(CNN) — 2023 looks set to be the year of ‘revenge travel’
But while most of the world is reopening and operating as before, not all attractions survived the pandemic unscathed. Some took advantage of the tourism pause to revamp or upgrade their infrastructure, while others said goodbye forever.
Here are the places you should cross off your list in 2023 before planning your next trip. Each spot contains backup destinations to explore instead.
train street, hanoi, vietnam
The Instagram-famous ‘Train Street’ in Vietnam’s capital has long been the subject of controversy. Old Quarter Street is famous for its trains that run to and from the tracks just inches away from homes and shops. The spot was popular with tourists who liked the thrill of posing on industrial trucks with coffee shops nearby.
However, despite its vintage look, the truck is still heavily used. Overtourism on Train Street has become not only an annoyance, but a legitimate safety concern. Trains sometimes had to reroute at the last minute to avoid people.
Next means: Built by the French during colonial times, Hanoi’s historic district is full of postcard-perfect walkways. Head to Nhà Thờ Lớn Hà Nội (St. He Joseph Cathedral) and start exploring from there. No trains passing by, but lots of motorbikes.
Underground Museum, Los Angeles
The brainchild of artist couple Noah and Karon Davis, the underground museum has built a reputation for championing the work of artists of color.
Occupying several small storefronts in the lesser-known Vernal Heights neighborhood, the museum is also a bookstore, organizing space, and community center, and survived Noah Davis’ death in 2015.
But the pandemic has been hard on the underground museum. Despite having fans and supporters of notable celebrities such as Beyoncé, Tracy Ellis Ross and John Legend, the museum closed in 2022.
It’s unclear what exactly happened, or if the museum will reopen in a different format and at a different location.
“We have no answer at this time, so the museum will also be closed until further notice,” said Caron Davis. I will,” writes Caron Davis. Statement on museum website.
Next means: The free California African American Museum in Exposition Park also showcases the work of black artists. Art lovers can heed his Karon Davis advice at his LA institutions such as The Broad and his LACMA.
Jurong Bird Park, Singapore
Jurong Bird Park is home to over 3,500 birds.
tang90246/Adobe Stock
But there is good news for fans. This park will not disappear. Instead, it will join Singapore’s other famous wildlife and natural attractions to create a new ecotourism hub in the northern part of the city-state.
The new experience is called the Mandai Rejuvenation Project, and the aviary, renamed Bird Paradise, is set to open in 2023. Other parts of the project are scheduled to open from 2024 to 2025.
Next means: It’s easy to spend time outdoors in Singapore, which is definitely warm. The Singapore Botanic Gardens is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in the country, and those who want to see the animals up close can visit the Living Turtles and Turtle Museum in Yishun He area.
Dublin Writers Museum, Ireland
wild. Beckett. Yeats. Some of the most important authors of English literature hail from Ireland, and the capital’s Dublin Writers’ Museum celebrated their literary heritage.
Like many tourist attractions around the world, the museum was closed due to a temporary closure scheduled for March 2020.
Feilte Ireland, Ireland’s national tourism agency, which owned and operated the museum, has announced that the museum will be permanently closed in August 2022, stating that “modern museum visits are limited in terms of accessibility, presentation and interpretation. It no longer meets people’s expectations.”
Next means: Goodbye Dublin Writers Museum and hello MoLI. The Museum of Irish Literature opened in a big way in 2019.
A partnership between the National Library of Ireland and University College Dublin, it is home to Irish literary artefacts like the first copy of James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’ (the museum’s nickname is for the novel’s heroine Molly Bloom) Yes, and emphasizes points that should be emphasized. Little-known personalities and writers who write in Irish.
Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant, Hong Kong
Floating restaurants have failed to reopen after more than two years of closure due to the pandemic.
Once the world’s largest floating restaurant, years have been anything but calm for Hong Kong’s Jumbo Kingdom.
Featured in dozens of movies and TV shows, and visited by everyone from Queen Elizabeth II to Chow Yun-Fat, the restaurant has fallen out of favor with locals and tourists alike over the years.
After several unsuccessful attempts to sell Jumbo to a local Hong Kong buyer, the ship was en route to a Southeast Asian shipyard when it sank near the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.
Even with the physical space closed, the 9/11 Tribute Museum’s digital presence remains active.
Mark Lenihan/AP
9/11 Tribute Museum, New York City
Before the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum opened at Ground Zero, there was the 9/11 Tribute Museum.
A quieter, more introspective cousin was opened in 2006 by loved ones of those killed in the 1993 and 2001 World Trade Center attacks. A small space in Lower Manhattan was a gathering place for those affected by the tragedy, and was the personal home of many. Items and objects donated by families of survivors and victims.
Next means: Although the museum no longer has a physical presence, most of its holdings are now part of the permanent collection of the State Museum of New York in Albany, about 150 miles north of New York City.
teamLab Borderless and Edo-Tokyo Museum, Tokyo
An immersive new installation by Japanese art collective teamLab immerses visitors in mirrors, soundscapes and over 13,000 living orchids.
This year, both Japanese museums are going through a period of transition.
Although both are located in Tokyo, the two museums are very different. The Edo-Tokyo Museum is a traditional historical museum focused on Japanese culture, and teamLab Borderless is a fully digital experience created by a self-proclaimed ‘super-technologist’. ”
The Edo-Tokyo Museum has announced that it will be closed for at least three years for renovations. His riverside building in the Ryogoku district of the city opened in 1993 and is best known for its life-size replica of a Kabuki theater.
Museum representatives say it will reopen in late 2025 or early 2026.
Meanwhile, teamLab Borderless, which has been named the world’s most visited museum by Guinness World Records, will move from its home in Odaiba to a new facility in the Toranomon-Azabudai project, which is due to be completed. A reopening date has not yet been announced.
Next means: Tokyo is a museum lover’s dream and has a lot to offer including the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo. Mori Art Museum and National Museum of Western Art. In Ueno Park, the Tokyo National Museum gives an itch to history.
Museum of London, UK
Museums of popular history and culture are making short moves with great significance.
Founded in 1912, the museum will move from its current London Wall house to nearby General Market.
In addition to the new bargains, the destination will be rebranded as the Museum of London, with expanded opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays, encouraging patrons to visit local small businesses nearby.
Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA
After serving as a glamorous transatlantic liner, the Queen Mary retired to Southern California in 1967.
The ship is now in urgent need of repair.
On December 12th, Long Beach announced it would resume tours on a limited section of the ship. However, most onboard facilities, including hotels and restaurants, are closed for the time being.
This article was originally published on December 12th and has been updated.
