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Things to Do in Niagara Falls & Around

Choose from 5,104 Fun Things to Do in Niagara Falls & Around

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

The race car–themed Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi features 20 rides and attractions—everything from the toddler-friendly carousel of Ferrari prototype cars to cutting-edge racing simulators that will please older kids and teens. The largest indoor theme park in the world is also home to the world’s fastest roller coaster, the Formula Rossa, a hydraulic-powered thrill ride that sees visitors strapped into a Ferrari Formula One-like coaster car and launched at speeds of up to 150 miles (240 kilometers) per hour.

The Basics

The Ferrari World theme park has become one of the most popular attractions in the United Arab Emirates, and travelers have several options for experiencing the park. Those staying in Abu Dhabi can opt for a basic entrance ticket, but it’s also possible to visit on a day trip from Dubai, with the option to visit other notable Abu Dhabi attractions like the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Falcon Hospital as well.

Things to Know Before You Go

This theme park is a must-visit for families with kids and car lovers.
Day trips from Dubai to the park typically last about nine to 12 hours.
The amusement park has lockers and strollers for rent.
Outside food and drink aren’t allowed into the park, but the food court specializes in Italian cuisine.

How to Get There

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is accessible by car from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. While opting for a guided day trip is the most convenient option for travelers staying in Dubai, those based in Abu Dhabi can take advantage of a free shuttle service that stops at various locations throughout the city and Yas Island. Parking is available onsite.

When to Get There

While summers can be scorching in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World is comfortably air-conditioned throughout the year. The park is open daily from 11am to 8pm.

Things to Do on Yas Island

Ferrari World is one of several attractions on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island. This emerging entertainment district 30 minutes outside the UAE capital is also home to the Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Marina, Yas Waterworld, Yas Mall (the second-largest shopping center in the country), Yas Beach, and the award-winning Kyle Phillips–designed Yas Links Abu Dhabi.

Yas Island Drive, Abu Dhabi 128717, United Arab Emirates

Open daily, 11am - 8pm

Admission prices vary

From $ 40

Finlandia Hall (Finlandiatalo)

Finlandia Hall (or Finlandiatalo) is Helsinki's concert and congress hall. It is also an architecture masterpiece by famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto (1898 - 1976) who was sometimes referred to as the Father of Modernism. In Helsinki, Aalto wanted to realize the major plan for a grand square and avenue flanked by cultural buildings, including the Parliament Building, first thought of by Eliel Saarinen in 1917 when Finland became independent of Russia. He drew plans for a grand center to Helsinki in 1961 and modified them in 1964 and 1971; you could say the city was a lifelong project of his.

Finlandia Hall was designed in 1962 and built between 1967 and 1972. The congress wing followed in 1973 - 75. For Aalto it was a major part of realizing his grand plan. The building shows many of his ongoing concerns - few right angles, design around existing trees on the site, the use of Italian marble and Finnish granite. The building is worth visiting but you can only do so on a guided tour, held on irregular days in the afternoons - check the website for dates.

Practical Info

Trams 4, 7 and 10 go to Finlandia Hall, get off at the stop for the National Museum.

Mannerheimintie 13e, Helsinki 00100, Finland

Open Mon - Fri 7:30am - 5pm. Tour availability varies

Adults: € 10.50, Children: € 8.50

From $ 37

Fiji Museum

This tiny, colorful museum in the heart of Fiji is jam-packed with more than 3,700 years worth of island culture, art and traditions. Travelers will find a well-preserved example of the country’s heritage amid the galleries and halls of this local treasure.

Whether it’s the impressive 100-year-old Ratu Finau, ancient weapons of war, or the story of cannibalism, there’s something for everyone in this unassuming destination. Though archeological artifacts and other items are well-displayed and clearly marked, travelers say the technology-free Fiji Museum is strictly no frills but definitely worth a visit.

Practical Info

The Fiji Museum is located in the Suva’s Botanical Gardens. It is open from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and costs FJD10.

Cakobau Road, Suva, Fiji

Open from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday

FJD10

From $ 76

Fisherman's Bastion (Halaszbastya)

Sitting high on Castle Hill on the Buda side of the Danube River, Fisherman’s Bastion was built in 1905 as part of the ongoing celebrations of the thousand-years existence of the Hungarian state. It encompasses part of the original fortified castle walls and its terraces boast the best view points over the river and across to Pest. The bastion is a step away from several of Budapest’s big-hitting attractions, including the Royal Palace with its museums and library, Matthias Church and the Hungarian National Gallery.

