Everybody loves a good vacation, after all, you’ve spent time and money planning your getaway. There are definitely some places that are better trip destinations than others, and we’re here to help you figure out those places and save you the headache of a bad vacation. Keep reading to see what getaway destinations you should absolutely avoid going to.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Here is something that you probably did not know about the Hollywood Walk of Fame. An accepted nominee only gets a star after shelling out $30,000! We do not know about you, but we do not think it is all that great of an honor if you have to pay that much money for it. On top of that, the sidewalk is always full of tourists on the lookout for celebs. Trust us, none of them will be there!
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Plymouth Rock
There might be tons of history attached to this rock, but it is still nothing more than a rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts. If you are looking to get your dose of history, you are much better off going to the living history museum at Plimoth Plantation instead!
Plymouth Rock
Catalina Island
Islands will never fail to sound exotic. However, this one near Los Angeles is only surrounded by cold water. There is no real beach here. All you can do is ride a golf cart, play golf, or go to a casino.
Catalina Island
Key West
Do you plan to go to Key West, Florida to enjoy a touristy train ride like this one? You might want to rethink your plans. We would recommend having a luxury upscale experience at a resort in Islamorada instead. On top of that, you might get the chance to share your taxi ride with an iguana!
Key West
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is what you get when you want a city that is all glitz but no glamour. Do you like noise, lights, and activity? Honestly, we do not think it makes for a great vacation. You’ll just get tired and spend all your money here.
Las Vegas
Disney World
It is hard to beat Disney World when you want to enjoy themed rides. However, do you really want to spend all of your money to just stand in line and wait for your turn? Yeah, we did not think you would either. The queue will take up your entire day, trust us.
Disney World
Four Corners
We are sorry to be the ones to break it to you, but there are no fences, walls, or curtains between these states. This is not all, however. Wait until you hear that you are actually standing about 1800 feet away from the true intersection of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.
Four Corners
Mount Rushmore
Ah, here we have the huge stone carving of presidents Jefferson, Washington, Lincoln, and Roosevelt. It might be on every Keystone, South Dakota itinerary, but is it worth it? Trust us, it is a lot more impressive in your head than in real life.
Mount Rushmore
The Rocky Statue
If this statue was actually right at the top of the 72 famous Philadelphia stairs, we would probably feel much better about going up to it with the “Gonna Fly Now” song going through our heads!
The Rocky Statue
Mall of America
There are more than 50 restaurants and 500 stores in this shopping mall in Bloomington, Minnesota. It has also been accused of creating fake social media profiles to spy on activists of the Black Lives Matter movement. Besides, why bother going here on your vacation when you can simply shop online in this day and age?
Mall Of America
Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market
It might claim that it has been open ever since 1742, but the Boston market does not have a lot of historic things to offer. The area is full of bars, souvenirs, food sellers, and tourists! Locals try their best to avoid it. The good news is that there are lots of other attractions in Boston.
Faneuil Hall And Quincy Market
Madame Tussaud’s Hollywood
We would not deny that there is an uncanny resemblance between the wax figures and the celebrity models. However, the statues can be truly creepy and eerie. Do you know what would be better than this? Take a TMZ tour bus and look around for the celebrities in the flesh instead!
Madame Tussaud’s Hollywood
Rock And Roll Hall of Fame
Like all the other halls of fame in the world, this place aims to give you an overview of the past with a nod to the present. The hall comes with music that some might not call rock ‘n’ roll.
Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
Sixth Street
Sixth Street is known to be the capital of live music. It is found in Austin, which happens to be the 11th most populated US City. While it is wide and huge, the entertainment district is tiny and littered with binge-drinking college kids. This is not the place would personally go when we are looking for relaxation.
Sixth Street
Times Square
Ask any New Yorker what they think of Times Square and you will almost certainly get a negative response! Times Square is a place that is filled with annoying tourists. The street is full of shops that specifically caters to tourists. If you decide that you still want to go here, it will be good to keep in mind that the shops here jack up the prices big time.
Times Square
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is huge, and you can spot it all the way from Battery Park. Trust us, it is not worth wasting an entire afternoon in NYC to wait and pay money just so you can see it up close and personal!
