11 famous tourist attractions that no longer exist

Where not to go this year

While an array of new tourist attractions have popped up in recent years, like Japan's Ghibli Park and Dubai's Museum of the Future, we have also said farewell to a number of legendary institutions and failed landmarks. Take a look at the sights around the world you'll need to remove from your travel list, from London's measly Marble Arch Mound to New York City's 9/11 Tribute Museum.

Marble Arch Mound, London, England, UK

The Marble Arch Mound was a good idea in theory: a green haven in central London for people to explore following the COVID-19 lockdowns. But the turf-covered sculpture went way over its £3.3 million ($4.4m) budget, costing a reported £6 million (about $8m at the time), and ultimately appeared more bleak than verdant. Needless to say, it failed to attract the visitor numbers anticipated.

Marble Arch Mound, London, England, UK

There was originally an entrance fee, but that was scrapped after visitors complained about dying plants and weedy trees. After six measly months, the failed tourist attraction closed in January 2022, but parts will be dismantled to be reused as part of a nearby estate transformation instead.

The Underground Museum, Los Angeles, California, USA

The Underground Museum was founded in 2012 by the late painter Noah Davis and his wife, sculptor Karon Davis. The free museum occupied four small storefronts and served as an art gallery, bookshop, organising space and community centre. It successfully brought world-class art to the lesser-known Arlington Heights neighbourhood, with a focus on works by artists of colour.

The Underground Museum, Los Angeles, California, USA

Noah sadly passed away in 2015, and despite celebrity visits from the likes of John Legend and Beyoncé, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the museum hard. The museum closed "until further notice” in March 2022.

Spectacles Museum, Tokyo, Japan

The unique Rougan Megane Hakubutsukan – better known as the Spectacles Museum – was located on the east side of Ikebukuro Station in Toshima, Tokyo. This photogenic store was a spectacle in itself, with its ceilings, walls and façades adorned with an assortment of colourful frames.

Spectacles Museum, Tokyo, Japan

But after 50 years, the hard-to-miss store closed for good in March 2022. It's not clear why it closed down, but in its final throes, it offered a half-price discount on all items.

Hyperion, Redwood National Park, California, USA

Towering 380 feet (116m), this coastal redwood was only discovered in 2006, hidden within a densely-forested section of Redwood National Park. Although it’s taller than the Statue of Liberty, visiting the tree has always been a little tricky, as there are no nearby trails and there's a patchy GPS signal. Despite the arduous undertaking, a steady stream of visitors have made the trek to Hyperion’s location, causing severe erosion to its base as well as leaving a trail of litter and human waste.

Hyperion, Redwood National Park, California, USA

So, if you were planning on seeing the world’s tallest living tree in person, think again. In July 2022, the National Parks Service (NPS) announced hefty fines and jail time for anyone found in the tree’s vicinity, pleading visitors to head for the park’s 200-odd miles (322km) of approved trails instead.

Dublin Writers Museum, Dublin, Ireland

Dublin is perfect for book lovers, home to sights such as the beautiful Trinity College Library and host to literary festivals throughout the year – the Irish capital has even been home to four Nobel prize winners (William Butler Yeats, Samuel Beckett, George Bernard Shaw and Seamus Heaney). So it was sad news when, in March 2020, the Dublin Writers Museum closed its doors at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dublin Writers Museum, Dublin, Ireland

Then, in August 2022, the museum's permanent closure was announced. A spokesperson from the Irish tourism board stated it "no longer meets the expectation of the contemporary museum visitor in terms of accessibility, presentation and interpretation". To fill the gap, pay a visit to the Museum of Literature Ireland instead, which pays tribute to important Irish writers, displays semi-rare works by the likes of James Joyce and dazzles with the gorgeous Dedalus Library.

Giant Sky Wheel, Tokyo, Japan

Daikanransha (or the Giant Sky Wheel) formed part of Palette Town, a huge shopping, dining and entertainment complex on the man-made island of Odaiba. The 115-foot (35m) Ferris wheel once reigned supreme as the largest of its kind in the world, with a 15-minute ride taking in the views of surrounding Palette Town and sky-high buildings.

Giant Sky Wheel, Tokyo, Japan

Following the closure of Palette Town's Mega Web Toyota City Showcase, Zepp Tokyo, VenusFort shopping centre and teamLab Borderless in 2021 and 2022, the Giant Sky Wheel took its final spin in August 2022. The entire site is currently under redevelopment, with plans to build an office tower, hotel and, hopefully, a brand new Ferris wheel.

The 9/11 Tribute Museum, New York City, New York, USA

Detailing the harrowing events of 11 September 2001, the 9/11 Tribute Museum welcomed over five million visitors during its 16-year run. The Greenwich Street-based museum displayed video and photographic footage, fire rescue uniforms and other artefacts from the tragedy, along with exhibits about the area's reconstruction and the World Trade Centre bombing in 1993 too.

The 9/11 Tribute Museum, New York City, New York, USA

In August 2022, it closed its doors for the final time, having been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and low visitor numbers. While its physical location is no more, you can book an audio tour of the 9/11 Memorial through their website. You can listen to survivors, rescue and recovery workers and civilian volunteers as they share their experiences during and after the attacks.

Train Street, Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi has long attracted tourists, who come for the frenetic city life and use it as a gateway to discover northern Vietnam. Until recently, Train Street was one of the Vietnamese capital’s most iconic attractions – the narrow street featured cafés and shops that spilled out onto a railway line, some situated only five feet (1.5m) from the tracks.

Train Street, Hanoi, Vietnam

Tourists would flock to the street to take photos of trains trundling through, but authorities have now shut the boulevard due to overcrowding and safety concerns. In September 2022, businesses on the street were ordered to close and barricades were put in place to prevent tourists from accessing it.

Cliffhanger roller coaster, Isle of Wight, England, UK

When the Cliffhanger opened at Blackgang Chine theme park in 2005, it took pride of place as the only roller coaster on the Isle of Wight. The popular ride soared above the coastline and offered sweeping views across to sea stacks The Needles for some 18 years.

Cliffhanger roller coaster, Isle of Wight, England, UK

Sadly, in October 2022, the iconic ride closed down, with Blackgang Chine's director Dominic Ray stating that it was more costly to maintain than more modern coasters. But all hope isn’t lost: a new, state-of-the-art ride, Extinction, has opened at the park, featuring a 360-degree pendulum swing that takes riders 59 feet (18m) up in the air.

Museum of London, London, England, UK

The Museum of London is one of the Big Smoke's much-loved free tourist attractions, looking back to prehistory and boasting displays on everything from grime music to the infamous Whitechapel fatberg. After a 45-year run, in December 2022, the Barbican institution closed its doors, marking its final day with a 24-hour musical event.

Museum of London, London, England, UK

However, it’s not gone forever. In 2026 it will reopen in West Smithfield, just a 10-minute walk away, and form part of London’s Culture Mile. Similarly, the popular Billingsgate and Smithfields markets will relocate to a purpose-built site in Dagenham Dock, east London, between 2027-2028.

The Haiku Stairs, Oahu, Hawaii, USA

Built in 1942 by the US Navy, this dizzying staircase lines Oahu’s green Ko’olau mountains and is nicknamed the 'Stairway to Heaven' for good reason. But with rising safety concerns, the stairs have been closed to the public for several years (with hefty fines for trespassers), and in 2022 it was facing demolition.

The Haiku Stairs, Oahu, Hawaii, USA

While the Honolulu City Council voted to permanently remove the staircase, it seems like it won’t go without a fight. A community organisation, Friends of Haiku Stairs, is campaigning for a section to be reopened and made accessible to visitors.