Festooned with Neo-Romanesque lookout towers, equestrian statues, turrets and colonnades, the T-shaped bastion has two levels and wraps itself around Matthias Church. Architect Frigyes Schulek revamped the church and designed the bastion at the same time. The wide steps leading up to the bastion are scattered with neo-Gothic statuary and provide an impressive introduction to Castle Hill. Landmarks that can be seen from the terraces include Margaret Island, the Parliament building, the Chain Bridge and St Stephen’s Basilica. A terraced restaurant is open over summer.

Szentháromság tér 5, Budapest, Hungary

From $ 12

Fleet Street

Making a name for itself in the 16th-century as the center of London’s printing and publishing industry, it seemed fitting that Fleet Street would be the birthplace of London’s first daily newspaper, the Daily Courant in 1702, and the street quickly became the de facto home of the British Press. Dozens of the country’s major newspaper offices and publishing headquarters once resided on Fleet Street, including Reuters, The Daily Telegraph, The Daily Express and the Metro, and although few remain, ‘Fleet Street’ is still used by Londoners to reference the city’s press.

Fleet Street’s most notorious former resident, however, is the fictional Sweeney Todd, the ‘Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ and the villainous star of several musical productions and films, including Tim Burton’s 2007 hit. If you believe the tales, the murderous Todd owned a barber’s shop at no. 186, where his victims were killed, then baked into pies by his neighbor Mrs. Lovett and eaten by unsuspecting customers.

Practical Info

Fleet Street is located in the City of London, a short walk from BlackFriar’s Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Fleet Street, London, England

From $ 18

Federal Pathologic-Anatomical Museum

Located in the first psychiatric hospital ever to be built in Austria, Vienna’s Federal Pathologic-Anatomical Museum is a creepy old tower that formerly housed the mentally ill and the criminally insane. The ‘Narrenturm’ (‘mad tower’) was built under Emperor Joseph II in 1784, next to the site of the old Vienna General Hospital, which is part of the University of Vienna’s campus today. The Narrenturm still has the same cells, barred doors, and chains that once restrained the unfortunates living there. After the psychiatric hospital closed in 1866, the tower was used as doctors’ and nurses' quarters, and for university clinics and workshops. The Federal Pathologic-Anatomical Museum has been stationed in the Narrenturm (which is now owned by the University of Vienna) since 1971. The museum has an unusual collection including wax molds of different body parts, organs, and diseases; created for medical students to study from in the prephotography era. This offbeat museum presents a fascinating, and slightly disturbing, side of Vienna’s scientific history.

Practical Info

Guided tours in German are available every hour, on the hour, and allow access to an additional floor of the museum that the general entrance fee does not. The last tour leaves at 5 p.m. on Wednesday and at noon on Saturday. Tours cost 6 € (plus the museum’s admission fee). To get to the Narrenturm on public transit, you can take the U6 to Alser Strasse or the U2 to Schottentor. Enter the University of Vienna’s campus from VanSwieten Gasse to access the museum.

Spitalgasse 2, Vienna 1090, Austria

Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Closed on public holidays.

2 €

From $ 68

Flame Towers

Relatively new to the skyline—they were only completed in 2012 the three glass skyscrapers that comprise the Flame Towers have already become iconic. The three towers sit atop a hill overlooking the old city center and Baku Bay and were inspired by the ancient practice of fire worship in Azerbaijan.

By day, the blue-tinted reflective towers are impressive, but they’re truly spectacular after dark, when their surfaces become a giant display for more than 10,000 LED lights that paint the towers with colors of fire, water or the national flag. The buildings’ interiors house mostly offices and residences, but also notably the Fairmont Baku Hotel.

Practical Info

The Flame Towers are best viewed from a distance, particularly at night when they are illuminated.

Baku, Azerbaijan

From $ 24

Feroz Shah Kotla Fort

Although Feroz Shah Kotla isn't as famous as some of Delhi's better-known UNESCO World Heritage sites, these ancient ruins provide a fascinating insight into what life was like in the area centuries ago. At the heart of the fort is a third-century sandstone pillar, known as the Ashoka Column, which stands 43 feet (13.1 meters) high.

