I love that dichotomy, and I understand exactly what you mean.
The Andromeda Galaxy is barely visible to the naked eye under ideal conditions. It is likely the largest thing the unaided eye can see. 200.000 light years across in distance and 2.5 million light years away. So the light you see from it has been traveling for a while. Viewing through binoculars or a telescope of course takes you to the next level.