Wednesday through Saturday) to the always packed Amsterdam Falafel Shop. The place to stayThe sleek new Hotel Palomar in Dupont Circle organizes nightly wine tastings and has eight Motion Rooms, which come equipped with an elliptical trainer and either strengthtraining equipment or a ballet barre and instructional dance DVDs (rooms from $254 per night; hotelpalomar-dc.com).
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