I’m working a half-day tomorrow, and we’re going to New York City on Thursday morning. It’ll be a rare opportunity for the four of us to spend the day together, doing something fun. Not much of that this summer…
The boys want to go to the top of the Empire State Building, which made me groan. I have visions of giant lines of Japanese tourists, and people from Wisconsin. But, we’d like for this to be a good time, and I don’t want to instantly start bitching and vetoing shit. So… we bought the tickets online: $25 each! To ride in an elevator!! Good god.
We’re also going to have lunch at a restaurant we like. But I’m not going to mention the name, because all you NYC folk will say, “You like that??” And I don’t need it; I’m trying to get my blood pressure under control.
I’ve been to the top of the Empire State Building, and it’s kinda cool, I guess. I was a kid, and don’t remember being disappointed by it. So, there’s that. But it’s basically just a really good view. Right? A hundred dollars to see things from a slightly different perspective? I’ll let you guys know how it goes.
Today, however, I’d like to talk about tourist attractions that DID turn out to be a disappointment. I can think of two, right off the top of my head. And hopefully you guys can take it from there.
The first one might surprise some of you: Disney World. When we were kids we went to an amusement park near Cincinnati every summer, called King’s Island. It was the best, and we always had a blast there. And when we were planning our trip to Disney World, my brother and I just knew it would be even better. This was gonna awesome!
But it wasn’t. It wasn’t horrible, of course, but King’s Island was better. Less spectacular, perhaps, but way more fun. And Disney probably cost ten times as much. All of us were mildly disappointed, but it had been such an expensive trip we wouldn’t allow ourselves to admit it — until years later.
The second was Niagara Falls. It’s a big waterfall, in case you don’t know. And it takes about three minutes to get your fill of looking at it. Yeah, we rode the boat, and wore the stinky-ass communal raincoats. That was somewhat interesting, I guess. But not that much… My coat smelled like Old Spice and balls.
And all around the falls are the worst kind of tacky tourist traps. Wax museums, and Ripley’s Believe or Not, and that kind of bullshit… We stayed in a terrible motel on the Canada side, where my dad got really mad at my brother and me, and yelled at us. My mom was the yeller, not my dad, so it cast a dark shadow. There was also a turd in the swimming pool.
Once again, I’m up against it here. So, I’m going to turn it over to you folks now. In the comments section, please tell us about vacations, or specific tourist destinations, that turned out to be a disappointment to you, for one reason or another.
And I’ll be back tomorrow, I hope.
See ya soon!
Now playing in the bunker
Treat yourself at Amazon: US and Canada
There’s a Five Guys in NYC?! I agree, Niagara Falls sucks. And so does Disney World. Went to both places as both a kid and a parent – hopefully I can use my power of veto as a grandparent someday.
They actually opened a 5 guys on 42nd street- near 8th Ave.
Sorry, Five Guys suck, they insist on cooking the burgers to extra-well done. I like burgers medium rare. If I wanted shoe leather, I would order it.
My problem with 5 Guys is that their burgers are really, really bland. Hey 5 Guys..use a little salt and pepper!
In “N” Out is really good. If you are ever in Oregon or Southern Washington, check out Burgerville USA. Seems like a cheezy name, but the food is fresh, and really good.
I keep hearing how good In-n-Out is, but the nearest one to my house is about 1300 miles away. What does the assembled company think is a good burger joint on the east coast? Wait, haven’t we had this discussion before?
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A good start is to patronize a place that isn’t part of a regional or national chain. Perhaps a locally-owned family joint.
As far as I’m concerned, In-n-Out is just a strip club and Destiny is just a dancer.
jtb
Agreed. The best burger on the planet, by a wide margin, is at Ray’s Hell Burger in Arlington. It’s the only burger I’ve bought that is actually better than what I can make at home.
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I threw a hand full of dimes and pumpkin seeds off the observation deck of the Empire State building. We never heard of multiple injuries and thousands of dollars worth of property damage, so let your Secrets throw stuff off if they want to.
You and the boys should see who can piss the farthest. I am sure Tony would just love to judge the competition. Anyways, have fun with the fambly.
