When I go to museums or places like Williamsburg I’m much more inclined to the “we’ll meet here at a certain time.” I’m jealous of limited time and just want to see and do what I want to do. We usually hit a museum and say “see you at the exit!”
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Totally agree about the Little Mermaid–it was a big disappointment. I felt the same way about Plymouth Rock. The other place in Copenhagen that I thought was overrated is Tivoli Gardens–not my thing.
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I think it may depend on the interpreter. Although they don’t necessarily break character, most on my recent trip answered my questions about what they were doing without making me act or pretend in any particular way. Although they answered only with the knowledge they would have had at that time not looking at what they were doing retrospectively.
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I took my kids to Williamsburg several times. It was better when they were early teens + and I could just let them wander around on their own, they even could ride the free bus system back to our hotel (stayed “on property” at the hotel by the Visitor’s Center).
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So much is based on one’s expectations…
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Atlantic City, 2 hours away. We love the Jersey shore, have stayed in many different towns with different vibes, all good. AC just feels sad and depressing, even with all of the lights and being oceanfront. I even have a soft spot for Wildwood and stayed there several times as a kid and adult.
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I also have a soft spot for Wildwood. "Watch the tram cars, please! "
Cape May , too.
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I too have a soft spot for Wildwood. I love just walking around and people watching. But I love it best in the winter. The boardwalk and all the beaches are almost empty. Wonderful place for walking.
I also like that the kitsch feels organic. Not just designed to be that way (even though they do lean into the doo-wap vibes intentionally at times). I’ve never been to Disneyworld, but hearing that they have fake “New Jersey boardwalk” area is exactly the kind of thing I strive to avoid.
You can’t beat real kitsch.
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The conversation about hosts breaking character reminded me of a Disney experience. When I took a shy, exhausted 3-year-old to a Cinderella character dinner at DW, a stepsister did a spectacular job of engaging her and getting her to enjoy the experience. When the actress stepped out of earshot to move to another table, I followed her to quietly say, “Thank you, you are fantastic at your job.” Without missing a beat, she whirled around and snapped: “Why, I’ve never worked a day in my life!”
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Here in MA, at Plimouth Pawtuxet (formerly Plimouth Plantation) interpreters are in character. At Old Sturbridge Village, thankfully, they are not, though many play a character, but can step out of character, or engage as their character in present day. Same with Hancock Shaker Village.
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On refusing to break character
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Yes, born and raised in NJ and spent many summers in Brigantine (before it became built up with all the condos it has now). Used to venture into AC a few times to hit the boardwalk as a teen. Even back then which was about 20 years ago, it was depressing. The surrounding town was very run down, and the boardwalk seemed to be host to a lot of people who had lost their dreams along the way.
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My grandparents had a house 3 blocks from the beach in Avon so spent a lot of time there as a kid, would go to Asbury Park frequently. By the time I was a teen it really went down hill, now my kids go to the beach and bars there, even my dog has been to happy hour. I don’t remember AC ever being nice, except for a few resorts and they do have some good shows. It just feels sad.
Yes!! Asbury definitely saw a huge comeback from what I remember in the 80s and 90s. Another beach I used to frequent a lot as a kid. Was very sad when they tore Tillie down.
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Oh no! We have our first visit to Hilton Head this summer and are flying into Savannah and staying 2 nights in Savannah on the front end and 1 night on the back. Perhaps we need to rethink that…
Asbury Park was fun when I was a kid, and somewhat running down but still the background of my later teens in the late 70s. It really went downhill because of developer shenanigans, very sad. But in the past decade or so, it’s morphed into a really interesting place. Lots of younger folk I know, including my kids, go there as their go-to beach and boardwalk hangout. Loads of great restaurants and venues along the Boardwalk. The beach is still great. But yeah, losing Tilly was truly sad.
A friend of ours is a journalist who chronicles what goes on in AP in many venues. His writing truly captures the feel of the place. Still like being there, any time I go for a concert or just to hang out.
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Love Savannah! Don’t drop your dates. I would never put it in the tourist trap category.
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I have to say I agree with what another person said above. Many of these are not really tourist traps, just places we didn’t like that well. I loved Savannah! Took an architectural tour, loved walking around. I did enjoy Charleston more, though.
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We went to Savannah a few years ago. We stayed at the Marshall House . It was Great!! Take a Trolley Tour, Visit some of the Historic Homes. Visit the Squares. Go down by the River, and definitely do a Ghost Tour. No real ghosts, but good stories.
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Are you my twin? We did exactly this last year. We loved the Marshall House.
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