In a six-inch scope NGC 288 appears as a hazy ball with some stars resolved.   The typical magnitude of stars in this cluster is around 12, which is quite bright.  Larger instruments will resolve many more stars: a 12-inch is said to resolve the bright core.  Many observers have noted a strong resemblance to M15.  

This globular is often overlooked--if you haven't seen it yet, now is the time!  As an object with a southerly declination it is best observed from the northern hemisphere when it crosses the meridian (around midnight during October). 

Six inch view at 50x. North is down and east is to the right.