Travel’s great. You get to see new things, meet new people, get some perspective in life, disconnect from your regular life and recharge, in turn making you happier and giving you peace of mind, improving your communication skills and creativity, possibly boosting your confidence along the way, making memories, helping you understand yourself more, perhaps even improving your health… you get the point. It’s awesome.
But there is bound to be a ‘spoiled egg’ of a destination among travelers that just left a bad taste in their mouths, whether because the expectations were overhyped, or the destination was just not that good. Whatever the case may be, people have been discussing this online.
A Redditor by the nickname of u/0_7_0 posted the question “what city disappointed you the most when visiting?” on the r/AskReddit subreddit. This in turn prompted over 6,600 comments with a modest 5,900 upvotes and a handful of Reddit awards.
Scroll down to see the top cities people were most disappointed with and hence do not recommend. And while you’re at it, tell us which cities you were most disappointed with in the comment section below!
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wric84 said:
Came here to say Dubai. Decided to spend 10 days there while passing through. Had enough of it after 24 hours. Too many f$#&!&# malls. No culture.
Learned all about the ABCs though...
c19isdeadly replied:
Me too!
Horrid place, fancy malls and hotels for the westerners, but the streets are full of the poor / slaves. You really see what misery the whole place is built on.
I went there for work, I can't imagine how people can go there for fun.
While each city is unique in its own way, with many people on Reddit experiencing the same unique reasons for disappointment, there have been recurring themes among answers.
Most notably, it was things like the city had a certain unpleasant smell to it, or was trashy, whether actually untidy or just very cheap. Or both.
Some other places, like for instance Niagara Falls and Egypt had people feeling weird about the fact that the key attractions in these places, namely the Niagara Falls and the Pyramids, were very close to the cities themselves, and not some distant secret location offering adventure and excitement.
Lastly, yet others found some cities too modern, digital, and “plastic”, with things like casinos and malls creating a sense of unnatural urban development that lacks history and pathos.
themeanlantern said:
I hated Las Vegas so very f**king much. So dry, so trashy, so smokey, ugh.
regular6drunk7 replied:
Las Vegas reminded me of being inside a gigantic McDonalds. Everywhere bright colors, artificial happiness and fake smiles and all mathematically calculated to take the maximum amount of money out of your pocket.
The most charm-free place I've ever been.
Hollywood. And am embarrassed for people who travel around the world to see it. What they imagine it to be vs reality. Sorry, it's not what you expected you can have a good time in Hollywood, but do your research and check your expectations. Also, a lot of you seem to think I said the entirety of Los Angeles. LA definitely has plenty of problems, but if you truly think all of LA has nothing to offer, even for a visit, you've probably never step foot in a museum or tried foreign cuisine. The best concerts I've ever been to have all been in LA.
Bali changed so much the last 10 years. It used to be so beautiful and amazing… now it is full of “digital nomad” douchebags and overpriced food and crap. I remember when it was just a cool surf spot with cheap eats
Bored Panda has reached out to Irmante Sungailaite, an avid traveler and tour leader of G Adventures and National Geographic Journeys, to tell us more about what makes cities special for travelers, among other things.
"I have been traveling for 16 years, and I haven't meticulously kept a diary of all the cities that I have been to, as after 80 countries it's too easy to lose the count, but I can tell you that some places tend to steal your heart instantly, and some of them, well, you wouldn't even recommend it to your worst enemy," explained Irmante.
"As part of my work as a tour leader, I get to go to see many of the top of the 'bucket list' cities that many travelers are dying to discover. I have to admit that Venice has never been my top choice in Italy, but since my friends moved back there I got to see it in a totally different light--so places do change as well as you and your outlook does too."
Beijing. I arrived at the end of a trans- Mongolian rail trip seeing so many incredible places and I think it was just a huge anticlimax. Was intimidated by the level of armed security everywhere, had to fight off so many scammers, didn't enjoy being touched and laughed at when on the subway (I'm a very white European with curly hair). Overall just found it really challenging despite some amazing sights.
I was there in -99, so a lot has probably changed since then, but I enjoyed Bejing - so many fascinating, historical sites. There were a lot of scammers back then too, but no armed security, so maybe it wasn't as bad. And people kept handing us their babies and taking pictures of us holding them, which was odd, but not in a bad way. No pointing and laughing, even though we were both white (and one had curly hair), but then we didn't go on the subway (didn't know they had one - maybe it's new)
Pompeii
The Atmosphere was toxic, the local fair was rather bland, nothing was showing at the local amphitheater, and it seems like everyone you visit is sleeping.
Quiet neighborhood though.
Okay, I read toxic atmosphere and thought it to be a satirical post on when Pompeï still was a blast these many centuries ago.. 😅
User_492006 said:
Atlantic City. It's waayyy dirtier and run down than I thought it'd be.
housespecialdelight replied:
NJ resident. Atlantic City is terrible outside the casinos. You have to stick to the casinos outside of the boardwalk (Borgata or Harrahs) if you want to have a more classy experience.
There are some pretty old school amazing restaurants off the grid to venture out to though.
plz-pm-me-your-b**bz replied:
I was so disappointed by this city and my expectations weren't even high. It was just nasty there. The whole experience felt like biting into an apple only to realize it's an onion.
"If you choose a well known destination, there is a really high chance of it having a lot of 'tourist traps' but even then you can dig a little bit deeper and go local," elaborated Irmante. "It's also a lot about reality vs expectations--going to UAE, you have to understand that there will be a lot of malls--and if that's your thing--it will be better than heaven for anyone who is into strolling brightly lit miles of stores. Even in places like Dubai you can find gems that are off the beaten path - like going to Alserkal avenue that is full of art galleries, local artists workshops, quaint cafes, an independent cinema and a scrumptious chocolaterie."
Dread_Wolf_TakeMe said:
Branson Missouri felt like if wish.com were a place
Frenchy4life replied;
I have heard it called the Christian Las Vegas, couldn't have better described it. However, I did have fun..... went Zip Lining, saw a magic show, had an awesome brunch at the College of the Ozarks. I would rate that trip a 7 out fof 10. Especially since my parents did the stupid time share presentations to get free stuff lol
It is what fundamentalists think is fun. The entire thing is rural wholeomer-than-thou non-amusement park.
Miami. I never have allergies and had level 10 allergies pretty much as soon as I arrived. The food was over priced. Clubs were WAY over priced. There were to many plasticy people walking around. The social culture was way to rich for my blood. And I went with a narcissistic jackaloon (unrelated to the city but relevant to my disdain.)
I will never step foot in a state run by a dictator. DeSantis is a killer.
youburyitidigitup said:
Niagara Falls. I didn’t know the falls would be in a city. I thought it would be a national park. The whole place just felt like a giant shopping mall.
SaraAB87 said:
There is a state park to it, that is where the actual falls is. But of course the tourist area is like that. Also you don't want to go outside the tourist area on either the American or Canadian side of the falls, much crime occurs and both sides are extremely run down.
I know everyone loves Marrakesh, but i hated it
it would have been amazing before about 2000, but now it just feels like a disneyland version of their culture to cater to western tourists. ali baba costumes pretending to be desert nomads. half of their ‘hand made goods’ are just cheap s**t from china. and u cant walk 20 feet without being aporoached by scammers. like, literally every block
the entire city just feels like a facade to attract dumb tourist money
i get why ppl love it, but that was my take
According to Irmante, much of one's own experience of a place depends on the travelers themselves. While cities ought to provide a traveler-friendly environment, being able to enjoy the so-called 'tourist trap' is also something that requires a certain kind of skill and appreciation.
"I always wonder, though, what it was like to visit Barcelona or Dubrovnik 30 years ago and how they've changed, these places adapted to travelers' needs, meaning that sometimes they even tend to drift from their authenticity in order to make people feel comfortable being guests. It takes a seasoned traveler to go to lesser known destinations, but to thoroughly and authentically enjoy 'tourist traps' is also an art. So I would say that falling into the 'tourist trap' is up to the traveler itself. The city must have people that are easy to communicate with regardless of whether there's a language barrier, curious culture, different food, and their transport systems are easy to use."
As a Dutch person, I'm actually gonna say Amsterdam. So crowded, chaotic and getting run over by other tourists on bikes they've never ridden before. I feel like it's romanticized a lot because it's our capital but the first time I visited, I was genuinely disappointed. It's definitely dirtier on the streets and the canals have a lot of waste drifting in them.
