On my recent trip to Seattle, a few of the things I really wanted to see – the Seattle Art Museum – was closed on the days I had booked to see them. It was my own fault (yes, even us Internet famous travel people fail to plan accurately) – and I was frustrated, even though I heard I wasn’t missing much. It’s just one of those things, right: even if someone else might not have liked it, I might have loved it.
Anyway, I ended up cruising the bay in Seattle and had the most wonderful afternoon, so I’m not complaining. But I thought I’d leave you with a few suggestions for the next time you’re on vacation and you find the thing that you really to go and see is closed.
If it really is a must-do, mark your calendar for a visit
In my case, the museum wasn’t going to be open for the remainder of my Seattle visit. I know in Europe it is common for places to be closed several days at a time, or in the case of iconic establishments like the Last Supper in Milan, if you don’t have a reservation, you don’t go. So if the thing you’ve missed is definitely a must-do, go and find out when you can go and see if you can fit it in. Even if that means getting up at 7AM and squeezing it in before your afternoon flight, do it. You’ll just regret it if you don’t. Squash those “what ifs” and go see the damn thing.
Go and See Something Similar
Embrace serendipity travel: Is there something similar that you can go and do that will satisfy your needs? Maybe if the city’s iconic crepe parlour is closed, can you go have pancakes instead? Not the same but perhaps just as amazing? If it’s the main art museum that is closed, how about one of the city’s modern art establishments or a smaller, more niche facility? You never know: it might even be better than the thing you wanted to see anyway.
Just Explore the Neighbourhood
You really need to lean far into the serendipity travel concept in the cases where you just don’t have any options. Go and explore the neighbourhood around the place that’s closed, or another neighbourhood you wouldn’t have had time to explore otherwise. Who knows what you might find, right? See where your feet take you. Stop at a café and ask for the most popular beverage. Enjoy the view, even if there isn’t one. People watch. Relax. The world won’t end because you missed the latest it attraction.
When in Doubt, Stop at the First Thing you Find that catches your eye.
It’s about serendipity. You can research for a good coffee place or the park with the best view, but really at the end of the day, it’s just about finding a special place that will give you a flavour of the place and the people. Don’t hesitate. If you hit a coffee shop or pub that looks interesting, stop!
Last Resort: Break In
A last resort that I wouldn’t suggest except in the utmost extreme circumstances: break your way in. Chevy Chase decided in one of their family vacations that coming back to the holiday park that wasn’t open just was not an option, so they broke in.
Perhaps not the wisest of choices, but hey: if you’ve seen the film, you’ll know they got to ride that roller coaster.
Readers: What do you do on vacation when the thing you want to see is closed?
Photo credits: jrwooley6
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I love Ferris wheels–and so on my first trip to London a few years ago, the London Eye was VERY high on my list of must-do’s. However, it is closed for the entire month of January–something that would have been great to know before scheduling a January visit! However, I got over it, discovered the nearby Dali museum (impressive but overpriced) and went on the Eye the next time I was in London. And I wasn’t even that impressed!
One of the great things about travel is embracing the unknown, the lack of control. No point in ruining a vacation over something that doesn’t go your way
Christine, I love that: “one of the great things about travel is embracing the unknown” – couldn’t have said it better myself!
I agree about embracing the unknown! All the pre-trip research and planning won’t help when a good, solid curveball comes your way – you just can’t predict everything. Which is why it’s so vital to have a ‘Plan B’ for those things that are really important to you, along with a good attitude.