tourist traps in the united states

Are These Really The Biggest Tourist Traps In The United States?

Researchers compiled a list of major tourist traps to avoid. You decide if they’re right.

Has there ever been a stop on your summer vacation that you totally regretted? Say, that over-crowded visit to Times Square? Or that incredibly long line to get beignets at Café Du Monde, in New Orleans? Or are you planning a vacation now and questioning whether to visit certain attractions or landmarks ?

Vacations ideally give you great family memories that will last a lifetime. But some stops were made to be skipped. A report from vacation rental company Casago (via Digg ), ranked the destinations in the U.S. that are, at least according to visitors, the biggest tourist traps in the world.

Casago asked, “With so many sights to see and so little vacation time, how can we tell which attractions might not be worth the visit after all?”

To find the answers, researchers analyzed the phrase “tourist trap” on TripAdvisor to find the attractions in the U.S. that had the highest mentions of that phrase in reviews from visitors. There had to be at least five mentions of the attraction being a “tourist trap” in order for it to be considered.

Casago then compiled a list of the top tourist traps in the U.S. (and in the world) and found some deeply interesting results. For global results, the researchers found that four of the top 10 biggest tourist traps globally were in the U.S. — and that Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco was No. 1 in both the U.S. and the world.

The researchers also revealed the biggest tourist traps in each state and found some that may be surprising to visitors and full-time residents alike. For example, Graceland was the biggest tourist trap in Tennessee and Mystic Pizza (of Mystic Pizza movie fame) was the biggest in Connecticut. Meanwhile, Pike Place Market in Seattle (home to the famous, albeit gross, Gum Wall ) and the Mall of America in Minnesota are also deemed tourist traps.

It’s important to note that your mileage may vary. First of all, some tourist traps may still be more than worth it or have provided a great time and memories for you and your family. These places are generally popular for a reason. And yes, sometimes places are overcrowded, expensive, and a little stressful, but they’re pieces of American history.

What do you take from a vacation? What matters to you? And when does something feel like a tourist trap, and when does if not? What’s worthy of our free time and family time is, of course, highly subjective. Maybe you like to do a little bit of exploring off the beaten path and a little bit of tourist-trap travel. That’s valid, too!

And although Casago ranked the biggest tourist traps by state, it also ranked the overall top 10 biggest traps nationwide. Here’s what the company found:

The 10 biggest tourist traps in the U.S. based on online mentions:

• Fisherman’s Warf in San Francisco, California
• Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota
• Dole Plantation in Wahiawa, Hawaii
• Times Square in New York City, New York
• Café Du Monde in New Orleans, Louisiana
• Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois
• Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas
• Hyman's Seafood in Charleston, South Carolina
• Historic River Street in Savannah, Georgia
• Union Oyster House in Boston, Massachusetts

Anyway, do whatever you want. Have fun visiting the Alamo, or the Elvis birthplace museum in Tupelo, or every overpriced seafood joint on the East Coast. Do you!

To see more on tourist traps, including other ones across the globe, check out the full report from Casago .

• Destinations
• United States

The Biggest Tourist Trap In The United States Isn't What You Think

Tourist traps are everywhere, especially in Los Angeles and New York, the country's most populous cities (via Investopedia ). Think the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Times Square, and the Statue of Liberty, to name a few. However, according to data gathered from Tripadvisor in 2023 by Casago , a vacation rental agency, the biggest tourist trap in the country is neither of these. It's also not found in LA or NYC. It's Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. The city is a pricy but popular vacation destination in the U.S.  

Fisherman's Wharf is near various landmarks in the city, including the Presidio of San Francisco and Coit Tower. The waterfront neighborhood became a hub for San Francisco's maritime industry in the late 1800s. Per the San Francisco Chronicle , it did not evolve into a tourist destination until the 1960s. Now, Fisherman's Wharf is home to various attractions designed to lure in tourists, such as Madame Tussauds, Ripley's Believe It or Not!, and the Museum of 3D Illusions. 

The same can be said about its dining options, like Boudin Bakery Cafe, known for serving clam chowder in a bread bowl. That said, some reviewers on Tripadvisor say that Fisherman's Wharf is trashy, busy, and expensive. Others praise its distinctiveness. Nevertheless, visitors continue to pour into Fisherman's Wharf yearly, perhaps with good reason. 

Fisherman's Wharf is nostalgic

Even with its negative reputation, one thing's for sure: Fisherman's Wharf is a quintessential San Francisco destination. Visitors are met with ocean views, classic cable cars traversing the neighborhood, and old-school charm. Several attractions make Fisherman's Wharf noteworthy. This includes Musée Mécanique on Pier 45. It has vintage arcade games, music boxes, and more on display. Think of it as an antique arcade; yes, visitors can play with these games. Musée Mécanique is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free. 

Per Tripadvisor, Pier 39 is one of the top-rated things to do in the city and in Fisherman's Wharf. At Pier 39's K-Dock, visitors can view sea lions lavishing in the often gloomy San Francisco weather. Likewise, Magowan's Infinite Mirror Maze provides visitors with a colorful and trippy experience. This attraction costs $10 and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Uniquely, Pier 39 has daily performers that include everything from jugglers to rope-walkers.  

Head to The Buena Vista for a comfort meal like corned beef and cabbage or fish and chips. This classic Fisherman's Wharf eatery has been around since 1916 and is known for serving Irish coffee, which combines coffee with Irish whiskey. Another Fisherman's Wharf staple is the Ghirardelli Square. It includes an ice cream and chocolate shop housed in an old Ghirardelli factory dating back to the 1800s.

Alcatraz Island: a must-visit San Francisco tourist trap

While opinions on Fisherman's Wharf are divided, this is not the case with San Francisco's Alcatraz Island. The former prison is less than two miles from the mainland and famously housed Al Capone and other notorious names. It also inspired "Escape from Alcatraz" starring Clint Eastwood, regarded as one of the best island movies . While it is technically considered a tourist trap, publications like USA Today, Business Insider, and more have written that it should not be missed during a trip to the city. Alcatraz is historical and, most importantly, educational. 

Visitors must take a 15-minute ferry from Pier 33 at Fisherman's Wharf to get to the island. Likewise, they can choose between three tours: a Day Tour, a Night Tour, and a Behind The Scenes Tour. Visitors can expect a similar experience on Alcatraz regardless of their choice. This includes exploring the cell house, viewing exhibits, listening to audio guides, and more. 

However, the Behind The Scenes Tour is regarded as the most exhaustive option of the three, and with tickets costing over $100, it is the most expensive. On the other hand, visitors can expect to pay around $45 for the Day Tour and around $56 for the Night Tour at the time of this writing. 

According to the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy , Alcatraz Island receives 1.4 million visitors annually. Simply put, this is a highly coveted attraction, and you should book a tour as far out as possible to secure your spot. All three tours are available on City Experiences . 

Recommended

The Most Boring Tourist Trap in Every U.S. State

Tourist traps come in all shapes and sizes. Some are free, and some cost way more than they’re worth. Some are roadside attractions that exist solely to lure in unsuspecting travelers, while others are once-enticing fixtures that have lost their luster over time. But all share one common trait: Their very existence is fueled by continued visits against all reason.

We've scoured the U.S. to find the least interesting and most skip-worthy destination in each state and Washington, D.C. We’re prepared for the fact that we’ll anger many locals, and we mean no offense with these choices. It’s likely we included many folks’ favorite detours. But just because you have a fond memory of a place doesn’t mean it’s worth anyone else’s time.

And you can be sure that if it claims to be the world’s “largest” or “best” of anything, it made the list.

Alabama: Point Mallard Water Park

Location: Decatur Claim to fame: World’s first wave pool

Water parks are suspect to begin with, as cleanliness is a constant concern, but hanging your star on a “world’s first” claim that can be easily disputed by another water park is pretty weak. Apparently the actual waves down at Alabama’s slice of the Gulf Coast just aren’t enough.

Alaska: The North Pole

Location: North Pole Claim to fame: World's largest fiberglass statue of Santa Claus

This village outside Fairbanks was named in the 1950s for the sole purpose of attracting a toy manufacturer. That never happened, and now Christmas never stops here, which sounds like a 24/7 nightmare.

Sad features include a tiny pen crammed with reindeer who no doubt wish Santa could save them.  

This is also the place where all those letters to Santa addressed simply to the “North Pole” end up every year. 

Arizona: Tombstone

Location: Tombstone Claim to fame: Gunfight at O.K. Corral

The town of Tombstone is supposedly the quintessential example of the Old West American frontier, but there really isn’t much to it — basically just an old theater and courthouse, some shops, and Wild West reenactments (which, to be fair, can be kind of fun).

Tombstone claims to be where the Gunfight at O.K. Corral took place, but in reality that famous shootout happened at an empty lot nearby.

Tourism is the only thing keeping Tombstone alive these days, but you’re better off exploring the unmatched natural beauty of Arizona.

Arkansas: Mount Ida

Location: Montgomery County Claim to fame: More crystal than anyone will ever need

Ouachita National Forest and the crystal deposits there were sacred ground for American Indians. Nowadays they serve the needs of tourists desperate to dig up some earth. 

All you need is a shovel to mine in the self-proclaimed "crystal capital of the world," but we’re not sure why anyone would.

California: "Full House" House

Location: San Francisco Claim to fame: Used as the exterior of the Tanner house in the opening credits of the cheesy-classic ‘80s TV show

California is a gigantic state with a ton of tourist traps, but we can’t think of any one more polarizing than the “Full House” house. It’s mobbed by fans on a daily basis, and that really annoys the locals. It also creates traffic and safety issues, and you can’t just waltz inside because it’s a private residence. ( It hit the market in 2019 for a cool $6 million. ) 

Even getting an exterior shot is tricky, because you have to stand in the middle of a busy street. At best, you’ll get a blurry selfie and a ton of dirty looks from neighbors. How rude!

Colorado: Four Corners

Location: Intersection of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico Claim to fame: Where the aforementioned states meet

We could’ve pinned this “attraction” on any of the states that make up the Four Corners, but we chose Colorado because the state as a whole is so magnificently beautiful that it’s a wonder why anyone would trek to this remote destination simply to stand atop a plaque.

Connecticut: Holy Land USA

Location: Waterbury Claim to fame: An amusement park dedicated to God

We’re certain God wouldn’t be impressed with this false idol, and visitors shouldn’t be either. Holy Land opened in 1955 and had a good run for about 30 years, but eventually closed as an unfinished homage to Christianity. 

Efforts to resurrect the park since then have largely been half-baked, but intrepid travelers still inexplicably show up to check it out. 

Also not working in its favor? It was tragically the site of a gruesome murder in 2010.

Delaware: Air Mobility Command Museum

Location: Dover Air Force Base Claim to fame: Only museum dedicated to airlift and aerial refueling history

It’s hard to imagine a more boring (if totally important) mission than airlifting supplies to soldiers during wartime and refueling aircraft mid-flight, which means it’s hard to imagine a museum more banal than one dedicated to these essential military functions. That must be why there’s only one of them.

Florida: City of Live Mermaids

Location: Weeki Wachee Claim to fame: “Half-fish, half-human” performances in an underwater theater

It should come as no surprise that this attraction featuring a popular male fantasy (all the “mermaids” wear appropriately skimpy bathing-suit tops) peaked in popularity in the 1960s. If “Mad Men” taught us anything, it’s that the ‘60s were wholly a man’s world. 

But even though its popularity has waned over the years, the City of Live Mermaids is still very much kicking, or rather swimming, today.

Because...Florida.

Georgia: Lunch Box Museum

Location: Columbus Claim to fame: Houses all 450 “official” collectible lunch boxes

People collect some weird stuff and also some stupid stuff. Lunch boxes fall somewhere in between. 

But an entire museum dedicated to the 450 lunch boxes released between 1951 and 1985, featuring character designs like Mickey Mouse and Popeye? We’d rather just get lunch.

Hawaii: Spouting Horn

Location: Koloa, Kauai  Claim to fame: A trapped lizard monster spewing water skyward

If the local legend mentioned above were actually true, this would be the coolest destination in Hawaii (if not the world). 

In reality, however, visitors to Spouting Horn have trekked all that way to see ocean water pushed up through a lava tube. Seriously, you came to the paradise that is Hawaii to see water spew from a small opening?!

Idaho: Center of the Universe Manhole

Location: Wallace Claim to fame: Duh, it’s the center of the universe

In a town of fewer than 800 residents in a state known for one thing and one thing only — potatoes — it’s probably difficult to attract a lot of tourist dollars. And that’s made 1 million times harder when the water supply is so toxic that your entire town is a Superfund site , managed by the U.S. government because of its hazardous contamination. 

If you’re the mayor, what do you do? Why you conjure up probabilism and declare a manhole cover to be the center of the universe, that’s what. 

Actually, this is kind of genius.

Illinois: Busy Beaver Button Museum

Location: Chicago Claim to fame: World’s only museum of pinback buttons

As we’ve learned, when you’re the “world’s only” of anything, that isn’t necessarily a good thing or selling point. Take this museum, which is simply an endless collection of buttons. That’s right, buttons. The kind that are pinned onto stuff. What more is there to say?

Indiana: Ball of Paint

Location: Alexandria Claim to fame: World’s largest ball of paint

How do you turn a 5-ounce baseball into a 2.5-ton tourist attraction? Cover it in more than 24,000 coats of paint. 

That’s what an Indiana father and his son started doing in 1977. Today, their creation lives in a barn on the family property and is readily available for viewing by anyone who barely values their own existence.

Iowa: Iowa’s Largest Frying Pan

Location: Sac City Claim to fame: The name says it all

In Iowa, we found an enormous garden gnome, an even bigger bull and a popcorn ball that will give you nightmares, but we settled on this frying pan for the least interesting tourist trap because of its humility.