And the people that are there don't seem to understand. "Honey, you're in Amsterdam, isn't it fantastic?" "I'm living the dream because I'm living in Amsterdam!" "Amsterdam is the heart and soul of the Netherlands!"
Meh. I'll just go to Utrecht or Den Bosch instead.
DontShootTheFood said:
Austin, Texas. Lived there in the ‘90s and it was pretty great. Now it’s an overcrowded, overpriced douchey mess.
BethG_99 replied:
As someone who grew up in & currently lives in Austin, you are 100% correct. The area is great to visit but horrible to stay in for any long-term period of time. And alot of what made up Austin's "Stay Weird" culture has vanished with the population boom, especially in downtown. Don't get me wrong, there's still plenty in Austin and the surrounding area to have a fun & interesting trip if you're visiting. But don't move here. It's so damn expensive, the population in the city & all the surrounding suburbs has exploded too quickly for infrastructure to keep up, and honestly the snobby attitude of some of the people (especially our local leaders) is becoming increasingly more noticeable. It used to still have the combination of Stay Weird hippy town mixed with Southern hospitality and small town community feel. Both of those have pretty much vanished now. I'm getting out of this area as soon as my boyfriend and I have saved up enough to move.
I definitely concur. I have family who moved there back when "Keep Austin Weird" was still a mantra, then a prayer, now a history. So many independent stores & restaurants have been replaced by chains. The traffic is horrible. The infrastructure just can't keep up with the growth. Compared to California, Texas is an inexpensive place to live, except for Austin, as so many Californians have moved there for the tech jobs. I still love visiting Austin, but it's not what it used to be. Oh yeah...Crappy Governor Greg Abbott is there, so that's another reason to be disappointed by Austin.
Manhattan smells like trash. Constantly. There is very little infrastructure for waste management for a city filled with 100 stories of office buildings, restaurants, and apartments, so on trash day you walk by 8-foot tall walls of trash bags stacked up on the sidewalk waiting for the trash trucks. And on a hot August day, ugh.
The whole city just stinks.
actually we have a very good infrastructure for waste management, maybe you came during the Sanitation slowdown during the union negotiations. But yeah, that huge wall of trash bags during the day is a lie, they are put out after 6 pm and are picked up over night, further that only applies to residential houses, not stores or apartments. This person is full of BS and probably never was here but saw 1990's Law and Order episdoes.
I've been to NY more times than I can count. Maybe you're just thinking of a different part of the city, because every time I've been there's been garbage bags piled up on the streets at least once. I've also been to Tokyo, London, San Diego, etc. Never seen anything as bad as NY when it comes to waste management. In Tokyo the only place I even saw litter was right by a tourist trap.
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I kind of liked it. I was there during the blackout fo 2003 and had to sleep on the street for the night. It was like a giant party.
And you woke up with your wallet and shoes? You must have been on the upper East side.
Load More Replies... I lived in Manhattan for a year, you can definitely have a good time there. Make sure you use the buddy system lol You will have to get used to the smell of urine on the streets at times, and yes there is lots of trash, and rats will run right in front of you. Just part of the adventure. (P.s. would not go with kids! lots of walking and too many people to keep track of them)
Manhattan smells like barbeque, love it. (yes at night on some places are trash bags on streets) I love New York and Manhattan (as tourist). You need to find another joy as only looking on skyscrapers. All the streets, good food, parks, shops, cornershops, streetfood… Coming back with my wife 1-2 times per year in last 10 years for relax (and lot of walking, shopping)
I live here, and have for the past 40 years, and I love my city. True, it can get fragrant on a hot summer night right before trash day, but it sounds to me as though you were here during the sanitation slowdown. Meanwhile, who cares how often the garbage truck comes by when you have Central Park, the Metropolitan Opera, the Bronx Zoo, the Museum of Natural History, MOMA, and literally thousands and thousands of other cultural delights, all within either walking distance or public-transit access. I HEART NYC!
Stating an opinion and explaining it like a fact? Literally mansplaining. You visited once during the hottest part of the year where in any city it smells more, and complain. It’s a huge city. Garbage bags by the street is normal. If anything, I saw it as a interesting contrast to suburban living where bins are rolled in front of driveways.
I'd like to which "perfect place on earth" the OP is from.
NYC is the greatest city on earth has so much culture ,every different kind of people from all over the world ,the most incredible architecture sure theres garbage in the streets.If you want to see real garbage go to an Italian city they're worse than we are.That's what big cities are about they're not about some clean sterile perfect little place that you might see on television they're real human culture beautiful I love New York City I miss it so much I used to live there I would love to go back!!!
It is a while since I went to NYC but the times I did I loved it. Pop concerts in Central Park The Metropolitan museum going to the movies at 2am the amazing food, the Cloisters, the list goes on
How interesting to reduce Manhattan - one of the main cultural centers not just of the US, but of the world - to "smells like trash." Maybe your timing was just terrible? Or you are oversensitive? LOL
I was there years ago in January. I really liked it. The architecture, museums, views of the city, the grid system. Easy to get around. Time square is over rated. Central Park I loved. Oh also saw part of one of the last episodes of SATC being filmed. Carry in a carriage in the park.
Literally only ONE building is 100 stories or more. Are you sure the city you visited was Manhattan?
I love NY one of my favourite cities. Great energy helpful people (unlike the stereo type of the ride nyer) and so much culture. We liked all the new experiences I'd be happy to go back
Honestly, I didn't notice a garbage smell, or even garbage piles last time I stayed in Manhattan. It smelled like regular city. Philly is where I smelled something horrible in the air each time I went there.
I agree. The fact that its such a major city but has a trash problem., is a problem. I spent a week.found it an aggressive, materialistic rude, and a stinky place that relies solely on the hype! Big apple is rotten to the core. Racist af too..but then isnt ALL of the great USA!
Manhattan may have its problems but this comment is way off-base. There is amazing diversity of neighborhoods, from Greenwich Village to the Battery, Chinatown, Times Square, Upper West Side to… on and on. The closest I can get to agreeing with the criticism is that driving in Manhattan, especially midtown, can be awful! Also, some sections, aren’t my “thing”. Manhattan, and NYC is about as diverse a city you’ll find anywhere in America… or the world.
I grew up in NY. And NYC was my favorite place to be. I miss all of it. ❤️❤️
I used to live in Brooklyn. We went to Manhattan every weekend for the three months I was there and we never saw it all. Great place to visit
I had a great time in Manhattan. Went to museums, saw a lot of the city, and went to a show. Hope to go back soon. Oh, and ate A LOT of delicious food and desserts.
I don't agree. I have been twice, and Manhatten is amazing. It has an energy and a joy that a lot of other really big cities lack. It can be so many different different experiences, depending on what you like. The Met, MOMA, Broadway, the Highline, Central Park are some of my favorites. Just looking at the architecture is fun and the food. Oh, the food.
I've met many people from Manhatton and they all seem like they'd not want to live anywhere else. Never dull.
The city is a world on its own... It's so different and strange and amazing. I lived on Long Island for a while (that place is odd, too!), and we'd visit the city now and again and it'd be different every single time. Summer did bring interesting smells, lol! My favorite was the Feast of San Gennaro (I apologize if I'm spelling that wrong). So much fun and the food was absolutely wonderful!
I've been to both. I would choose New Orleans over New York 100% of the time. New Orleans has street cleaners that run every morning in the quarter, and I don't know what they do with their trash but it doesn't fly everywhere constantly. I went to Manhattan last September and it was like being in a trash dump. (Except the park! The highlight of New York for sure!)
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Lived in NYC for over 50 years . I am amazed at tourists with smiles on their face; I cannot think of what they are experiencing as tourists. Unless you have never seen a high rise there is nothing there except restaurants.
There is no place like Manhattan. I don't know what stinks. Never noticed but so much to do and see. Good food, entertainment and Central Park is great. Most walkable.
Some people just can't deal with a big city so they hate NY right from the get go. NY isn't for amatuer. You should try Manhattan Kansas.
Garbage, yes. Overrated, NO! Non stop activity, 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You have to know where to look. If you can get out of the tourist traps (midtown Manhattan) you can discover beauty, culture, talent, etc . At really reasonable prices too.
