June 30, 2023
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8 Minute Read
Often, true connection with a city comes only from digging beneath its surface tourist hot spots. So here are seven favorite places—and the immersive, one-of-a-kind experiences that make them special.
Miami, Florida
Life’s no doubt a beach in Miami… but there are so many more ways to engage with the Magic City. One of its most recent additions is The Underline, a 10-mile linear park under the Metrorail’s tracks. With exercise stations, butterfly gardens and sports courts, its aim is to become a gathering space for locals and visitors alike.
A sign at the entrance to Wynwood Walls.
Another thriving area is the Wynwood neighborhood, a former garment district that’s been transformed in the past decade thanks to the colorful murals on its buildings at Wynwood Walls. The area has quickly become the center of the global street-art scene and even has its own Museum of Graffiti.
The city’s focus on modern art can also be seen at Pérez Art Museum Miami, (PAMM) which hosts global exhibits like Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s Love Is Calling and Leandro Erlich: Liminal.
And once you’ve worked up an appetite, Miami delivers on unforgettable meals. The restaurant scene is very much “see and be seen,” as many spots offer up interiors as eye-catching as the dishes they serve. It’s easy to get lost in the atmosphere of the city’s most popular restaurants. But to lose yourself in a great meal, head to the 40-seat Itamae for sushi or Komodo for an immersive dinner of Southeast Asia-inspired plates served in a swanky multi-level space. Both restaurants have tables set aside just for eligible Capital One cardholders on Capital One Dining.
Washington, D.C.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The nation’s capital is teeming with museums, most notably the 17 Smithsonian outposts (all with free entry!). Some of the highlights include the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which focuses on Black history in the U.S., from dark historical realities to pop culture influences.
New independent museums are also on the rise, including Planet Word, an innovative and interactive exhibit in a former schoolhouse that shows how we’re all bonded through language. (Don’t miss on-site restaurant Immigrant Food, featuring food from cultures around the world.)
But there are plenty of reasons to step outside the galleries in D.C. The Hillwood Estate features 13 acres of gorgeously manicured gardens around a mansion tucked away near Rock Creek Park. Don’t miss a stop at Black Lives Matters Plaza, where you can see the area’s namesake mural, which spans two blocks, in person.
For some high-energy fun, head to the Navy Yard neighborhood, where you’ll find Nationals Park, home to the city’s Major League Baseball team, the Washington Nationals. The best part: Eligible Capital One cardholders can find tickets to all MLB regular season games (and are eligible for perks) on Capital One Entertainment.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, be sure to check out The Bazaar by José Andrés for a special experience. Located in the historic Old Post Office Pavilion, now the Waldorf Astoria by Hilton, The Bazaar is José Andrés’ love letter to the great city of Washington, D.C.
The culinary experience offers signature playful dishes and Spanish flavors and infuses new menu items that boast an Americana flair and nod to U.S. history. The Beef Cheeks Eisenhower Stew is a tribute to President Eisenhower’s favorite dish while he was in office, and the Crab Louie Cone, Philly Cheesesteak and Norwegian Lobster Newberg represent classic American dishes. Reservations are available on Capital One Dining.
Bay Area, California
There are so many sides to the Bay Area. Tech companies’ energy pulsates throughout the South Bay. One way to get an inside look is at the Computer History Museum in the heart of Silicon Valley in Mountain View. Walk through 2,000 years of tech history, from abacuses all the way to smartphones, with plenty of surprises in between.
Filoli in Woodside.
Then, switch gears and go low-tech at 654-acre country estate Filoli in Woodside, which is known for its spectacularly groomed gardens, especially its spring tulips. The estate owners are passionate about preserving wildlife. Here, you can visit more than 2,000 endangered and rescued animals from 250 species. You’ll leave reenergized from its spirit, captured in its motto (and what its name stands for): “Fight for a just cause. Love your fellow man. Live a good life.” This is one of those places that completely transports visitors straight out of the buzzy city scene and into an oasis—the kind of destination that will pop up in your daydreams for years to come.
Of course, so much of California culture is rooted in San Francisco. The city’s Chinatown is the oldest in the U.S.—as well as the largest outside of Asia—steeped in a rich, resilient history. Food is essential here, whether it’s grabbing dragon beard candy from the family-run Dragon Papa Dessert or indulging in multi-course delicacies at the popular China Live. Reservations can be a challenge, but eligible Capital One cardholders can snag those hard-to-get spots through Capital One Dining.