Statue Of Liberty
Liberty Bell
Aside from the story, the bell is nothing more than an overpriced and overrated tourist attraction in Philadelphia. It is not a great idea to come all the way here because you will likely be disappointed.
Liberty Bell
The Space Needle
If you want to get a good view of the city, just head on to Kerry Park. Trust us, you are much better off doing that instead of paying for a ticket and waiting a long time in line just to see it from that high.
The Space Needle
Bourbon Street
The famous New Orleans street is full of tourists looking for booze, jazz, and adult entertainment. Once you are done walking down it, you will probably feel like taking a long shower. If you want a historic music joint, you would not find it anywhere in Bourbon Street. A lot of establishments there are touristy clubs and piano bars that cater to the binge-drinking youth. The open containers are unique, but you will soon realize why it is not needed anywhere else. Cups and bottles go in the gutters, while the street looks like it is always wet even on days when it has not rained.
Bourbon Street
The Washington Monument
Do not bother to pay for the ticket unless you want to recreate the famous Forrest Gump scene or learn more about the first president of the United States. The 70-second-elevator ride simply isn’t worth it.
The Washington Monument
Beale Street
The 1.8-mile road might have been authentic at one point, but times have changed. In this day and age, it is nothing more than a way for tourists to get drunk and spend their hard-earned money.
Beale Street
The Painted Ladies (The Sherbet Houses)
There are no tours that will take you inside The Painted Ladies, so the only thing you can do is to look at them. If that is all you wanted, you can just watch the Full House intro because they still look exactly like that.
The Painted Ladies (The Sherbet Houses)
The Alamo
We are not here to dismiss just how important the Battle of the Alamo is. However, the landmark is truly forgettable. At this point, this city has gotten so overrun that it is now only a collection of stone buildings across a Jimmy John’s.
The Alamo
Everglades National Park
Do you think we are joking when we say that this is just a large swamp? Fair enough, you might see some animals and bond with all the mosquitos there. That is if the heat of the Florida sun doesn’t get to you first.
Everglades National Park
Underground Atlanta
The true problem with the tourist trap in the photo is already in its name. It is really underground, which means that the police find it hard to keep both the shop owners and patrons safe.
Underground Atlanta
The Louvre
We promise you that the Mona Lisa is a lot more impressive on the computer screen than in person. The painting is smaller than you probably think, so you will need to get through the crowds to get so much as a peek. The Louvre houses this painting and many other important pieces of art. However, you will have to consider the fact that you will be sharing this with thousands of other people. Are you willing to risk all of that?
The Louvre
Every Cruise Ever
When you go on vacation and go to tourist spots, there is a good chance that you will have to deal with the crowds one way or another. Knowing this, why would you willingly trap yourself on a boat with so many strangers? We have no idea. If we were in this position, we would feel like a grouchy sardine!
Every Cruise Ever
Loch Ness
We do not know if you believe in the existence of Nessie, but you can best believe that Loch Ness will be a bit disappointing. The views are great, but the country boasts of many other amazing views anyway. When you consider the fact that it is a long drive away from the city, you might be better off going elsewhere.
Loch Ness
The Blarney Stone
As the old legend goes, you will get the “gift of gab” if you kiss the Blarney Stone! This is something that many people have tried in the past, so we do not recommend doing the same thing. You don’t want giardia, do you?
The Blarney Stone
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is not a total fail. We will admit that there is something delightfully creepy and holy about the ancient pile of stones. However, visitors often build it up in their heads and expect towering, imposing stone pillars. The truth is that the tallest is only 30 feet high! It looks even smaller when you see the big crowd surrounding it. Other tourists will almost definitely be there as well.
Stonehenge
Cancun
Are you taking a carefree spring break trip? If you do not give a darn about sexually transmitted diseases and your liver, this place is going to be a wonderland. However, most people will think Cancun is overpriced, overcrowded, and overrun by youngsters.
Cancun
The Pyramids
The Pyramids of Giza are very famous, so a lot of people dream to go and see them in person. Fair enough, these things are timeless artifacts and incredible human achievements. However, you should prepare yourself for the huge crowds in there. Aside from that, the sphinx seems more like a lazy house pet than a ferocious mythological creature in person.
