see the sights

see the sights

To visit or view noteworthy things or locations, especially those frequented by tourists. I think we'll just spend the day seeing the sights, and then we can meet up with you after you finish work. I don't care for guided tours around cities I'm visiting. I'd rather see the sights in my own time.
See also: see, sight
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

see the sights

to see the important things in a place; to see what tourists usually see. We plan to visit Paris and see the sights. Everyone left the hotel early in the morning to see the sights.
See also: see, sight
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

see the sights

View noteworthy features or objects, especially when visiting a place. For example, It's impossible to see all the sights of Paris in just a week. [Mid-1700s]
See also: see, sight
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

see the ˈsights

visit the famous places in a city, country, etc: We spent our first day in Rome seeing the sights. ▶ ˈsightseeing, ˈsightseer nouns: We spent the afternoon sightseeing. There are always sightseers outside Buckingham Palace.
See also: see, sight
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a sight to behold
  • have something in your sights
  • collector
  • collector's item
  • collector's piece
  • rub shoulders with someone
  • set one's sights on, to
  • be something to shout about
  • be no mean (something)
  • be no mean...
References in periodicals archive
Is there anything that will help me see the sights better?" I have been through that time myself starting at 40 years of age until I had to give up competitive shooting around 55.
Sight sense
"Now people can go and see the sights and easily work out how many calories they have burned off along the way.
ABER-WAIST-WIDTH; Town map shows walks in calories