Google Travel is one of the first places to check out if you’re planning a trip. Not only can you find the best flight options on Google Flights and hotel options on Google Hotels, but the website has an incredibly fun feature called Things to Do.
What makes the Things To Do feature unique is that it gives you so much helpful information. Features include “Reasons to visit XX city”, top sights, top experiences, notable neighborhoods, and travel articles. With that said, let’s hop into how you can leverage Google Travel to plan your next trip.
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Discover travel
Go to Google Travel and click Things to do on the left side of the page. Enter your destination in the search bar and hit “enter.” Google Travel will then populate a list of items for your to explore.
Another way to access Things to do is to enter your destination into a Google search. Click the Things to do under “Plan A Trip” on the right side of the Google search page. This will bring you to the same page as mentioned in the first paragraph.
Things to do
Google is all about making information accessible. Through Things to do, Google Travel shows you attractions, activities, sights, restaurants, and neighborhoods in the destination you searched for.
Here’s a full run-down from Google of what Things to do offers:
- Read reviews, travel articles, and other information to help you plan your trip.
- Get a list of iconic local dishes and learn why people love them.
- Discover notable neighborhoods and explore their unique attractions.
- Find top sights based on historical relevance, feedback from other travelers, and insights from locals. You can also search top sights by interests like “Kid-friendly,” “Outdoors,” and “Art & Culture.”
Day plans
Who doesn’t love a good itinerary? What about one that’s recommended to you and you know will be good? Sound too good to be true? Think again! Google Travel offers itineraries for your destination.
Google writes day plans while some plans are based on visits from actual travelers. If you’re like me and save places or sights in Google Maps, Google is likely to feature these places/sights in the suggested day plans from your search.
Travel articles
Before visiting a destination, it can be helpful to learn more about it to help make your trip even better. At the bottom of the Things to do page, you will find travel articles for your destination.
From US News Travel to Culture Trip to Thrillist, you have access to some of the best information out there. If an article is one you want to revisit, simply click the “Saved” tag in the top right corner.
Top experiences
The experiences section is without a doubt my favorite part about Things to do. A local feel is what I’m after and top experiences deliver the goods.
Take New Orleans as an example. In the top experiences section, ideas include Lafitte Greenway cycling, Sazerac tasting, Architecture walk, Muffuletta tasting, Oyster tasting, and Po-boy tasting. What about New York experiences? A Greenwich Village walk, Comedy club night, Williamsburg walk, Little Italy dining, SoHo shopping, and Chinatown dim sum are experiences recommended by Google.
Things to do FAQs
Can I add a photo for a destination?
Head to this page to learn more.
What if an attraction or landmark is missing?
This page guides you through what to do.
Why do I see sights outside of the destination I’ve chosen?
Google understands travelers may want to travel to areas near the destination you searched. So, Google recommends places to explore not only in your destination but also places nearby.
How do I find restaurants, transportation, and events?
A Google search or Google Maps shows you everything you need to know including places to eat, how to get there, and events in the area.
How do you like to use the Things to do feature? What Google Travel features do you recommend using? Please let me know in the comments or by sending me an email on my contact page.
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