Many of us love to experience culture and history as we travel, but some destinations aren’t worth the hype. Overrated attractions and overcrowded hotspots can leave you feeling disappointed and wishing that you’d spent your time and money elsewhere. To help you avoid this, steer clear of these 19 attractions on your next trip.
Times Square
According to Business Insider, “Depending on the time of day and how busy it is, it can be nearly impossible to comfortably walk the Times Square stretch and properly take in the blinding views.” On top of this, visitors will usually pay higher prices for dining and shopping compared to other parts of the city.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Millions of visitors head to Hollywood each year to see their favorite celebrities’ and icons’ names set into stars. Unfortunately, the sidewalks are often overcrowded and dirty, making the experience less glamorous than they imagined it would be. You’re also more likely to see street performers than Hollywood stars in the local area.
Fisherman’s Wharf
Tourists flock to Fisherman’s Wharf, but it doesn’t have the authenticity that other areas of San Francisco have to offer. It also has much higher prices, with restaurants and shops charging more money for lower quality goods and services in order to cater to the large crowds.
Bourbon Street
This street is known for its vibrant nightlife, but overcrowding and littering have made it an unpleasant experience for many. The Independent says that New Orleans is trying to remove “the emphasis from Bourbon Street as a 24/7 party destination for tourists, while restoring the area’s cultural authenticity.”
Mall of America
Despite tourists being drawn here as it’s the largest mall in the U.S., many find it a disappointing visit as it lacks any distinct character. The sheer size of the center is overwhelming, and most of the stores are national chains that can be found in other malls and city centers.
The Alamo
The Alamo is often much smaller than visitors expect it to be, and the modern development around the site detracts from its historical beauty. The area surrounding it is also filled with tourist shops and attractions, making it feel less authentic than other sites of importance.
South Beach
Often packed with people, South Beach has become an expensive place for tourists. Condé Nast Traveler says, “A day of lounging and protecting yourself from the sun can easily cost a couple $50 or more.” While the sands and sea may seem like a relaxing way to spend a day, it has more of a party atmosphere than some visitors expect.
Myrtle Beach
Like many of the other tourist spots on this list, restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues surrounding Myrtle Beach usually cater to tourists, meaning they have low-quality goods and services for an inflated price. Costs for parking and accommodation are also high, especially during peak season.
Niagara Falls
Many of the attractions and services surrounding the falls are designed to take as much money from tourists as possible, making it feel like a theme park rather than a site of natural beauty. The best spots to see the falls are also usually packed with crowds, making it hard to find the best views.
The Las Vegas Strip
Overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour of Vegas, tourists are unfortunately targeted by scams and inflated prices as they make their way down the strip. They will also pay very high prices for dining, shows, and other activities as businesses try to make the most money from them that they can.
Mount Rushmore
The remote location of this historical site means that you’ll need to put in a lot of travel time, all for a relatively short experience. While there is a town nearby, it is filled with tacky attractions and souvenir shops selling low-quality goods.
Atlantic City Boardwalk
Many visitors to the boardwalk are disappointed to find that the attractions are mostly dated or run-down. The city also has high crime rates, and Best Places found that “the violent crime rate in Atlantic City is 69.4, almost three times the U.S. average of 22.7.”
Salem During Halloween
Although Salem’s rich history means thousands of visitors flock to the town every Halloween, the sheer number of tourists means you’ll often spend a lot of time waiting in line. A lot of the attractions and experiences you can buy are overly commercialized and don’t give you an accurate account of Salem’s history.
Graceland
For die-hard Elvis fans, a visit to Graceland may be on their travel list, but for most people, it’s not worth it. It’s expensive to visit, and there are lots of additional costs for experiences such as tours. There is also a big focus on commercialization, which detracts from the history and authenticity of the house.
The Freedom Trail
A popular tourist destination, the Freedom Trail can become very congested in peak seasons as crowds of tourists make their way past the historically important sites. There are also a lot of guided tours on offer, but often you’ll be able to learn just as much through a bit of research.
Pike Place Market
A lot of the vendors in Pike Place Market cater directly to tourists rather than locals. This means that the prices are inflated, and the market can feel more like an attraction than a genuine shopping experience. It’s also a highly popular destination, making it hard to move around comfortably in the crowds.
Navy Pier
Tourists often flock to Navy Pier on their visit to Chicago, but the atmosphere often feels more like an amusement park than the cultural experience they expect. As with a lot of other attractions, the number of tourists means that prices are inflated and there are large crowds to deal with.
Space Needle
After paying the high price for admission, many visitors will find themselves in long lines to get to the top. Once on the observatory deck, the crowds can make it hard to enjoy the views. You may be better off heading to another place for views of the city without the hassle.
The Florida Keys
The number of tourists that visit the Keys can make the area very congested, and there is often a lack of parking spaces. On top of this, many people are disappointed to find that the area has been significantly developed to cater for tourists, which has had a big impact on the natural beauty and local culture.
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