Key Takeaways

  • Here’s a secret: I love being a cheesy tourist. As much as I love getting off the beaten path and learning about local cultures, sometimes I love the
  • Sometimes travel’s just about having a good time in a different place with new people.
  • Last year I went on a cruise and partied at Señor Frog’s in Mexico. And I had a blast.
posing cheerily at the leaning tower in pisa, italy

Last Updated: 7/1/2018 | July 1st, 2018

Here’s a secret: we all love being a cheesy tourist — at least sometimes. While exploring off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods and immersing in local life is deeply rewarding, there’s equal value in leaning into the theatrical, commercialized, and crowd-pleasing side of travel. Too often, travelers treat every experience as if it must be profound, authentic, or Instagram-worthy. But travel isn’t always about meaning — sometimes it’s about laughter, spontaneity, and shared silliness with strangers.

Sometimes travel’s just about having a good time in a different place with new people.

Last year I went on a cruise and partied at Señor Frog’s in Mexico — and I had a blast.

So today, let’s embrace the unapologetically touristy side of travel and share some favorites. Here are ours:

Cruises

Last year, I went on my first cruise in over half a decade — and had a phenomenal time. To me, it wasn’t travel in the traditional sense; it was pure vacation: a chance to unwind, disconnect, and indulge. Royal Caribbean’s “private beach” in Haiti? Artificial. The nightly dance parties? Cheesy. But gosh, was it fun. While seven days aboard felt like plenty, I’m already planning my next one — because sometimes life calls for a piña colada by the pool while a band plays Bob Marley for the tenth time.

Disney World

Disney World is pure magic — and pure fantasy. From Epcot’s global tasting tour to Space Mountain’s adrenaline rush and the Haunted Mansion’s playful spookiness, it’s a place where imagination wins. Yes, it’s expensive and meticulously engineered — but so what? There’s real joy in stepping into a world where wonder is built into every detail, and pretending is not just allowed — it’s the point.

Pub Crawls

Pub crawls aren’t about authenticity — they’re about energy, ease, and instant camaraderie. You won’t find hidden local gems on these routes, but you *will* meet fellow travelers ready to laugh, toast, and share stories after two welcome shots. That fleeting, joyful connection — the kind that lasts one night and lives on in group photos — is its own kind of travel magic.

The Louvre

The Louvre is iconic — and undeniably overwhelming. It’s crowded, chaotic, and famously difficult to navigate. Yes, there are quieter, more intimate museums across Paris — but skipping the Louvre would feel like missing a rite of passage. Even if you only glimpse the Mona Lisa through a sea of smartphones, the experience itself — the awe, the absurdity, the sheer scale of human creativity on display — is unforgettable.