It doesn’t need to be the biggest frying pan in the world. It’s the biggest frying pan in Iowa and apparently, that's enough. 

Kansas: Ball of Twine

Location: Cawker City Claim to fame: World’s largest of its kind, obviously

To ensure this ball of twine never loses the title of world’s largest — even though there are no known competitors — it receives twine anew every August. It was started in 1953 and there is no end in sight.

Kentucky: Colonel Sanders Grave

Location: Louisville Claim to fame: The chicken man’s daughter carved the bust

Anyone with an unhealthy obsession with KFC might find something of import at this gravesite. But for the other 99.9 percent of you, it’s really just a memorial to coronary artery disease. And there isn’t even a KFC nearby!

Louisiana: Nicolas Cage’s Pyramid Tomb

Location: New Orleans Claim to fame: Purchased by the actor and hated by everyone else

Leave it to Nic Cage to piss off the locals, and not with his questionable acting abilities. That’s what the nephew of Francis Ford Coppola did by securing space in the ultra-exclusive St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 for when he kicks the proverbial bucket. (The structure is inscribed with "omnia ab uno," which is Latin for "everything from one." Deep!)

Cage isn’t from New Orleans, he just owns property there, making it all the more odd that he chose this as his final resting place.

Maine: Desert of Maine

Location: Freeport Claim to fame: A “desert” among the pines of one of the greenest U.S. states

It’s not a real desert, just 40 acres of glacial silt exposed some 100 years ago by the poor farming practices of the Tuttle family. It rains here often. The camel is made of fiberglass. If you’re craving a desert excursion but decided to visit Maine, we really can’t help you.

Maryland: Peep Show at Carroll Arts Council

Location: Westminster Claim to fame: Sculptures made entirely out of crappy candy

This attraction features massive sculptures made out of the world’s most disgusting candy product that somehow never molds: Peeps. 

Its dad-joke title is cute, but we think a better name is “Creep Show.”

Massachusetts: Plumbing Museum

Location: Watertown Claim to fame: Complete history of plumbing and sanitation

Want to know everything there is to know about toilets and what happens after they’re flushed? We didn’t think so. 

Plumbing is vitally important to any functioning society, but there’s a reason everyone who's not a plumber spends exactly zero time thinking about it on a daily basis.

Michigan: Edison's Last Breath

Location: Dearborn Claim to fame: The final breath of the vaunted inventor

There’s some serious hot air blowing through the Henry Ford Museum. The story goes that Ford was so obsessed with Thomas Edison that he convinced Edison’s son to sit by his dying father’s bedside and capture the inventor’s final breath in a glass tube, so that Ford could have something to remember his dear friend by. 

We’re just glad it wasn’t another kind of post-death emission.

Minnesota: Mall of America

Location: Bloomington Claim to fame: 4.3 miles of consumerist America

America has a problem with buying stuff, and this building featuring no fewer than 520 shops is the mecca of that obsession. Minnesota’s population is about 5.6 million, but 40 million people visit this consumerist monstrosity annually.

If that doesn’t haunt your nightmares...it should.

Mississippi: Birthplace of Elvis Presley

Location: Tupelo Claim to fame: The two-room shack where the heartthrob entered the world

They say a king was born here, but really Elvis Presley was just a Southerner with an iconic voice and a penchant for bacon. Elvis was born during the Great Depression and lived here for only two years before the family was forced to move after the home was foreclosed upon.

Diehard fans only need apply, and even then, it ain’t great.

Missouri: World's Largest Fork

Location: Springfield Claim to fame: Name says it all

True, it’s fun to have a silly excuse to repeatedly say “stick a fork in it!” But once that novelty wears off, all you’re left with is a giant eating utensil. And it's not even actually the largest in the world! There’s one outside a restaurant in Colorado that’s 40 feet long, trumping this wannabe by 5 feet.

Montana: Smelter Stack

Location: Anaconda Claim to fame: Tallest free-standing masonry structure in the world

Black smoke from a copper-extraction operation once poured out the top of this 585-foot tower, but now it simply sits there unused as the anchor of Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the stack — and we’re using “interesting” liberally — is that the Washington Monument could fit inside.

Nebraska: Panorama Point

Location: Pine Bluffs Claim to fame: Highest point in Nebraska

If it’s nothingness you desire, this is the place to be. Panorama Point is an extremely remote area next to the meeting point of Wyoming, Nebraska and Colorado. And although it’s not on a mountain, but rather the high plains, it’s nearly a mile above sea level. 

Its top features are a view of the Rocky Mountains in the far distance and roving bison — both of which are also available in way less boring parts of the state.

Nevada: Dig This

Location: Las Vegas Claim to fame: Where adults can pretend to be heavy-machinery operators

Las Vegas is known for some stupid things, but we can’t think of anything dumber than shelling out hundreds of dollars to dig a hole in the ground with a massive Caterpillar excavator. But plenty of people disagree, and that’s why Dig This exists. 

New Hampshire: Redstone Rocket Replica

Location: Concord Claim to fame: None we could find

About an hour’s drive north of this replica is an actual Redstone Rocket, the first vessel to carry Americans into space, making it somewhat baffling why anyone would be interested in seeing the fake one.

New Jersey: Lucy the Elephant

Location: Margate City Claim to fame: National Historic Landmark (somehow)

What started as a ruse in 1882 poking fun at P.T. Barnum’s Jumbo elephant is now a permanent display, and an awfully lame one at that. Lucy is nothing more than an elephant-shaped building that currently houses a small museum dedicated to its history.

America is weird, y'all.

New Mexico: International UFO Museum and Research Center

Location: Roswell Claim to fame: Repository for all things related to the Roswell UFO crash

An alien spaceship may or may not have crashed near Roswell in 1947, but since this museum’s opening in 1992 the town has been doing everything it can to capitalize off the legendary story. The problem is there’s not much here beyond kitsch designed specifically to lure in believers and non-believers alike.

Until this museum starts housing real live aliens, we’re not interested!

New York: The Rink at Rockefeller Center

Location: New York City Claim to fame: As iconic as anything in the Big Apple

You thought it was going to be Times Square, but at least that’s free and spectacularly gaudy at night. The problem with The Rink is that it’s one of the activities singled out as a must-do on every single New York travel guide, even though it’s only open for part of the year. It also costs a pretty penny to get in ($37 to $40 per adult unless you have your own skates), the lines are epic and, as it turns out, trying not to fall alongside throngs of people toppling over beside you isn’t actually all that fun.

North Carolina: Land of Oz Theme Park

Location: Beech Mountain Claim to fame: One of Dorothy’s 10 original blue dresses was destroyed by a fire here

“The Wizard of Oz” is a timeless children’s classic. Alas, the same cannot be said of this amusement park, which primarily touts a faux Yellow Brick Road that, as one critic put it, has “faded to a jaundiced hue.” 

In its prime this park was a huge draw, but that was decades ago, and it's never fully recovered from a 1980 fire that did significant damage. Now it’s reopened a few times a year and is mostly a vandal’s playground.

North Dakota: W'eel Turtle

Location: Dunseith Claim to fame: A “turtle” made from thousands of wheel rims

When this work of art was first unveiled in the 1980s, no one had any idea what exactly it was depicting. If not for the giant welcome sign that now announces what it is, that might still be the case today.

Ohio: "A Christmas Story" House and Museum

Location: Cleveland Claim to fame: The home from the movie that’s always rerun during the holidays

It’s bad enough that this embarrassingly dated movie is a fully ingrained feature of American winter holidays; the fact that the entire house set and a museum attract thousands of visitors each year is worse than canned cranberry sauce. To borrow from a true holiday classic, bah humbug.

Oklahoma: Pops

Location: Arcadia Claim to fame: A giant soda store

Don’t fool yourself, this self-proclaimed “futuristic” pop shop is selling the same sugary swill as any other roadside gas station-restaurant. It does, however, set itself apart with a 66-foot tall LED-lit bottle (it’s on Route 66 after all).

Oregon: Chocolate Waterfall

Location: Portland Claim to fame: Recycling chocolate for longer than is appropriate

Chocolate fountains are usually a fun and delicious feature at a big soiree, but the one inside the Candy Basket shop has been re-circulating for so long that the store would probably get sued by anyone who tasted it. Thanks for making chocolate gross.

Pennsylvania: Big Mac Museum

Location: Erwin Claim to fame: Shrine to the world’s most iconic fast food item

The problem with this museum isn’t the fact that it exists in the first place, though its "exhibits" — including a 14-foot-tall Big Mac and a display examining the evolution of the burger wrapper — are indeed pretty weak.

It’s that the Big Mac was actually invented at a McDonald’s outpost in a Pennsylvania town about 40 miles away. Why not worship this gut punch at its actual birthplace?

Rhode Island: Newport Tower

Location: Newport Claim to fame: It was actually built by Vikings

For some reason, the remains of a 17th century windmill have been mistaken for a Viking structure that proves Columbus wasn’t the first non-native to step foot in America. Carbon-dating technology proved the notion wrong , yet the legend lives on.

South Carolina: Kazoo Museum

Location: Beaufort Claim to fame: Features 200 examples of the instrument

Is there a more annoying sound than that which emanates from a kazoo? Perhaps the sound that 200 of them make when blown into simultaneously. Thankfully that doesn’t happen here, but it turns out being forced to look at hundreds of kazoos is also pretty irritating.

South Dakota: Wall Drug

Location: Wall Claim to fame: The ice water destination for early Mount Rushmore visitors

There’s actually nothing awful, boring or uninteresting about Wall Drug, but we had to include it here because, since its start in 1931, it’s spawned countless awful tourist traps looking to make a quick buck. With its odd assortment of fiberglass jackalopes and its world-famous ice water, Wall Drug attracts some 2 million visitors a year to, literally, the middle of nowhere.

Tennessee: Concrete Parthenon

Location: Nashville Claim to fame: Athens of the South

It’s hard to imagine a worse travel experience than visiting a full-scale replica of an actually amazing ancient site, but that’s exactly what thousands of people do every year in Nashville. There’s even a 42-foot Athena statue at this knock-off poser. Both were built for the 1897 Centennial Exposition.

Texas: Stonehenge II

Location: Ingram Claim to fame: What the real Stonehenge originally looked like, at 60 percent scale in height

We don’t understand the fascination with replicas of famous sites, but they certainly abound across America. The worst part about Stonehenge II is that it wasn’t enough to make a plaster and wire version of the prehistoric monument — the creators had to throw in fake moai heads like those found on Easter Island too.

Utah: Gilgal Garden

Location: Salt Lake City Claim to fame: Kind of meaningful to Mormons, maybe?

If you've ever thought to yourself, "You know what'd be cool to see? A creepy stone sphinx modeled after Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism," then do we have the place for you!

Honestly, it's hard to imagine even religious diehards finding much reason to make a pilgrimage here.

Vermont: Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour

Location: Waterbury Claim to fame: Where the unique flavor combos are made

We love Ben & Jerry’s ice cream as much as anyone, but the last thing we’d do is visit the factory. The ice cream is available just about anywhere ice cream is sold — what’s the point of slogging through the crowds to get your hands on something that you can find at the local 7-Eleven?

Virginia: Dinosaur Land

Location: White Post Claim to fame: A dinosaur version of Disneyland, sorta

You know what would be awesome? A park full of fossilized dinosaur remains. You know what wouldn’t be awesome? A park full of fiberglass dinosaurs. The best part of this roadside attraction is that the original owner copied the Disneyland font, and that’s us being generous.

Washington: Gum Wall

Location: Seattle Claim to fame: Where used gum goes to never die

We used to think that if we swallowed our gum it would stick to our stomach for seven years. Now we know that’s not true, because obviously it ends up on the side of a building with thousands of other chewed pieces of gum in an alley near the much more famous and fun Pike Place Market.

In a word: E w.

West Virginia: Mystery Hole

Location: Ansted Claim to fame: Where gravity defies all explanation

Many of these so-called gravity hills or magnetic hills still exist across the U.S., and all of them are the same campy illusion. The buildings are simply constructed at a significant enough tilt that it appears as though people are standing sideways or that balls roll uphill.

Sorry, but that’s just boring old science, folks.

Wisconsin: World's Largest Six-Pack

Location: La Crosse Claim to fame: Beer tanks made to look like beer cans

In a state known for its light lagers, it’s fitting that a brewery has disguised its fermentation tanks to look like a six-pack. It’s estimated that if this was a real sixer, it would supply a six-pack a day for over 3,300 years.

We'd much rather partake of some of that brew than stare at this underwhelming attraction.

Wyoming: Intergalactic Spaceport

Location: Green River Claim to fame: Landing site for residents of Jupiter

If you were hoping to meet residents of Jupiter while visiting Wyoming, we’re sorry to let you down. The Intergalactic Spaceport is nothing more than a dirt landing strip encouraging aliens from Jupiter to land there, if and when they ever feel like leaving their faraway gas giant. 

To date, no known landings have occurred. Or have they?!

Washington, D.C.: Presidents Gallery

Location: Penn Quarter Claim to fame: Lifelike wax sculptures of all former presidents

Madame Tussauds is rarely a good idea, and in a city with so many free museums and attractions (all Smithsonian locations and the National Zoo, the National Gallery of Art, etc.) there is absolutely no reason to pay an entrance fee so you can take a selfie with a George Waxington.

Tourist traps to avoid in every state

There are few things more American than a good old-fashioned roadside attraction. After all, they’re at the heart of almost every road trip. But just because they exist doesn’t mean they’re all worth seeing.

While most states have quirky, unique attractions that are worth your while, it’s all too easy to get suckered into a veritable tourist trap, a waste of time and—even worse—money. To avoid that dilemma on your next road trip, Stacker scoured online reviews and feedback on each state’s most popular tourist attractions to find the ones that you should avoid.

