[furyg3]

It has nothing to do with being a hipster, just different tastes.

If you come to Amsterdam and go to the Red Light, Museumplein, and Heineken brewery, that's one experience, but most Amsterdammers are never at those places. They're having a picnic in Westerpark, and beers on a terrace at Browerij 't IJ... Same with SF... I grew up there, but I've never been to Alcatraz, and I think I've been to Pier 39 once when I was 10.

Not that those places have no value, but some travelers are more interested in lifestyle than photo checklists. If you only have a few days in Paris, a day at the Louvre just getting in your way of seeing the real city, unless you are a big art history fan and love lines.

[jmccree]

Wow, your post brought back such great memories of my first trip to Amsterdam. Visiting the Van Gogh museum, walking through the red light district, having savory pancakes at a famous place... while all fun, are not the experiences I remember. Taking the tour and tasting at Browerij 't IJ, grocery shopping for a BBQ with a local friend in Muiderpoort, eating Bitterballen, the random pub I hung out in waiting for my tour of the Utrecht Tower... Those are things that I will always remember.

There is nothing hipster about wanting to experience things locals regularly do. There is also nothing wrong with doing touristy things. I love the pictures I took at "The Bean" in Chicago, or climbing the steps of the Utrecht Dom Tower. If you /love/ classical art, then the Van Gough museum or Louvre are must sees, otherwise I agree that in 20 years it'll just be a checkbox "I've been to the Louvre!". For me, it comes down to that I remember more experiences with people than with things.