You get way out of line and your mom or dad sends you to your room: no TV, no going out with your friends. Might as well be in prison, you grumble.
Well, not really.
But don’t take our word for it. If your family is planning a vacation to San Francisco, there’s a place you gotta check out.
From 1934 until 1963, prisoners who couldn’t be controlled in regular prisons were sent to a windy, rocky island in San Francisco Bay called Alcatraz. Some of America’s most notorious criminals, such as Al Scarface Capone, did time on “the Rock.” (Yeah, the action flick with the same name features scenes filmed on the island.) These days, the now-closed prison is a major tourist attraction.
If you ever take the Alcatraz tour, shell out a few extra bucks for a set of headphones. (The tour alone will cost you about $4 to $7, and headphone rental is about $3 more.) With background sound effects, you’ll feel like you’re being escorted down the corridor to your own cell while other prisoners taunt you.
On the tape, prisoners talk about how awful it was to see the free world–and when the wind was right, they could hear people talking and laughing–but not be a part of it.
Alcatraz tours have become so popular that they often sell out days in advance. Visitors are advised to call ahead (415-546-2700) to purchase tickets. If you can’t make it in person, you can take a virtual tour by visiting the park’s Web site at http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz/.
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And the next time you’re sent to your room, just remember it could be worse–a lot worse: You haven’t been banished to Alcatraz.
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