Maybe go during the winter? Lol. I've been to Manhattan twice and had an amazing time. Fall is a great time to go, because it's not too cold yet and there are less tourists. Anything you want to see or do, you'll find it in Manhattan!
In the 70s there was a particularly bad summer for NY city. The trash was all over the city rotting, in one of the worse heat waves and crime on the rise (no wonder when people would undoubtedly be pissed). I feel like at least it's better than it was then but still seems over glorified. In the 90s and early 2000s I remember it being more if an "it" place than LA (maybe due to living in SoCal and we knew LA was mostly bad...lol). Everyone wanted to go to NY. But I think that most people who aren't going strictly for business know it's mostly a dead dream. I still like the nearby towns and cities. But the way NY is being handled during the pandemic makes me feel bad for anyone there.
The city is run by liberal Democrats now. What would you expect it to be??? Hasn’t been great since Giuliani.
I was there Thanksgiving this year and I DID SEE HUGE PILES OF TRASH
Sounds like you timed your stay with one of the garbage strikes. Sucks to be you. I love NYC!
I love Manhattan. So many different worlds in one part of a great city. Oh well!
I was born and raised in Manhattan and this review is 100% correct. The entire borough smells like trash. It is dirty and it stinks. Lets not even talk about the rat infestation.
Manhattan is a melting pot that was left on a bit too long. A bit overcooked and a smell of burnt pretzels or you could even compare it to overpriced fondue. That being said the surrounding Burroughs are places that are completely unique to America. I lived there for 5 years and cursed it every day. Now I miss it. Maybe a case of Stockholm syndrome, but if your young and looking to broaden your horizons Brooklyn is the spot.
I was there literally a month ago. I found it quite nice place. And I'm really allergic to big cities
Totally agree. Feels like a third world city. Never been to a more Dirty city in the world, and I have travled it for the last 13 years. Would only go again for the food. People whom think its s clean city have probably not been around.
It's probably people that have only seen Columbus circle and Central Park. To thrive in Nyc means to literally not look around you or smell what's around you. A small benefit of the new masking culture
Load More Replies... I'm from small-town Cali and moved to Manhattan for college and lemme tell you... when I came home and walked out of LAX airport, the air was SO FRESH in comparison. Part of why the smell lingers so badly in Manhattan/NYC is the humidity in the air. My opinion is that the infrastructure is there (I saw people sweeping and cleaning every day, trash picked up etc), it's just that the volume of people is just not something that can be accommodated. I love New Yorkers, but even in small neighborhoods in the boroughs, the attitude towards litter is so bad, it's not just tourists. One thing I will say was the dealbreaker for me was NYC healthcare/accessibility. It sucks. Don't be a Spoonie in NYC. In the subways, there are like 3 escalators total, and maybe 5 elevators and they're all packed wall-to-wall with strollers.
Volume of people also changes behaviour. My co-workers and even friends would routinely throw wrappers and receipts right into the street (literally feet from a trash can). The mindset is totally different there. It's part of the beauty and horror of NYC.
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Fact. It's all the floating trash barges and bums. Treat the city like a toilet, it smells like a toilet.
You did NYC wrong then. So much history and fun in the Big Apple. Go with me you'll change your review!
Never have been there and never would go, I don't need to see it in person to know that it stinks.
We had fun in New York. But found it weird that there's no alleys. Used to the big city though living in Chicagp.
True, there may be a pile or 2 on the particular street you're walking on, but you can choose another street to walk down also. Manhattan has an entire subway line dedicated to trash removal to the pier, where it gets loaded onto a barge and dumped into the ocean.
New York is the kind of city that NEEDS to be experienced at least once in-person, and while there are many people who love that particular kind of city life and wouldn't be caught dead berating it, it is and can be a real dirty hole at the best of times - if you are looking for a splender-in-the-grass experience to take home you need to be more selective in where you go and what you take in.
It was way different when Giuliani was the mayor. Safer and cleaner!!
Midtown is straight trash, and isn't worth a visit even on the best days. Central Park is overrated in my opinion too. I much prefer Battery Park. That said, you CAN find some great stuff to do in the city, especially if you're into food. There are some real hidden gems floating around. Overall though, I agree that NYC is probably the most overrated city on the East Coast - especially in the middle of winter. If you go there in January or February, wear thermals, because it's easily 20-40° colder in the city (because of wind chill) than it is in day Hoboken.
To overcrowded too expensive it’s too much like Chicago corrupt politicians and can’t around easily
I don’t fully agree but having lived and traveled to other big cities. It is odd to have huge buildings and putting trash on the curb in bags as if that’s normal. Other cities don’t do that. I love Manhattan though and I prefer winter and Christmas and ice skating and lights and shopping. I would tell this guy to try again and maybe not in august I guess
How many of these are real and how many satire? Pompeii was obvious satire but I'm not sure about some of the others. It is Bored Panda.
Pompeii was Most Definitely!! Not Satire I was there years ago with a college group and the place was HOT!!! And real eerie and creepy It had mummified corpses and a lot of phallic statues and altars that looked like they did sacrifices on them and it was so dusty and there was really nothing else to do around there and the nearest restaurant had terrible food. I definitely would NOT!! Recommend it to anyone you would be better off watching the movie instead.
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I've visited New York a couple times for trips, plays, exhibitions, and visits, and while I think I avoided the grimier parts of the city, this is true. There is litter everywhere except outside big brand stores (think Jared's or Oakley who probably pay someone to keep the area in front of their store attractive and clean - or maybe that's part of the leasing agreement). One of my most memorable moments was during a January trip with my mom to see a musical with an actor she liked. One night on our way back to the hotel, we swung by a pizza place. As we walked down the sidewalk with our pizza box, we passed a couple lightly steaming manholes. It almost put us off our pizza, but I guess we were easily amused that night, because we cracked up the whole way about essence of sewage, poopoo-uri, jokes about sewer marinades and even a terrible Marilyn Monroe reference. I really digressed, but the smell and trash is real, and sometimes it gets really bad.
What's emerging from the manholes is steam and has nothing to do with sewers.
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I feel like it is for certain people. I would never go their willingly. Sadly I always thought it would smell and I was right.
Me either but my husband loved it. And it was so far removed from anything id experienced before including London
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I concur New York City is the most disgusting rundown trash filled s**t hole I've ever set foot in. It's almost laughable that people actually pay to live there
Better stay in Ku Klux Korners then Clem. Your sixth grade education will serve you well back in the hills
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Idontknowthosewords said:
Paris was so dirty, and I was not prepared for the disdain of the French towards a stupid American. I believed the American Rom-Com movie version of Paris.
BlueberryPiano replied:
Don't forget smelly too. And not just one strong smell so you can get acclimated to it either. Fresh bread, urine, perfume, body odour. Yuck.
Paris is great but people need to manage their expectations and realise it's like any major metropolitan area, as in good and bad. A lot of visitors (especially Americans) have this overly romantic, gooey eyed idea of what they think Paris is so the reality is often a gut punch.
"Whether the city is disappointing or not it's totally up to the traveler. It's how you feel in the place and how you can transform those feelings, even if the most annoying thing happened, taking a deep breath and turning it all into an adventurous memory. Being open minded, patient, curious and respectful is the key," explained Irmante.
"Plus, going to lesser visited locations even in the countries that have crazy popular hot cities could help adventurers to expand their horizons and also spread the money that is coming in from tourism more evenly in the country. So maybe instead of going to Barcelona, choose Bilbao, and check out Zagreb rather than spending too much time in Dubrovnik. And instead of going to Switzerland, go for Kazakhstan, and instead of Thailand--why not to checkout Sri Lanka?"
Gjilli said:
Naples, I think the best way I could describe the city center is as a sticky mcdonalds table
Beans20202 said:
Agreed - my family almost got mugged in Naples in the middle of the day. I literally felt unsafe the entire time and we were only there for a day trip.
From what I have heard, Naples is the Detroit of Italy. Best to stay away.
pittguzzo said:
Jacksonville Florida is a toilet.
pittguzzo replied:
I lived there for a couple of years for work… couldn’t wait to get out. To me it’s because they don’t let the smaller areas incorporate and become their own towns. This allows two things: 1. The reign as the largest city by land area in US to remain. 2. The tax $s are shared throughout, so there are few “good” and “bad” areas, leaving everywhere being mediocre and uneventful
FourSeasons1972 said:
Cairo, what a dump. Poverty-people constantly begging or have something trying to sell, insane traffic-literally horrible traffic. Pollution.
