When transportation becomes the destination

Khaju Bridge – Source: historicaliran.blogspot.com

Now and then, a part of the transportation network becomes iconic in itself. In those cases, the infrastructure not only serves its intended purpose, but also becomes a focal point and source of community, regional, or even national pride, and therefore often becomes a tourist destination, as well. Remember, as the old adage says, “half the fun is getting there.”

So, here are some examples (certainly not a comprehensive list) of transportation infrastructure that have become travel and tourism destinations in their own right:

Valparaiso, Chile – Source: spanishdict.com

Mass Transit

• Tram 28 in Lisbon, Portugal
• Cable Cars in San Francisco, California, USA
• St. Charles Avenue Streetcar in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
• Funiculars of Valparaiso, Chile
• Elevador de Santa Justa in Lisbon, Portugal
• Inclines of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
• The Tube in London, England, UK
• Metro Stations of Moscow, Russia
• Monorail in Seattle, Washington, USA

Bridges

• Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, USA
• Mackinac Bridge in Mackinaw City, Michigan, USA
• Tower Bridge of London, England, UK
• Firth of Forth Bridge near Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
• Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia
• Oresund Bridge/Tunnel between Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmo, Sweden
• Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, New York, USA
• Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy
• Millau Viaduct in France
• Khaju Bridge in Isfahan, Iran

The Falkirk Wheel – Source: thefalkirkwheel.co.uk

Canals

• Panama Canal in Panama
• Welland Canal in Ontario, Canada
• Suez Canal in Egypt
• Erie Canal in New York State, USA
• Falkirk Wheel in Falkirk, Scotland, UK
• Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, USA and Canada

The High Line – Source: en.wikipedia.org

Nonmotorized Trails

• Appalachian Trail in the Eastern United States
• The High Line in New York City, New York, USA
• Pacific Crest Trail in the Western United States
• Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath Trail in Maryland and District of Columbia, USA
• Hovenring in Eindhoven, Netherlands
• Remnants of the Oregon Trail, Santa Fe Trail, and the Pony Express Trail in the USA

Source: gardinerfcu.org

Roads

• Historic Route 66 across portions of the USA
• Lincoln Highway across the USA
• Silk Road across Asia

Railroads

• Horseshoe Curve near Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA
• Great railway stations around the planet
• TGV in France
• Bullet Trains of Japan

Cabo de Roca Lighthouse, Portugal – Source: travel-in-portugal.com

Other

• Beautiful lighthouses around the world
• Camino de Santiago, Spain