Plymouth Rock by far the most disapointing.
You mean, you were disappointed in seeing that amazing rock???? But, damn, it’s the friggin’ ROCK!!!!! Probably the most famous rock, since Rock Hudson or the famous Rocky. Have they added a rollercoaster to the rock? They were in the planning stages last I heard.
Really? You were disappointed in seeing a ROCK? I usually don’t “dog” my own Surf Reporters Mudpud but, really?
I think you’re supposed to kiss it, but I might have the wrong rock. On the other hand, what can it hurt?
jtb
The White House was fucked. You stand in line for what seems like days and they rush you in and out of a couple of rooms. Total shit.
Agreed – ‘Here’s the Blue room and Green room, then the yellow room. etc, etc’ I should know better and just look these things up on the internet.
Leaning Tower of Pisa. Yeah, it’s beautiful and it’s cool, but it’s so SMALL. That and the Sistine Chapel. Again with the lack of size. When you see them in photos you’re whole life, I guess you have a certain expectation about them and I was a bit disappointed at first glance of both of them. Both are definitely worth seeing, though. My cousin said the same thing about the Mona Lisa. He said they laughed at first! At the Mona Lisa!
I’m afraid to visit the Pyramids now for that very reason.
Happy Tuesday, Surfers!
the Mona Lisa is tee-tiny. Surprisingly so.
Knuck…
Sounds like you’ve lived a life of disappointment due to everything you looked forward to being too small.
jtb
Funny thing is, jtb, I’m only 5 feet tall and 100 lbs. Everything should look BIG to me!
Worst ride was the b cups.
I can’t think of any I hated. We have stayed in some shit hotels in cincy.
On a more positive note I just had a phone interview and I feel it went well.
Oh congratulations, t-storm! I hope it works out!
Keeping my fingers crossed for you, T! I have an interview next Monday, so I’ll think of your positive time and hope I get the same.
Congratulations and I hope you hear back soon!
I’m sure you’ll get the job, Mr. Storm.
Hope the interview worked out for you! Wouldn’t want to be on unemployment in Marietta! PKB manager announced today that he’ll be leaving in a year. There will be an opening.
Give ’em hell, Melissa. Perhaps an ensemble featuring an off-the-shoulder WVSR t-shirt, a mini-skirt, and FMPs. Just a thought. Despite appearances, I’m not a fashion authority.
Just get the job. Good luck.
jtb
Been to Kings Island. THE BEAST is the roller coaster in the woods!
We had Cedar Point in our backyard growing up. Always a blast and every amusement park after was dim in comparison. Wasn’t until later I learned it was world-wide mecca for coaster enthusiasts! The best in the world.
– so you can imagine how I get a kick out of your knobles trips.
For me it was a trip to the Huntsville Space Museum. Not that the museum was bad or the kids were acting up. My problem you see, is that the better half is a shopper. We walked around looking at some pretty cool stuff and happened upon a small gift shop about the size of a classroom. The wife made us wait while see took a quick look at the plastic rockets and tee shirts. When she finished after a 45 minutes, the boys and I was done and ready the pack up and head back to Nashville. I don’t know for sure about other women, but I guarantee you that mine can spend a couple of hours looking in a white washcloth only store.
Some will probably think this is blasphemy, but I visited Glacier National Park and Yosemite National Park and my reaction was ‘meh”. Now, Yellowstone? Otherworldly cool. Mount Rushmore and the Badlands, also cool.
I went to the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty as a kid and hands down, Libby wins. Plus you get a boat ride.
Disappointing? France.
What a bunch of cheese-eating surrender monkeys.
I’ll be taking my family back to the world’s largest ball of twine next summer, thank you very much!
That’s what I call the french too. Plus, they’re dirty.
Also, nice Wierd Al reference.
You do realize that the French kicked major English ass during the War of Independence, don’t you? And that if it weren’t for their assistance, we might still be fucking kowtowing to the British monarchy and paying hefty-ass taxes for the upkeep of lazy English aristocrats?
If this were a political website I would agree with you but since it’s not… ferme ta frenchie trou à tarte!