NewSyrup3238 replied:
What really bothered me was how close the city was to the pyramids. I thought the pyramids were in the middle of nowhere but nope, just spitting distance from the city, quite surreal actually.
Cairo is tough for tourists for the reasons stated. But I live in Cairo and wouldn't live anywhere else. Once you get past the beggars and scammers, Cairenes are some of the kindest and most generous people in the world.
mediaogre said:
Fresno, CA has entered the chat
JOEYisROCKhard said:
laughs in Bakersfield
ThoughtCenter87 replied:
I think Fresno is just a larger version of Bakersfield lmao. Can't decide which is worse.
I think in terms of air pollution Bakersfield is worse, if you visit that town (or more realistically drive through it to get to LA) it smells like rotten eggs for a while until your nose gets used to the smell lol
NotThatKindOfDrDr said:
It pains me to say this, but Dublin. My expectations were so high. That being said, I left my heart in Cork.
Brian_Gay replied:
Lived in dublin my whole life and I would say if you're going to live in Ireland permanently then yeah Dublin is the best shout as it has amenities, plenty of bars, restaurants, clubs etc but if you're going on a holiday to Ireland then donegal, Galway, Cork etc give you a much more "Irish" feel. Honestly I think the best way to do it would be to spend a few days in a few different counties, 3 days in Dublin will do then spread out, Ireland nice and small so it's very doable... Expensive though...
Lastly, we've asked Irmante what would she recommend as travel destinations, and she had this to say:
"I love Mexico City. For me, it's the most exciting place in the world for excellent food, fun bars, friendly locals and lots of culture. As a traveler, I found Beirut jam packed with culinary delights, beautiful architecture and charming hospitality, and Addis Ababa oozing intoxicating jazz and incredibly rich in history. And look, if going to destinations that are not necessarily the most popular is not your thing, there's nothing wrong with going to visit 'tourist traps'. It's all about how you do it."
You can follow Irmante's Instagram right here, and yes, she's more than willing to share where to get the best macchiatos in Addis Ababa, if you've got a craving and incidentally are traveling there.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. No offense to the folks that live there but I felt like everybody was angry, the traffic and parking was worse than Manhattan, and it had none of the redeeming qualities of NYC.
Traffic and parking is bad in a city? Goodness me. Philly has great museums, fantastic restaurants, lots of charm in the old part, a great quirky artistic side, and much of it is walkable. Love it as a tourist.
imatiredwoman said:
Athens. I couldn’t wait to go because I’m Greek. It’s filthy with polluted air and all of the famous ruins are right near city buildings, which are poorly constructed. The place feels very third world. The islands however, are fantastic!
FatManNuke69 said:
As much as I hate to say it, Athens was in pretty bad shape last I went (6 years ago and hasn't changed). The city has a very nice area called Plaka which is right beside the acropolis and is definitely a must if you go to mainland Greece and of course the general attractions like the Parthenon and the museum and of course the presidential building where if you're lucky enough, you'll catch a riot, so if you see people running... RUN.
But overall, outside of Plaka is a sh*thole. If you're going to Athens with the intent to feel like you've been transported into 500 BC then I've got bad news for you.
Denver. Just a big, hot, expensive city out on the plains. All the cool mountain activities that people move to CO for are 2 hours of driving away unless you can afford to live in the west suburbs so nobody does nearly as much recreation as the would do living somewhere else. Traffic is worse than Chicago to boot.
I honestly just want to go to Denver to see The Blue Stallion and the airport.
Trenton, New Jersey.
I wasn't really visiting or expecting to go there, just passing through on an Amtrak ride. I awoke from a nap to the train just stopped in what looked like Raccoon City. Trash everywhere, most of the buildings looked abandoned. The sky was cloudy and literally green. Like, sickly yellow-green. And most eerily, I didn't see a single car driving on the street or anyone walking around outside on the barren sidewalks. All the stores and restaurants looked closed and empty. I was actually sort of gripped by fear for a second, in my post-nap haze. Just wanted the doors to shut and the train to pull out of there. Nobody was getting on the Amtrak in Trenton. I didn't even know if there was anybody in Trenton. As the train pulled away and we went through the center of the city, a rail bridge over the river caught my eye. A massive sign was plastered on the side that read "TRENTON MAKES, THE WORLD TAKES."
Surreal and overall grim experience.
If you're disapointed by Trenton, NJ, you must have never heard of it. That's like being disapointed by the cuisine in a dumpster.
Bigjay_37 said:
Manila, traffic was horrible and it was so dirty, nice buildings but the entire experience was stressful.
rodroidrx replied:
Don't forget the slums and street children hounding you for money
You can read more answers (and opinions) Redditors had in the original post here. Or you can brows even more travel-related articles right here on Bored Panda.
But before you go, why not share some of your travel destinations that left you feeling disappointed in the comment section below!
sustainablecaptalist said:
Birmingham, UK. I had a very dreamy idea of it for some reason.
It's probably the shi**iest city in the UK.
Edit: People are asking me why I thought good about Birmingham. To them my only defense is that I'm from India. I didn't know much about Birmingham, name sounded very romantic to me!
Pumpkin-Bomb replied:
I don’t get how the only thing of interest in the second biggest city in the U.K., is a shopping centre. It’s such a grim grey place that’s not interesting at all.
Each other major UK city has its own unique qualities and landmarks that make it worth a visit. I’ve yet to see what that is in Birmingham.
Konstantynopolitancz said:
Frankfurt - just kinda seemed like a boring banking / politics city. It's entirely possible I just didn't go to the right parts though. The park by the river was nice.
Soleska replied:
That's what most Germans think about the city, too.
Every bigger city in Germany is some ugly mixture of old and modern. You should go for some smaller ones.
Only exception I can think of is Hamburg. Has its dirty parts, but overall nice city.
I always give the same answer, Venice.
Beautiful architecture and fascinating history... but dear god is it humid, the water is absolutely filthy, its so overcrowded, and there's gift stands in every corner selling the same cheap wares.
Bratislava. It was further worsened cause I was coming from somewhere amazing (Vienna) before and went to this dump of a city. Nightlife and drinking amazing there though, some cool oddities, but if I was to go back, I'd not spend more than half-day there.
Aussie-of-Skellige said:
Rome. From d**kheads trying to steal my suitcase off the train, from my bulls**t hotel room I was lied to about, to the a**face who didn’t want to accept my green card as legit. Amongst other things.
SWLondonLady said:
Came here for this. Not being able to look at any historical monuments without a selfie stick thrust into your face. And so many tourists.
Most of these examples are from people that don't research before they travel! As a control freak in traveling i cannot understand that! I've been in places that are not famous or touristic as well as very touristic areas and never found a single place that didn't enjoy! I believe that every place has its own beauty if you know where to go and what to do! Nowadays we can have so much information through internet that it's a shame not to research! We get maybe few holidays in our life so it better worth it right? Spend some days for research and you will not regret it!
I can't speak to the places in the US, but it seems to me that most of these complaints come from the very people who have turned these cities into tourist traps. If you lived in one of the tourist hotspots and saw thousands of visitors every day, you'd probably try to cash in as well.
The US parks system has some very well curated historical locations that may give people used to that an unrealistic expectation. Add that our social studies classes work hard to zoom through 4000 years of "western" history but largely neglect to represent places as they are now or mention places that weren't central to European culture and it's no surprise that expectations and reality don't always line up. I'm sure that's true in other places too, but I can only speak to my experiences here. If you didn't realize while planning and have difficulty adjusting expectations, it can be a let down when reality is a mismatch, and bad experiences that make you feel taken advantage of can really amplify that. As for the places in the US, they don't belong on this list. Most of the places listed are not major tourist destinations, so they aren't "over rated". There are great places to visit in the US and also over rated places to visit in the US but this list did not capture them mostly.
Load More Replies... I live in Jacksonville. What did those people expect? Orlando? Jacksonville is a great place and is not a toilet. The person who said that probably only visited downtown, and I’ll admit our downtown is kind of a toilet. But the rest of the city has personality. We don’t have 1 million people for nothing. Overall my city is unremarkable and often forgotten, it’s still a great place to live.
