# Travel attractions or events that didn't disappoint **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 18, 2023, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752 "2023-12-18T02:21:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2024, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752/121 "2024-01-20T14:51:51Z")
This is going to seem pretty corny after the descriptions of museums, geographical places, and natural phenomena, but I thoroughly enjoyed Stingray City off Grand Cayman. (And this is from a SCUBA diver who got to see a giant ray broach the surface near the North Wall the day before.) I had been a couple times myself and then took my wife and two adult step-children. It’s all they talked about for the next couple days. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2024, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752/122 "2024-01-20T19:43:57Z")
> [@RickG](#): > > The first time I saw Michelangelo’s David (1988) I was completely blown away For me, the profound surprise wasn’t David.(After all, I already knew what it looks like.) What totally blew me away were the other statues -the half-finished “prisoners”. I had never heard of the these, and I entered the museum just expecting to see the classic David for a few minutes. Instead, I spent an hour or two staring at the prisoners. I cant imagine the creative process going on in the artist’s mind. If I were going to cut a sculpture, I would roughly shape the whole figure, and then go back and polish the details. But Michelangelo did exactly the opposite. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2024, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752/123 "2024-01-20T23:40:53Z")
When your favorite band plays at Red Rocks, in Morrison Colorado, _go!_ I know someone who was invited to see a show there, and didn’t. Turns out it was _The Second Biggest Mistake_ they made. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2024, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752/124 "2024-01-21T00:11:52Z")
I like homes of leaders. The best was FDR’s in New Brunswick Canada (Campobello International Park). The family can play croquet just as, and where, his family did. Roosevelt’s home in Hyde Park NY is also good. Chiang Kai-Shek’s Shilin Residence In Taipei is controlled by his supporters. Still worth it. David Ben-Gurion lived in admirably modest homes in Tel Aviv and Sde Boker. I met Mother Divine, since deceased, about ten years ago in Woodmont, the suburban Philadelphia home she shared with Father Divine. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2024, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752/125 "2024-01-22T01:57:53Z")
The location of one of my better photos from 2022: [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/XOwfekZ.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/XOwfekZ) ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2024, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752/126 "2024-01-22T02:35:21Z")
I went for a bit of a tour around the lower 48 in the middle of last year. Certainly didn’t disappoint. Saw many outlandishly spectacular things (if I was required to name just one, Custer SP) and quite a few interesting people. Thinking of doing it or similar again. Would be a shame if you lot went and blew it all up first. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2024, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752/127 "2024-01-22T02:51:29Z")
> [@RickG](#): > > But don’t forget the astonishing [Thorne Miniature Rooms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorne_miniature_rooms). The level of detail is bonkers. Yes! Those are amazing. I didn’t know they existed, but my wife did, and insisted we see them. I was a little skeptical, but I’m glad I did. I overall enjoyed our day at the Art Insitute of Chicago, but those Miniature Rooms stand out. Also in Chicago, I believe it was the Historical Society that had an exhibition of Norman Rockwell originals when I was there. My gosh, those blew me away! Sure, I was familiar with his work from seeing it in books, but to see the actual paintings–wow! You don’t realize just how powerful “The Problem We All Live With” is, until you see it in its full 36" by 58" size. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2024, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752/128 "2024-01-22T03:02:01Z")
If you like miniature models/displays, I highly recommend the [Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures](https://theminitimemachine.org/) in Tuscon. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2024, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752/129 "2024-01-22T04:52:23Z")
I’ve lived in Arizona for 41 years, and never heard of that before! ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2024, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752/130 "2024-01-22T05:19:09Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > The Tower of London - it’s freaking 1000 year old castle in the middle of a major city! Just walking along the ramparts looking at the river blew me away. Plus there are the crown jewels, the men and women in historic garb, the historical events, the displays of armor… I agree. One of my favorite places. It’s for tourists but done really well. The tour with the Yeoman Warder is one of the best I’ve done. > [@Dangerosa](#): > > I have discovered that standing in front of famous paintings usually does not disappoint. I’ve never been a fan of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, but standing in front of it - that painting breathes…it has a soul. I got to see a large number of Van Goghs when an exhibit came to the Philly museum of art. A picture of the paintings don’t come close to giving you an idea what they are like. The paint is so thick they are more like sculptures. That brings up another one. The Philadelphia Museum of Art. It’s not just the Rocky steps. Get a picture with the Rocky statue, run the stairs and see a great view of the city. Then go inside and see a world class art museum. Sedona is spectacular. I ignored the New Agey crunchy bullshit and enjoyed the incredible scenery. