# Touristy things you went to that don't exist any more **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 14, 2026, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073 "2026-05-14T17:32:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/1 "2026-05-14T17:32:56Z")
I used to go to the Seattle back in the early 80’s, taking the Seattle Ferry from Bremerton to Seattle, and one of the things I visited (and rode on) was The Bubbleator. It was a humungous dome elevator with a 360 degree view, and it was a slow ride. [Bubbleator - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubbleator). “Please step to the rear of the Sphere!” What long-gone touristy thing do you remember going to? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/2 "2026-05-14T17:36:40Z")
The most obvious example would be the World Trade Center in Manhattan. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/3 "2026-05-14T17:38:17Z")
While some tourists visited, it was for the most part a business center. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/4 "2026-05-14T17:38:23Z")
The new Meijer store just opened this week, at the previous location of [Geauga Lake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geauga_Lake) in Ohio ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/5 "2026-05-14T17:39:12Z")
Well, there was an observation deck with a gift shop and so forth. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/6 "2026-05-14T17:39:39Z")
But it was a major tourist attraction. When people visited NYC, it was high on the list of things to do. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/7 "2026-05-14T17:40:43Z")
And speaking of Seattle, I took a trip on the Seattle [Duck Boat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ride_the_Ducks) in 2010. This was before there was a fatal crash in 2015, leading to its closure in 2020. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/8 "2026-05-14T17:42:40Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > it was _ **high** _ on the list of things to do. I hope you intended that. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/9 "2026-05-14T17:43:30Z")
I remember sitting on and riding a giant tortoise at the San Diego Zoo. I also remember riding atop an elephant more than a couple times (at the Santa Ana Zoo, I think.) We made frequent visits to the Alligator Farm across the street from Knott’s Berry Farm. I don’t think we were allowed to ride them, though. Same lame deal at the Japanese Deer Garden, also in Orange County. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/10 "2026-05-14T17:43:41Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > high on the list ??? What? That is a common phrase, nothing was intended. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/11 "2026-05-14T17:46:45Z")
Here in Portland we used to take the kids to the Meier & Frank Store Christmas Show. Lots of candy and a visit with Santa for the kids and hot cocoa for the adults…And the in-store monorail for riding around the store. [Bing Videos](https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?pglt=299&q=meier+and+frank+christmas+train&cvid=4a3319d45ace4713a52921a0f4c18c53&gs_lcrp=EgRlZGdlKgYIABBFGDkyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQABhAMgYIAhAAGEAyBggDEAAYQDIGCAQQABhAMgYIBRAAGEAyBggGEAAYQDIGCAcQABhAMgYICBAAGEDSAQkxMTcwM2owajeoAgCwAgA&PC=EDGEDB&source=chrome.ob&ru=%2fsearch%3fpglt%3d299%26q%3dmeier%2band%2bfrank%2bchristmas%2btrain%26cvid%3d4a3319d45ace4713a52921a0f4c18c53%26gs_lcrp%3dEgRlZGdlKgYIABBFGDkyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQABhAMgYIAhAAGEAyBggDEAAYQDIGCAQQABhAMgYIBRAAGEAyBggGEAAYQDIGCAcQABhAMgYICBAAGEDSAQkxMTcwM2owajeoAgCwAgA%26FORM%3dANNTA1%26PC%3dEDGEDB%26source%3dchrome.ob&mmscn=vwrc&mid=B64DAB4441E67C3FAF10B64DAB4441E67C3FAF10&FORM=WRVORC&ntb=1&msockid=251bee794fbc11f18634949fbe6b5a1e) ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/12 "2026-05-14T17:48:32Z")
I saw the Orcas at Sea World in San Diego the year before they shut it down. Actually paid for the “Lunch with Shamu” show where they would come out of the water next to your table while you ate. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/13 "2026-05-14T17:49:35Z")
My favorite ride at Disneyland was Monsanto’s Trip Through Inner Space. It was the one which made it seem as if you were shrunk down to molelcular level, and was narrated by Paul Frees. Alas, it’s long-gone, but you can find a fragmented videotape of it somewhere on youtube. Is The Wild Ride Of Mr. Toad also extinct? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/14 "2026-05-14T17:49:40Z")
When I was a kid we would visit Salton Sea for water skiing and fishing. Now I just go for the meth. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/15 "2026-05-14T17:50:27Z")
But it is still there, right? ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/16 "2026-05-14T17:51:50Z")
We went a time or two to [Six Gun Territory](https://dos.fl.gov/historical/preservation/florida-main-street/ask-the-locals/six-gun-territory-ocala/), a Wild West type theme park. It had some shops and shows and carnival-level rides. At one time, we lived very close to it, and would go with the neighborhood kids just to sit and hang out on the train engine parked out front. A favorite topic of conversation was how we could scale the fence at the back and ride the rides for free. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/17 "2026-05-14T17:53:11Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > While some tourists visited, it was for the most part a business center. Googling, about 1.8 million tourists annually. And the south tower observation deck was the highest in the world at 1377 feet. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/18 "2026-05-14T17:54:00Z")
Not really. There were marinas and campgrounds and nightclubs and resorts, not to mention water and fish, when I was a kid. Now, just crack houses. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/19 "2026-05-14T17:54:21Z")
There will be a mention in the Hall Of Fame to any Dopers that visited New Jersey’s Action Park. 😄 ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073/20 "2026-05-14T18:00:06Z")
Back in the 90s we went to [Splendid China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splendid_China_(Florida)) in Florida for half a day. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touristy-things-you-went-to-that-dont-exist-any-more/1030073.md?page=2)