Once-Popular Vacation Spots We Would NOT Visit Today
The Tides Have Turned
Once upon a time, families all over the country dreamed of going to the famous resorts in places like the Catskills and the Salton Sea, among others. But over the years, things have fallen apart. Palm Springs, for example, has an incredibly rich history as a tourist destination—but today its reputation is much darker.
The Catskills
When New York City hit a population of 10 million, making it the first “megacity” in the world in the 1930s, it had a ripple effect that reached hundreds of miles in nearly all directions.
As the city grew even more in the decades that followed, people chose to move to the suburbs, which grew exponentially. And then, there was the need for places for them to take vacations with their family.
Vacation, All I Ever Wanted
Before the advent of air conditioning, leaving the city in the summer was basically a necessity—and people tended to choose destinations that could be reached by train.
With the expansion of certain railroad lines, the Catskill Mountains became a desirable location and dozens of resorts began to pop up between the rolling hills and the rivers that were ripe for trout-fishing.
But there was something different about the Catskills…
The Borscht Belt
The Catskills became a destination for Jewish families from the late 19th century, and hotels and resorts popped up to serve them, offering Friday night services and kosher food. The area eventually became known as the Borscht Belt as a result.
The Catskills Then
By the 1950s, the so-called Borscht Belt was THE hot spot for vacationing Jewish New Yorkers.
Though there were hotels and cabins that catered to lower and middle-class visitors, there were also stunning resorts filled with the finest mid-century modern furniture and design. There were casinos and entertainment most nights.
