You’ve seen James Cameron’s impressive blockbuster movie about it. (Actually, you’ve seen it multiple times, haven’t you? Admit it!) The story of the Titanic remains one of the most fascinating in history, partly because of the sheer scope of the ship itself, and partly because of the seemingly endless storylines of the passengers. And if you want to look inside the stories of the real people involved (sorry, Jack and Rose never existed), then head straight to Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition.
Partly museum and partly interactive experience, this attraction is absorbing to the point of distraction. No detail is left out: the design of the ship (and the efforts to get it built); re-creations of cabins; profiles of some of the famous people who stayed in those cabins; a simulation of the deck of the ship on the fateful night it sank, complete with accurate air temperature; and a large piece of ice you can touch to give you an idea of just how cold it was that night.
The information you take in during this unforgettable tour will stay with you for some time. What makes it particularly powerful is that, upon entering, you are given the name of one of the passengers, and must go through the whole exhibit before you’re able to ascertain if your passenger survived. (There’s a large wall at the end that lists those who survived and those who did not.)
One thing the movie got right: That amazingly ornate grand staircase, here immaculately re-created to give you some sense of how opulent and grandiose this whole project was. It’s almost like they tried to put Las Vegas on a boat!
Perhaps the most striking part of Titanic is The Big Piece, a huge section of the actual ship. Regardless of how you’ve seen it in your mind, nothing can compare you for the absolute reality of this spectacle. In an instant, you are transported to that night, wondering how it must have felt as this beast began to sink. One thing is certain: You’ll never watch the movie the same way again.
Luxor, 702.262.4400
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