ALSO:  Locals share the most overrated and underrated tourist attraction in every state

Alabama: The World's Largest Brick

This oversized ad for Jenkins Brick & Tile Company calls Montgomery, Alabama, home. The “world’s largest brick” is actually constructed from many small bricks, not one giant brick, and secondly, it can’t even boast the title anymore. In 2007, a larger clay brick, made by ACME Brick Co. in Denton, Texas, stole the honors.

Alaska: Santa Claus House

The Santa Claus House is a largely self-explanatory establishment that capitalizes on its home in North Pole, Alaska. Now, this town of 2,000 people has no relation to the real North Pole, and it’s mostly home to generic Christmas knick-knacks you can buy anywhere. Although it does have a 900-pound statue of jolly old St. Nick himself out front.

Arizona: The Thing

Anyone who’s taken a southwest road trip has probably seen mysterious billboards advertising “The Thing,” outside of Dragoon, Arizona. If the nearly 250 billboards along I-10 aren’t enough to pique your curiosity, Stacker will cue you in: “The Thing” is nothing more than an odd collection of antiquities, the centerpiece being a mummified mother and child of ambiguous origin. Save your $1.

Arkansas: Crater of Diamonds State Park

If playing around in a field of dirt appeals to you, you’ll love Crater of Diamonds State Park. As the world’s only diamond-producing site open to the public, Crater of Diamonds draws in loads of tourists who want to spend $8 for the minuscule chance of digging up a precious stone of their very own.

California: Venice Beach Boardwalk

It’s been immortalized in movies and TV shows for decades, but the Venice Beach boardwalk is mostly an overcrowded stretch of street performers, meatheads, and other eccentrics who hope to make a quick buck off an unsuspecting tourist. If you want an authentic L.A. beach experience, hit up Santa Monica Pier or drive up to secluded Malibu instead.

Colorado: Mike the Headless Chicken Festival

The tiny town of Fruita, Colorado, hosts a two-day festival each year to commemorate Mike, a Wyandotte chicken who met his untimely death in 1945 and proceeded to live for another 18 months—without a head. While Mike’s story is remarkable, the festival itself is not.

Connecticut: Wild Bill's Nostalgia Store

Wild Bill's is particularly creepy on the outside—thanks to a giant clown head. This Middletown, Connecticut, attraction is home to the world’s largest jack-in-the-box and store akin to a small-town flea market.

Delaware: Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk

Once you've seen one boardwalk, you’ve seen them all. While Delaware’s Rehoboth Beach is scenic, it’s boardwalk is not—unless you’re a fan of overpriced logo T-shirts and other tourist memorabilia.

Florida: St. Augustine Alligator Farm

Florida’s famous for gators, but once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen ‘em all. The St. Augustine Alligator Farm has been in existence since the late 1800s, but we’re not entirely sure. Save your time and money, unless you’re absolutely dying to zip line over a pool of the hungry reptiles.

Georgia: Jimmy Carter Peanut Statue

No disrespect to one of America's past presidents, but there are few reasons to stop at this landmark, which consists of a 13-foot statue of a smiling peanut. It was erected by the Indiana Democratic Party during Carter’s 1976 campaign, but it now lives in the former president’s hometown of Plains, Georgia.

Hawaii: Dole Plantation

Dole’s famous Hawaiian plantation is popular with those who are curious about how pineapples grow, but it’s become even more famous thanks to a sweet whipped treat called a Dole Whip. Lines for this pineapple-flavored treat can grow extremely long, so next time you’re in Hawaii, skip the Dole and try truly authentic Hawaiian shaved ice instead.

Idaho: The Spud Drive-In

While a drive-in movie theater sounds quaint in theory, they don’t work nearly as well in practice. However, this Idaho theater does boast a giant sculpture of a potato sitting on the back of a flatbed truck.

Illinois: The Super Museum

What do you get when you combine the small Illinois town of Metropolis with a rabid Superman fan? A 100,000-piece homage to the superhero. Unless you’re a die-hard fan of the fictional superhero, keep on driving.

Indiana: The Largest Ball of Paint

What was once a humble baseball is now the world’s largest ball of paint, with more than 25,000 layers and weighing more than 4,000 pounds. It’s among the state’s most-visited roadside attractions. If curiosity gets the better of you, you can make an appointment to view the ball for yourself.

Iowa: The Field of Dreams

The beloved movie was filmed here—and that’s about it. Since then, it’s hosted a baseball exhibition game and a film screening, but it’s still basically a baseball diamond surrounded by cornfields. 

Kansas: The World's Largest Ball of Twine

Yes, it’s a real thing. This Cawker City, Kansas, attraction is more than 40 feet in circumference and weighs almost 15,000 pounds.

Kentucky: Ark Encounter

This biblical theme-park opened in 2016, boasting a life-size, 510-foot-long ark among other religious exhibits. While the exhibitions might be interesting to many, the ticket price is tough to swallow. Ticket prices are $48 for adults, and between $15 and $25 for kids, so bringing the whole family here will be a pricey endeavor.

Louisiana: Bourbon Street

Louisiana’s Bourbon Street is unfailingly popular in a city with so much else to offer. There are much more interesting things to do in the Big Easy than walk down a stretch loaded with strip clubs, loud groups of partiers, and tacky drink offerings.

Maine: The Desert of Maine

In a state with so much natural beauty, why would anyone care about seeing a desert? This sandy 40-acre attraction is the result of exposed glacial silt in the middle of what was once a working farm. Admission costs $12.50 for adults to visit what is basically a sandbox.

Maryland: God’s Ark of Safety

Kentucky beat Maryland to the punch with their Ark Encounter, but at one time, Marylanders, too, wanted a life-size replica of the ark. While the project kicked off with a bang in 1976, it quickly fizzled out, leaving a steel-and-concrete skeleton alongside the interstate that nevertheless still draws curious visitors.

Massachusetts: Plymouth Rock

Want to see where the original pilgrims landed in Massachusetts? Prepare to be disappointed. While there is indeed a Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts, disappointed visitors will discover it’s nothing more than an average-sized rock with a plaque next to it.

Michigan: Mystery Spot

This famed area was discovered in the 1950s by surveyors who discovered their equipment had mysteriously stopped working. Since then, it’s been regarded as, well, a mysterious spot that defies the laws of gravity. Now, it’s nothing more than a few shacks built into hillside, a mini-amusement park with a maze, mini-golf, and zip lines. Like one TripAdvisor reviewer wrote, “the only mystery is ‘where did my $9 go?’”

Minnesota: Mall of America

It’s large and has every store imaginable, drawing in more than 40 million visitors each year. But in the era of Amazon, there are better ways to spend your time and money than shopping at this chain-store conglomerate. Even a visit to some of the more unique attractions, like the aquarium or Nickelodeon Universe, will cost you, with ticket prices of $25—or more.

Mississippi: Mammy's Cupboard

This restaurant, which has its dining room set within the skirt of a 28-foot black woman, has its roots in an offensive stereotype that existed for decades in the South. While the Natchez restaurant was repainted during the Civil Rights era, it’s still hotly debated in Mississippi.

Missouri: Silver Dollar City

Branson's Silver Dollar City is no Disney World—but you still might be floored by the prices to get into this wannabe amusement park, where tickets for adults run nearly $70. With just 40 rundown rides, there are better places to spend your hard-earned money. 

Montana: Lincoln’s World Famous 50,000 Silver $ Bar

“Montana’s largest gift shop” also boasts a motel, free RV parking, and a casino. But the real attractions here are the 50,000 silver dollar coins affixed to every surface. 

Nebraska: Carhenge

Imagine that the builders of Nebraska’s Carhenge said, “Imagine Stonehenge, but with cars.” Thirty-nine painted cars are arranged to resemble the famed English monument. Instead, consider checking out some of Nebraska’s natural wonders, like the famed sandhill crane migration.

Nevada: The Las Vegas Strip

Impressive by night, this iconic stretch of Las Vegas looks more like a strip mall during the day. Hoping to get a selfie with the namesake sign? Be prepared to wait in a long queue, likely with no shade and scorching heat—this is Vegas after all.

New Hampshire: Ice Castles

Man-made ice caverns sound impressive and they are in fact beautiful, but like many roadside attractions, these just aren’t quite as breathtaking in person as they sound. If you like bitterly cold temperatures and crowds — you’ll love it.

New Jersey: Atlantic City

Natives of the Garden State won’t be surprised by this addition to the list. Atlantic City’s boardwalk is full of unsuspecting attractions that lure tourists into spend money. If you want to visit the Jersey coast, stick to the charming houses and quaint seaside in Cape May.

New Mexico: Roswell

The Land of Enchantment is also supposedly the site of a 1947 alien crash landing, which sent the town of Roswell into a frenzy. Now, the southern New Mexico town has turned the alleged event into a tourist attraction, building a museum, the International UFO Museum and Research Center, kitschy gift shops, and more.

New York: Times Square

A plaza of flashing lights and Disney characters might sound appealing on your first visit to New York, but real New Yorkers generally avoid the place. At its crux, Times Square is just a plaza surrounded by bright billboards and overpriced chain restaurants. 

North Carolina: The World’s Largest Chest of Drawers

High Point, North Carolina, holds the distinction of Home Furnishings Capital of the World, drawing interior designers, media, and manufacturers annually for its namesake festival. But the town has one other curious draw: a 38-foot statue of a dresser built in the 1920s.

North Dakota: The Center of North America

A stone obelisk marks the center of North America, located near a town aptly-named Center, North Dakota. For years, nearby Rugby claimed the title, until a geographer updated the previously used calculations. 

Ohio: Mary Yoder's Amish Kitchen

This restaurant-gift shop serves hearty Amish food that is purportedly homemade, but some online reviewers report being served canned green beans and frozen dinner rolls. While the temptation of a filling country meal can be strong, Mary Yoder’s is best skipped.

Oklahoma: Blue Whale

Catoosa, Oklahoma’s blue whale won’t be seen in the ocean anytime soon. The derelict 80-foot-long replica of a sperm whale was originally part of a public swimming hole, but it quickly became a popular Route 66 attraction. Today, the whale remains in the pond, alongside a summer concession stand and, naturally, a souvenir shop.

Oregon: Sea Lion Caves

It sounds cool in theory: the world’s largest sea cave. Then, you enter a crowd freight elevator that drops to the bottom, prompting the aforementioned sea lions to dive into the water. At $11, you should keep driving.

Pennsylvania: Hershey's Chocolate World

Hershey’s Chocolate World is essentially a theme park dedicated to average chocolate. While admission for the trolley tour is free, the end-goal here is to get visitors to make purchases from the overwhelming, sugar-fueled gift shop.

Rhode Island: Newport Mansions

Rhode Island’s coast is lined with breathtaking mansions that are well-worth the visit—but you don’t need to pay to get inside. While a ticket to tour the Newport Mansions’ interiors will run you about $25, you can instead take in the opulent homes from the adjacent Cliff Walk, free of charge.

South Carolina: South of the Border

This bizarre rest-stop-meets-theme-park might lure you in with its bright colors and promise of an easy attraction to satisfy restless kids, but once you’re here, you’ll find a kitschy, dated complex with a Mexican restaurant, a reptile exhibit, and a truck stop all in one. Combined with the racist bandito mascot and you’ll see why you should keep driving.

South Dakota: Wall Drug

Like Arizona’s “The Thing,” if you’ve driven through South Dakota, you may have seen a billboard for Wall Drug—after all, there are more than 300. Back in the 1930s, the drugstore served a valuable purpose, serving up free ice water to thirsty drivers. But today, it’s nothing more than a hodgepodge of stores and a random snake pit.

Tennessee: Graceland

Warning: Elvis Fans might find this addition blasphemous. “The King” left the building decades ago, but this tourist trap still rakes in the big bucks, charging nearly $40 for adults to tour his Memphis home.

Texas: Cadillac Ranch

It's hard to miss this long-standing Texan tourist trap while driving toward Amarillo, Texas. Consisting of colorful Cadillacs embedded in the sandy soil, there’s not much to see here, yet thousands of visitors stop their cars each year. Don’t waste your time at the nearby Big Texan either, a kitschy steakhouse that’s lured in unsuspecting road-trippers for years.

Utah: Hole N The Rock

While this attraction can be given credit for being more than just a “hole n the rock,” it doesn’t mean it’s worth your time. Located outside of Moab, Hole N" The Rock consists of a multi-room cave-house, gift shop, and small zoo.

Vermont: Rock of Ages

For fans of giant holes in the ground, stick to the Grand Canyon. Don’t be one of the hapless tourists who’s fallen for the Rock of Ages, a giant granite quarry you can pay to see, alongside a tacky gift shop selling granite goods, natch.

Virginia: Dinosaur Land

Opened more than 50 years ago, Dinosaur Land is home to many slightly dated fiberglass models of ferocious dinos—as well as a random shark and octopus for good measure. While charming for small kids, there’s not much that you can’t see at your neighborhood mini-golf course.

Washington: Seattle Gum Wall

One word comes to mind when describing Seattle’s gum wall: gross. For years, locals and visitors alike have stuck their gum to this unsuspecting wall, creating a colorful canvas of saliva and the sticky stuff. The wall was cleaned for the first time in 2015.

West Virginia: Mystery Hole

Like so many mystery attractions, West Virginia’s Mystery Hole is not so much dedicated to one hole, but instead a hodgepodge of random oddities, similar to Michigan’s Mystery Spot. Save $7 and let this mystery remain.

Wisconsin: Mars Cheese Castle

If there’s one thing Wisconsin’s known for, it is cheese, and the Mars Cheese Castle takes cheese to a whole new level. While mildly amusing—the building does look like a castle—it’s not necessarily worth a visit unless you want to buy some average cheese that you can probably get from the local grocery store at home.

Wyoming: Frontier Prison

This depressing stop might appeal to some with a mean streak, but for most visitors, the thought of paying money to sit in a defunct gas chamber in Rawlins, Wyoming, doesn’t sound appealing. The prison closed in 1981.

