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 was thinking about this...and I think most tourist attractions are overrated....a few categories...
Severely overrated:
Liberty bell - it's an old bell with a crack in it. Big whoop.
Walt Disney World - theme parks just aren't my thing.
Hollywood - A bit dumpy, and nothing particularly interesting.
Kinda overrated:
Times Square - as a native New Yorker, I'm somewhat obliged to hate on Times Square. Real New Yorkers avoid this place like the plague. But I could see how a tourist would like it, what with all the lights.
Sears Tower - it's a cool building and all, but why not just save like twenty bucks and oodles of time and go to the observatory at the Hancock instead?
Not overrated:
Empire State Building - awesome building, great views.
Grand Canyon - the rare thing that completely and totally lives up to the hype.
Brooklyn Bridge - walking across it is great.
Gateway Arch - I was never in it. But I drove past it and thought it looked pretty cool.
I was thinking about this...and I think most tourist attractions are overrated....a few categories...
Severely overrated:
Liberty bell - it's an old bell with a crack in it. Big whoop.
Walt Disney World - theme parks just aren't my thing.
Hollywood - A bit dumpy, and nothing particularly interesting.
Kinda overrated: Times Square - as a native New Yorker, I'm somewhat obliged to hate on Times Square. Real New Yorkers avoid this place like the plague. But I could see how a tourist would like it, what with all the lights.
Sears Tower - it's a cool building and all, but why not just save like twenty bucks and oodles of time and go to the observatory at the Hancock instead?
Not overrated:
Empire State Building - awesome building, great views.
Grand Canyon - the rare thing that completely and totally lives up to the hype.
Brooklyn Bridge - walking across it is great.
Gateway Arch - I was never in it. But I drove past it and thought it looked pretty cool.
Interesting point. I've noticed here Houstonians usually avoid the Galleria,NASA,etc which are what attract visitors.
Kinda overrated:
Times Square - as a native New Yorker, I'm somewhat obliged to hate on Times Square. Real New Yorkers avoid this place like the plague. But I could see how a tourist would like it, what with all the lights.
This is similar to what someone once told me about San Fransisco's Fisherman's Wharf. He called it a "tourist corral" and said "no self-respecting San Fransiscan would allow himself to be caught there."
It's a battleground. American soldiers and patriots died there. Sorry it's not Disneyworld, dude.
It's a lost battleground. Very little of the original Alamo exists, only two buildings and the historical authenticity of one is dubious. Buildings including a post office, shops and a hotel cover much of the area fought over.
The plaza in front of the chapel includes most of the orignal yard of the place but none of the perimiter walls exist though some footings have been excavated at the southwest corner. One is struck by how large the place was and impossible for only 250 or so men to defend, once the Mexicans attacked it was all over quickly.
I have an interest in and knowledge of the Alamo and find visits there quite satisfying but I can understand why the casual visitor would be underwhelmed.
Looking north to where the south wall and gate were.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh92/Irishtom29/alamo004.jpg (broken link)
From the southwest corner of the original compound. The building on the right is the chapel and much changed from it's condition and appearance in 1836. The building on the left is the long barracks and it's authenticity is controversial.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh92/Irishtom29/alamo006-1.jpg (broken link)
I enjoyed visiting the Alamo, and all the other historical sites in San Antonio. It's neat too see how a major american city developed around it.
Did you take the Mission Trail tour? It's surprisingly little known. Ever thought how much different the city could have been if it was centered on one of the four other missions instead of this one?
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.