If I could pronounce it I would use it. “frenchie shut your pie hole”
google “French military victories”
I offer my apologies to the marquis de Lafayette, et al.
Tell Clark Griswold, Goober says hey.
I went to the Ripley’s at Niagra falls once. It was the first Ripley’s I went to. I was 11 or 12. It blew my fucking mind.
Took a 4 week family vacation to Mexico in a customized Chevy van from northern Virginia to Acapulco in the early “70’s. Threw a timing chain in Matamoros. We listened to the Carpenter’s on 8 track almost the entire trip because it was my Mom’s favorite. Mexico is a first class shit-hole! All of it….
I do not like Disney World either. I worry about the lives of people who think it’s the best place on earth – adults wearing Disney clothes and swapping Disney pins, wtf – and they all seem to be fat and slightly retarded.
The family is organizing a trip there for about 20 people next year, and I’m obligated to go. I cannot wait.
You should buy a “vintage” Disney sweater that is about 2 sizes too small and wear it, along with faded acid-washed jeans, a neon pink fanny pack, with appropriately matched pink visor and grow your hair until it can be shaped into a mullett. Only then will you truly fit in at Disney World as an “adult”.
As you can see I hate the place too…
We went to Helen Keller’s house in Tuscumbia, AL. Fucking lame. Very tiny and shitty.
I heard she bought that house sight unseen.
Good that she was retarded, so that she didn’t have to see the fucking place.
I hate myself for laughing at this….
I’m wondering exactly what you expected? It’s a tiny town in Alabama, and they were a family of modest means. I enjoyed it just because I’ve read her autobiography so many times, and now i have real images to go with the book. I went as a chaperone for 25 “gifted” 5th graders. That was torture.
I guess you’re right about skewed expectations. I read a lot about her too and I didn’t like her. Maybe that played a part in my disappointment in the place.
Went to Graceland 2 summers ago. Overpriced tourist trap. The planes were kinda cool, though. In an extremely tacky sort of way.
The Mississippi delta was shining like a National Guitar
I liked the Empire state building – went after living in nyc for a few years because an out of town friend was visiting. The price is absurd, but I’m glad I went.
Also – Carmine’s? Locals hate Carmine’s.
My first choice, by far, was Disney in Florida. The heat, lines and screaming kids were enough to make any sane person run screaming into the night. Why the hell do people take infants there? INFANTS! BABY CARRIAGES! They’re not gonna know anything much less remember!
Niagra Falls. See it once….that’s plenty!
Cedar Point is fantastic if you love roller coasters!
And don’t get me started on what it’s like to have to fly into MCO Airport as a non-tourist. I had a consulting gig in Orlando for a little while, had to commute in and out of there for a few weeks. O. M. G. You can only imagine.
And then there’s the family and friends of MINE who are always fascinated by the various places I “get” to fly as an IT Consultant. So when they asked me during that gig and I replied “Orlando”, it was always, “WOW! That’s so COOL! Do you get to go to Disney or Universal?!?” My reply, “NO. It’s just another f*cking airport and another f*cking computer room…and it’s the WORST experience you can possibly imagine for a business flyer. Thanks for asking.”
Dave, I can’t say I’ve done a ton of flying but I’ve been to five different airports just this year and Orlando was the worst by far. Oh, and I was stuck there for 13 hours two weeks ago…
Always hate to share an alternate idea after the fact, but: Did you consider Top of the Rock instead of the ESB? View’s just as good, and when you’re done you have the NBC Store there for possible souvenirs that you can actually relate to (TV stuff etc), not to mention being at 47th and 6th for your next destination (Central Park perhaps?) rather than 34th and 5th (where there’s Macy’s and pretty much not much else).
Top of the Rock is great. That whole neighborhood is chock full of interesting stuff to see/do, all in reasonable walking distance.
The Winchester Mystery house was a big disappointment. I was fascinated with that place as a kid, and when I finally got to see it a few years ago it was a big let down. Not nearly as crazy as advertised.
House on the Rock on the other hand – that is craaaazy.
Is that the place where sections were added on that led to no where and a maze of hallways and bricked up doorways?