Yeah, how can Jacksonville and some of these other places possibly be "overrated"? I've never met anyone dying to go to Jacksonville. Not saying it's terrible (although I've been there and honestly just don't remember much), I just don't understand how it's appropriate for a post asking for places that are overrated.
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most of these comments sound like those people who were told to travel in order to broaden their minds but who came to be disappointed because they were expecting a cartoonish disneyland and were shocked to discover it was a real, living, breathing city, with actual poor people. SHOCK. HORROR.
I just commented that they must have never been to any big cities before these trips if they're complaining about crowds and smells and how dirty they are!
Load More Replies... I was in many places from this list. I like to return to some again and also do but on some i was first and last time (Paris, Rome…) but still had a very nice time there. But it seems this list is created by pure haters. Like really, you did not enjoy nothing in Venice, Amsterdam, Dublin, Athens, NY…? C’mon. Haters gonna hate.
What a gawdawful article. Of all the places I've visited on this list, none of them match the descriptions. Harder to park in Philly than NYC?! The Paris complaints are all cliches and completely false, Same with Rome and Amsterdam, which are gorgeous. Why are Fresno and Trenton even considered destinations for this list? All ridiculous. Please ignore this stupid article.
No, i agree with the Paris description. Been a few times, its got some incredible architecture and history but the city itself is an absolute dump, everything is filthy, grafittid, piles of rubbish everywhere and absolutely stank. Now they have these electric scooters for hire they're just strewn everywhere with absolute abandon which just adds to this whole run down atmosphere.
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I have found that with the right perspective, a bit of research, and realistic expectations anywhere you go can be amazing. That being said, I have no idea why some of these cities were even on the list as they aren't typical places people think about for vacations ( Fresno? Jacksonville? Branson? Trenton? Really?). I have never heard of anyone, even through seven degrees of separation, who has had a burning desire to get a visa, fly 12 hours and go to Branson. If I happened to find myself in Branson, sure, I'd have a good time because I always find things to do that are fun for me. But there aren't travel guides and agents all over the world trying to get you to Branson like they do for Paris or Venice. It's just a really weird list of legitimate tourist places and just regular towns that may have a downtown nightlife or a beach with gambling.
"I am a tourist who believed the Hollywood perfection of cities. I went to a destination specifically designed for tourists and was appalled by the number of tourists there. 0/10." Seriously that was abt 90% of these. Manage expectations and just have fun in these countries without wanting perfection.
All these people do is go to tourist destinations. WHY? I've traveled alot and all of these places, they all went to tourist traps. DON'T!! Get out of those places and go visiting/exploring where the locals live. You are seriously missing out. Many cultures enjoy inviting others for dinner/lunch or a drink. Your doing it wrong. Very wrong.
Elitist snobs looking for reasons to complain instead of reasons to enjoy. A direct reflection of the type of people they are. Imagine going to Rome or paris and complaining.
This is an incredibly ridiculous article full of nothing but entitled whiners. One personal experience from an idiosyncratic person and we're supposed to take value from their small-minded and reactionary view? Infuriating. Reminds me of the one star reviews of the wonders of the world. Toxic atmosphere my asshole.
Honestly it just sounds like salty travelers who only go for tourist spots and not the people. Outside the use anyway. Been to alot of the listed places and had a fantastic time. And most of the us locations are all dank dirty places. Cali and New Jersey being the top of the list. Proper research and you will have a blast. Or just a wing it kinda thing and it's even better.
There seems to be a pattern here: great expectations that don't measure up to reality. Plus tourists complaining that the place is full of tourists. You also look like a mark to the locals, so you'll be mugged, begged and treated with contempt because tourists are always needed, but never welcome.
In Florida we welcome tourists. Tourists. Just go back home afterwards rather than moving here, and we're good!
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As someone who lives in San Francisco, I'm surprised to not see my city on the list. This city has a lot of issues but if you stay away from tourist areas and certain bad neighborhoods, it still as A LOT to offer. Museums, art galleries, food, music, city walks, views, etc. J
I grew up in the Bay Area and, yeah, the places in SF that the tourists used to frequent are pretty blighted. I still go in, but I can't remember the last time I went to Union Square. I'll go to Golden Gate Park and hit the museums or occasionally see a show. The region, as a whole though, is actually a pretty amazing place. So many gorgeous outdoor spaces you can enjoy with temperate weather, as well as the museums, entertainment, amazing food, diverse culture and such. It's a great place to live in many ways. It's a shame it's become so expensive, though.
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All the tourists traps in East Tennessee- Sevierville, pigeon forge, Gatlinburg... all commercialized, cheesy, overpriced, crowded and waaaaay overrated. If you're traveling to that area, visit the state/national parks and the natural beauty around there instead. You can visit the commercialization anywhere.
I didn't travel much or far away, but I found the way to love every place I have been to, even smallest fisherman villages (especially those), and smallest cities and big dirty towns. Every place has its charms. Only problem is pollution and horrible super tourism that will destroy it all.
Really now, with a little research you certainly find a great or interesting time in each these places. To say Paris, Rome or Venice is not amazing is crazy....try looking at the art and architecture rather than the gutters. You can not beat the history. Sounds like someone who is just wanting to go to another nightclub wrote this!
Did the author just filter on a bunch of negative comments of all these locations or actually visit all 30 of them? I see plenty of positive reviews, too, but I guess positive stuff doesn't drive clickbait. How in the world does this pass for journalism?! Shame, Bored Panda...
If you don't like the world why you guys are living and writing about it...sounds ignorance..then tell me if you Home or the place you are living is considered well for living I mean you are talking about scammers poor ppl expensive food and bad tourism the same weird things you will find everywhere you walk...with all respect writer don't show your ignorance but I respect the right of expression
For the Bali one i have to disagree because as someone who lives in Indonesia, i think this is more of a you problem than it is a Bali problem. There are so many cheap places to eat in Bali and you really aren't gonna get the Bali experience if all you're eating is the hotel cafe type of food. You have to go and eat the street foods which are really cheap and delicious.
. came expecting to see Cancun in the #2, now i go amazed it didn't appear at all. i'm mexican, and i know very well almost all my country, and i've been to Cancun since i was 4 (46 now), i know what i say (and i went to a few in the list, also). .
This list was 99.9% of tourists going to a tourist destination and complaining about all the tourists that are there.
I would never want to visit any of these places to begin with?! 'Trenton' ?! Really?? Lmao the only place I've been to that was a let down, was Myrtle Beach, but some places I've been to, were AWESOME! San Juan, PR.... Virginia Beach, VA .... Savannah, GA.... Tucson, AZ
Hilton Head is only a half step better than Myrtle Beach. Food tour of Savannah was great, though.
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Totally agree with the negative comments about Las Vegas. Was going to take a job there and went to visit for a week. By the second day, I knew I would never live or work there. Go about 2 blocks in either direction from the strip and it looks like a war zone. A completely soulsucking s**thole. People living like refugees in campers who don't have the money to get out. Some places made Cousin Eddie's trailer look like a 5 star hotel.
Nashville. Used to live there. Now I live in a tiny town a little ways away from it called pleasentville. It's not the busty blondes you see in movies. You only find southern people in the actual country. Most people in Nashville have never been anywhere else in Tennessee. The city is filled with garbage and they are constantly blasting crappily written country music. Tourists only care about the "Batman building" or the Nissan stadium (which is actually pretty cool, just not as cool as people say it is.) People on their internet either think it's trashy but have never lived there, think it's amazing and have never lived there, has no opinion on it, or has lived there or been there and knows what it's actually like.
Let's make it short and to the point. Any overhyped, overpriced tourist destination anywhere in the world.
Toronto Canada. I have lived here my entire life and I have no idea why they brag about this city being the place to visit. There is nothing so different or special here. All the things Toronto has can be found in every big dirty city in Canada. You want museums , malls and restaurants pick any city anywhere.
Lived there a lot of my life. Compared to some places I've been Toronto is actually pretty clean. But the construction there has gone completely out of control, especially condos. If there's an empty space at all someone's going to build on it. My nephew and his wife want to come here to visit and see TO. Why? It has a museum. Ok. It has an art gallery. Ok. It has the CN Tower. Ok. There are only 2 things that I consider worth it. Go to a ballgame at Rogers Center and our new aquarium. DO NOT stay in a hotel downtown. If you check the site that actually lists this, just about everyone of them, even the best of them have bedbugs.