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2024, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752/131 "2024-01-22T13:28:43Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > When your favorite band plays at Red Rocks, in Morrison Colorado, _go!_ Agree. Saw Tom Petty there. Easily the best concert I’ve ever seen. Night snorkel in Hawaii with manta rays. My wife and I are (well used to be) SCUBA divers. Seen plenty of rays, sharks and all kinds of stuff. But having those HUGE rays, again and again and again come with in touching distance is really something. They get within a foot or two (not kidding) make a sudden turn and dive back down. Basically, a surf board is put in the water with a lite shinning down into the water. You grab the edge of the board, and just hover on the surface. The rays all come to the light to eat plankton. ---
**Author:** ![TXRebel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6de8d8/32.png) [@TXRebel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TXRebel)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752/132 "2024-01-24T00:56:58Z")
Lol! I said we visited, not that we took the RV. We also have a private plane and we’ve gone many places in it as well(still not Hawaii!) ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752/133 "2024-01-24T03:43:46Z")
It’s a wonderful little museum; I live not far from it. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752/134 "2024-01-24T04:10:28Z")
Jamestown. The reenactment is fine and worth a quick trip. Down the road a bit is the historical site run by the National Park Service. I remember going there as a kid when they thought that the original fort was lost to the river. Sometime after that they found the original site and the excavation began. Now you can walk the dig site and there is a great archeological museum next to it. I also enjoyed Yorktown. I knew about the battle of course but until I walked the battlefield I didn’t have a good idea what actually happened. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2024, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752/135 "2024-01-30T19:40:43Z")
There was [an accident with the Amtrak Zephyr](https://coloradosun.com/2024/01/30/colorado-train-derailment-california-zephyr/) outside of Denver near a small town called Keenesburg. Was the Zephyr mentioned here or in another thread? Anyway, that reminded me of the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg. It is **not** just some sad roadside zoo. It is a real rehabilitation and home for wild animals taken from sad roadside zoos. It ended up with many of the animals from the _Tiger King_ show. It is also **not** cheap, at $50 for an adult. It is, however, the best experience I’ve had viewing captive animals. Most of them are in very large, open air enclosures that you view from an elevated walkway. Bring binoculars or a good zoom lens. > **[The Wild Animal Sanctuary | Keenesburg, CO | Home](https://www.wildanimalsanctuary.org/)** > > A 10,473 acre refuge for more than 500 Lions, Tigers, Bears, Wolves an other rescued large carnivores... “Rub my belly, I promise it’s not a trap.” [![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ABLVV87phjjCSCARhGFpFQaskFKtAMT_ISAP-97iaCodPgYntbPm00iSnABhV85hzO_7sMDxyGfqePqiizJZwNWOPXBoQvgEGRb1zUGhq1kTYJzMyu5fYcTKCF4Kfj2V4044Nw9aKF5vjxMinVRe1Sfu-o74fw=w3052-h1484-s-no) ](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ABLVV87phjjCSCARhGFpFQaskFKtAMT_ISAP-97iaCodPgYntbPm00iSnABhV85hzO_7sMDxyGfqePqiizJZwNWOPXBoQvgEGRb1zUGhq1kTYJzMyu5fYcTKCF4Kfj2V4044Nw9aKF5vjxMinVRe1Sfu-o74fw=w3052-h1484-s-no) ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2024, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752/136 "2024-01-30T21:00:59Z")
They’ve got Hobbes! I have to visit. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752/137 "2024-02-05T00:19:41Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg I didn’t realize my timing was so good. This place was on 60 Minutes last week. Here is a link to the full episode, and to an online only segment. > **[1/28/2024: Agency in Crisis; Interpol; Modern Ark](https://www.cbsnews.com/video/60minutes-2024-01-28/)** > > First, a look inside Aliceville: A women’s federal prison. Then, a report on how some > countries are accused of abusing the Interpol red notice system. And, how animals were > rescued at a troubled Puerto Rico zoo. > **[Life after "Tiger King" for Joe Exotic's rescued tigers](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/life-after-tiger-king-for-joe-exotics-rescued-tigers-60-minutes/)** > > Tigers once owned by Joe Exotic, of Netflix's "Tiger King" fame, had to learn "how to be a tiger" when they were brought to The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado. ---
**Author:** ![Guapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@Guapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guapo)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752/138 "2024-02-05T11:07:53Z")
This churcu in Georgia (the country) [https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/gergeti-trinity-church](https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/gergeti-trinity-church) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-attractions-or-events-that-didnt-disappoint/994752.md?page=6)