It is, but it’s not nearly as wacky as advertised. Meh.
I just went to the Winchester in July after years of wanting to visit. Once I saw it, I was disappointed. Small “historical” spot nestled between giant commercial buildings. It didn’t feel authentic at all. Then, the giant gift shop that had fuck-all to do with Mary Winchester also threw me off.
Once we entered the house I felt like I was violating her desires. The tour guide described how reclusive she was, how she hated “intruders”, etc. and all I could do was look around at the gaping idiots surrounding me, who were putting their dirty paws all over her private sanctuaries. Her seance room (where nobody else ever entered until after her death), her bedroom, drawing room, etc. Nothing was sacred anymore to her. Almost as if the ghosts of the soldiers finally did come back to haunt her, only in the form of us, the tourists.
Anyhow, that’s how I felt on that house.
Glad to hear you say that. I lived and worked in San Jose for 3 months and drove by it on a regular basis, but I never managed a visit. Now I have no reason to regret not going.
I grew up in San Jose. When I was a kid, that area wasn’t built up at all and the house was in the middle of a field. It still had all the original furniture in it and it was creepy as hell. When I was in high school, a friend and I tried to ditch the tour and get stuck in it overnight. They outsmarted us, dammit. Now the Japanese own it and it’s like fucking Disneyland.
Whoa.
What if we are the ghosts she feared?
She still exists in her time period and is haunted by the apparitions that are us as we tour the building she built to satisfy our need to tour it.
The good news, Jeff, the weather on Thursday is supposed to be really nice and clear so you’ll see a lot up on the Observation Deck. You’ll have fun!
Worst tourist attraction for me was Stonehenge. The year we went (1989) was the first year they put those rope barriers around so we couldn’t even touch or run through the rocks. It was actually boring looking at it from a distance. I could have watched a Nat Geo special for all the joy I got out of it.
Madz, the problem was that you should have worked up to Stonehenge slowly. You first should have gome to Chadron, Nebraska to see “Carhenge.
Did not like Disney World either and the Mona Lisa is a huge disappointment. It is a tina picture set behind ropes about 8 feet away and tons of people crowding around it. Paris in general was a huge disappointment
Cedar Point and Kings Island are awesome at any age
I agree! The Mona Lisa sucked!
I never made it to Disney World as a child, and just made it there for the first time a few years ago. I teared up, let me tell you! It was magical, and I was the biggest tourist nerd in the park (I usually try to play it cool). I guess its just perspective…as a little girl, I was sure I’d never see it, so I told myself I didn’t want to. I lied!
We used to go to Kings Island pretty often, too! I conquered the Beast!
In Austin, TX, there is a specific bridge under which 750k-1 million bats nest, and its a very popular tourist attraction to watch their nightly mass exodus to feed. The only problem is that these bats are highly unreliable, and one sweltering night this summer, I dragged my poor family out onto this bridge to fight for prime, standing room only bat viewing for hours. Only, the bats never showed. We stood there baking in the Texas heat for three hours for absolutely nothing…my only hope is that one day we look back and laugh. Its still too raw right now, so I just get angry glares. Damn bats.
Right in front of the capital. We went a couple of years ago. The bats didn’t disappoint. Looked like a black ribbon swooshing across the river and up into the sky. I cried for days. Not really, but it was cool.
I have heard there is a second overpass in the Round Rock area in which they do the same show, without the crowds. I don’t care… they’ve burned me once. I learn my lessons.
I lived in italy for two years and when I finally got to go to rome they had closed it and opened a shithole called roma. Who knew. No venice either,some flooded outhouse called vincenza.
Not to mention that whole Florence/Firenze scam they got going on over there in Italy. Buncha crooks!
The Mystery Hole in Ansted, WV. Lame, I still to this day don’t know what the hell I was supposed to be seeing. A great big damned mystery !!
Oh! How could I forget…..back in the glorious 80’s, I was in Dallas for a fitness/aerobics workshop (shut up), and we went to the “Southfork Ranch” of TV’s “Dallas” fame. Wotta joke. It was itty bitty. And not near as glamorous as depicted on the tube. It looked like any ol’dumpy ranch house that you normally wouldn’t look twice at.
