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    A talent for telling tourists where to go and how to get there certifies your status as a bona-fide local. But when was the last time you actually took your own advice? We get it; you're there every day, wading through crowds of wide-eyed tourists and grudgingly giving directions to the city's most popular spots, but you don't have to be a New Yorker to be jaded enough to overlook what entices so many to visit your town.

    Try making the choice to cultivate a newfound appreciation for your city, and immerse yourself in the things you normally overlook. Instead of doing it like a local, take the path most followed and be a tourist. You may find something new to enjoy, or at least stop taking it all for granted. Get in touch with your out-of-town spirit with our list of nationwide attractions that even locals will love.

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  • SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
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    8. Roosevelt Island

    Where: Washington, D.C.

    Website: http://www.nps.gov/this/index.htm

    Admit it: when you go to work each morning, you barely notice the sprawling beauty of the National Mall or even sneak a glimpse at the White House lawn. We're all guilty of neglecting the wonders lurking right under our noses, which is why we suggest you seek out a new perspective. Grab your bike (or borrow one) and pedal your way through the Mount Vernon trail that leads into the 91-acre expanse of Roosevelt Island. Lose your bike at the entrance and tackle the terrain on foot. The uncomplicated, straightforward experience with nature will be a welcome respite from D.C.'s hidden agendas.

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  • Courtesy of Old New Orleans Rum Distillery
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    5. Old New Orleans Rum Distillery

    Where: New Orleans, La.

    Website: http://www.neworleansrum.com/

    The French quarter looks like a tour bus exploded and the tourists running amok have put a serious damper on your local imbibing efforts. We feel your pain, and we have some unorthodox advice: get thee to the distillery. The tourists will still be there, but the constraints of the tour format will keep the masses semi-civilized, and the air-conditioning will offer enough comfort that you won't care if they're not. After a shot (or several) of small-batch rum (bottled on the premises), even foreigners will display some version of Southern charm. By the time the tour has ended, you'll be short on sobriety, but you will have gained several out-of-town allies and a newfound appreciation for rum and in all its slow-aged glory.

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    3. Griffith Observatory

    Where: Los Angeles, Calif.

    Website: http://www.griffithobservatory.org/

    Wven the most tourist-wary individuals know the crowds are worth braving and your dignity worth sacrificing for a day at the Griffith Observatory. Aside from the stunning architecture of the observatory itself, the museum also provides ample distractions for science nerds, from stargazing with an oversized telescope, a planetarium with a state-of-the-art, triple-laser projection system and an up-close view of a Tesla coil firing off. But the reason why hoards of tourists hike up these hills is the blow-your-mind, 360-degree panoramic view of Los Angeles and the unmatched view of the famed Hollywood sign perched on the mountainside. Leave just a little more knowledgeable about modern science, and a lot more in awe of the beautiful city you're lucky enough to call home.

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    Next: The best summer watering holes

    1. Freedom Trail

    Where: Boston, Mass.

    Website: http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/

    Brush up on your colonial hometown knowledge by re-following the red brick road of Boston’s Freedom Trail. Oft overlooked by locals because of its high probability of being congested, the trail is an engaging history lesson if you can overlook overly enthusiastic out-of-towners. Snag yourself a map (don't be smug; you're going to need it) and make sure you hit up everything from the Bunker Hill Monument to Faneuil Hall. And yes, dropping by Paul Revere House and the USS Constitution is a must. You just might surprise yourself with how engrossed you are with something you normally take for granted.