Recently I went to see the Titanic exhibit at Discovery Center, Times Square.  I’ll tell you what was good, what I’d want to change, and if it’s worth it.

More than 350 authentic artifacts are displayed here, from personal items like clothing, money and jewelry to the ship’s whistle and recreated rooms.

At entry everyone is given a Boarding Pass to the White Star Line’s R.M.S. Titanic, which lists the name of a real passenger who was aboard the ship, their port of departure, age, where they were from and if they were accompanied by anyone. Their actual cabin number and class (first, second or third) is also listed, along with destination and reason for the trip. Perhaps most interesting is the ‘passenger fact,’ which tells something about that person’s life up until this point. This is a really nice touch and makes ‘The Titanic’ not just history, but a personal experience.

The next thing is a little creepy. A photographer takes photos of everyone in front of a blowup of the ship. We’re urged to smile and we do, I don’t know why. It reminds me of those awful amusement park ride photos, only in reality the Titanic turned out to be the ultimate scary ride. I felt like saying, “Um, didn’t people die here?” In the end we bought the photo because it looks a little crazy – we are positively giddy to be boarding ‘the fun ship.’ I have to think: Whose idea was this? and, Will they be taking smiley photos of tourists at the World Trade Center in 70 years?

Otherwise, the exhibits themselves are very interesting and there is a lot to see. A ladies gold mesh purse, coins and paper money that survived, clothing and trunks are here. You can peek into a third class cabin. A group of plates are lined up, standing on edge in the sand. It is explained that the cabinet in which they had been kept fell over and that’s how they were later found.

There are menus that show how meals differed in first, second and third class. Huge photographs are on the walls, with quotes from the captain and others. One area is decorated like a solarium, and I sit in a wicker chair, feeling very 1912.  I wish they could make the floor rock gently and pipe in ship sounds.

We get to see how a first class room was furnished.  While walking through the ship’s corridor, I tug on the cabin door handles but they do not open. If they made a hallway with doors, why not go the extra mile and put some rooms in there? You just know everyone was trying those handles.

Around another corner, the grand staircase is beautifully recreated. My thoughts start to fade back in time again, when suddenly I’m snapped back to reality by the photographer urging us to smile again.

Finally, the foghorns and ocean sounds are heard as we enter the iceberg room, with looping video and a very big chunk of ice – that is touched by everyone just to see if it’s real.

Lastly, you learn of your fate. Did you survive?  Everyone scrutinizes the wall for their name and the look on their face tells the answer.  Phew! I made it.

The gift shop had a lot of books, maps, toys and even tiny chunks of genuine coal from the ship. You can also purchase first or third class Titanic dinnerware.

The exhibit is closing February 28, so get there soon.

WIWI*: Yes, if you are not poor. I enjoyed the exhibit but found it way overpriced, at $26.67 for an adult and $19.05 for children. This is not an attraction where you would spend several hours. You have to weigh the freak factor – would you ever get to see this stuff again?

* Was It Worth It?

http://www.discoverytsx.com/nyc/exhibitions.php

It’s sailing again in 2012, well, sort of.  Read about the anniversary cruise.

Would you like to dive to the Titanic shipwreck site in a MIR submersible?  Details here.