Was your leotard bright pink or blue? OH! Wait! Maybe it was turquoise, with a matching scrunchee?? Please say turquoise!!
(I had to, really, I did. The urge was too great to pass over….)
Wrong on both parts. I rocked a bright red unitard. Yep. A one-piece beeyoutee! Tank top. Stirrup feet. Black scunchy socks. Black hi-top Reboks. Black bandana twisted up for a headband.
I’ll just let that sink in for a while. 🙂
Flashback to watching the morning aerobics show on t.v before heading out for the day…
The San Antonio vesion when I was there for Officer Training was the high point of the day. It is all in the perspective!
I was disappointed in Kings Island..except for the Beast…it rocked. I grew up going to Cedar Point and watched the park explode into the roller coaster capital. I am also an evangelical Disney fanatic who has seen so many people plan so poorly for such an expensive vacation.
Seneca caverns was an underground nightmare but mammoth cave was awesome.
Having grown up near King’s Island, we went often and always had a blast! We were even there when the “Brady Bunch” was filming the episode, “The Cincinnati Kids.” Cedar Point is also a MUST for coaster enthusiasts. Ohioans are quite spoiled when it comes to amusement parks.
Our biggest disappointment was probably going to see Ruby Falls in Tennessee. It’s a waterfall…in a cave–big whoop-de-doo!
Enjoy your trip to New York. I don’t think I could ever go to New York city because large crowds of people totally freak me out!!
We went to Ruby Falls too. Also took that steep fucking train. Big damn deal.
Never understood adults who love Disney World. Some people go on their honeymoon there! I was there in 1980 and I’d never go back, except I have 2 secrets of my own, 4 and 10, and they keep pestering us.
Me neither and I know a co-worker who is getting married there. She’s friggin’ 35 but still thinks she’s a “printheth”.
Disney never held any appeal for me.
“Printheth”…… ROTF!!!!!
I’ve got to remember “printheth.” LOL
I know someone who not only had her honeymoon at Disneyland, but her wedding dress was a replica of Cinderella’s ballgown. Barf.
SAME WITH THIS CHICK.
And, she’s wearing a goddamn tiara. 35 years old. More times around the block than Good Humor but has to have a specially made tiara.
what next? A friggin’ wand???
Oh for godsakes!! What is wrong with these women? The poor husband to be….Prince Charming….should have ran when he had a chance!
they met on e-harmony! They must think everything is oh so magical!
i give it 2 years.
They’re both attorneys. Let’s see how the magical divorce proceedings pan out!
A busted tiara and a wand up someone’s ass…
If you are a glutton for punishment, head over to the disney forum, disboards.com or something, be amazed at the levels some of these people go to be there and do things…
I wrote it about, and I’ll do it again! I loved Disney World, as an adult in my mid-30s. And if I could afford it, I’d go back! I hate crowds, lines and hot, sweaty crowded lines. But I mentally prepared myself to hate it, and ended up having a fantastic time with my then 6 and 2 year old kids! No, the younger child doesn’t remember a thing, and I don’t care! It was great!
They also run half marathons and other long distance races in Disney… what I wouldn’t do to run one in there! (this is done before the parks open for the day, of course).
Don’t forget to take pictures for us while your up in the Empire State building Jeff.
Niagra falls put the first dent and scratch in my car.
Alex…
You should consider yourself lucky. Some of the barrels get beat to shit.
jtb
Hahaha, good one. =-)
Can’t you see Niagara Falls from the ESB? That would just knock out two birds with one stone.
Some lady named Barbra once told me “On a clear day, you can see forever.” She was a funny girl.
I thought Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco was a dump. I love San Fran and go yearly, but we avoid FW all the time now. Got the usuall tourist trappings: Madam Tussaud’s Bad Waxworks, Aquariums, bad food, etc. Even the sourdough isn’t what it’s hyped up to be.