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I enjoyed Portland. Went to the Blues festival. Japanese and Rose gardens. Columbia River gorge. Couple days in Cannon Beach. Caught a play.
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If you go looking at attractions in a city.....YOU are a tourist so don't complain about there being too many.
Pompeii is not a city or an amusement park, it's an archaeological site whose age is breathtaking; if you ignore the history and expect a show at the amphitheatre....lions and gladiators, maybe?
I keep wondering if any of these people had been in any large city before going on these trips... They're all dirty and smell bad, that's what happens when you have millions of people living in one small area... Sorry they aren't your friendly middle class suburb that sweep all the homeless up and no one uses the sidewalks.
I’ve been to a lot of these places and highly disagree with most of their opinions. It’s all what you make of it~ research some of the not so crowded hidden gems and go visit immerse yourself in the culture. I mean come on. These people seem line they hate everywhere lol
The problem is that people think that all will be prefect, tourists raise their spectations too much and forget that every place has it's problems, of course all capitals will be expensive! I visited the capital of my State and everything was more expensive than in my birthplace but I loved visiting the museum, zoo and the opera.
In conclusion don't go anywhere that isn't a deserted rainforest apparently
Yes. Please tell everyone these places suck. Fewer crowds = more enjoyable. Vegas is a complete dumpster fire, rampant with maskless COVID, and criminals. We were mugged eighteen times in a SINGLE day!!! Don't go to Vegas! *wiiink*
I think most people that are annoyed because of the poverty (in the meaning that they think the place is a bad destination because it has poor people) of some places are kinda clueless, they were probably expecting a fairytale beautiful city with happy people holding hands, but you know, you will only see this perfect landscape in very VERY specific places, mostly small middle class cities... what did they expect us to do with the poor people? put them all in a box and move them to somewhere else? it's a sad reality around the world, of course it's sad to see but for me it isn't a reason to say a place sucks
I think all the world is very interesting...some of you only talk s.... And criticize for profession...you will found scammers secury law .weird ppl and fetish things wherever you go in my opinion the crew who made this they have poor imagination and a little of ignorance...if the world is not enough for you guys what are you doing living in this world
Afraid I have to add Honolulu to the list. Lived there mid 80's, Waikiki still had a quaintness though very touristy. Went back in 03 & that had all been replaced by the usual Designer BS stores...they replaced Hulas Bar and Lei Stand w/Nike and cut down the biggest Banyon Tree I'd seen. I cried...I'll just live in those 80's days thank you.✌
Rome was awesome!!! Great nightlife and lots of historic spots for those who love history. NOW PISA WAS BORING AS HECK.
So basically you can always find someone who thinks something sucks. Very insightful.
Hah. How did this list miss Yosemite? Don't get me wrong, it's a nice place, but it's basically bumper to bumper so that, unless you booked a back country pass a decade ago, it's like driving in LA traffic for what isn't even in my top 10 US National Parks and monuments, and arguably it's probably the worst of the ones people have heard of if they don't live within 100 miles of them, and also worse than a few that mostly only locals really know of. It's honestly not even as good as some state parks and private tourist traps. Again, it's not -terrible- but you shouldn't fly there IMO.
Jacksonville. I lived there for the last 30 years. There is so much to do there. Tons of history. A few interesting museums. Wonderful parks and recreation areas. Loads of sports and music venues. I do agree that the layout of Jacksonville is odd. A half million dollar home will be backed right up to dangerous section eight apartments separated only by a privacy fence. So if you can overlook the hookers, drug dealers and gunfire then it's great place to visit.
Badmouthing only Republican politicians. We know where you lean. Not one comment about Democrats in power shamelessly ruining several of these cities.
I actually only saw one political thread caused by an ignorant comment. The remainder didn't have much politics at all.
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Agree on Austin. Visiting: The music scene is being pushed out for luxury condos(there's a housing shortage), all of the cool street and food vendors can't afford to live here anymore. People here are getting pretentious. You can go everywhere in workout clothes though. Living: Rents went up 25% this year and the income inequality just keeps growing. Elon Musk is starting to act as though he is going to run Austin, Texas politics is insane, Austin just banned homeless people, there's no real public transit, the infrastructure cannot keep up, and there's no big city amenities except Ikea. If it was a car it would be a Silicon Valley engine, with an LA body(traffic, liberal, kind of artisty? etc) and painted red
I want to put my city, Winnipeg, on this list. People who live here are patriotic about this place. The people who visit are shocked how ... ugly and unexciting it is despite a push for tourism here. If you want to experience the prairies and Canadian wildlife, you may see a deer along the inner city river banks on a boat ride. But you'll have to go to one of the many campsites or a park conservatory to enjoy the wilderness. Yeah, Winnipeg has a vast urban canopy of disease ridden elmwood trees that are often slated for cutting down. In the spring you get canker worms hanging off many trees over the streets. Mosquitoes galore in the summer. Wasps late summer to early fall. Despite the tourism organizations trying to get people to come downtown, it is like Detroit's downtown. Other than the business times, no one is really going to go and hang around besides going to the odd dangerous bar or nightclub, where there's a chance of a shooting or stabbing.
There is a travel advisory for visiting the North End, and unless you're visiting someone you know, there's no reason to be walking around there. Even driving is risky as carjackings and theft is rising. Some areas in the surrounding communities are clean and pleasant, but downtown is filthy and even though panhandlers are not allowed to approach people for money they still do and police don't enforce this law.
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I come from a multi/dual/different citizenship family of itinerant travelers and (yes, it’s a humble brag) I’ve been to 35 countries and 43 of the 50 US states. As far as traveling for holiday/vacation/tourism goes, the worst places I’ve visited in the US are Tulsa, Oklahoma and Mount Rushmore, SD. Worse than any place I’ve seen in Florida or New Jersey. Internationally, Phuket and southern Thailand and Mumbai. Europe, specifically: Bratislava (there’s a reason the horror franchise “Hostel” was filmed/set there) and Brussels. The latter may be interesting if you’re involved with and appreciate European politics, but Brugge and Ghent are much nicer and more interesting places. Like Manhattan, Rome, Paris, London and other larger cities in Europe are love/hate place, where there is an abundance of disgusting and equally amazing. The places with this largest dualism for me are Varanasi, India and Bangkok.
OMG. I live in Bratislava and can say NOTHING is real in Hostel and is far faaaaaar away from reality. We have here a pretty good living where isn’t any big problem from your sallary to buy 200-300k € worth house or apartment. So you can keep this bullshits for your friends from wet hood…
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How London didn't make this list baffles me , EVERYTHING is over priced . the people just dont seem to acknowledge you at all unless they're trying to sell you something or rob you
I'm in the US and I've only visited London a couple times, but I loved it. I could go back for a couple weeks and spend the entire time in the British Museum without getting bored. So much to see and do, and you can get everywhere without a car, which holds a lot of appeal coming from the US. We've actually considered moving there. Maybe the massive crowds would get to me after awhile, though. Plus, I've only visited in summer. I'm from California where the weather is very mild. I've been warned I might find other seasons there shocking.
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This post should be called 'Americans thinking the world has to be like in the movies' For Chrissake, just travel with a company - Trafalgar or such. That way you see the sights and are on a bus the rest of the time, nice and safe and far away from any inconvenience.
Too many people on the planet, too much disposable income, too much tourism.
Most of these examples are from people that don't research before they travel! As a control freak in traveling i cannot understand that! I've been in places that are not famous or touristic as well as very touristic areas and never found a single place that didn't enjoy! I believe that every place has its own beauty if you know where to go and what to do! Nowadays we can have so much information through internet that it's a shame not to research! We get maybe few holidays in our life so it better worth it right? Spend some days for research and you will not regret it!
I can't speak to the places in the US, but it seems to me that most of these complaints come from the very people who have turned these cities into tourist traps. If you lived in one of the tourist hotspots and saw thousands of visitors every day, you'd probably try to cash in as well.
