Blew $200 on a guided city tour that was just a guy with a tablet

Last Saturday I hopped on this 'local secrets' walking tour in Philly that promised hidden spots and real stories from a lifelong resident. Paid $200 for two tickets thinking it'd be way better than just wandering around myself. The guide showed up 20 minutes late, kept reading off a tablet the whole time, and took us to a bunch of random chain stores he clearly had deals with. One of the 'hidden gems' was just a Starbucks with a weird sign out front. I could've gotten better info from a free Wikipedia page and saved my cash. Has anyone else gotten burned by those hyped-up local experience things that are totally phony?

2 comments

2 Comments

sagesingh13d ago

Wait, a Starbucks is a "hidden gem" now? That's just sad, man. Total waste of cash.

lee.lucas13d ago

@sagesingh you're not wrong, I think the whole "hidden gem" thing has gotten way out of hand with big chains. It's like people forgot that a hidden gem should actually be something unique, not just a coffee shop on every corner.