Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I vowed never to step foot in Macy's after they took 120 years of Marshall Field's brand equity, goodwill and community connections and tossed it out the window. But then a Frontera Fresco opened up on the 7th floor, and I like Rick Bayless more than I hate Macy's. Which is kind of odd, because every time I see him on TV I inexplicably want to leap through the screen and punch him in the throat. But the dude whips up some mean vittles. And at Fresco you don't have to wait in line or pay $30 for a meal. And I'm kind of glad it gives me an excuse to walk around the building.
This.
I was saddened that Macy's took over Marshall-Fields. One of my friends still keeps one of the original bags they used to hand out just as a memento.
At least do they keep the Christmas tree and window displays? I actually went shopping there once and was heartened that even though there's these vulgar big red stars all over the place now that most of the architecture was kept, because the old Marshall-Fields just had class (even if it was less profitable as it got older). It's a piece of old Chicago. Something that someone from NYC would never understand because they only understand NYC.
1) CN tower (Toronto): it charges $28 for a mediocre view of tacky waterfront condos. There is not even a seating area. Yes it is tall, but what's the difference betwee say 500 meters and 450 meters anyway. I got bored after 5 minutes. The view on top of Jan Hancock Tower beats CN Tower by 1000 miles, although lower.
2) Casa Loma (Toronto): Come on, it is not even a castle. Pay $18 for a failed enterpreneur's "mansion" that was not even completed? The 1000 year old Edinburgh Castle costs less. And that's a real castle with 10 times more to see.
3) Granville Island (Vancouver): it is on every lists of recommended attractions. When you go there, there is nothing more than an arts school, a market and some green space. I have no idea why it is considered a tourist destination. Good thing is it is free
4) capilano suspension bridge (Vancouver): It is just one of those mountains. Locals love it because there is a mountain by the city to go to. To pay $30 just to cross this suspension bridge is so not worth it. It is not like it is the world's only suspension bridge. All I can say is "it is just one of those parks you see everywhere".
There's several of those... I grew up near the Mystery Spot outside of Santa Cruz, California. There's also the Oregon Vortex outside Gold Hill, Oregon near Medford and I believe there is one in Pennsylvania as well.
All of them seem to have a similar setup. There's an old house that was built on a hill tilted to one side, so that when you stand on the floor things seem to defy the laws of gravity. It's basically a cool optical illusion. Interestingly at both the Mystery Spot and Oregon Vortex guides claim that their location was the original, authentic mystery spot while the others are imitations and frauds.
There is also a Mystery Spot in St. Ignace, Michigan.
I was saddened that Macy's took over Marshall-Fields. One of my friends still keeps one of the original bags they used to hand out just as a memento.
At least do they keep the Christmas tree and window displays? I actually went shopping there once and was heartened that even though there's these vulgar big red stars all over the place now that most of the architecture was kept, because the old Marshall-Fields just had class (even if it was less profitable as it got older). It's a piece of old Chicago. Something that someone from NYC would never understand because they only understand NYC.
Yep, they still do the tree and the window displays, though I hear the latter aren't as elaborate as they used to be.
Great thread. It brings this to mind for me--- what other country in the world has SO MANY famous and varied types of natural wonders and "tourist traps"? (Good or "bad"---they're still an adventure!) And on top of that--- citizens who can actually afford to visit them????
Having been to 26 countries (so far) in this great big beautiful world of ours--- I can honestly say that the U.S. is truly a vacationer's paradise. So, no best and worst lists for me since it's ALL GOOD when you get to see and experience something and some place new and interesting. I take it all in and just enjoy it for what it is- whatever and wherever it is. I figure I'm making memories no matter what I'm doing when it isn't routine, so I never let myself become blase' about my travels.
And for those lucky enough to be on a get-away this holiday weekend--- enjoy!
Vegas strip: always something new being built.
Manhattan: time square/broadway, SoHo, Rockefeller Center.
San Fran: fisherman warf, Alcatraz, Nappa, PCH 1, Lombard st.
New Orleans: Bourbon Street, Cafe Du'Monde, Cajun food.
Chicago: Magnificient Mile, Hancock observation deck, Millenium Park.
Worst:
Key West, Duval street: boring
St.Louis Arch: the swaying made me sick
Atlanta underground mall: Not much there
Rodeo Drive: over-rated.
Atlantic City Boardwalk: Run down
Been to many countries and there's only a few US destination that can compare.
After finally visiting pikes place, I stand by my original assertion, that place is a major tourist trap, everything is way overpriced, mediocre food, not a place I would reccommend anyone visiting Seattle.
Worst tourist trap hands down would have to be the Las Vegas strip. Entirely devoid of any instinsic character or true culture. It consists entirely of casinos which are cartoonish charactures of other places much more worth visiting than the Las Vegas strip. Why people get sucked in by the "allure" of Vegas is beyond me.
Also, I'll add Walt Disney World. It's so sad that people actually identify Florida as being snonymous with nothing more than Disney World. It truly cheapens what is actually a great state.
Best tourist destinations? I'd say the national parks (Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Everglades, etc.) and places with actual history behind them (Gettysburg, St. Augustine).
The museums, monuments and government buildings around the National Mall in DC is just about the only good thing DC has to offer as a city, but they are always worth a visit.
I've been to Times Square and I have to say it neither exceeded nor fell short of my expectations. It looked exactly like it did on TV. Not the worst place, not the best place.
Last edited by PeteU; 01-12-2012 at 03:40 PM..
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