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The one 'tourist trap' that's actually worth visiting in every state

• Famous tourist attractions don't always live up to expectations — but when they do, they're truly spectacular. 
• The Spud Drive-In Theater in Idaho is gimmicky, but delightful.
• You won't find a more whimsical stretch of road than the Enchanted Highway in North Dakota.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories .

Nothing kills the holiday-high quite like squandering your precious time — and cash — waiting to see a hyped-up tourist attraction that ends up being an unmitigated let-down .

However, sites across the US have undeservedly been called tourists traps for becoming too crowded or too expensive, though many of them remain must-sees.

From the natural wonder of the Grand Canyon in Arizona to the admittedly tacky neon lights illuminating the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada, these are the tourist attractions actually worth visiting in every state.

ALABAMA: US Space and Rocket Center

Occasionally billed as Earth's largest space museum, the US Space and Rocket Center boasts a slew of notable artifacts , including a national historic landmark Saturn V moon rocket, an Apollo 16 command module, a Skylab orbital workshop, and an Apollo 12 moon rock.

ALASKA: Iditarod Trail Headquarters

Each year, a uniquely Alaskan tradition called the Iditarod , an annual long-distance sled dog race that spans   over 1150 miles,   takes place. The race's headquarters, located in Wasilla, Alaska, have long drawn both fans and critics of the race.

Many — especially animal activists —  take issue with the race's use of dogs, so a visit to the headquarters offers activists a rare opportunity to actually   meet members   of the Iditarod founder's family, and converse with them in person. The HQ also features trophies, displays, photos, and videos.

ARIZONA: The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is Arizona's most well-known natural beauty, and for good reason: between its immense size and breathtaking views, this natural phenomenon is a must-see... despite the crowds .

ARKANSAS: Whitaker Point

Whitaker Point is one of the most easily recognizable landscapes in Arkansas, and what's more, it's easily accessible. While you may need to wait your turn for that perfect Instagram shot on its ledge, you'll get instantly rewarded with scenic vistas, prismatic wildflowers, and glimmering waterfalls.

Here are some of the  best waterfalls to visit in the US .

CALIFORNIA: Alcatraz Island

Al Capone, Whitey Bulger, and a slew of other criminals were once imprisoned in Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary , which is located on an island in the San Francisco Bay. Sure, tours are around $50 , but checking out the infamous penitentiary and its stunning views is worth it.

COLORADO: Great Sand Dunes

More than 4.5 million people  visited Colorado National Parks in 2016 alone, and those visitors spent nearly $300  million  in and around the park. Considering that the Great Sand Dunes have a reputation of being consistently too hot , windy, or dangerous to comfortably explore, that's a lot of cash to drop.

But when the weather is just right, the dunes are worth it.

After you get over the sheer size and wonder of the Great Sand Dunes — they can span up to 750 feet tall — go sand sledding or sandboarding through them for an unforgettable experience.

CONNECTICUT: The PEZ Candy Factory

We all have a soft-spot for PEZ; the candy is interactive, it's fun, and a visit to the factory gives you a  behind-the-scenes look at how it's made. Plus, it's bright and engaging.

DELAWARE: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery has grown significantly in popularity since it first opened in 1995; in fact, readers on the website 10Best just voted the Dogfish Head Craft Brewery tour as one of the best in the nation for 2018.

FLORIDA: St. Augustine Alligator Farm

One of Florida's oldest running attractions, the slightly gimmicky St. Augustine Alligator Farm, which opened in 1893, allows visitors to view hundreds of native alligators . While many complain that it's overpriced, there's a zipline, obstacle course, and live feedings!

GEORGIA: Ponce City Market

As long as you don't mind rubbing shoulders with hordes of other hungry tourists, a trip to the Ponce City Market will no doubt satiate foodies in search of the most creative fare Atlanta has to offer. Even Zagat gives the market its seal of approval , noting that the PCM's new amusement park makes battling the crowds a worthwhile venture.

HAWAII: Punaluu Black Sand Beach

Punaluu Black Sand Beach has been noted for being  crowded and noisy , which means that tourists hoping to relax and catch some peaceful rays will likely hate it.

But for those of you in the mood to witness a truly unique location (and catch sight of some endangered turtles), Punaluu is a must-see spot.

The sand on Punaluu Black Sand Beach gets its inky hue from crushed lava rock , but that's not the only reason to visit the famous beach;  endangered Hawksbill turtles and green turtles are often spotted on the shore . 

IDAHO: The Spud Drive-In

There's something delightfully kitsch about how this  potato-farming region's entrance sign to their drive-in theater  features a gargantuan potato on the back of a cherry-red flat-bed truck.

ILLINOIS: Wrigley Field

Baseball fans will jump at the chance to visit Wrigley Field , home of the Chicago Cubs and  host to Major League Baseball for the 104th season in 2018.

INDIANA: Marengo Cave

Marengo Cave is one of Indiana's most-visited natural and National Landmarks, likely because a pit stop there offers something for everyone. History buffs can explore the five-mile long cave, which allegedly started to form  approximately one million years ago ; there are gemstone mining bags for children; camping grounds for outdoorsy folk; and families can even opt to take a family canoe trip on Blue River, nearby.

IOWA: Grotto of the Redemption

The Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, Iowa, is often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world; not only is it one of the largest man-made grottos on the planet, but it also boasts a staggering collection of precious stones and gems, such as rose quartz, crystals, and jasper, which are embedded in the grotto's walls.

KANSAS: Dorothy’s House

"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

If you were wondering where in Kansas Dorothy was referring to when she uttered those iconic words in the movie "The Wizard of Oz," here's your answer. You can take a tour through the Land of Oz and chat with costumed guides at Dorothy's House, which resides on the same land as Kansas'  Coronado Museum .

KENTUCKY: Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Back when Kentucky was still a part of Virginia, one of the region's original counties was called " Bourbon County" — and bourbon has remained a rich part of Kentucky's history, considering 95% of the world's bourbon is distilled, aged, and bottled in Kentucky's Bourbon County today.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail features 24 distilleries for bourbon aficionados to visit.

LOUISIANA: Gardens of the American Rose Center

Located on a 118-acre wooded tract in Louisiana, the Gardens of the American Rose Center is the nation's largest park dedicated to varieties of the world's most romantic flower — the rose. Visitors can check out more than 65 individual rose gardens, as well as 20,000 rosebushes on the premises.

MAINE: Lobster Shack at Two Lights

Yes, you'll have to wait in line forever — especially since the Lobster Shack at Two Lights has been featured in some prestigious guides, including  Serious Eats ,  Bon Appetit , and  The Food Network  — but the views, the BYOB policy, and the to-the-point, no-frills menu, make the stop worth it.

MARYLAND: American Visionary Art Museum

The American Visionary Art Museum  seeks to highlight  the work of self-taught artists, prioritizing unique, eccentric art over traditional pieces of work — which means every new visit to the museum will likely feel fresh and different than the visit before.

MASSACHUSETTS: USS Constitution

Named by President George Washington after the United States Constitution, the USS Constitution is the oldest wooden-hulled , three-masted frigate — one of six — commissioned in the United States Navy.

Construction on the USS Constitution started in 1794 in the North End of Boston, and she launched on October 21, 1797.

MICHIGAN: Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island harkens back to a simpler time, before the automotive industry underwent its massive boom in the US, and has been a tourism hotspot since the late 19th century.

The sweet seaside town, known for its fudge, takes the whole old timey-ness to a new level, and visitors can explore the island in horse-drawn carriages (although drive-your-own-buggies are available for vacationers who prefer to self-direct).

MINNESOTA: The Jolly Green Giant

He's jolly, he's green, he's a giant. What more could you ask of a tourist attraction?

MISSISSIPPI: Vicksburg National Military Park

Vicksburg National Military Park is the fifth national military park  created by Congress; the park, which was established in 1899, commemorates  the site of the American Civil War Battle of Vicksburg.

The park boasts a vast collection of historic cannons , reconstructed trenches, and more along its 16-mile route , but some have criticized that the large size of the site makes it hard to find specific monuments and relics you're looking for; however, the problem is easily fixed by exploring it by car.

MISSOURI: Gateway Arch

The tallest man-made monument in the US, the Gateway Arch is a 630-foot structure which you can access via a tram-ride, allowing you to drink in the views of Missouri from up high.

MONTANA: Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is losing its namesake glaciers due to climate change , which has driven a huge spike in traffic and tourism to the park, rendering it much more crowded than usual.

However, between Glacier's  700 miles of trails through rugged mountains and its immaculate lakes, the natural wonder remains worth a visit.

NEBRASKA: Chimney Rock

One of the most  iconic landmarks  in the entire state of Nebraska is the 480-foot high geological rock formation known as  Chimney Rock .

The formation represented a landmark for pioneers heading west in the 19th century, and is said to be around  24 to 25 million years old .

NEVADA: The Las Vegas Strip

The strip is a classic for a reason, and if you're going to make the trek to Sin City, you might as well take advantage of the casinos, nightclubs, upscale eateries, bars, and nightlife available to you.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: The Cathedral of the Pines

Every US President since Truman has left a stone to commemorate  Americans who have served America at the   Cathedral of the Pines  in Rindge, New Hampshire.

NEW JERSEY: Atlantic City Boardwalk

When  Americans picture summertime on the Jersey Shore , the Atlantic City Boardwalk, with its variety of confection shops, amusements, restaurants, and views, inevitably comes to mind, and for good reason.

NEW MEXICO: Roswell

While it may seem like an unusual choice to designate an entire city as a tourist trap worth visiting, Roswell isn't just any city — it's the so-called "land to the aliens." Legend has it that an alleged UFO crashed near the city, and in honor of the myth, most everything in Roswell is alien-themed, to an exultantly ostentatious degree.

The street-lamps lighting the roads at night? Alien-shaped. If you buy a game of " Operation " in Roswell, you'll find yourself "operating" on an alien , rather than a human. Roswell is the ideal destination for folks with both a sense of humor, and a penchant for the zany.

NEW YORK: Times Square

New York is brimming with popular and historically significant tourist attractions: there's the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and Central Park, to name a few. And then, of course, there's Times Square.

Locals will avoid Times Square like the plague, but if you're just passing through the city, a visit to the bustling, bright hub is akin to a rite of passage — if you can make it through those streets unscathed, you can make it anywhere.

NORTH CAROLINA: The Biltmore estate

With 33 bedrooms and 43 bathrooms spread over 175,000 square feet, the Biltmore is billed as America's largest home , so if you want to feel bad about your living situation while marveling at a palatial estate, this is the place to go.

NORTH DAKOTA: The Enchanted Highway

The Enchanted Highway,  a 32-mile stretch of two-lane roads studded intermittently with whimsical roadside art — such as giant metal birds , and a tin family — more than  lives up to its name.

OHIO: Cedar Point

The 364-acre Cedar Point is known as the roller coaster capital of the world, and boasts  a handful of world-record breaking attractions. For instance, it has a  world-record 72 rides, and is the only amusement park in the world with six roller coasters taller than 200 feet.

OKLAHOMA: Route 66

Route 66 was one of the original highways within the US highway system, running from Chicago ,  Illinois , through  Missouri ,  Kansas ,  Oklahoma ,  Texas ,  New Mexico , and  Arizona,  before ending in  Santa Monica ,  California.

It has been mentioned in countless novels , movies, lyrics, and other works of art, so you'll feel the weight of US history around you while traveling upon its hallowed gravel.

OREGON: Crater Lake

Yes, visitation rates to Crater Lake have been skyrocketing over the past few years, but don't let the threat of long crowds deter you from visiting, mostly because you'd be hard-pressed to find a more intensely blue body of water in such a unique location. Nestled  within a giant volcanic  caldera, it is  the deepest lake in the US at 1,943 feet .

PENNSYLVANIA: Reading Terminal Market

You could easily spend all your time in Philly ping-ponging between the city's  two cheesesteak mavens , but if you want to sample some of the other 54 national cuisines the city offers, the Reading Terminal Market is a fine place to start — just be prepared to wrestle your way through many fellow gourmands.

RHODE ISLAND: WaterFire Providence

Several times over the spring, summer, and autumn, Rhode Island citizens gather together on the four-acre Waterplace Park and Riverwalk, and send 100 bonfires down the Woonasquatucket River, making for a spectacularly enchanting show .

While outdoor festivals swarming with vendors, street entertainers, and tourists can be overwhelming, if you can withstand the chaos, the fire-lighting ceremony is truly bewitching.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Fort Sumter

The bombardment on Fort Sumter was the result of an ongoing tension between the existing US government and the Confederate government over ownership of the South. Seven states had seceded from the Union, and when then-President Abraham Lincoln declared his intentions to resupply Union forces at South Carolina's Fort Sumter, Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard decided to bombard it on April 12, 1861 .

Nobody was killed in the fight, but the battle is said to mark the beginning of the Civil War.

SOUTH DAKOTA: Mount Rushmore

Opened in 1941, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a massive granite sculpture which depicts the stone visages of past US presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

Some claim it's underwhelming, others complain about crowds, but this piece of US history is worth a visit.

TENNESSEE: Dollywood

The US is home to a profuse number of theme parks worth visiting , but Dollywood, named after entertainer Dolly Parton, is in a league of its own: not only can you enjoy classic Southern-style dining, but there are more than 40 rides and 15 shows to choose from while there.

TEXAS: The San Antonio River Walk

One of the most visited places in San Antonio, the Riverwalk attracts tourists of all walks of life because it embodies the spirit of Texas excess: it just keeps getting bigger and better.

You'll have to wait in line, but tickets are relatively affordable , and once you hop aboard a water taxi, you can explore all the restaurants, shops, museums, and sights San Antonio has to offer.