The Basics

Feroz Shah Kotla was constructed in the 14th century under Feroz Shah Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi, who created the city of Firozbad as the capital of the Delhi Sultanate. Although much of the complex has fallen to ruins, many of its most important structures remain intact, including an enormous mosque (the Jami Masjid) and a circular stepwell (baoli).

Although the fort is one of Delhi’s lesser-known archaeological sites, it’s sometimes visited on tours that focus on off-the-beaten-track Delhi attractions.

Things to Know Before You Go

Wear comfortable shoes; the terrain here is rocky and uneven in places.
Make sure to bring lots of water and wear sunscreen, as there isn’t a lot of shade here.
The fort is not wheelchair accessible.
Nearby points of interest include the Gandhi Museum and Raj Ghat.

How to Get There

Feroz Shah Kotla is in the eastern part of Delhi, right on the border of New Delhi and Old Delhi and is adjacent to the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, a cricket stadium used for international matches. It’s about a 15-minute drive from Connaught Place and under a 10-minute drive south of Gandhi Museum and Raj Ghat. It’s a couple of minutes' walk from the Delhi Gate station on the Violet Line of the Delhi Metro.

When to Get There

This fort is open every day from sunrise to sunset, though it's best to visit early morning if you want to avoid the strong midday sun. Thursdays are the most popular day for local visitors, as it's believed that genies (djinns) come to the fort on this day of the week to grant wishes.

The Djinns of Kotla Fort

According to local legend, the fort is haunted, and since the 1970s, people have been visiting here in large numbers on Thursdays to leave letters to djinns. You'll likely see letters written to the head djinn, named Waale Baba, tied to the railings around the Ashoka Pillar.

Ferozabad, New Delhi, India

From $ 36

Felsenegg

A cable car takes nature lovers in five minutes from Adliswil to Felsenegg, a view point on the Albis mountain range. It is one of Zürich’s most popular recreation areas and at 800 meters, you have a breathtaking view over Lake Zürich, the small towns lining the shores and the towering, snow-capped mountains in the distance. Numerous walking and hiking trails as well as a restaurant on the summit serve as an escape from the hectic everyday life. From Uetliberg for example, the Planetenweg, a planet trail that reflects the distances in the solar system, leads to Felsenegg. Every meter of the path corresponds with one million kilometers in space and the two-hour walk takes hikers from the sun past planets – little metal spheres embedded in boulders - all the way to Pluto.

Just 20 meters from where Pluto can be found, the bright red Restaurant Felsenegg awaits, where you can get a drink on the patio and enjoy the view over the Sihl Valley, Türler Lake and the Säuliamt district. While the views are spectacular during the day, don’t hesitate to visit at night either, when the sprawling city of Zürich can be seen spreading out as a sea of light in the darkness.

Practical Info

It is very easy to get from Zürich to the Felsenegg lookout point. First, take the S4 train for 15 minutes to Adliswil, from where signs guide the short way to the cable car station. The cable car runs every day from 8:05am to 9:50pm in summer and from 9:05am to 8:05pm in winter.

Switzerland

Summer: 8:05am-9:50pm, Winter: 9:05am-8:05pm

From $ 60

Finns Recreation Club (Canggu Club)

Officially called Finns Recreation Club, but often referred to by its old name, the Canggu Club, this leisure club is a Canggu landmark. With restaurants, bars, tennis courts, a spa, pool, small water park, trampoline center, kids club, fitness center, and coworking space, Finns Recreation Club is a relaxing place to spend the day.

The Basics

A Canggu landmark since its beginnings as the Canggu Club, Finns Recreation Club came under the Finns brand in 2017, following the success of Finns Beach Club in Berawa. The original club was open to members and their guests only, but Finns offers day passes, which you book online. The club’s children’s facilities, including the Bounce trampoline center, Strike! 10-pin bowling, Splash Water Park, and Cubby House Kids Club, make it a popular stop for families.

Things to Know Before You Go

Finns Recreation Club is a natural choice for families or anyone who wants easy day access to a gym or tennis courts.
Most taxi drivers known Finns Recreation Club as the Canggu Club. Ask for the Canggu Club, or you may be taken to Finns Beach Club instead.
Children are welcome to drop in at some of the after-school clubs that run under the Junior Sports Academy umbrella.