EW. I lived in SF for 25 years and Fisherman’s Wharf is an embarassment. Want to see something cool? Go to the Columbarium off Geary and Stayan (behind the Kinko’s/FedEx place). It’s owned by the Hemlock Society and is a Crematorium. It’s the only place in SF that allows human remains (they moved all the cemeteries to Colma). A lot of the nooks are over a hundred years old, although they still inter people there. Cool to look at the stuff families put in with their departed. The building was built in the early 1800s and is round, so you can’t miss it. See if you can get Emmet (the groundskeeper) to show you around. Yeah, it sounds gruesome, but it’s way cool.
Sorry, the Neptune Society, not Hemlock.
http://www.californios.us/columbarium/
I liked San Francisco well enough, but I had the good sense to keep my wife and kids away from the tourist traps. Isn’t it amazing how some people are hardwired to buy souveniers of the place they visit…that were made in China?
$5.00 for a one way ride up a hill on a cable car? A local set me straight and told me, get on, and right before the money collector guy gets to you,step off the car like it’s your stop. Then wait for ne next car, and repeat procedure to your destination. It is apparently something the natives are hip to, and I thank this local for clueing me in.
SF is pretty cool, Chinatown was really cool. You can stay at many boutque hotels for a couple hundred bucks a night. However, the Grande Dames up on Nob Hill can be a great value. The Mark Hopkins is incredible, the Fairmount amazing, but my wife, kids, and I got off the Amtrak California Zephyr from Chigago to SF, and stayed at the Stanford Hotel, right next to the Mark Hopkins.
It was truly an amazing experience, and I spent less than my brother and his fambly spend on camping. Coolest part was that a cab from the hotel costs $35.00. I asked our doorman if he could get us a cab on our way out to the airport. He said, “Certainly sir. However, for $40 I can get you that limosine parked over on the other side of the garage.”
Sold!!! My 11 year old daughter thought she was Barbie, and two years later still talks about it.
Funny you said that, because on our last visist (July), we made it a mission to find the three cemetaries in SF. Mission Dolores still has a very old one, some of the headstones dating to the 1700’s, as the Mission is the oldest bldg in SF. They aren’t accepting new dead folk, of course, but it was small and very cool. We never went to the Columbarium, but you can bet your ass it’s on my next year’s list! Thanks for the fantastic tip! (BTW, the second mass-grave area we visited is the Legion of Honor, where bodies were buried in shallow graves in the 1800’s. When they were breaking ground for the Legion the diggers were finding huge amounts of various body parts, of all ages and sizes and those they didn’t move to Colma were once again buried right under where Rodan’s ‘The Thinker’ statue was placed and a ceremony with City officials was held to honor the dead. That was WAY cool.)
We also went to Colma to the Chinese cemetary and a couple old Catholic ones that were spooky and awesome on a foggy, overcast day.
Hoover Dam was a let down. I saw the Grand Canyon the previous day, which was awesome, and the dam was sorta lame by comparison.
The Mona Lisa was a big “so what”. There isn’t much to see at Diamond Head either. Driving the Autobahn might have been more fun if I hadn’t been all jet-lagged to hell, and if I’d had a decent car, and if I’d known where I was going.
I never could stand Disney and never wanted to visit either -World or -Land. We kids did pester the parents for a trip to Palisades Amusement Park, and I remember thinking Coney Island was better. Nevertheless, it’s a piece of history and I’m glad to have had the experience.
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Hollywood – (1986) whaddah shithole. Homeless people every 5 feet grabbing your clothes and begging.
Paris (1997) – just so dirty; lepers begging in the Metro, dirt everywhere.
Alamo – so tiny okay its awesome and historic its also 1/2 a city block.
Baltimore Inner Harbor (1984) The guide book in our hotel room said “While Baltimore is historic it is also an urban environment” (stay off the streets after dark)
The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen. I thought the tits would be bigger.
Visited ashville, nc and spent the day at the Biltmore. House was impressive; however, the money trapping was terrible. No pictures but available by professional. No tour guide but headsets available for a fee. Want to see the entire place pay extra…….. It went on and on
The equator in equador. Let’s just say that the monument was discovered to be 3km off the actual line. And that the only thing around the monument are the least talented craftspeople in all of south america. Two hour bus ride over death defying roads.