UTAH: Bryce Canyon National Park

The  largest collection of hoodoos   — tall, skinny, and protruding pillars of rock that form over thousands of years due to different types of erosion — in the world can be seen at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, which means that during the daytime, every view point is jam-packed with throngs of rude tourists blocking the views of the iconic rocks.

Tear your gaze away from the hoodoos and venture out to the park during the night instead: it's dark enough at Bryce that you'll be able to view 7,500 stars on a moonless night. 

VERMONT: Ben and Jerry's Factory

Not only will you learn all about the ice-cream making process during your 30-minute tour at the Ben & Jerry's Factory in  Waterbury, Vermont, but you can taste-test an assortment of flavors at their full-service Scoop Shop.

VIRGINIA: Virginia Beach

Skip the grossly overpriced attractions in Colonial Williamsburg, and head over to Virginia Beach, which was dubbed one of the top 25 beaches in the US this year by TripAdvisor. The boardwalk, while sometimes crowded, has something for everyone. 

WASHINGTON: The Ape Cave

Formed over 2,000 years ago, the Ape Cave is  the  longest continuous lava tube in the continental US; legend has it that some people have claimed to have spotted Bigfoot on their way to the cave.

WEST VIRGINIA: Archive of the Afterlife: The National Museum of the Paranormal

All things witchy and paranormal are currently in vogue, and there's no shortage of haunted attractions all over the US.

But for travelers who are nonetheless still drawn to otherworldly paraphernalia — and for fans of spooky ghost stories — West Virginia's Archive of the Afterlife: The National Museum of the Paranormal is a destination worth scoping out.

Full of eerie oddities you won't find elsewhere, travelers have praised the museum's owner for his authenticity and energy.

WISCONSIN: The House on the Rock

The mad and bizarre vision of recluse Alex Jordan Jr., the House on the Rock in Wisconsin is a dark, 14-room home perched on — you guessed it — a rock. The interior is dark, and will make you feel as though you're wandering through a fever dream, which is probably why the location makes a cameo in the television series, "American Gods," based on a Neil Gaiman novel.

WYOMING: Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park — the first national park in the  world , let alone the US — was officially established by  President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872. The park, which spans over 3,000 square miles, boasts a variety of natural wonders, as well as over 2,000 campsites , and is absolutely worth a visit, even if that visit entails having to witness crowds of tourists and other disappointments .

• 25 'tourist traps' around the world that are actually worth visiting
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Top 100 biggest tourist traps worldwide

Glen Luke Flanagan

Robin Saks Frankel

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Published 7:25 a.m. UTC Nov. 21, 2023

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When you’re planning the perfect vacation, you don’t want to spend your time or money on a tourist trap that disappoints. To help you avoid a case of destination letdown, we turned to the treasure trove of data found in online reviews that can help savvy travelers make the most of their vacation planning.

In July 2023, we analyzed 23.2 million Google reviews of the 500 most popular tourist attractions in the world, spanning 65 countries in six continents. For each attraction, we asked a simple question: How frequently do the reviews mention the terms “tourist trap,” “overrated” or “expensive”?

We compared attractions to one another by measuring the relative frequency of these mentions, dividing the number of mentions in each case by the total number of reviews for that attraction. We break down our findings, so you are armed with the information you need before planning to visit a popular tourist destination, and offer tips on how to travel in a way that’s good for your wanderlust and your wallet.

Key findings

• The Four Corners Monument (in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah) is the No. 1 tourist trap in the world, according to our analysis.
• The Blue Lagoon in Iceland and Penang Hill in Malaysia are the top tourist traps in Europe and Asia.
• The Great Mosque of Mecca in Saudi Arabia had 397,905 reviews on Google, as of our analysis, and not a single one mentioned “tourist trap.”
• The California Academy of Sciences, Elvis Presley’s Graceland and the South Carolina Aquarium are the most overpriced attractions in the United States.
• Voodoo Doughnut in Portland, Oregon, is the most overrated tourist attraction in the world.

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Top 100 tourist traps worldwide

With the distinction of being the only place where four states meet — Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah — the Four Corners Monument sounds pretty cool. It’s also 30 miles from the closest gas station, so it might appeal to travelers seeking to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. However, this attraction also topped our list in terms of the percentage of disgruntled reviews. Of 10,839 reviews analyzed, 139 flagged this spot as a tourist trap.

Meanwhile, Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin got the most mentions of “tourist trap” in the reviews we analyzed of any tourist attraction in the world, with 400 out 76,269 reviews flagging it as one. This spot is a popular stop for travelers because of its historical significance as a border crossing during the Cold War, when the city was split in half between West Germany and East Germany.

Top 25 tourist traps in the U.S.

Eight of the top 10 tourist traps in the world, as determined by our analysis, are in the U.S. Three of the top tourist traps involve paranormal phenomena — witches, ghosts and UFOs.

Those spots are the Salem Witch Museum in Massachusetts, Calico Ghost Town in California and the International UFO Museum and Research Center in New Mexico. Each location had a number of reviews mentioning "tourist trap," so it seems some visitors left feeling disenchanted.

Most overpriced attractions worldwide

The U.S. is home to the third most overpriced attraction in the world, according to our analysis of reviews mentioning the word “expensive,” with spots in Iceland and Canada taking first and second places. Coming in at most overpriced is the Blue Lagoon in Grindavik, with prices starting at $67 per person but nearly doubling during peak times. This is followed by the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver where tickets are $69.95 per person when you purchase them at the ticket window. The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco comes in third for an entry fee that makes consumers grumble at $49.75 for an adult ticket during a peak visiting time.

It seems that Americans feel aquariums are overpriced in general, with aquariums in South Carolina, Maryland, California and Georgia making the top 50 in our list.

California has seven of the top 25 most overpriced attractions, with Tennessee coming in next with three spots in the top 25 — including Elvis Presley’s Graceland, at No. 5 in the world.

Most overrated attractions worldwide

Unless you just really love doughnuts, one spot you might want to skip on your next vacation is Voodoo Doughnut in Portland, Oregon. At least, you might want to skip it if you care about reviews, because our analysis found it to be the most overrated attraction in the world.

Rounding out the top five most overrated attractions are the following:

• The Little Mermaid in Denmark.
• The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Japan.
• The Manneken Pis sculpture fountain in Belgium.
• The Hollywood Walk of Fame in California.

Tips on how to avoid tourist traps

Get recommendations from your travel card concierge.

Your travel card may provide access to a concierge which can help with travel research, planning and booking. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, rates & fees ) is a luxury travel card (as evidenced by its $695 annual fee) with a slew of perks and protections, including a highly regarded concierge service. Contact your concierge early on in your vacation planning and tell them you want to go off the beaten path and enjoy unique experiences rather than known tourist traps.

Consider where your rewards can take you

It’s no secret that credit card rewards can help you see the world. But are you getting the most out of your stash? Let’s consider an example using American Airlines miles.

As of the time of this writing, a flight from New York to Honolulu and back at the end of October 2023 might run you anywhere from about 53,000 AAdvantage miles to well over 100,000 AAdvantage miles. By contrast, if you were to fly from New York to San Juan, Puerto Rico and back in the same time period, you might find deals in the ballpark of 24,000 or 31,000 miles. While many variables impact the exact cost, being flexible with your vacation options can save you substantially.

Plus, when opting for destinations with less sticker shock, you can still find activities and sites that are every bit as amazing as you'd find in a pricier locale. Continuing our example from above, if Hawaii's stunning rainforests initially attracted you to Honolulu, consider that Puerto Rico is home to El Yunque National Forest — the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System.

If you’ve piled up the points on a card that earns transferable rewards, rather than one that’s specific to a certain airline or hotel chain , you can do even more shopping around. Compare the cost of booking award travel on the loyalty transfer partners your card offers before you commit, because the number of points or miles required can vary dramatically between different airlines.

Plus, savvy travelers know that travel credit cards sometimes offer deals, such as double value when transferring points from your card to a specific airline partner. For instance, the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® offered a deal on Aug. 1, 2023 where cardholders with Bilt Silver Status could get double the number of Virgin Red points for their Bilt points when transferring their rewards to the airline. Keeping a sharp eye out for deals like this could help your earnings take you farther than you’d normally go.

Finally, great deals on award travel aren’t just for people willing to pay an annual fee for luxury cards, either. See our list of best travel cards with no annual fee for budget-friendly options.

If you’re going abroad, it’s best to use a credit card without foreign currency surcharges. Check out our picks for the best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees .

Follow a trusted travel newsletter

What better way to avoid tourist traps than by getting curated recommendations from a trusted source? By getting a travel newsletter in your email inbox, you can make note throughout the year of enticing destinations and enriching activities, and plan your next vacation accordingly.

For example, people with an Amex Platinum or the invite-only American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. can receive the Departures newsletter, which the issuer describes as a “lifestyle resource”. Examples of the content you can expect, based on a recent issue of Departures, include "7 Hotels Worth Planning Your Whole Trip Around" with recommendations for stays in Paris, New York City and more, and "How I Escaped City Life and Moved My Family to a Mexican Surf Town".

All information about American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

In short, smart travel recommendations are just a few clicks away — and can help you craft the dream vacation while avoiding tourist traps that might not leave you feeling fully satisfied.

Seek out lodging that isn’t part of a mega-chain hotel collection

If you have a travel rewards credit card , check if it grants you special access to a hotel collection. For example, Capital One announced the Lifestyle Collection in mid-2024, designed to be exclusively available via Capital One Travel for people with specific Capital One cards .

The Lifestyle Collection is a list of curated boutique hotels allowing guests to stay in popular destinations but avoid the crush of an overcrowded megahotel lobby.  While your choice of lodging won’t necessarily prevent you stopping by a tourist trap, finding a great stay can make it easier for you to have a wide selection of possible vacation activities.

If picking the right credit card has you overwhelmed, we’ve got you . Here are our picks for the best credit cards for every type of person.

Methodology

In July 2023, we analyzed 23.2 million Google reviews of 500 popular tourist attractions in the world, spanning 65 countries in six continents.

We focused our analysis on mentions of certain keywords that indicate a common negative sentiment among visitors. Those keywords are: “tourist trap”, “expensive”, and “overrated”.

It’s true that a few uses of these keywords do not fit in a negative context (e.g. “It’s kind of a tourist trap but we loved it!”). Based on our analysis, these positive instances of usage were not frequent enough to be statistically significant, and in any case, they are consistent enough across attractions to cancel each other out.

We began with a list of 1,600 tourist attractions for consideration, before narrowing to our final 500. We removed from this list, with only a few exceptions, all national parks, state parks, lakes, and mountains. We also removed sports stadiums. The list was further reduced based on the total number of reviews submitted for each attraction.

All reviews analyzed were written in English.

For rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page .

*The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Glen Luke Flanagan is a deputy editor on the USA TODAY Blueprint credit cards team. Prior to joining Blueprint, he served as a deputy editor on the credit cards team at Forbes Advisor, and covered credit cards, credit scoring and related topics as a senior writer at LendingTree. He’s passionate about helping people understand personal finance so they can make the best decisions possible for their wallet. Glen holds a master's degree in technical and professional communication from East Carolina University and a bachelor's degree in journalism from Radford University.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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The Most Overrated Tourist Attractions In 43 US States

Every state in the US has something to offer , whether it be sprawling national parks, trademark foods , historic cities, or... the world's largest ball of twine? From roadside attractions to bucket list destinations, some of these tourist traps leave a lot to be desired. Maybe it's the endless crowds, the overpriced gift shops, or that the attraction just didn't live up to the massive hype surrounding it. Most of the time, the state locals are the only ones who know these sites aren't much to see. 

Whether it's your home state's overrated oddity, or a place you once drove hundreds of miles to gaze upon, vote up the tourist attractions that made you ask, "That's it?"

Massachusetts - Plymouth Rock

From Redditor u/ Bawstahn123 :

Plymouth Rock.

It's... well, it's a rock. That the Pilgrims  might have  landed on.

(Hint: they didn't.)

From Redditor u/ Fargraven :

...Plymouth Rock is the most underwhelming experience you could possibly imagine, and it’s not even the original frickin rock...

Washington, D.C. - Georgetown Cupcakes

From Redditor u/ cjt09 :

I'm thinking Georgetown Cupcake takes the spot. There's always a line and the cupcakes are good but they're not going to change your life or anything. You can go down the street to Baked and Wired and get the same thing for half the cost and a tenth of the wait.

South Carolina - South Of The Border

From Redditor u/ Davipars :

[It's] like they spent all their money on the billboards rather than the place itself.

From Redditor u/ Not_MAYH3M :

The billboards on 95 are more entertaining than the actual place.

From Redditor u/ Ewalk :

Every time I've driven by this (I used to live in Fayetteville and drive to FL a lot), I've stopped, and nothing but the gas station is open. I don't get it. I just want to see why there's so many billboards but it's always f*cking deserted.

Colorado - 16th Street Mall

From Redditor u/ JingJang :

..."The 16th Street Mall" (in Denver). It's literally a bunch of chain stores and some tourist trap gift shops all owned by the same family. Out on the mall you dodge being hit by electric buses and avoid pan-handlers.

From Redditor u/ CookieMan0 :

16th Street is terrible. It's like a less interesting, bigger version of Boulder's Pearl Street, which itself has gotten much duller over the last 15 years.

From Redditor u/ Idunnodoyouwhynotme :

16th Street Mall in Denver. It’s the pits. Denver has so many gems - and they’re all in the neighborhoods around downtown.

California - Hollywood

From Redditor u/ PacSan300 :

...Too many people go to Hollywood and expect a glitzy and glamorous place, rather than the dirty, rundown, and urine-reeking place it is.

From Redditor u/ WEDenterprise :

...What a waste of an afternoon. We visited LA for the first time in May and the Walk of Fame was by far and away the worst thing we did that trip.