How to Get There

Public transport is scarce in Canggu. Complimentary shuttle buses run between Finns Recreation Club and its sibling venues, bamboo-built Finns Beach Club and Finns VIP Beach Club on Berawa Beach. Self-driving in the choked traffic can be both frustrating and dangerous: Many visitors opt to hire a private driver for the day.

When to Get There

The weather is best on Bali between June and August, which is also peak tourist season, but Finns Recreation Club can be visited year-round. Its annual Melbourne Cup gala, held on the first Tuesday of November in honor of Australia’s No. 1 horse race, the Melbourne Cup, is a major event. Book tickets in advance—and dress up.

Know Your Finns

Finns Recreation Club is named after a child of Australian businessman Tony Smith, who bought the club in 2013 and rebranded it in 2017. The range of Finn-branded businesses on Bali include Finns Beach Club and Finns VIP Beach Club on Berawa Beach, a little under a mile (1.3 kilometers) from Finns Recreation Club.

JL Pantai Berawa, Banjar Tegal Gundul, Canggu, Bali 80361, Indonesia

Varies

From $ 19

Finca Decero

The area of Mendoza is well-known for wine, with production here having started as early as the 1500s. But it was not until the 1990s that Mendoza became world-renowned for its production, mainly of reds. The vineyard Finca Decero is a newcomer to the game, built with foreign (Swiss-American) funds, to plant and construct a sustainable, hand-made vineyard “from scratch,” (as the name de cero means). Decero makes mostly single vineyard wines, inspired by one of the founding family’s connection with Napa Valley in California.

Remolinos Vineyard, one of Decero’s most famous, is located in the highest reaches of Agrelo, in Mendoza, at 3500 feet. With the area’s warm days and cool nights, and small, naturally occurring circular gusts of wind provide perfect conditions for their wines, specifically Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, though they also make blends with Petit Verdot and other varieties, much of it by hand, and all of it aged in fine-grained French oak barrels. Decero’s first wines came out in 2004, and their wines are consistently high-scoring in competitions and magazines.

Practical Info

With its expansive views from the restaurant’s terrace, and well-regarded food, this is a perfect spot to stop for lunch on a multi-vineyard tour.

Bajo Las Cumbres 9003, Agrelo, Mendoza 5509, Argentina

Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:30pm Saturday-Sunday 10am-4pm

From $ 150

Flagstaff House

Built in the 1840s and located inside Hong Kong Park, Flagstaff House is the oldest example of colonial heritage in Hong Kong. Since the 1980s, Flagstaff House has been home to the Museum of Tea Ware, with the KS Lo Gallery added a decade later in a building southeast of the museum.

The Museum of Tea Ware traces the history of tea in China throughout the ages, with a large collection of antique Chinese tea ware on display. Here you can explore a whole range of rare Chinese ceramics, including teapots, bowls, teaspoons, brewing trays, and sniffing cups. As well as the exhibits, the museum also holds regular demonstrations, gatherings, and lectures on China’s tea drinking culture, as well as on ceramic art.

Flagstaff House can be taken in as part of a historical walking tour of Hong Kong, or can be combined with larger tours incorporating the Botanical Gardens, Victoria Peak, and a number of the city’s other main attractions.

Insider’s Tip

Flagstaff House’s cafe on the ground floor is a great place to relax with a pot of tea.

Practical Info

Flagstaff House is located within Hong Kong Park in the Admiralty area of Hong Kong Island. To reach it by metro, head to Admiralty station, use exit C1, then follow the signs up the escalator to Hong Kong Park.

10 Cotton Tree Drive, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong, China

Open Wed-Mon 10am-6pm (Closed on Tuesdays)

From $ 74

Floating Naval Museum Battleship Averof

The decommissioned armored cruiser Georgios Averof is one of two legendary Greek naval ships that have been transformed into floating museums; built in Italy during the first years of the 20th century, she served in the First Balkan War, played a major part in both world wars and patrolled the Indian Ocean as the flagship of the Greek fleet and was taken out of combat in 1952. The Navy restored and reopened Averof as a maritime museum in 1984; today four decks are open for public scrutiny, including the officers’ sumptuous quarters, engine rooms, cramped accommodation cabins, the chapel and kitchens are all on show among uniforms, weaponry, navigational charts, medals and many black-and-white images of the ship in mid battle. The Averof is manned and managed by the Greek Navy and opening hours are liable to be erratic, so check ahead online before visiting. She is moored up in Flisvou Marina, with the former naval ship Velos close by as well as a replica trireme called Olympias; it’s a pleasant place to wander around while spotting the gleaming, modern super-yachts bobbing in the water. Otherwise incorporate a visit to the ship into a cycle tour of Athens Riviera.