Jeff, its so sad that you can’t take the secrets to the 42nd street of yore. My dad and I spent many hours and quarters on 42nd street, circa 1980. My favorite was “tanfastic” by the port authority. Loads of ‘tanning beds’, but no bulbs in them. Good times!
I am glad to hear that the Mittad Del Mundo was a disappointment. I was in Quito back in June and elected to go up the Teleferico and visit some of the old churches in the historic center of town instead of heading out of town to the equator on the only afternoon that I had available to sightsee. The La Compania de Jesus church was pretty amazing. I was planning on hiking as far up the Pichincha volcano as possible, but the thin air at the top of the Teleferico (13,500 feet) limited me to only about a 1 hour hike. At about 14,000 feet, a wicked headache set in, and I figured I ought to turn around and head back down.
Mona Lisa for sure! Been to Paris three times and love the city and Eiffel tower etc but that pissy little painting behind 300 people, all setting off camera flashes despite the signs, and bullet proof glass is crap!!
What’s up with people being disappointed with the Mona Lisa? I saw it in D.C. when the French shipped it over for a U.S. tour in the 60’s. A bit of a line, but they let us get fairly close (no security glass) and have a decent look. I viewed it from an historical perspective and was blown away.
Like Stuart, I had to view her from a crowd in the Louvre about 100 people deep… I just kept walking. No thanks.
We went to Niagara Falls when I was 11 for a family vacation. The boat ride was exciting at the time, but afterwards I wanted to go to that Ripley’s museum tourist trap and my dad completely vetoed that and any other ideas I might have had. We learned not to take my dad on family vacations after that one.
The Alamo was a letdown. Not really much to see, and there were a shit ton of people there when I went, as it was around spring break. I just about had a panic attack because I could barely move around in the place.
The most underrated tourist destination I’ve been to: Cà d’Zan, John Ringling’s, of the RIngling Brothers, estate in Sarasota. The house was huge and impressive, and the circus museum was cool. Forget Disney World and go there instead.
Re: last few updates
Got negativity?
Some other places I forgot to mention …… places I’ve been to and have since forgotton about, hence, disappointing.
Reno. Filthy. But that was 20 years ago. Maybe it has been cleaned up since then.
Palm Springs. Everyone said how beautiful it is. Maybe I was in the wrong part of town. It was all sand and concrete. Old dilapidated buildings and empty storefronts.
You would love it now. They have cleaned it up a lot, and it is a low price alternative to Las Vegas. Last time I was there with my family there were hundreds of Harleys on display along the main drag. I begged my wife to let me get a Harley, but it was like talking to the wall.
I guess I’ll have to just be happy to be referred to as an “insensitive biker” in Jack Gieck’s book, “Fatal journey. The funny thing was that I only occasionally drove my single cylinder Honda!
Just returned from New Orleans recently. We stayed in the French Quarter and I have to admit, while I had fun, it was a bit disappointing. I was expecting boobies slapping me in my face everytime I turned around, didn’t see any boobs, well at least not of the female variety. Just so happened the weekend we were there was the annual Red Dress Run. More dudes wearing red dresses than you could ever imagine. What a bunch of freaks, tuck your hairy titties in dude, nobody wants to see them.
The hand grenades were good.
Speaking of tourist traps that sucked… Ghost Town in the Sky. I am not even sure it is still open but my wife and I drove there from Gatlinburg, TN, one year. It took a ridiculous amount of time to get there so I was already pissed before we even got out of the car. We took the expensive ski lift to the top of the mountain and it was basically an overlook with some rustic looking buildings. Wotta rip off. I was so disgusted that I argued with the ticket office for 15 minutes to get my money back.
I moved to Arizona from the flat lands of Nebraska in the 80’s & remember my 1st trip to the Grand Canyon. I thought it was awesome, then a stream of long lost relatives from the midwest made it a mission to use my Scottsdale condo as a stop over point. Every ef’n one of them coerced me into taking them to the Canyon. I have not seen one of those relatives since & never want to see that hole in the ground again!
ok first off… I was snitched on by a guy in the warehouse for getting on here & reading the wvsr. dick. but…. he was fired this morning…. karma..