From Redditor u/ zoishiez :

...It’s so gross, parking is a wh*re, everything is expensive, and there’s nothing much to do besides take pics for social media, spend $25 to go to semi-entertaining museums, and eat street cart bacon-wrapped hot dogs.

Oregon - McMenamins

From Redditor u/ ThisDerpForSale :

...[I]t pains me to say this, as there is much to recommend them, but it's McMenamins... The combination of the name recognition, the decent-but-not-great-beer, the mediocre food, the terrible service, and the generally middling prices makes many of them just not worth it when there are so many other better options. I know this will seem like a hot take, but I stand by it...

From Redditor u/ WhoTookPlasticJesus :

I have to say that when I went to their school location all I could think while eating and drinking was, "Wow. This really should be a lot better than it is." It didn't feel cheesy or phony, it just wasn't really very good.

North Carolina - Billy Graham Library

From Redditor u/ Bz3rk :

The Billy Graham museum in Charlotte - churches got all their members to vote for it so it's "Number One rated attraction... on Tripadvisor in Charlotte!"

Kansas - World's Largest Ball Of Twine

From Redditor u/ lethargicbureaucrat :

The world's largest ball of twine...

(Actually, the locals have a sense of humor about it.)

New Jersey - Atlantic City

From Redditor u/ The_Paper_Cut :

If we even have one, Atlantic City. It’s such a sh*tty place and in my opinion it’s also really sketchy. NJ has some really really nice beaches that are on par with the Carolinas', and people still go to AC because “It’s got a boardwalk that Monopoly was based off of,” and “But Casinos.”

From Redditor u/ candre23 :

I'd say Atlantic City, but I think at this point hardly anybody rates it as anything more than the dump it is.

Connecticut - Mystic Pizza

From Redditor u/ tenacious_masshole :

Mystic Pizza?

From Redditor u/ Aprils-Fool :

...I'd heard that it's a tourist trap and not very good...

New Hampshire - Hampton Beach

From Redditor u/ Cal1gula :

Hampton Beach for sure.

Sorry to all the tourists who go there every summer. It's the place where we send the people who don't appreciate how the rest of the state isn't like Hampton Beach.

Iowa - Iowa 80

From Redditor u/ LeEpicMemerDude69420 :

The Iowa 80 truck stop is the world’s largest truck stop, but it’s not actually that interesting if you’ve been to a large truck stop before.

Arizona - Four Corners

From Redditor u/ 5-2blue :

Four Corners, easily. Pay money to wait half an hour in line to take a picture “in four states,” but the actual place where the states meet is over a thousand feet away.

From Redditor u/ StoopidN00b :

Four Corners, heh. Like what are people expecting? It's just an arbitrary spot where people drew lines on a map that intersect.

Arkansas - Crater Of Diamonds State Park

From Redditor u/ bella_banks17 :

Crater of Diamonds State Park. People think just because you can keep a diamond if you find it, they’ll be the lucky one. Go there to let your kids play in mud, and accept that you’ll only find rocks and mud.

Nebraska - Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

From Redditor u/ Evertonius :

There is literally no tourism in Nebraska. Our own tourism slogan is “Nebraska: honestly it's not for everyone.”

But I guess I’d still have to say the Bob Kerrey pedestrian bridge. People like to stand on it and take a photo of themselves with one foot on the Nebraska side and one foot on the Iowa side. That’s basically it.

Florida - Destin

From Redditor u/ Chls122 :

Destin, FL. Seriously, there's so many people that come here just to eat at Bubba Gump and sit out on the beach, but it takes like a million years to get to the beach because there is so much traffic. The beaches aren't even that nice because of all the trash they leave behind.

From Redditor u/ disgustipated :

We don't call it the Redneck Riviera for nuthin!

For those not familiar with Destin, it's the tourist destination for southern money. Every Spring, they flock in from New Orleans, Memphis, Birmingham, Atlanta, etc., to enjoy snow white beaches and piss off the locals. With malice, forethought, and intent.

There's literally only one main road - US Highway 98 - that runs parallel to the coast, and traffic can back up from Navarre to 30-A...

Favorite bumper sticker in Destin: "If it's tourist season, why can't we shoot them?"

Minnesota - Mall Of America

From Redditor u/ larchmontvandyke : 

Mall of America. It’s literally just a mall with a couple of rides.

From Redditor u/ BunchOCrunch :

When I was a kid we moved from Hawaii to Edina. I was told about how it was the biggest mall in the world! Being from a lower income family, we never actually went to any of the stores but Camp Snoopy was amazing! I went there a couple of times when I was a kid. Alas, we moved even further north and I didn't go back until 2017.

For some reason, I thought I'd get the same magical feeling as I did when I was a kid. Nope. Really, it's just a mall with a small amusement park. It's really nothing special, unfortunately. The top levels were nearly vacant at the time which made me feel like the place was probably in decline. We ended up going to IKEA afterwards which was also a whole new experience.

From Redditor u/ JimDixon :

It's actually not the biggest mall in the world. It is not even the biggest mall in the United States anymore...

Pennsylvania - Rocky Statue

From Redditor u/ bosscav :

...The Rocky Statue... There are fake "staff" members who yell at people to stay in line then charge you to take your picture. It's just a statue outdoors... There is no official "staff"...

From Redditor u/ st-ove :

I literally have to look down when I'm walking up to the art museum because I can't bear to watch all the tourists running up the stairs with their fists in the air.

Utah - Great Salt Lake

From Redditor u/ UltimateInferno :

...Great Salt Lake. Don't go there. It smells bad. There's no fish. It's got a harbor, I guess, but I don't think you would like to go boating there. It's just a lot of water that is salty. You want a view of it? Just drive down I-80. For about 5-10 minutes it goes right up against it and [then you] turn around at Exit 99 or keep driving to Wendover.

And to tack on, the Salt Flats are very dangerous to go [to] in its usual season of the F*cking Summer. So if you want to go drag racing there, your car will overheat and it will not be fun.

From Redditor u/ lotrisneat :

Yeah, I’d have to agree about the Great Salt Lake. You can’t even really swim in it because it’s so nasty. I think some people sail on it, but you can’t fish, you can’t swim, what’s the point? There are tons more beautiful lakes in the state that you can go to...

Kentucky - Ark Encounter

From a former Redditor :

The Ark encounter, yes that's a real (fake) thing.

From Redditor u/ Shameless2ndAccount :

I was JUST there this past weekend. I can't come up with a way to succinctly describe my thoughts about it. It's like if a replica/knock-off Ark was Disney-fied and dropped on a hill. It'd also be more interesting if every exhibit had a little more substance to it other than "We don't know for sure, but we're like kinda sure it was done this way."​

Also happened to catch a Young Earth Christian give a speech arguing in favor of a 6,000-year-old Earth (by rejecting the scientific methods for dating the Earth). That was quite a trip.

Vermont - Ben & Jerry's Factory

From Redditor u/ kindaMadScientist :

The Ben & Jerry's Factory!

From Redditor u/ standardtissue :

Agreed. We walked in the door, figured out what it was about, and turned around and left. Not long after though we toured Cabot (we're cheeseheads) and that was definitely very pleasing, and more what we were looking for. No tour buses of kids parked outside, for example.

New Mexico - Roswell

From Redditor u/ otisinthedark9 :

Roswell. It's a boring little cow town with some minor alien kitsch.

North Dakota - World's Largest 'Animals'

From Redditor u/ mobius153 :

World largest [animal] all over the state. Buffalo, sandhill crane, etc...

South Dakota - Wall Drug

From Redditor u/ bheasutter :

Wall Drug. Most over-advertised truck stop ever.

Not from there but the hellhole that is Wall Drug takes the cake.

Maryland - Ocean City

From Redditor u/ Railer150 :

Ocean City, Maryland.

Amen. We only go out of state now.

Illinois - The Bean (Cloud Gate)

From Redditor u/ mp_rad :

The Bean at Millennium Park. (Chicago)... It’s a gigantic metal sculpture of a bean. I will never understand why the tourists flock to it.

Chicago is full of amazing places to check out. The Bean is definitely not one of them. I concur.

From Redditor u/ Fireheart318s_Reddit :

The Bean. It’s just a big shiny bean. It doesn’t even have any interesting light-f*ckery going on; just a smooth mirror in the shape of a bean.

If I wanted to see... beans, I’d just go over to the animal shelter or something.

Maine - Desert Of Maine

From Redditor u/ BornToDoSomething03 :

The great Desert of Maine. It's simply glacier residue.

Rhode Island - WaterFire

From Redditor u/ SkinnyHusky :

WaterFire. It's just a handful of floating baskets along the river in downtown Providence that they light on fire. But at least you're still in downtown Providence, close to some decent bars and restaurants.

New York - Times Square

From Redditor u/ Algoresball :

Times [Square] is not really that cool.

From Redditor u/ wpm :

First time I went to NYC with friends they insisted on staying in Times Square. I told them it would suck. I had seen it in mid-October. Miserable. We went in the height of summer. The crowd was so thick we felt at times like we couldn't even leave our hotel. Getting anything - coffee, breakfast, pizza, a subway, a bike, smack dab in the middle of Manhattan - felt impossible because of the crush from the crowds. Even when you finally made it somewhere, it would be packed.

And all I could think, looking out the window at the other buildings, seeing cubicles and desks, was, "God damn, some poor saps have to f*cking brave those crowds every f*cking day."

Indiana - Shipshewana

From Redditor u/ Geeves1097 :

Shipshewana, I don't know why so many people want to see the Amish and go to a sh*tty flea market.

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These Notorious So-called 'Tourist Traps' Are Worth Visiting, According to Travelers

Travelers are speaking out to say these spots aren't half bad.

Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel.

Alex Livesey/FIFA via Getty Images

Ah, the traveler’s debacle: To follow the crowd to major, must-see sights knowing they’ll be met with overpriced services, entertainment, food, and souvenirs — or to avoid these sites completely and search out hidden gems void of other tourists. To some, visiting Paris without going up the Eiffel Tower isn’t seeing Paris , while to others, the complete opposite is true. 

It’s a question — or way of traveling — that isn’t always black-and-white. Most of us want to see the major sites — preferably without giant tour groups and overpriced crêpe stands — and stumble upon authentic places that few others will get to experience. So when is it worth following the crowd to a site you really want to see, even though it’s probably a tourist trap?

One user on Reddit , u/MarathonMarathon, posed that question , noting that for them, the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel in Shanghai was a tourist trap they ended up genuinely liking. “It's basically this short 5-minute tourist trap light show tram thing that takes you across the Huangpu River from the Bund to Pudong, with bizarre voice-overs. Sort of like some Disney attraction, but sadder, the very epitome of a kitsch tourist trap.”

The Reddit community responded, sharing the tourist-trap-inclined sites and tours that they genuinely liked and would recommend to others. Below are the “best” responses in order:

Maid of the Mist Boat Tour — Niagara Falls, U.S.

The 20-minute Maid of the Mist boat tour, which claims to be “the original Niagara Falls boat tour” — takes travelers to the foot of Niagara Falls where they can feel the power of 600,000 gallons of water crashing down and enjoy the resulting mist.

“You wait in line forever, the boat is packed, it seems cheesy ... and then you get up to the Falls and feel their power, you realize that the boat has the engine running at full power yet it struggles against the current and you realize that yeah, this is awesome,” said u/twoeightnine.

Original Sound of Music bus tour — Salzburg, Austria

The Original Sound of Music bus tour takes travelers through Salzburg, where "The Sound of Music" movie was filmed. The bus visits Mirabell Garden and Pegasus Fountain, where Maria and the children danced in the movie; Schloss Leopoldskron, the house, where the Trapp Family lived; and Church Mondsee, where Maria and Baron von Trapp got married, along with other sites.

User u/opuntialantana said the four-hour journey included, “Glorious views, drinks, snacks, and a Maria von Trapp lookalike leading us in singalongs as we drove from one filming location to the next. It was cheesy and it was perfect.”

Hobbiton Movie Set Tours — Matamata, New Zealand

At Hobbiton , visitors can walk through the lush pastures of the Shire and through the movie set used in "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" film trilogies. The part-bus, part-walking tour includes visits to the series’ most famous locations, including the Hobbit Hole where Bilbo and Frodo Baggins lived. 

The 2.5-hour tour ends with a visit to the Green Dragon Inn , where a free drink concludes the tour of Middle-earth.

Guinness Storehouse — Dublin

The home of Ireland’s most iconic beer offers daily self-guided tours that include entry to the Guinness tasting rooms and a pint of Guinness. If you’re a true beer or Guinness connoisseur, you can opt for a “ premium experience ,” like a guided tasting with storytelling or a tour through the brewery’s historic sites — including their famous underground tunnels.

“When anyone came to visit [sic] me I always took them there; it never got old! It’s a well-curated museum and of course, the tap room is always fun to go to. Also, all my Irish friends were happy to go with me when I first moved there so it seems to be well-liked among people that live there too,” said u/tcpower2.

Hofbräuhaus München — Munich

Reddit user u/Triple10X said they initially went to Hofbräuhaus München “just to say that we've been there.” But after visiting several smaller German beer halls they felt that Hofbräuhaus was the best. 

The three-floor beer hall has a Bavarian restaurant and ongoing shows that take place in a historic, 16th-century building. According to u/Triple10X, “The food we got was phenomenal, the beer was obviously good and the atmosphere was eclectic with multiple couples around us all talking to each other in different languages.”

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On an old Kentucky coal mine, he's rebuilding a forest — and perhaps the local economy

In the mountains of eastern Kentucky, not far from the Appalachian hollow where President Lyndon B. Johnson declared his War on Poverty 60 years ago this week, a hilltop tells a story of American commerce, warts and all.