The Pyramids
Cloud Gate (The Chicago Bean)
Do you like odd public art? If this is the case, feel free to go and visit the Chicago Bean once you land at O’Hare. If you do not really care much for it, a Google search image should suffice. After that, look for something else to do in the Windy City.
Cloud Gate (The Chicago Bean)
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
We will admit that the Leaning Tower of Pisa is indeed mildly interesting. However, the experience is ruined by all the tourists who want to recreate the dumb pose we have seen so many times in the past. You know what we are talking about – the hold-it-up-with-your-hands shot. What will make the trip worth it is photobombing all the people doing this. If that is not to your liking, you should probably just spend your time and explore the rest of the city instead.
The Leaning Tower Of Pisa
The Eiffel Tower
Savvy tourists will tell you just how beautiful the Eiffel Tower is… from a distance. It is not really worth going the effort to go up and see Paris from the observation deck. You would not really get great views from there. If you are expecting to see a towering architectural structure, you are in bad luck. It is shorter than other skyscrapers out there.
The Eiffel Tower
London Eye
Seeing as London is a city with some of the world’s greatest museums, it really makes no sense as to why one of its biggest attractions is a giant Ferris wheel. Believe it or now, the London Eye is the UK’s most popular paid tourist attraction. It might just be that when people hear “the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe”, they can’t resist.
London Eye
San Francisco’s Cable Cars
While they are city icons, the cable cars are just not worth the high price for a short trip up and down a hill in San Francisco. There is nothing you can see inside the cars that you wouldn’t be able to see from outside, so riding them is pretty much useless. In short, this is a tourist trap if we’ve ever seen one.
San Francisco’s Cable Cars
Temple Bar, Dublin
It might be promoted as “Dublin’s Cultural Quarter”, but in our opinion, overpriced places that are overcrowded with drunk tourists just aren’t our idea of a cultural experience. While there is a certain level of medieval charm in the narrow cobbled streets, a place loses its appeal once it focuses solely on tourists for profit.
Temple Bar, Dublin
Fisherman’s Wharf
We love San Francisco, we really do, but we have to put another of its attractions on this list. The Fisherman’s Wharf is no more than a waterfront tourist trap with tacky souvenir shops and chain restaurants. It’s a shame, seeing as the real San Francisco experience is actually one of the most authentic and refined you’ll find in the United States.
Fisherman’s Wharf
Blue Grotto
Yes, seeing the intensely blue water in this famous sea cave in person has a certain charm and beauty to it, but in all honesty, you’ll have to take an expensive motorboat and then a rowboat across the island to see it. Aside from being an overpriced hassle, it’s not worth going to Capri just to see it since it’s often inaccessible because of the weather conditions.
Blue Grotto
Four Corners Monument
If there was an award for the most overrated tourist attraction, the Four Corners Monument would get it. It’s right in the middle of a desert, so there’s nothing to do other than try to touch a tiny part of the four states all at once. Spoiler alert: it’s not easy, and even if you manage to do it, you’ll be disappointed that you don’t feel any different than before this accomplishment.
Four Corners Monument
The Red Light District
We know it’s one of Amsterdam’s most famous – and infamous – areas, but the Red Light District gets repetitive, and quickly. Unless you like watching bored, scantily-clad women looking at their phones time and time again. Not to mention it can also get depressing if you don’t appreciate sidestepping crowds of drunk people and listening to catcalls.
The Red Light District
Bondi Beach
In 2008, Sydney’s popular Bondi Beach was added to the Australian National Heritage List. It attracts over two million people each year. You’d think that big a crowd isn’t bad, but that’s the point. The beach itself is less than a mile long, meaning it’s constantly overcrowded and filled with trash.
Bondi Beach
Aspen
A skiing haven with plenty of natural beauty, Aspen really is a gorgeous place. However, according to 20-year tourism vet Dan Howard, “people seek out to see and be seen,” in the Colorado Mountain town. If you want to just eat really expensive food with wealthy people, head out to Aspen! But, if you’re looking to have a simple ski vacation in a beautiful place, there are much better options.
Aspen
Phuket
Thailand’s largest island, Phuket is tourist central. According to Insider, about 8.4 million people pass through the island each year. If you planning on visiting or taking a vacation there between November to March, you might want to think again. Those months are considered their high season since a lot of people come for their gorgeous beaches. Not to mention, according to a survey done by Prince Songkla University, during September and October, trash and water quality are very problematic for the beaches.