The US parks system has some very well curated historical locations that may give people used to that an unrealistic expectation. Add that our social studies classes work hard to zoom through 4000 years of "western" history but largely neglect to represent places as they are now or mention places that weren't central to European culture and it's no surprise that expectations and reality don't always line up. I'm sure that's true in other places too, but I can only speak to my experiences here. If you didn't realize while planning and have difficulty adjusting expectations, it can be a let down when reality is a mismatch, and bad experiences that make you feel taken advantage of can really amplify that. As for the places in the US, they don't belong on this list. Most of the places listed are not major tourist destinations, so they aren't "over rated". There are great places to visit in the US and also over rated places to visit in the US but this list did not capture them mostly.
Load More Replies... I live in Jacksonville. What did those people expect? Orlando? Jacksonville is a great place and is not a toilet. The person who said that probably only visited downtown, and I’ll admit our downtown is kind of a toilet. But the rest of the city has personality. We don’t have 1 million people for nothing. Overall my city is unremarkable and often forgotten, it’s still a great place to live.
Yeah, how can Jacksonville and some of these other places possibly be "overrated"? I've never met anyone dying to go to Jacksonville. Not saying it's terrible (although I've been there and honestly just don't remember much), I just don't understand how it's appropriate for a post asking for places that are overrated.
Load More Replies... most of these comments sound like those people who were told to travel in order to broaden their minds but who came to be disappointed because they were expecting a cartoonish disneyland and were shocked to discover it was a real, living, breathing city, with actual poor people. SHOCK. HORROR.
I just commented that they must have never been to any big cities before these trips if they're complaining about crowds and smells and how dirty they are!
Load More Replies... I was in many places from this list. I like to return to some again and also do but on some i was first and last time (Paris, Rome…) but still had a very nice time there. But it seems this list is created by pure haters. Like really, you did not enjoy nothing in Venice, Amsterdam, Dublin, Athens, NY…? C’mon. Haters gonna hate.
What a gawdawful article. Of all the places I've visited on this list, none of them match the descriptions. Harder to park in Philly than NYC?! The Paris complaints are all cliches and completely false, Same with Rome and Amsterdam, which are gorgeous. Why are Fresno and Trenton even considered destinations for this list? All ridiculous. Please ignore this stupid article.
No, i agree with the Paris description. Been a few times, its got some incredible architecture and history but the city itself is an absolute dump, everything is filthy, grafittid, piles of rubbish everywhere and absolutely stank. Now they have these electric scooters for hire they're just strewn everywhere with absolute abandon which just adds to this whole run down atmosphere.
Load More Replies... I have found that with the right perspective, a bit of research, and realistic expectations anywhere you go can be amazing. That being said, I have no idea why some of these cities were even on the list as they aren't typical places people think about for vacations ( Fresno? Jacksonville? Branson? Trenton? Really?). I have never heard of anyone, even through seven degrees of separation, who has had a burning desire to get a visa, fly 12 hours and go to Branson. If I happened to find myself in Branson, sure, I'd have a good time because I always find things to do that are fun for me. But there aren't travel guides and agents all over the world trying to get you to Branson like they do for Paris or Venice. It's just a really weird list of legitimate tourist places and just regular towns that may have a downtown nightlife or a beach with gambling.
"I am a tourist who believed the Hollywood perfection of cities. I went to a destination specifically designed for tourists and was appalled by the number of tourists there. 0/10." Seriously that was abt 90% of these. Manage expectations and just have fun in these countries without wanting perfection.
All these people do is go to tourist destinations. WHY? I've traveled alot and all of these places, they all went to tourist traps. DON'T!! Get out of those places and go visiting/exploring where the locals live. You are seriously missing out. Many cultures enjoy inviting others for dinner/lunch or a drink. Your doing it wrong. Very wrong.
Elitist snobs looking for reasons to complain instead of reasons to enjoy. A direct reflection of the type of people they are. Imagine going to Rome or paris and complaining.
This is an incredibly ridiculous article full of nothing but entitled whiners. One personal experience from an idiosyncratic person and we're supposed to take value from their small-minded and reactionary view? Infuriating. Reminds me of the one star reviews of the wonders of the world. Toxic atmosphere my asshole.
Honestly it just sounds like salty travelers who only go for tourist spots and not the people. Outside the use anyway. Been to alot of the listed places and had a fantastic time. And most of the us locations are all dank dirty places. Cali and New Jersey being the top of the list. Proper research and you will have a blast. Or just a wing it kinda thing and it's even better.
There seems to be a pattern here: great expectations that don't measure up to reality. Plus tourists complaining that the place is full of tourists. You also look like a mark to the locals, so you'll be mugged, begged and treated with contempt because tourists are always needed, but never welcome.
In Florida we welcome tourists. Tourists. Just go back home afterwards rather than moving here, and we're good!
Load More Replies... As someone who lives in San Francisco, I'm surprised to not see my city on the list. This city has a lot of issues but if you stay away from tourist areas and certain bad neighborhoods, it still as A LOT to offer. Museums, art galleries, food, music, city walks, views, etc. J
I grew up in the Bay Area and, yeah, the places in SF that the tourists used to frequent are pretty blighted. I still go in, but I can't remember the last time I went to Union Square. I'll go to Golden Gate Park and hit the museums or occasionally see a show. The region, as a whole though, is actually a pretty amazing place. So many gorgeous outdoor spaces you can enjoy with temperate weather, as well as the museums, entertainment, amazing food, diverse culture and such. It's a great place to live in many ways. It's a shame it's become so expensive, though.
Load More Replies... All the tourists traps in East Tennessee- Sevierville, pigeon forge, Gatlinburg... all commercialized, cheesy, overpriced, crowded and waaaaay overrated. If you're traveling to that area, visit the state/national parks and the natural beauty around there instead. You can visit the commercialization anywhere.
I didn't travel much or far away, but I found the way to love every place I have been to, even smallest fisherman villages (especially those), and smallest cities and big dirty towns. Every place has its charms. Only problem is pollution and horrible super tourism that will destroy it all.
Really now, with a little research you certainly find a great or interesting time in each these places. To say Paris, Rome or Venice is not amazing is crazy....try looking at the art and architecture rather than the gutters. You can not beat the history. Sounds like someone who is just wanting to go to another nightclub wrote this!
Did the author just filter on a bunch of negative comments of all these locations or actually visit all 30 of them? I see plenty of positive reviews, too, but I guess positive stuff doesn't drive clickbait. How in the world does this pass for journalism?! Shame, Bored Panda...
If you don't like the world why you guys are living and writing about it...sounds ignorance..then tell me if you Home or the place you are living is considered well for living I mean you are talking about scammers poor ppl expensive food and bad tourism the same weird things you will find everywhere you walk...with all respect writer don't show your ignorance but I respect the right of expression
For the Bali one i have to disagree because as someone who lives in Indonesia, i think this is more of a you problem than it is a Bali problem. There are so many cheap places to eat in Bali and you really aren't gonna get the Bali experience if all you're eating is the hotel cafe type of food. You have to go and eat the street foods which are really cheap and delicious.
. came expecting to see Cancun in the #2, now i go amazed it didn't appear at all. i'm mexican, and i know very well almost all my country, and i've been to Cancun since i was 4 (46 now), i know what i say (and i went to a few in the list, also). .
This list was 99.9% of tourists going to a tourist destination and complaining about all the tourists that are there.
I would never want to visit any of these places to begin with?! 'Trenton' ?! Really?? Lmao the only place I've been to that was a let down, was Myrtle Beach, but some places I've been to, were AWESOME! San Juan, PR.... Virginia Beach, VA .... Savannah, GA.... Tucson, AZ
Hilton Head is only a half step better than Myrtle Beach. Food tour of Savannah was great, though.
Load More Replies... Totally agree with the negative comments about Las Vegas. Was going to take a job there and went to visit for a week. By the second day, I knew I would never live or work there. Go about 2 blocks in either direction from the strip and it looks like a war zone. A completely soulsucking s**thole. People living like refugees in campers who don't have the money to get out. Some places made Cousin Eddie's trailer look like a 5 star hotel.
Nashville. Used to live there. Now I live in a tiny town a little ways away from it called pleasentville. It's not the busty blondes you see in movies. You only find southern people in the actual country. Most people in Nashville have never been anywhere else in Tennessee. The city is filled with garbage and they are constantly blasting crappily written country music. Tourists only care about the "Batman building" or the Nissan stadium (which is actually pretty cool, just not as cool as people say it is.) People on their internet either think it's trashy but have never lived there, think it's amazing and have never lived there, has no opinion on it, or has lived there or been there and knows what it's actually like.