I loved kings Island as a kid!!!! went there every summer…yay! (miss it)
took my son to Disney when he was 5 & it really sucked, long lines, expensive everything!!
Why does my dick smell like hobo breath?
Wait. What?
Okay, the good and the bad:
Aircraft museums. The Boeing Museum of flight seemed really boring several years ago, but I have since heard it has become much better. The Smithsonian Flight Museum on the other hand, was downright incredible. I think I could live there my whole life and still not see everything. Washington D.C. was incredible for the most part.
Disappointments…mostly in South Dakota. The Pioneer Auto Museum in Murdo is a collection of dusty cars spread out through a bunch of barns. Some of the cars had “For Sale” signs on them.
Wall Drug, SD was what you’d expect, only HUGE. It wasn’t exactly boring, but it wasn’t extremely interesting either.
The one place in South Dakota that I thought would be the cheeziest was the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. It was absolutely amazing! I’ll laugh and make fun of most things, but when I came away from the Corn Palace, all I thought was “Wow!”
If you like aircraft museums, I know of one you have to make a pilgrimage to–The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. It may not have as many famous planes as the Smithsonian, but the sheer volume of aircraft on display beats it hands down! It’s a must for any aviation buff.
Yeah, that is what I have heard. Amazing how many times I’ve been through Dayton, but always seemed in to much of a hurry to stop and go through it.
It is awesome. and worth a weekend trip to Dayton. I’ve been there half a dozen times, you cannot see everything in one day.
Also,if you are into planes, The Naval Air Museum in Pensacola is awesome too. Their planes just might be restored to a slightly higher level than the Air Forces, if that is possible.
And while In Pensacola, you can detour an hour east, and take in displays at Hurlburt Field, and the Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin AFB.
Guess I’m into old planes huh?
Man it is sad, I live an hour away and haven’t been there in over twenty years. Think it’s time to make a trip.
For old planes, the place to be is Rhinebeck NY. Several WWI-era aircraft, some even prewar. I *think* they have an airplane which is both airworthy and over 100 years old.
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Wall Drug was just weird, but I needed a break from the car, so it was a good place to get out and walk around. The history of Wall Drug is interesting, though. I missed the Corn Palace. I really, really wanted to go to De Smet and see Laura Ingalls Wilder’s home, but the exit to De Smet was closed and we would have had to have gone over 40 miles out of the way to go to the next exit and backtrack.
King’s Island…great place. Remember the Brady Bunch episode that was filmed there? Mr. Brady entrusted his architectural plans to his gaggle of kids…who predictably lost them. Then it was a madcap search for the plans…which were found and delivered to Mr. Brady only seconds before his presentation was to begin.
My first time at King’s Island, ,I went with an anorexic girl. After we left the park, we went to McDonald’s where she proceeded to order a small order of fries and a small water.
About 27 years ago a cop pulled out after I passed him on the interstate near King’s Island. I was really tearing down the road. Quickly exited @ King’s Island. Cop didn’t exit and I actually saw his taillights shortly after he passed the exit. Got away with that one. Fuckin’ Bradys
Hey, at least the Bradys didn’t throw up in Clint’s car. I mean not all of them. At once.
jtb
Lance Armstrong is retiring from lying for a while. Fuck him.
jtb
Curious as to why you say this?
Christ. Seven people shot outside of Empire State Building.
We’re they going there on Thursday or today?
Holy SHIT!!! Thank God Jeff went yesterday.
This is incredibly freaky because EVERY SINGLE TIME I know of someone visiting the ESB, something weird happens. I went with a friend in 1981 and the next day someone jumped. Full fucking body shiver.
Thanks Madz.
I was slightly freaked out this morning.
I thought they were they were there too, thank God they went yesterday! You did go yesterday, right Jeff?
Very first line of this update:
“I’m working a half-day tomorrow, and we’re going to New York City on Thursday morning”
OK, it turns out it was some guy in a grey suit who (allegedly) was fired and shot someone in the head. About 12 -13 shots fired in all – 1 person dead, 7 wounded. All seemed to be workeers (not tourists).