Practical Info

Flisvou Marina, Faliro Bay, Athens. Open Mon–Fri 9am–2pm, Sat–Sun 10am–5pm. Admission adults €2, seniors & student €1.50, children younger than 18 go free. Take tram no 4 from Syntagma Square to Trocadero.

Flisvou Marina, Athens, Attica, Greece 175 10, Greece

Open Mon–Fri 9am–2pm and Sat–Sun 10am–5pm

Adults: €2; Seniors & Students: €1.50; Children: Free

From $ 44

Florence Nightingale Museum

A heroine of the Crimean War, a pioneer of social reform, and the founder of modern nursing – Florence Nightingale is one of the most talked about women in British history. The story of the legendary ‘Lady with the Lamp’ is the focus of the Florence Nightingale Museum, where a series of interactive exhibitions chronicle her life, from her privileged beginnings, to her work as a nurse in the Crimean War, to her role in reforming midwifery and nursing around the world.

Housed in London’s St Thomas’ Hospital - home to the Nightingale Training School of Nursing and Midwifery - the museum showcases almost 3,000 artifacts, including photographs, films, maps, medical equipment, and personal effects. Among the many treasures, highlights include Nightingale’s pet owl Athena, her medicine chest used in the Crimean War, and a rare Crimean Register of Nurses.

Practical Info

The Florence Nightingale Museum is located in St Thomas' Hospital, opposite the Palace of Westminster on London’s South Bank. The museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm, and adult admission is £7.50. Admission is free with the London Pass.

2 Lambeth Palace Rd., Labmeth, London SE1 7EW, England

Daily 10am-5pm

Adult £7.50, Child £3.80

From $ 10

Fern Gully

Take a step back into the wilds of Jamaica with a drive through the incredibly lush and tropical Fern Gully. A towering tunnel of ferns and tropical overgrowth, this rainforest is so full and green that it has become one of the most noteworthy attractions in all of Jamaica.

See water falling over canyons, beautiful gorges, tropical birds of paradise and more than 300 varieties of fern. Along the way visitors can stop to haggle with roadside vendors for wooden arts and crafts, or, if they’re lucky, they’ll spot Fern Man, who wears a robe of pure fern. With so much green vegetation, this shady forest canopy is a great spot for a quick drive or a leisurely walk.

Practical Info

This three-mile-long stretch of road runs south from Ocho Rios to Colgate.

Fern Gully, Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Daily

From $ 40

Flamenco Beach (Playa Flamenco)

Forested white-sand beaches and sapphire-blue water make Flamenco Beach (Playa Flamenco) as picturesque as a Caribbean postcard. Hidden away on the island of Culebra, just off the coast of Puerto Rico, Flamenco is a hot spot for water adventures. With its colorful aquatic life, beachside bars serving up cocktails, and flamingo-filled lagoons, this strip of sand provides an ideal day trip for those looking to go beyond the bustle of San Juan.

The Basics

Beach bums can spend a day at Flamenco Beach sinking their toes into sugar-like sand and splashing in the waves, taking breaks to order smoothies or piña coladas from waterfront food stands. Those looking for more adventure can rent snorkel gear to explore Flamenco’s highly regarded coral reefs and observe underwater creatures such as parrot fish and sea turtles. High-speed catamaran cruises run from Fajardo, Isla Verde, and San Juan, often stopping at nearby Culebrita Beach, Playa Tortuga, or the other La Cordillera Islands. Guided tours make it easy to access the gear needed for a good time, while ensuring access to Culebra’s picture-perfect sights.

Things to Know Before You Go

Facilities at the beach include showers, restrooms, lockers, and picnic tables, as well as a selection of kiosks and beach bars.
Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent.

