Champs-Élysées. Hollywood and Vine. Abbey Road.
Street names can evoke the very essence of a destination. But while some streets are world famous, the experience of actually visiting them can vary by a lot. After all, they're still just thoroughfares, and form must follow function.
So this post isn't going to show you the stock-type glory of the streetscapes you're used to. No, we're gonna get real for a minute and show you the reality behind the expectations.
New York City's oldest north-south street goes back hundreds of years and runs through Manhattan Island, all the way north to Westchester County.
It's a major hub for commerce and theater, but parts of it are choked with construction and chaos.
This street in Italy's fashion capital is pretty much the original upscale shopping area — the place where Hollywood's Rodeo Drive gets its inspiration. It's narrow and you probably can't afford to shop there.
The Pacific Coast Highway features some of the most breathtaking views available in North America. But for long stretches, there isn't much to see other than sheer cliffs on one side and a terrifying, foggy drop on the other.
This street winds its way through Hollywood, but it's full of cheap souvenir shops and hucksters trying to sell you CDs. Tourists would be farther ahead checking out Mulholland Drive.
Running alongside Lake Michigan through the heart of downtown Chicago is Michigan Avenue. For tourists to the Windy City, Michigan Avenue is a must-see. For its urban setting, it features plenty of scenic space, along with a dose of big-city claustrophobia.
Tokyo's famous scramble crossing idea has spread to other cities worldwide, but Shibuya is where the idea got started. Shibuya Crossing gives the impression of barely-controlled chaos, with huge crowds, bright lights and hectic, confusing traffic patterns.
The crosswalk made famous by the Beatles album cover sits on an otherwise unremarkable street in north London. Apart from the zebra crossing and the nearby studios, there's not much to see.
An ancient route in the Old City of Jerusalem, Via Dolorosa is packed with history. Via Dolorosa is a narrow, winding path that's only about 2,000 feet long.
Sometimes called "Las Ramblas", La Rambla is an easy street to get lost on due to its multiple routes. Like many other old world streets, it's busy, cramped, and chaotic in some areas.
San Francisco's famous winding street is a destination for photographers and an absolute nightmare for motorists. There's a reason it's known as the crookedest street in the world.
Wall Street is the center of world commerce, but it's never been well-known for its beauty. The hustle and bustle, along with the drab gray buildings, are quintessentially New York.
A series of streets running through the Old Town of Edinburgh, Scotland, the Royal Mile is Scotland in a nutshell: The buildings are old, dark and historic, and the weather is probably lousy.
Once a major rice market, Khaosan is now a destination for backpackers looking to travel on the cheap. A combination of western commerce and Thai heritage, Khaosan can be a confusing place.
Famous more for Mardi Gras debauchery than its elegant wrought iron balconies, Bourbon Street forms the heart of the French Quarter. Some areas are beautiful, others are choked with cheap clubs and neon lights.
One of the busiest markets in Old Delhi, India, Chandni Chowk's history goes back more than 300 years. To this day, the market area is one of Delhi's major hubs.
Champs-Élysées makes an impression on tourists with its wide boulevards, military parades, and the Arc de Triomphe. Steeped in history, it's a major route for getting around the rest of the metro area.
