Cycloramas: The Virtual Reality of the 19th Century
Immersive displays brought 19th-century spectators to far-off places and distant battles. The way they portrayed history, however, was often inaccurate.
The Romanticization of the Mediterranean
The idea that the disparate nations bordering the Mediterranean Sea represent a single region is the product of the nineteenth century.
When Souvenirs Peddle Stereotypes
The things travelers bring home reflect their worldviews. In 19th c. Niagara Falls, souvenirs revealed problematic stereotypes about Native Americans.
When Washington, DC, Became a Tourist Destination
When the U.S. federal government first moved to D.C. in 1800, the city was still largely swamp. Tourists didn't start to visit until many decades later.
Solar Eclipse Tourism: The Victorians Were the Pioneers
People have been planning for this month's total solar eclipse for years. They aren't the first to do so: the Victorians pioneered eclipse tourism.
Roswell, Sacred Shrine of UFO Enthusiasts
Seventy years ago, something happened in Roswell, New Mexico, that put the place on the map and embedded it into the culture. What was it?
Mountain of Trash: Everest’s Environmental Disaster
We often picture the Himalayas as pristine. In reality, Everest's snows cover empty oxygen tanks, wrappers, cans, and an array of debris left behind by climbers.
Costa Rica
This Central American country was a haven for visitors long before it became a major tourist destination.
Against Voluntourism
In a passionate set of tweets J.K. Rowling recently tackled the issue of so-called "voluntourism."
How American Tourism Began
American tourism took the scenic route over the course of the twentieth century. A growing middle class and car ownership helped.