How to Get There

Flamenco Beach is located on the northwestern shore of Culebra Island, about 17 miles (27 kilometers) east of mainland Puerto Rico. Ferries leave Fajardo (about a 90-minute drive from San Juan) for Culebra several times a day and take about 90 minutes; plan to arrive several hours before your desired departure. For a smoother trip, take a 30-minute flight from Isle Grande Airport just outside San Juan. If visiting Playa Flamenco directly from Culebra Harbor or the airport, take a taxi or rent a car to access the beach. Book a guided tour to have all the logistics handled for you.

When to Get There

Flamenco Beach is busiest in winter and spring, when it’s best to visit on a weekday or arrive early to avoid crowds. The Caribbean waters are warm year-round, and although low season visitors can enjoy fewer crowds and cheaper prices, visiting during hurricane season (June through November) means boats might be canceled due to weather.

Beach Brigade

The US Navy used Flamenco Beach as a practice ground from just before World War II until the 1970s. A pair of old US army tanks remain, abandoned on the northern edge of the beach. A reminder of Puerto Rico's military past, the rusted tanks have become something of a local landmark, spruced up with colorful graffiti, most notably a swirling green and yellow design painted by local artist Jorge Acevedo.

Culebra, Puerto Rico

From $ 88

Ferriere Valley Nature Reserve (Riserva Statale Valle delle Ferriere)

Known postcard-perfect fishing villages, the Amalfi Coast, a stretch of southern Italian coastline, also has striking countryside crisscrossed with hiking trails. Those in Ferriere Valley Nature Reserve (Riserva Statale Valle delle Ferriere)—thick with lemon groves, lush ferns, abandoned mills, and waterfalls—are among the most beautiful.

The Basics

The Ferriere Valley Nature Reserve is named after the old ironworks that once lined the Canneto riverbank from the peaks of Monti Lattari to Amalfi to the sea. See the ruins of some of these historic foundries through the thick undergrowth of ferns and take memorable photos of the waterfalls that once powered them.

Hike the two main trails in the reserve—the relatively easy Lower Trail (Sentiero Basso 323a) between Pontone and Amalfi and the challenging Upper Trail (Sentiero Alto 325a) that begins in Pogerola—with a professional nature guide. A guide is part of a private tour that also includes transportation to and from the trailhead and end point.

Things to Know Before You Go

Botany buffs will be interested in the indigenous Woodwardia radicans ferns and Pinguicula hirtiflora carnivorous plants seen during their hike.
Bring your camera to capture views from the rocky ridges and the overgrown former mills.
Wear appropriate footwear and clothing for hiking and bring a hat, sunblock, and plenty of water.
Wheelchair users or those with limited mobility won’t be able to access the stairs, rough terrain, and steep slopes of these trails.
Older children especially enjoy this hike when accompanied by a nature guide who can explain the unique terrain and history.

How to Get There

Some Sita public buses from Amalfi stop in both Pontone and Pogerola. From Sorrento, Ravello, and Positano, take the bus to Amalfi and connect to the local routes there.

When to Get There

Hiking in the Ferriere Valley is particularly pleasant and scenic in summer and fall, with mild temperatures and lush countryside. But, start out in the cool morning hours in summer (June–September) as it can get quite hot.

The Valley of the Mills

Part of the same nature reserve and adjacent to the Ferriere Valley, the Valley of the Mills (Valle dei Mulini) is known for its romantic paper mill ruins that were once powered by the Canneto River waterfalls. One of these historic paper mills still functions in Amalfi. Visit the town’s Paper Museum to learn more about the history of this important local industry.

Riserva Statale Valle delle Ferriere, Scala, Campania 84010, Italy

From $ 232

Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida)

The pedestrian-only Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida) runs parallel to the ocean in downtown Playa del Carmen. This bustling tourist strip provides easy beach access and is within walking distance of shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs. Lining Fifth Avenue are shops aplenty, including those selling artisan crafts, fine jewelry, and cigars.

The Basics

A walk along Fifth Avenue is the best way to experience the lively atmosphere of Playa del Carmen. In addition to abundant shops and eateries, street vendors sell everything from fresh coconuts to handicrafts and sunglasses, and street performers are often seen entertaining the masses. The hotels on Fifth Avenue boast an ideal location, just steps from the beach and downtown attractions.

Visit Fifth Avenue independently or as part of a Playa del Carmen sightseeing tour that includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Cancun. Tours typically include a visit to Maya ruins and/or a cenote swim. There are also popular Fifth Avenue evening tours.