Phuket
Daytona
If you aren’t planning a wild spring break trip or going to see a NASCAR race, then you might want to give Daytona Beach a pass. The groups of people who visit tend to get rowdy, making it very difficult to find a quiet hotel room anywhere nearby. Also, according to Insider, cars are allowed on the beach, meaning the sand might not be very peaceful either. So, if you want a nice and peaceful vacation, try places like the Keys, Clearwater Beach, or Pensacola Beach instead.
Daytona
Cairo
Thanks to safety concerns, tourism in Egypt has been steadily declining. As it turns out, there are a few other reasons why tourists aren’t interested in visiting famous cities like Cairo. Shop owners, taxi drivers, and whoever else relies on tourists for profit have become very aggressive. Cairo is also known to be very congested with traffic, which means getting anywhere can be difficult. Every city has its own regulations on pedestrian walkways, but in Cairo, you need to be very careful since it can become very dangerous for pedestrians to walk through the streets.
Cairo
Hong Kong
There’s no denying the fact that the apartments in Hong Kong are very small and that the city is overcrowded. In fact, it turns out that Hong Kong has a population of 7.43 million people. It’s one of the most densely populated cities in the world. However, this doesn’t stop the tourists from coming and experiencing the cultural aspects of China. According to China Daily, there have been over 285 million tourists in 2016 alone, and the numbers aren’t slowing down.
Hong Kong
Atlantis
If you want to have a true Caribbean paradise experience, you won’t find it at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. What you will find is an overwhelming amount of activities to do, like waterparks, a big casino, and even an entire marine habitat. In order to experience that true beach adventure, you’re better off going somewhere else than this overrated resort.
Atlantis
Little Italy
We’ve all heard that New York City is the city that never sleeps. You can find almost every kind of food you’ve ever dreamed of, and you’d be surprised at how authentic it actually is. Little Italy is the one drastic exception, as most restaurants aren’t real Italian food, but rather an American interpretation of it. The small neighborhood mostly caters to tourists, with souvenir shops around every corner.
Little Italy
Santorini
The main thing Santorini is known for is being the best place in the world to see a sunset. This claim has brought countless tourists to the small island. So much so that it’s begun to create a problem. Sunsets are meant to be romantic, but there’s nothing romantic about hundreds to thousands of other people standing with you to watch the sunset. According to the Telegraph, more than 5.5 million people visited Santorini last year, causing traffic jams and overcrowding. Not to mention that water and energy use have both skyrocketed.
Santorini
Hobbiton, New Zealand
When the Lord of the Rings trilogy was done filming in New Zealand, Peter Jackson left the hobbit homes behind for fans to enjoy. New Zealand has plenty of beautiful places to visit and see, but this movie set is not one of them, it’s simply overrated. The Telegraph said all that stayed behind is the fake door fronts and buildings. It’s really underwhelming as a result.
Hobbiton, New Zealand
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is the most famous office building in the world, a signature of the New York skyline. Not to mention, it’s a place where tourists can go up to the 86th-floor observation deck to New York from high up. That is, of course, if you can see through the bars. The pictures you’d find online don’t show the bars that are blocking the view in order to keep the people safe.
Empire State Building
Taj Mahal
Another example of a beautiful monument that is so overrated is none other than the Taj Mahal. In order to get a good look at it, or even just see it, you’d have to battle thousands of people. According to the Smithsonian, the Taj Mahal is visited by more than 40,000 people a day, and that number later had to be capped to limit the number of tourists that came through. As many as 70,000 tourists can go there each day. When that amount of people is joining you on your trip to see this monument, it takes away from the experience, in our opinion.
Taj Mahal
Trevi Fountain
One of the most stunning fountains in the world, the Trevi Fountain in Rome is photographed countless times every day, All we can say is good luck getting a good view of it or trying to toss in a coin to make a wish. According to Business Insider, workers have to clear the floor each day to remove the coins which amount to thousands of dollars each day, or $1.5 million a year. Yes, the money goes to charity, but with so many people around, you’d have to get up very early to make a wish at that fountain.
Trevi Fountain