The museums here are also plentiful. Two standouts are the de Young Museum, inside a stunning building designed by Switzerland’s Herzog & de Meuron, rising out of Golden Gate Park. Another must-visit: the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, which is home to a full bronze cast of Rodin’s The Thinker and housed in an 18th-century Parisian-style building.
Bordeaux, France
Street view featuring the Grosse Cloche bell tower of Bordeaux city.
There’s no question that Bordeaux is synonymous with wine. And most will imagine vast vineyards and chateaux when they think of this famous region. But travelers are often surprised to find that the southwestern French city is indeed, well, a city. With all the charm of a mini Paris, Bordeaux features walkable streets filled with boutiques and bakeries (don’t miss the local specialty, canelé) and a four-line, eco-friendly tram system.
Bordeaux has also been noted for its dedication to sustainable thinking. Take, for instance, Les Bassins Des Lumières, which breathed new life into a former World War II submarine base. Today, it’s the world’s largest immersive projection art gallery, with the water below adding an extra shimmering dimension to the imagery.
Also growing as a tourist destination is the Darwin mixed-use community, home to Europe’s largest organic bistro dining hall, shops and a skate park—all of which have committed to operating sustainably. But of course, it wouldn’t be Bordeaux without the wine, and the interactive museum La Cite du Vin showcases the history and role of wine around the world in a building that, suitably, has a liquid-like exterior.
London, England
Borough Market in London.
British charm radiates from every corner of the city, so it’s hard not to fall in love with London. But it can be easy to get overwhelmed with the plethora of activities pulling at your attention. So start with a classic: Borough Market on the South Bank of the Thames, dating back to 1756. This spot is one of London’s best places to grab a meal—from seafood at Richard Haward Oysters to Taiwanese fried chicken (with a side of karaoke) at BAO Borough—but it’s also about community. One way to truly dive into British culture: Grab a drink from The Cider House in the market and let the conversations with strangers unfold as they turn into new friends.
From here, head to another London staple that’s abloom with new life—literally. The now-dry moat around the almost-1,000-years-old Tower of London was planted with more than 20 million flower seeds as part of Superbloom in 2021. (For a thrilling way to enjoy the flowers, there are slides down into the moat.) The plan was for the space to transform into a biodiverse natural landscape after the Superbloom exhibit ended in September 2022. Why this is cool: No visit will look the same, as the space is constantly evolving.
Top it all off with a truly memorable immersive theater experience, Burnt City. From Punchdrunk, the team behind NYC’s critically acclaimed Sleep No More, this is theater like you’ve never experienced: Each audience member is in charge of their own experience, following actors and moving through a massive warehouse space, chasing their own adventure.
Cape Town, South Africa
As the legislative capital of South Africa, Cape Town is also known for a thriving culture that’s not afraid to lean into its past. One experience that needs to be had sooner than later is a visit to Robben Island to see the prison where South African activist and politician Nelson Mandela was jailed. Now a symbol of the resilience of the democratic spirit, tours are run by former prisoners—an essential perspective with an expiration date as the generation ages. The District Six Museum also offers a unique perspective, documenting a multiracial neighborhood that was torn apart by apartheid.
Colorful houses in Bo-Kaap.
While the colorful homes of Bo-Kaap fill Instagram feeds, it also shows another side of Cape Town’s past. This neighborhood housed the enslaved Cape Malays, who were brought from Malaysia and Indonesia. All of the region’s complicated history comes together, influencing modern-day art, as colors come alive in a different way at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, the largest museum of African art in the world.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
An Amsterdam canal.
There’s just something about Amsterdam. Maybe it’s a go-with-the-flow attitude from the 165 canals, or maybe it’s that it’s always spinning from all the bicyclists around town. Whatever it is, it makes the Dutch capital primed for a choose-your-own-adventure kind of visit.
For those into indie art, the MOCO Museum features exhibits ranging from Banksy to NFTs. Those who are into beer culture should head to the Heineken Experience, which takes visitors through the beer-making process—and of course, serves up samples. And everyone will find something to get lost in at the Dutch national museum Rijksmuseum, a must-visit, with works from Rembrandt to Van Gogh.
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© Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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