Things to Know Before You Go

Fifth Avenue is ideal for those looking for a meal, a drink, and/or souvenirs and other goods to take home.
Bring sun protection and plenty of water, as there is little shade along Fifth Avenue.
English is widely spoken in almost all of the Playa del Carmen tourist areas.

How to Get There

Fifth Avenue is located in downtown Playa del Carmen. If you take a bus into the city, it’ll likely be the first place you see—the ADO Bus Station sits on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Avenida Benito Juarez. Many resorts along Mexico’s Riviera Maya provide bus service to Playa del Carmen during the week.

When to Get There

As with all of the Riviera Maya, Fifth Avenue is almost always crowded, except for early in the morning before the shops open (businesses have varying opening hours). Winter brings large numbers of travelers to Playa del Carmen, and the weeks before and after Easter are some of the busiest.

Fundadores Park (El Zócalo)

Located just off the ferry dock, Fundadores Park (El Zócalo) is a beachside park that sits along Fifth Avenue. It’s the heart of old Playa del Carmen and the main square from which the rest of the tourist area branches out. The perimeter of the park is lined with shops selling local crafts and souvenirs, restaurants, popular hotels, a bandstand, Our Lady of Carmen church, the arched beachside Portal Maya sculpture, and a playground for kids.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

From $ 59

Film City (Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagri)

Spanning hundreds of acres, Film City (now officially known as Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagri) has been a popular spot for Bollywood filmings since the state government built it back in the 1970s. The massive complex features everything from indoor studios to full-sized village recreations. More than 1000 sets can be used here at once.

The Basics

Because Film City houses working studios, public visitors can't just show up and walk around—rather, you must be on an organized tour. Tours vary a bit depending on what parts of Film City are in use at any given time, but generally include the opportunity to see some of the sets and learn more about the industry in general. Often, visitors can even catch a glimpse of a filming in action.

Things to Know Before You Go

Film City is large and you may have to walk outside a lot, so wear sunscreen and comfortable shoes.
Travelers aren’t allowed to visit on their own, so make sure to sign up for a tour in advance.
Bottled water and food are available for purchase on-site.
Photos and videos are restricted in some areas of the complex.

How to Get There

Film City is located in the suburb of Goregaon in the northwest of Mumbai, at the edge of the gargantuan Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Getting there from the touristy heart of the city involves quite a trek, so it’s best to take a taxi. Without traffic, it takes at least an hour to get there from the Gateway of India.

When to Get There

Much of Film City is outdoors, so weather plays a big role in when to go. Mumbai temperatures are consistently warm throughout the year, but December through March are the most ideal because they’re the least humid. July and August mark the peak of Mumbai’s notoriously torrential monsoon rains, and can make visiting Film City uncomfortable, if not impossible.

What is Bollywood?

A portmanteau of Bombay and Hollywood, Bollywood refers to the Hindi-language film industry, accounting for nearly half of the Indian film industry's annual revenue. Most Bollywood films are considerably longer than Hollywood films, many lasting upwards of three hours, usually with an intermission in between. Nearly all feature some choreographed songs, often (but not always) used to drive a larger narrative.

Mumbai, India

From $ 49

Fener District

Get off the beaten path in Istanbul by exploring the Fener District, the Greek neighborhood of Istanbul. Located along the coast of the Golden Horn, the Fener District is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the surplus of Byzantine buildings lining its streets.

The Fener District is a lovely place to wander around and spend an afternoon taking in the sights and exploring small side streets. Historical architecture abounds in Fener thanks to ancient houses and other buildings with origins in the Ottoman and Byzantine eras. While wandering the Fener district you’ll also come across several churches that showcase Byzantine and Ottoman architecture. An especially famous church in Fener is the Church of St. George, which houses a collection of important Byzantine relics and is also home to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Another architectural delight to see in Fener is the Red School, a Greek Orthodox school that gets its moniker from its impressive red brick exterior.

Practical Info

You can reach the Fener District by taking the ferry up the Golden Horn from Eminönü to the Fener port stop from which you can walk or take a tram into the heart of the Fener District. Taking a bus if you’re already on the western side of Istanbul is also a convenient way to get right into the Fener District.

Fener District, Istanbul, Turkey

From $ 41