Let's make it short and to the point. Any overhyped, overpriced tourist destination anywhere in the world.
Toronto Canada. I have lived here my entire life and I have no idea why they brag about this city being the place to visit. There is nothing so different or special here. All the things Toronto has can be found in every big dirty city in Canada. You want museums , malls and restaurants pick any city anywhere.
Lived there a lot of my life. Compared to some places I've been Toronto is actually pretty clean. But the construction there has gone completely out of control, especially condos. If there's an empty space at all someone's going to build on it. My nephew and his wife want to come here to visit and see TO. Why? It has a museum. Ok. It has an art gallery. Ok. It has the CN Tower. Ok. There are only 2 things that I consider worth it. Go to a ballgame at Rogers Center and our new aquarium. DO NOT stay in a hotel downtown. If you check the site that actually lists this, just about everyone of them, even the best of them have bedbugs.
Load More Replies... I enjoyed Portland. Went to the Blues festival. Japanese and Rose gardens. Columbia River gorge. Couple days in Cannon Beach. Caught a play.
Load More Replies... If you go looking at attractions in a city.....YOU are a tourist so don't complain about there being too many.
Pompeii is not a city or an amusement park, it's an archaeological site whose age is breathtaking; if you ignore the history and expect a show at the amphitheatre....lions and gladiators, maybe?
I keep wondering if any of these people had been in any large city before going on these trips... They're all dirty and smell bad, that's what happens when you have millions of people living in one small area... Sorry they aren't your friendly middle class suburb that sweep all the homeless up and no one uses the sidewalks.
I’ve been to a lot of these places and highly disagree with most of their opinions. It’s all what you make of it~ research some of the not so crowded hidden gems and go visit immerse yourself in the culture. I mean come on. These people seem line they hate everywhere lol
The problem is that people think that all will be prefect, tourists raise their spectations too much and forget that every place has it's problems, of course all capitals will be expensive! I visited the capital of my State and everything was more expensive than in my birthplace but I loved visiting the museum, zoo and the opera.
In conclusion don't go anywhere that isn't a deserted rainforest apparently
Yes. Please tell everyone these places suck. Fewer crowds = more enjoyable. Vegas is a complete dumpster fire, rampant with maskless COVID, and criminals. We were mugged eighteen times in a SINGLE day!!! Don't go to Vegas! *wiiink*
I think most people that are annoyed because of the poverty (in the meaning that they think the place is a bad destination because it has poor people) of some places are kinda clueless, they were probably expecting a fairytale beautiful city with happy people holding hands, but you know, you will only see this perfect landscape in very VERY specific places, mostly small middle class cities... what did they expect us to do with the poor people? put them all in a box and move them to somewhere else? it's a sad reality around the world, of course it's sad to see but for me it isn't a reason to say a place sucks
I think all the world is very interesting...some of you only talk s.... And criticize for profession...you will found scammers secury law .weird ppl and fetish things wherever you go in my opinion the crew who made this they have poor imagination and a little of ignorance...if the world is not enough for you guys what are you doing living in this world
Afraid I have to add Honolulu to the list. Lived there mid 80's, Waikiki still had a quaintness though very touristy. Went back in 03 & that had all been replaced by the usual Designer BS stores...they replaced Hulas Bar and Lei Stand w/Nike and cut down the biggest Banyon Tree I'd seen. I cried...I'll just live in those 80's days thank you.✌
Rome was awesome!!! Great nightlife and lots of historic spots for those who love history. NOW PISA WAS BORING AS HECK.
So basically you can always find someone who thinks something sucks. Very insightful.
Hah. How did this list miss Yosemite? Don't get me wrong, it's a nice place, but it's basically bumper to bumper so that, unless you booked a back country pass a decade ago, it's like driving in LA traffic for what isn't even in my top 10 US National Parks and monuments, and arguably it's probably the worst of the ones people have heard of if they don't live within 100 miles of them, and also worse than a few that mostly only locals really know of. It's honestly not even as good as some state parks and private tourist traps. Again, it's not -terrible- but you shouldn't fly there IMO.
Jacksonville. I lived there for the last 30 years. There is so much to do there. Tons of history. A few interesting museums. Wonderful parks and recreation areas. Loads of sports and music venues. I do agree that the layout of Jacksonville is odd. A half million dollar home will be backed right up to dangerous section eight apartments separated only by a privacy fence. So if you can overlook the hookers, drug dealers and gunfire then it's great place to visit.
Badmouthing only Republican politicians. We know where you lean. Not one comment about Democrats in power shamelessly ruining several of these cities.
I actually only saw one political thread caused by an ignorant comment. The remainder didn't have much politics at all.
Load More Replies... Agree on Austin. Visiting: The music scene is being pushed out for luxury condos(there's a housing shortage), all of the cool street and food vendors can't afford to live here anymore. People here are getting pretentious. You can go everywhere in workout clothes though. Living: Rents went up 25% this year and the income inequality just keeps growing. Elon Musk is starting to act as though he is going to run Austin, Texas politics is insane, Austin just banned homeless people, there's no real public transit, the infrastructure cannot keep up, and there's no big city amenities except Ikea. If it was a car it would be a Silicon Valley engine, with an LA body(traffic, liberal, kind of artisty? etc) and painted red
I want to put my city, Winnipeg, on this list. People who live here are patriotic about this place. The people who visit are shocked how ... ugly and unexciting it is despite a push for tourism here. If you want to experience the prairies and Canadian wildlife, you may see a deer along the inner city river banks on a boat ride. But you'll have to go to one of the many campsites or a park conservatory to enjoy the wilderness. Yeah, Winnipeg has a vast urban canopy of disease ridden elmwood trees that are often slated for cutting down. In the spring you get canker worms hanging off many trees over the streets. Mosquitoes galore in the summer. Wasps late summer to early fall. Despite the tourism organizations trying to get people to come downtown, it is like Detroit's downtown. Other than the business times, no one is really going to go and hang around besides going to the odd dangerous bar or nightclub, where there's a chance of a shooting or stabbing.
There is a travel advisory for visiting the North End, and unless you're visiting someone you know, there's no reason to be walking around there. Even driving is risky as carjackings and theft is rising. Some areas in the surrounding communities are clean and pleasant, but downtown is filthy and even though panhandlers are not allowed to approach people for money they still do and police don't enforce this law.
Load More Replies... I come from a multi/dual/different citizenship family of itinerant travelers and (yes, it’s a humble brag) I’ve been to 35 countries and 43 of the 50 US states. As far as traveling for holiday/vacation/tourism goes, the worst places I’ve visited in the US are Tulsa, Oklahoma and Mount Rushmore, SD. Worse than any place I’ve seen in Florida or New Jersey. Internationally, Phuket and southern Thailand and Mumbai. Europe, specifically: Bratislava (there’s a reason the horror franchise “Hostel” was filmed/set there) and Brussels. The latter may be interesting if you’re involved with and appreciate European politics, but Brugge and Ghent are much nicer and more interesting places. Like Manhattan, Rome, Paris, London and other larger cities in Europe are love/hate place, where there is an abundance of disgusting and equally amazing. The places with this largest dualism for me are Varanasi, India and Bangkok.
OMG. I live in Bratislava and can say NOTHING is real in Hostel and is far faaaaaar away from reality. We have here a pretty good living where isn’t any big problem from your sallary to buy 200-300k € worth house or apartment. So you can keep this bullshits for your friends from wet hood…
Load More Replies... How London didn't make this list baffles me , EVERYTHING is over priced . the people just dont seem to acknowledge you at all unless they're trying to sell you something or rob you
I'm in the US and I've only visited London a couple times, but I loved it. I could go back for a couple weeks and spend the entire time in the British Museum without getting bored. So much to see and do, and you can get everywhere without a car, which holds a lot of appeal coming from the US. We've actually considered moving there. Maybe the massive crowds would get to me after awhile, though. Plus, I've only visited in summer. I'm from California where the weather is very mild. I've been warned I might find other seasons there shocking.
Load More Replies... This post should be called 'Americans thinking the world has to be like in the movies' For Chrissake, just travel with a company - Trafalgar or such. That way you see the sights and are on a bus the rest of the time, nice and safe and far away from any inconvenience.
Too many people on the planet, too much disposable income, too much tourism.
