Most overrated tourist attractions in the world
Feb 24, 2011, 3:10 pm
#271
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 317
on the flip side, just stepped outside my door and saw the final lift-off of the shuttle discovery, so happy that all those tourist that battled traffic today to get to the space coast got to see it, clear beautiful day and great launch. Blessings to the crew.
Feb 24, 2011, 3:16 pm
#272
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 437
I'm with you for the first three, but I loved Pisa. Sure, the town is crappy. Really crappy. But I especially loved the tower. As a physicist, I found it cool to stand where Galileo (anecdotally?) stood when he dropped weights showing the rate at which objects fall is independent of their mass.
Feb 24, 2011, 4:01 pm
#273
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
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The Merlion in Singapore, that statue in Copenhagen and the one in Brussels all just go to show that *something* has to occupy the niche of being the iconic tourist attraction. Prolly the best thing they can do is try to create something else and try to divert attention there. Sure, u may end up with, say, a Space Needle (and Brussels arguably already has that with the Atomium), but if you can get it to where mainly locals sneer at it and visitors at least feel they've seen something unique (if tacky), you've made progress.
Feb 24, 2011, 4:07 pm
#274
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Good choice - I expected to learn some interesting facts and maybe even see some beer being brewed but in reality it is not at all informative and there are just a few dull exhibits to look at. The only redeeming feature is that it is probably cheaper to buy a ticket and go straight to the bar and claim your "free" beer than pay the prices charged in bars in Amsterdam these days.
Feb 25, 2011, 7:08 am
#277
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Oklahoma
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Posts: 478
The only one that I have not seen listed is Galveston, Tx.
It has been several years since I was last there (2006). This city seemed just like a big tourist trap. Very similar to Key West and New Orleans.
It has been several years since I was last there (2006). This city seemed just like a big tourist trap. Very similar to Key West and New Orleans.
Feb 25, 2011, 12:44 pm
#279
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Join Date: Jul 2005
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It was explained to me that folks from surrounding countries who are suckered by the Madison Ave. notion of paying for overpriced designer goods fly to SIN to shop. Due to their strict enforcement of copyright laws the designer goods sold there are real not imitations. So if you insist on paying $10K for a real Rolex go to SIN instead of Bangkok "where low overhead means we can sell you one that looks just like it for $50."
US pax to SIN transferring at MSP just skip gettng on the plane to NRT and go to the Mall of America. All the same crap you can buy in Singapore is right there.
Feb 25, 2011, 12:48 pm
#280
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,443
99% of Singapore. It has one unique item, the Night Zoo, if you are into such things it is the only one in the world. However not worth a trip to SIN by itself. The rest of SIN ie Orchard Road is nothing but anytown America shopping mall, same items, same stores, same prices, except with clean and safe streets.
I agree that Singapore is not as interesting nor as colourful as some of the neighbouring places. On the other hand, I do enjoy stopping over there on the way between Europe and Australia/New Zealand. It's clean, safe, well organised and pleasant, and unexpected things don't happen. This is all particularly appealing if you just want to relax.
The only drawback is the heat and (especially) the humidity...
Feb 26, 2011, 2:01 pm
#281
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
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Posts: 995
Yep. You get there and see that it's nothing more than a place for local teens to spray-paint freely without getting busted for vandalism. I only drove 4 miles out of my way, and still felt cheated. I'd hate to think of people who traveled to Amarillo specifically to see that.
It's not even the most amusing tourist attraction in Amarillo - the Big Texan Steak House and the fake Ozymandias statue both have a higher entertainment value.
It's not even the most amusing tourist attraction in Amarillo - the Big Texan Steak House and the fake Ozymandias statue both have a higher entertainment value.
Feb 26, 2011, 2:57 pm
#282
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: On the road in North America....
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Posts: 579
joe
Feb 26, 2011, 10:49 pm
#283
Used to be bulldoggolfer05
Join Date: May 2007
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Feb 26, 2011, 11:28 pm
#284
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 162
1. The Astronomical Clock in Prague - I'm not denying that the clock itself is a true work of art but all the locals told us we must go and see the 'spectacle' of it chiming on the hour. So we duly queued up with hundreds of other tourists to see....... a couple of tiny figures high up move around in a jerky fashion. And that was it - a spectacle it isn't.
Add to the list:
Anything titled "World's Largest [notable item]."
Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo. The cars have been vandalized and spraypainted beyond recognition.
Feb 27, 2011, 12:36 am
#285
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DAL
Posts: 268
International: Mannekin Pis for me.
Domestic: Durant, OK "World's Largest Peanut"
What? You've never heard of the thriving metropolis of Durant? Home of the SOSU Savage Storm?
Despite my having been to Durant 25-30 times, I never saw their "claim to fame" until returning for a funeral last year. How could I miss such an honor?
Domestic: Durant, OK "World's Largest Peanut"
What? You've never heard of the thriving metropolis of Durant? Home of the SOSU Savage Storm?
Despite my having been to Durant 25-30 times, I never saw their "claim to fame" until returning for a funeral last year. How could I miss such an honor?