In the early 1900s, loggers with axes and crosscut saws felled the hardwood forests that covered these acres. In the 1990s the area was logged again, then it was surface-mined for coal from 2005 to 2015, a controversial process that requires regrading the land once mining has stopped and often results in severely compacted soil — so densely packed that it’s impossible for trees to once again grow.

By the time Green Forests Work , a nonprofit working to restore forests across Appalachia, arrived, it was a vast rocky field of scrubby non-native shrubs and grasses.

“If you’re going to put money into reforestation projects, there’s so much benefit to doing it on mined land,” says Chris Barton, the organization’s founder and president and a University of Kentucky professor of forest hydrology and watershed management. “They’re a scar on the landscape.”

GFW aims to repair the damage, which is not limited to the land itself. So far, it has planted more than 7 million trees across six states as part of its mission to not only regenerate forests and sequester carbon emissions but diversify local economies as coal production continues to decline. To do so, it works with landowners, local communities and organizations like the Priceless Planet Coalition , created by Mastercard in partnership with Conservation International and the World Resources Institute . The coalition aims to fund the restoration of 100 million trees at sites around the world, including this hilltop in Martin County .

In Kentucky, Green Forests Work, with support from the Priceless Planet Coalition, has planted more than 100,000 trees on a former coal mining site in Martin County. The land was extremely compacted, so first crews ripped up the top layer, banner photo, which creates conditions more suitable for the natural colonization of plants, above left. The seedlings are then planted, above right, and the site is monitored for five years. (Photos courtesy of Green Forests Work)

Barton, a Kentucky native, first spotted satellite images of the former surface mine a few years ago and contacted the landowner about reforesting the 150-acre site bringing in ecotourism to generate income.

With the owner’s approval, Barton and his team started preparing the land last year by ripping out non-native plants and tearing up the deep layer of compacted rock and soil left by the coal company when it stopped operations. The compacted soil stymies proper reforestation, and it also prevents rainwater from soaking in, creating more runoff, which can accelerate erosion and diminish water quality.

Employing local nurseries to grow seedlings and tree planters to put them in the ground, Barton’s team eventually hand-planted more than 100,000 trees at the site from 24 native species, including hazelnut, chestnut, white oak and black cherry.

Millions of grass and wildflower seeds were scattered across the former mine site, where fruit trees, including crab apple and persimmon, were also planted to encourage wildlife to visit the area.

Given that tree canopies require up to 20 years to fully develop, GFW is taking a long-term view. Yet the Martin County seedlings are already thriving, and birds and bats are returning to the area. In neighboring GFW projects, camera traps spot wildcats and black bears padding past.

Above right, Chris Barton, president of founder of Green Forests Work, stands in an 18-year-old oak and hickory forest he planted on a coal mine in eastern Kentucky in 2006. (Photo courtesy Green Forests Work)

These reforestation projects also offer an opportunity to use the local environment to build up new businesses, Barton says. In communities such as those in Martin County — which remains one of the most impoverished counties in the U.S. six decades after President Johnson’s pledge — residents are still struggling to find their economic footing after mining operations have moved on or turned to methods that require far fewer workers.

In addition to work generated directly by reforestation — tree planters, equipment operators, nursery workers — reforestation projects can include areas for camping, hiking trails and mountain bike tracks that can help pull in visitors to areas that were once far from the tourist trail and start to create ecotourism jobs.

Now Barton is setting his sights higher. Estimating that Appalachia has a million-plus acres of legacy mine land, he hopes his nature-based model can be easily replicated and tweaked to help reclaim sites impacted by mining around the world.

He’s already adapted it to the Australian outback after winning a Fulbright award to help replant former coal mine sites in Queensland and regenerate habitats for koalas — wildfires in recent years have destroyed vast swaths of their land — other indigenous animals.

Meanwhile, he can take a moment to appreciate what his project means for his home state. “In Appalachia, which has some of the worst poverty in the United States, it’s really good that we can contribute some economic stimulus to these communities,” he says. “Overall, it’s a win-win-win to do this type of work for the environment.”

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Don’t Waste Your Money at These Worst Tourist Traps in Every State

T he United States has a treasure trove of attractions, cities, and a multifaceted landscape that attracts millions of local and foreign tourists every year.

But like all places where visitors flock , tourist traps are far from uncommon, and they come in all shapes, sizes, and, in some cases, vehicle tours.

See: 7 Biggest Ways You’re Wasting Money While Traveling

Find Out: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases

Below is a list of some of the top tourist traps in every state in the U.S., with some perhaps raising an eyebrow or two. While everyone has a different opinion, this list factors in pricing, amenities, and overall customer service based on reviews, pricing, ratings, and overall vibe.

( You might be better off checking out these underrated tourist destinations. )

Sponsored: Double The Power of Your Dollar: Stretch Your Money With These Perks

Alabama: Point Mallard Park

During Alabama’s sweltering summer months, you may want to take a mini waterpark vacation to cool down. But if you’re thinking of going to Point Mallard Park, it might be a better idea to visit one of the state’s beaches instead. While the park does have a lazy river and a few slides, admission prices are not worth what you pay for, especially given the park’s size and amenities. There are no refunds or cancellations, and the park may stop operation during stormy or rainy weather.

Alaska: Red Onion Saloon

The Red Onion Saloon is a brothel museum and restaurant where visitors can — briefly — learn about the history of the Klondike Gold Rush brothel scene and the saloons that opened to accommodate weary fortune seekers. The guided tour, aptly named the “Quickie” Brothel Museum Tour, takes just about 20 minutes.

Food portions are small and don’t come cheap, either — especially if you plan on grabbing a few drinks. If you’re not into theatrics, costumes, and saloon culture and want less of a touristy vibe, you can find better dining and bar experiences in Skagway.

Arizona: Any Off-Road Jeep Tour in Sedona

Sedona’s gorgeous scenery and natural attractions are one of the top reasons why people in the U.S. and around the world flock there every year. While the scenic landscape is breathtaking, there is nothing on these tours that you can’t see yourself. Prepare to spend at least $80-$110 per person for a trip that’s two hours or less, depending on the company you choose.

While you have private options, others will include lots of bumps and jumps in vehicles with others on board. If you want to experience the stunning landscape with a more personal flair, you can do it for much cheaper yourself without the added cost.

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Arkansas: Crater of Diamonds State Park

Crater of Diamonds State Park is a 37-acre field where people can dig for diamonds, gemstones, and minerals. The site claims that it is one of the only diamond-producing sites in the world where people can look for diamonds from a volcanic source. While the idea may seem tempting, it’s difficult to find these precious stones if you have no experience, and you may leave with not much of anything after your stay.

Adults pay $13, and admission for children is $6.20. You can rent equipment and tools or bring your own, but some restrictions apply. Unless you are a diamond-mining buff and have experience, it may be quite challenging to spot a valuable find.

California: Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a popular tourist destination where people take pictures of the embedded stars dotting 6644 Hollywood Boulevard. But the influx of visitors makes the Walk of Fame a prime target for scammers .

Con artists will go to elaborate lengths to get your attention. While it may make for a fun outing, never accept any trinket or CD handed to you by a stranger.

Colorado: Four Corners Monument

The Four Corners Monument in Colorado has an intersection where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet. It takes quite a while to get there, with no accommodations, and the nearest gas station, according to the official park site, is 30 miles away.

Due to the long wait times, lack of electricity and water, and park closures due to inclement weather, it may take quite a while to arrive, wait, and take a coveted picture, which ends the experience after the first few clicks.

Connecticut: Olde Mistick Village

The Olde Mistick Village is an open-air venue made to look like a village, with peak visiting times during the autumn months. The site is essentially a shopping mall that gets immensely crowded during peak times, making it a hassle to navigate and go through the long lines.

But it’s not just about the crowds — the vastly overpriced shops and less-than-desirable food quality make Olde Mistick a place to avoid on your next trip to Connecticut.

Delaware: Boardwalk at Rehoboth Beach

Rehoboth Beach is a popular tourist destination with plenty of crowds every year that flock during the summer months. While it has a sizable stretch of beach, the boardwalk’s overpriced items make it a quintessential tourist trap for families.

If you don’t mind greasy, overpriced food, the boardwalk can be a fun place for a quick bite before heading off for a walk. But to sample local cuisine and homemade goods, you can find less pricey and higher quality options elsewhere.

Florida: Ripley’s Believe It Or Not

The Ripley’s Believe it Or Not Museum in Orlando may seem like a fun place for the family, but it falls short of expectations in every way. The museum is small, with mediocre attractions and extra charges for different experiences. The fee for the Odditorium alone is $28.99 for adults and $19.99 for children.

With so much to do in Orlando, the Ripley’s Believe It or Not experience is not worth the inflated admission fee, especially if you have a large family and want to spend more than an hour visiting an attraction.

Georgia: Savannah City Market

The Savannah City Market is a busy place to spend a night in the town if you don’t mind the large crowds and the overpriced shops dotted throughout the area.

While it can be fun to walk around and explore the promenade, shops, and stores, expect to spend more than usual on trinkets and dining.

Hawaii: Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach is a popular tourist destination for people around the world seeking fun in the sun and a relaxing view of the ocean. The truth is that you can neither relax nor find a spot to yourself as the massively overcrowded beach is full of people, litter, and microplastics galore.

With headache-inducing traffic mixed with loud and large crowds, Waikiki Beach is no place for a relaxing vacation, even in the more expensive — and similarly crowded — resorts.

Idaho: Craters of the Moon

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a park in Southern Idaho with cooled lava and sagebrush landscapes that look like the moon’s surface. But if you want to see them, you need to pay a separate fee besides the entry fee, with visitors griping that it’s not worth the long drive times for the limited attraction.

After the initial wonder at the landscape, you’ll find that there isn’t much to do, and complaints of litter dotting the park decrease the quality of the experience.

Illinois: Navy Pier

The Navy Pier in Chicago is the perfect place to go if you enjoy heavily industrialized areas with large crowds, overpriced food, and tourist traps galore. Like any pier in a big city, it’s most popular when the weather is mild and when families can travel with their children without worrying about school.

The pier is for tourists first and locals second, which means prepare to pay more for products, services, and food items that you can find for much less elsewhere.

Indiana: NCAA Hall of Champions Indiana

The NCAA Hall of Champions in Indiana celebrates collegiate athletes and their achievements. While it does offer mild entertainment for sports buffs, it disappoints many visitors due to its relatively small size and outdated aesthetics.

Some customers allege that many of the interactive attractions do not work, frustrating visitors who look forward to a complete and uninterrupted experience.

Iowa: Antique Archeology

The Antique Archeology store in Le Claire, Iowa, is a small store that opened with much fanfare and then steadily regressed into a visible tourist trap over the years. There are very few antiques in the store, with many overpriced items and some placed just for show.

If you have a genuine love for antique items, this is not the store to score significant deals or finds. Fans of reality TV may find the store charming, while others see it as no more than an overpriced tourist trap.

Kansas: Oz Museum

The Oz Museum is a Wizard of Oz-themed museum in Wamego, Kansas. The museum heavily capitalizes on the movie’s fame, and its small size is a disappointment to visitors who expect a more in-depth immersive experience. Or, at the very least, a satisfying yellow brick road to walk on.  

Unless you are a staunch Wizard of Oz fan, forgo the limited attractions and the gaudy overcharged merchandise for a more exciting afternoon in Wamego.

Kentucky: Ark Encounter

The Ark Encounter, in theory, sounds like an interesting place to visit with a life-sized Noah’s Ark based on the Biblical story and a museum. In reality, the large crowds limit the way you can interact with the exhibition, making it a hassle and pain for families looking for a structured experience.

The main gripe seems to be the signage issue, where if you cannot see the signs, you may not get the whole experience and understand what you are seeing. When the crowds are particularly large, signage viewing is nearly impossible.

Louisiana: Souvenir Shops on Bourbon Street

Bourbon Street is a thrilling and exciting place to visit during your trip to Louisiana. What isn’t as fun is navigating through the many souvenir shops that sell overpriced, cheap items at top dollar and the lengths scammers may go to ruin your experience.

If you want to enjoy the experience and your time on Bourbon Street with minimum hassle, avoid the souvenir shops and the potential scammers that can turn your experience sour.

Maine: Red’s Eats

It’s no surprise that many Maine eateries cater to the seafood and lobster hype, charging ridiculous amounts for mediocre lobster rolls that you can get for significantly less elsewhere.

One example is Red’s Eats, famous for its massive lines, overhyped food, and, as of 2023, its $36 lobster rolls A family of four eating one roll each sets you back $144.00, not including drinks or other items.  

Maryland: Ocean City Boardwalk

Ocean City Boardwalk in Maryland is famous for its shops, restaurants, and arcades. But like most popular boardwalks in the US, these attractions overcharge tourists and sell low-value trinkets and souvenirs.

Summer crowds are loud and overwhelming, with some vendors employing aggressive sales tactics to sell their wares.  

Massachusetts: Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum in Massachusetts is a commercialized representation of one of the most significant events in American history.

The interactive exhibits and reenactments are more entertaining than historically accurate. While certainly not a traditional experience, the museum caters to tourists and may not offer the best educational experience.

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Michigan: Mystery Spot

The Mystery Spot in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has optical illusions and displays that make for a fun, yet lackluster, short stay.

Keep in mind that the attraction is not easily accessible for those with mobility issues. Some visitors also complain that the Mystery Spot often closes without warning.

Minnesota: Mall of America

The Mall of America in Minnesota, just like the one in Jersey, is a tourist trap that promises to drain your finances and leave a lackluster impression.

In short, the destination is an oversized mall with seemingly much to do. However, there isn’t much to offer besides an aquarium and a few rides, with shops and dining options that aren’t much different from the thousands of other, smaller malls dotted throughout the country.

Mississippi: Elvis Presley Birthplace

Hey, it’s not as commercialized as Graceland. And the two-room house where Elvis grew up in Tupelo is certainly an interesting roadside stop for fans and curious travelers.

