Once a French colonial town, Thies (pop. 156,000) is the second-largest city in the country, though it is of little interest to tourists. If you find yourself there, visit the local museum (inside a fort) and spend time at the Thies Village Artisanal, a delightful place to buy beautiful souvenirs while watching the artists at work.
It's much calmer than the Artisanal Village in Dakar. Leather goods, woven items, silver, wood carvings and drums are available.
Tivaouane, a town just to the north, has a striking Saharan-style mosque and is an Islamic pilgrimage center.
40 mi/65 km east of Dakar.