Inspiration

10 Tourist Attractions That Are Worth the Wait

Nobody likes dealing with lines at popular tourist spots, but some deserve the hours-long wait. Here are 10 tourist attractions around the world that are worth the everlasting queue.

By Amy Plitt

August 27, 2014

Franklin Barbecue
Austin, TX
The lines at this Austin BBQ joint are so long and legendary that there's actually a Twitter feed devoted to chronicling the daily queue. So how did the young restaurant (owner Aaron Franklin started the cult favorite out of a trailer in 2009) become one of the most popular BBQ spots in 'cue-obsessed Texas? Simple: The food is worth the hype, with the tender slow-smoked brisket being the thing to order (if you can get it).
© The Coveteur
Hagia Sophia
Istanbul, Turkey
It's not surprising that tourists regularly line up for hours to enter this magnificent Turkish structure: Named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, the Hagia Sophia has been standing since the sixth century, and is one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture in the world. There's much to see in the onetime church and mosque: fountains, tombs, rooms used for worship. And really, how often can you say you've walked around a complex that's been standing for more than 1,000 years?

The Peak Tram
Hong Kong
There are other ways to get to the top of Victoria Peak, but the Tram—a funicular railway that has been in operation in one form or another since 1888—is the most iconic. This also means it's the most crowded, with wait times extending into the two- to three-hour mark. But the views of the Hong Kong skyline and Victoria Harbor from above are unparalleled, and once you get to the top, the time spent in line won't seem quite so bad.
Sistine Chapel
Vatican City, Italy
The line to enter the Vatican Museums, of which the Sistine Chapel is one element, often extend well outside of the buildings themselves. And once you _do _make it inside, you'll battle crowds inside the Sistine Chapel itself. Is it worth it? Absolutely. The Vatican itself is gorgeous, but the chapel is truly breathtaking. Michelangelo's famous painting on the ceiling, depicting Biblical scenes including The Creation of Adam, is the main attraction, but keep an eye out for pieces by other famed artists, including Botticelli and Raphael. (And yes, you can reserve in advance if you want to skip the lines.)

The Louvre
Paris, France
Long queues regularly form outside of the I.M. Pei–designed pyramid at the main entrance of the Louvre. It's possible to get tickets in advance and skip the line (take note: you can't pick those up at the museum itself), but if you haven't planned ahead, the wait will still be worth it. Not only is the Louvre huge enough to occupy an entire day, but how many chances will you get to see masterworks like the Venus de Milo statue, or Ingres's Une Odalisque? (Yes, yes, we know, the Mona Lisa, but be prepared to wait in a crowd for a glimpse of that, too.)
Totonno's
Brooklyn, NY
"New York-style pizza" is so ubiquitous that joints claiming to sell the stuff can be found in locales as far-flung as Des Moines or Tokyo. But these are mere imitators; for true New York-style pizza, you'll have to visit one of the handful of remaining pie joints in NYC. One such spot, Totonno's, has been making coal-fired pies the same way since 1924, and they're so good that the wait to get in—which can extend down the clock on busy days—is totally justified. Each pie is made-to-order, and has the perfect ratio of creamy mozzarella to sweet, tangy tomato sauce to crispy-yet-chewy crust.

The National Archives Museum
Washington, D.C.
Admission to the Archives, like many other D.C. museums, is free; but with gratis entry comes long waits, much of which will be spent outside the museum. You can avoid this by reserving timed entry in advance, but if you forgot to do that, don't give up just yet. The main draw here is the "Charters of Freedom": Original copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are displayed in a special gallery, drawing millions of visitors each year. It's kind of your patriotic duty to see those at least once in your lifetime.

Space Mountain
Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL
One of Disney's most iconic rides also remains one of its most popular; it's all but guaranteed that you'll have to wait to ride this roller coaster. (Or, really, any Disney attraction, but that's another article.) But you don't have to be a coaster enthusiast or a Disney obsessive to enjoy the ride, which takes place almost entirely in the dark and is as thrilling as it was when it debuted in 1975. Plus, the queueing area itself is pretty cool, with the line going through a Star Tunnel leading up to the ride. There are apps that give visitors a heads-up on wait times so you know what you're getting into in advance.
The Tower of London
London, U.K.
Prepare for several lines if you decide to visit the Tower of London (and don't book a tour in advance): There's the line to get in, and then the line to see the Crown Jewels, the most famous item within the museum. But your wait will be rewarded with a full day's worth of things to do and explore. The Tower's various rooms and houses hold centuries of British history, from the hidden paths within the walls of the fortress, to the Royal Menagerie, which originated at the Tower in the 13th century.

San Francisco Cable Cars
Yes, they're kind of cheesy, and yes, tourists probably make up the majority of the ridership. But for transit nerds, there are few things cooler than riding an all-but-outmoded form of public transportation. There are stops along the routes where you won't have to wait to board at all, but to get the full cable-car experience, wait at one of the stops with a turntable (where the cars turn around), such as Powell and Market streets. You'll be in a longer line but you'll also get to see the beginning of the whole operation.

San Francisco Cable Cars

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