But you may be left wondering whether it’s worth the $10-$20 admission.

Missouri: Branson

Branson attractions are neither unique nor particularly thrilling. Standard prices for show tickets, dining, and hotel accommodations are pretty high, especially during peak season.

Since it is a tourist hotspot, expect generic merchandise, a formalized entertainment experience, and tons of restaurants and shops that cater to tourists.

Montana: 50,000 Silver Dollar

The 50,000 Silver Dollar Inn along Interstate 90 showcases an extensive collection of silver dollars. While it does have a unique display, the next-door giftshop completely overshadows the attraction with its high prices and mundane merchandise.

The bar offers food, drinks, and refreshments for weary travelers. But with not much to see or do, you can forgo the attraction as you won’t miss much.

Nebraska: Carhenge

As its name suggests, Carhenge is a place that mimics Stonehenge but uses vintage cars instead of stones. The site is missing genuine historical or cultural depth, making it more of a roadside pitstop for pictures than a meaningful destination.

If you happen to pass by, it’s not a bad idea to stop and take pictures. But wasting time and gas exclusively on the destination is not the best idea, especially with small children.

Nevada: Adventuredome

The Adventuredome at Circus Circus in Las Vegas is an indoor amusement park with a circus-meets-slightly-steampunk feel and vibe.

Although it is one of the few family-friendly attractions in the city, it is in need of sprucing up as some of the rides and attractions do not work properly, and admission charges are high for the experience.

New Hampshire: Story Land

Story Land is a fairytale-themed, family-friendly attraction that boasts large crowds and fewer entertainment options compared to other theme parks.

While it is not Disney World, the prices in the souvenir shops may remind you of it. Moreover, many of the attractions close without warning, and prices for some items are pretty inflated.

New Jersey: Atlantic City

Atlantic City, New Jersey, is a popular tourist destination with over 27 million annual visitors. While in the past it enjoyed high-quality attractions, casinos, and dining options, it is quickly becoming a trap meant to keep people indoors and spending instead of enjoying their time.

Unless you explicitly want to visit Atlantic City, making the trip to Las Vegas is more worthwhile and has plenty of other attractions in comparison.   

New Mexico: International UFO Museum and Research Center

The International UFO Museum and Research Center, located in Roswell, New Mexico, capitalizes on the infamous 1947 “UFO” incident. But the dates exhibits, news articles, and aesthetics make it a prime tourist trap with very little value, not to mention the overly-inflated merchandise.

New York: Katz Delicatessen

The iconic eatery located in the Lower East Side, known for its famous pastrami sandwiches, has a rich legacy in the city and tastes as good as they say it does. But due to its fame, tourists and locals continuously flock in, with long lines and inflated prices that don’t reflect the authentic New York deli experience.

A pastrami sandwich costs $27.45 sans toppings or carving preferences. Those cost extra ($5.00 for an extra lean cut), and if you have a family of four, it’s not worth it when you can get similar — and for some — better sandwiches at other local delis.  

North Carolina: The Biltmore

The Biltmore Estate, dubbed America’s largest home, may be charming for some. Still, you can easily forget to enjoy them due to the upsells, additional costs, and pricey merchandise.

Besides the entry fee, expect to pay extra for some tours and other interactive experiences. While the architecture is impressive, you won’t miss much if you decide to forgo a visit.  

North Dakota: Enchanted Highway Gift Shops

The Enchanted Highway, known for its curious metal sculptures, has more than one tourist trap along its stretch.

Since many people visit to take pictures and experience the art, gift shops dot the highway with pricey merchandise, souvenirs, and trinkets.

Ohio: Cheese Haven

Cheese Haven in Port Clinton, Ohio, has an impressive cheese selection and a staunch following of cheese lovers. But prepare for a more retail-oriented experience as opposed to an interactive one if you decide to visit.  

Expect to pay higher than average prices for similar products at other retailers and be in and out relatively quickly.

Oklahoma: Route 66 Museum

The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum pays tribute to the famed Route 66 Highway. The museum tries hard to immerse you in the aesthetic, but there isn’t much to do.

If you enjoy a nostalgic look into the lore and history of the highway, you may enjoy your time at the museum. Otherwise, skip the attraction for one that you enjoy.

Oregon: Tillamook Cheese Factory

The Tillamook Creamery used to enjoy a more educational-oriented reputation among cheese enthusiasts and tourists. Nowadays, the experience feels commercial, and the emphasis is on the gift shop as opposed to the process.

If the cheese-making process interests you, visiting the Tillamook Creamery may be worth your while. You can get quality dairy products from artisanal, less-known shops for less.  

Pennsylvania: Betsy Ross House

The Betsy Ross House is allegedly the place where Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. However, these claims are dubious, as there are no documented historical accounts that this event occurred.

While it may be an educational experience to visit the home, the contesting history and the gift shop souvenirs give the Betsy Ross House a more materialistic feel as opposed to a place where a significant event happened.

Rhode Island: Thames Street

Thames Street in Newport combines historic architecture, shops, eateries, and a gorgeous waterfront with common tourist traps. One glance shows many souvenir and gift shops with inflated prices that cater specifically to tourists.

Thames Street is a great location to visit for a night out. Still, try to avoid scammers and shops that sell merchandise, food, or experiences for unreasonably high prices.

South Carolina: Magnolia Plantation

Magnolia Plantation is a popular tourist trap with many places to take pictures and get a small taste of the aesthetics of architecture in the Antebellum South.

You can take one of the many available tours for an extra cost besides paying the steep entrance fee. Still, the experiences leave much to desire, with long lines, large crowds, and average customer service.  

South Dakota: Crazy Horse Memorial

If you are visiting the Crazy Horse Memorial, expect to pay over $120 to see the attraction up close. Near the memorial are eateries, museums, and gift shops with overly inflated prices.

The contested history and ethics of the monument’s location, coupled with the high prices, make this tourist attraction more of a hassle than an experience.   

Tennessee: Hard Rock Café

When you are in Music City, avoid the tourist trap that is the Hard Rock Café. The iconic Hard Rock does not offer an authentic Tennessee experience. It has about the same vibe as other chains in the U.S.

Texas: The Big Texan

The Big Texan is a popular restaurant and brewery in Amarillo, Texas, with Instagrammable décor that embraces the “everything is bigger in Texas” vibe. But during peak times, your experience may not be entirely positive due to the long wait times and average food.

With seemingly more emphasis on how the restaurant looks as opposed to quality and taste, other options are more worth your while.  

Utah: City Creek Center Shopping Mall

City Creek Center Shopping Mall is one of the default shopping destinations for tourists visiting Salt Lake City. Prices are noticeably higher in many of the stores compared to other venues.

While it may be somewhere to visit on an odd night out, skip the shopping from here and make your way out to venues further away from the city center for lower prices and a more authentic Utah feel.

Vermont: Shelbourne Farms

Shelburne Farms in Vermont is a gorgeous estate, but it doesn’t come cheap and includes multiple upsells and add-ons.

If you want to explore the grounds or participate in tours, prepare to pay extra. The gift shop also has limited local items, and the selection is quite pricey.  

Virginia: Virginia Beach Boardwalk

Virginia Beach boardwalk has plenty of attractions, restaurants, and things to do. However, while some vendors have niche and interesting products, they cost significantly more when buying them on the boardwalk as opposed to getting them at a local shop.

Enjoy the scenery, take in the crowds, and grab some snacks. To make the best out of your visit, keep the inflated prices in mind and avoid the souvenir shops that have little to offer.

Washington: Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market has an overly touristic vibe that experiences significant crowds during peak times. Vendors who once sold items reminiscent of the local vibe now cater more to the tastes of their customers, many of whom are tourists.

The overpriced restaurants, peak-time crowds, and areas that need better sanitation and maintenance take from their charm and can dull your experience.

West Virginia: Mothman Museum

The Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant pays homage to the alleged Mothman myth and caters to fans of the supernatural creature. If you are a fan, prepare for a less-than-thrilling experience as the space is relatively small. Besides the overpriced merchandise, you won’t remember much after your trip.

Wisconsin: The ‘Top Secret’ Attraction

The “Top Secret” attraction in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, presents itself as an upside down house replete with optical illusions and some places to take photos.

The outdated attractions are a stark contrast to the impressive exterior, and you can tour the entire attraction relatively quickly, with not much to do after an initial glance.  

Wyoming: Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel & Restaurant

The Irma Hotel takes the name of Buffalo Bill’s daughter, with a restaurant and gift shop dedicated to the history and legend. Customers, primarily tourists, complain of long wait times, lackluster service, and average food.

With its steep prices, perhaps stop by for a quick bite if you’re curious. However, you may find that, like most tourist traps, the experience does not match the hype.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : Don’t Waste Your Money at These Worst Tourist Traps in Every State

Kokoda Track in 'worst condition' in more than 30 years amid falling tourist numbers

Charlie Lynn led trekkers across the rugged Kokoda Track for three decades — guiding Australians as they paid tribute to soldiers who fought and died there in World War II.

But after his 101st trip last year, he decided enough was enough.

The mountainous 96-kilometre trail — a place of pilgrimage for tourists commemorating one of Australia's pivotal military victories — has fallen too far into disrepair, according to Mr Lynn.

"It's in the worst condition it's ever been in, in the 32 years that I've trekked across it," he said.

He described parts around Brown River, far inland on the track, as "death traps".

"You would hardly call it a track. It's about 10 metres above the river and if anybody has a misstep with their pack on … you will never find them again," he said.

Mr Lynn, the son of a WWII veteran, led one of the first Australian tourist groups across the famous track on the 50th anniversary of the battle in 1992.

Since then, it's become an important source of income for villagers along the trail, bringing in 50 million kina ($20.4 million) annually to PNG's economy.

But amid a decline in visitor numbers and concerns about the management of the Kokoda Track, PNG's tourism authority is seeking oversight of the agency tasked with managing tourist operations on the trail.

Trail has become 'the wild west'

The Battle of Kokoda is among the most celebrated Australian victories of WWII, when Australian soldiers and Papua New Guinean villagers repelled the Japanese advance on Port Moresby along the mountain trail.

It forged an enduring bond between Australia and Papua New Guinea, which is now symbolised by the track — something that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will mark as he walks part of it on Anzac Day after arriving in PNG on Monday.

At its tourism peak in 2008, about 5,600 trekkers crossed the Kokoda Track.

Since then, Mr Lynn says, numbers have dropped 46 per cent, and some believe the trail is not fulfilling its tourism potential.

Mr Lynn said the experience for tourists had suffered as management of the trail had declined.

"There's not one decent toilet across the trail for them," he said.

"What you'll have is two or three groups of 50-60 arriving at a campsite that only has capacity for 25 and they'll be having heated arguments for who stays there that night.

"It's become the wild west."

Another trekking operator, Mick O'Malley, isn't as critical and says he has seen improvements.

"We are head and shoulders above where we used to be when I first started trekking," he said.

"I agree … it would be great to have amazing toilets but, by the same token, toilets in Australia aren't run by the government. It's private enterprise.

"It's not the government's responsibility to make sure toilets and guest houses are clean and up to standard."

Researchers Kyline Koroka and Shahar Shalom Yadin, who published a paper on the Kokoda Track in the Journal of South Pacific Law, are calling for authorities and tourism operators to consult more with local communities that host the trail.

A 'semitrailer in a sedan car park'

The Kokoda Track Authority (KTA), established about 20 years ago, oversees tourism operations on the trail and sits under PNG's Department of Provincial and Local-level Government Affairs (DPLGA).

However, deputy chairman of the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, Andy Abel, said it was put in the hands of the wrong department.

"It should have been parked within the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority because Kokoda Trail trekking … is a tourism asset," he said.

"It's like parking a semitrailer in a sedan car park.

"When I realised how the tourism authority was spending millions of kina promoting the trail in Australia, but we had no control over it, I made it my business to correct it."

Mr Abel is spearheading a push to shift the management rights of the Kokoda Track Authority from the DPLGA to the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority.

He expects it to be approved within three months.

"I've met with the minister for tourism, I've met with the governor, I've met with the prime minister … so it's now just a matter of time, and not when, for that National Executive Council submission to go before cabinet and that transfer to take place."

The ABC approached the Kokoda Track Authority for comment.

KTA chief executive Julius Wargirai has previously defended the agency, saying it is working to improve transparency and grow the benefits of the track for local people.

He has also said the KTA had limited power to increase the benefits for people living on the track.

In the meantime, there are plans to encourage more tourists back to PNG by funding improvements to the Kokoda Track and building more WWII attractions in Port Moresby.

Mr Abel and Port Moresby Governor Powes Parkop have signed a memorandum of understanding with Canada Bay Council in Sydney and not-for-profit organisation Network Kokoda to make the improvements.

Mr Parkop said under the plan, historic sites such as Paga Hill, Wardstrip and Sabama would undergo development for new memorials.

He said he would like memorial sites built in the Central and Oro provinces as well.

"The plan from our city is to also encourage tourism in the area of war pilgrimage," he said.

Mr Parkop said the National Capital District government (Port Moresby) would work with Network Kokoda and memorial designers to come up with ideas for installations.

One idea included placing WWII aircraft at Wards Airstrip, which was used by heavy bombers and transport planes during the conflict.

And Mr Parkop wants to extend the tourism market beyond Australia.

"There is a very big gap in the market," he said

"I think the potential for us to get more numbers here than Gallipoli is there, but the government hasn't really developed and harnessed this potential to create the facilities.

"And of course, the other market is the Japanese and USA. We want to invite them too so they can tell their story and their version of things, so they can pay respect to lost loved ones."

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• Foreign Affairs
• Papua New Guinea
• Tourism and Leisure Industry
• Travel Health and Safety
• Travel and Tourism (Lifestyle and Leisure)
• World War 2