ADVERTISEMENT

You can travel to Rome and skip the pizza place your friend told you about but you have to visit the Colosseum. Some travel destinations are simply a must-see. But that doesn't mean you'll like them.

To learn more about these questionable places, Reddit user u/superlemondaze made a post on the platform, asking: "What's a tourist attraction you've been to that was 100% not worth the hype?" And people responded.

As of today, the question has 23.6K upvotes and 17.2K comments, many of which describe why some of the most popular spots can feel overcrowded, overpriced, and simply overrated.

#1

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) The glass bridge over the grand canyon.

Total rip-off tourist trap.

It takes HOURS to get there from Vegas

They charge you $20 to park in an empty desert

They charge you $30 per person to take the bus from the parking to the attraction (it's like walking from parking into a mall - no distance at all!)

Then they charge you $30 per person if you actually want to walk on the bridge

You cannot take pictures or bring a camera onto the bridge, but they will sell them to you, of course.

There is one overpriced place to eat where they sell you canned food heated up in a microwave for big money... or you could drive 5 hours back to Vegas...

Go there to get scalped.

TommyHolef**ker , wikimedia.commons Report

Travel blogger and speaker A Lady in London has been to 112 countries and she's only visited a few attractions that she thought were over-hyped. It was primarily because she isn't really drawn to such places to begin with.

"Most of them were attractions that heavily marketed themselves or got lots of coverage on social media," A Lady in London told Bored Panda. "I went because I was curious after seeing them advertised or talked about online so much, and not because I was truly interested in them."

ADVERTISEMENT

While the traveler acknowledges that some companies and individuals might prey on tourists, she doesn't think that makes the whole industry corrupt or dishonest. "I think most are genuinely trying to offer something that appeals to a certain demographic. If I'm not in their demographic, I'm probably not going to enjoy their attraction. But someone who is in their demographic might love it," she explained. "Like most things in life, the degree of enjoyment of tourist attractions tends to be relative to one's interests."

Don't worry. Everyone can find something they're into. "There are lots of ways people can discover cool, less popular sights when they're traveling," A Lady in London, who also documents her trips on Instagram, said. "As a professional travel blogger, I obviously recommend following blogs and social media accounts that share about under-the-radar places. Local knowledge is key, so if you can find influencers who specialize in a specific destination, you'll often discover great places through their content."

#2

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) The Dead Sea. You're in Israel. In the desert. It's blazing hot, like 115°F. You think you'll go take a dip in the Dead Sea to cool off, right? Wrong. First, you have to pay to go through a spa to use their towels, pools, etc. Then you take the wagon/shuttle that drives you from the spa down to the shore. The wagon/shuttle goes about 5 miles per hour in the scortching sun. No breeze. Next, you get to the shore of the Dead Sea. You the proceed to run over the sand that's so hot you're sure your feet will burn off. You tentatively step into the water....and it's like the hottest bath you've ever taken in your life. The water is maybe 1° away from boiling. But you figure you've made it this far, might as well get the full experience. So you submerge. It's a mistake. Every pore on your body is burning from the salt. If you have shaved any part of your body within the last three years, you will feel the salt seep into the little micro cuts and burn you from the inside out. You find cuts on your body you didn't even know you had. Even your asshole is burning because you have pooped and wiped within the last week, so your skin is raw there. And the worst part is, when you decide you have had enough of this boiling body of water, you practically have to crawl out because you're too bouyant to stand. And in the process of crawling out, you scrape your knees on the bottom where the salt rocks have crystalized which sets off a whole new round of pain. So now you're hot, sticky from the salt, and every inch of your body burns.

_Emerald_Eyes_ , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK i laughed a lot but who thought that swimming at the dead sea would be refreshing really? Of course the salt will do that to your body not to mention that your skin will be dehydrated for the next 5 years!!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#3

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Dubai. It's the most soulless, cultureless, and artificial city I've been to. The shameless and obscene display of bling-bling only adds to this vibe, and the supertall skyscrapers and mega malls get old sooner or later.

To top it off, all of this is built overnight on what is essentially slave labor.

PacSan300 , wikimedia.commons Report

Cory and G Varga, the wife and husband duo behind the blog You Could Travel, have also been to a few tourist attractions they could've probably passed on. "The most disappointing was by far the Manneken Pis in Brussels," they told Bored Panda. "Then we have La Rambla and Mercado de La Boqueria in Barcelona: overcrowded and overpriced. The famed Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin is a bit of a tourist trap and Camargue in the South of France because of factories and pollution."

The couple is warier of the industry than A Lady in London and said that at the end of the day, people are here to make money. "Naturally, travel industry players invest heavily in marketing and as we know, marketing can sometimes be deceiving. Travel agents operate on commission so their goal is to sell you a dream: more expensive hotel, upgrades on flights, more experiences to visit. Luckily, travelers are also savvier and can see right through the ads."

ADVERTISEMENT

"Modern travelers rely mostly on recommendations of friends and relatives, online recommendations, social media, and travel blogs. Commercial information is not so relevant to them anymore. We do appeal to all industry key players to change some of their practices ... and adopt a more ethical stance."

Cory and G Varga think the best way to learn about unbeaten paths is by simply exploring. "Ditch the hop-on-hop-off options and grab a city map (or just use digital maps on your phone) and go on an adventure. It's perfectly okay to want to see popular attractions but travel between them on foot if possible. It's the curious sights in-between that are so much more interesting and unusual. A cute family-run bistro, an obscure century-old shop, a friendly local with a story to tell," the wife and husband explained.

#4

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) The Taj Mahal (Agra). It's surrounded by 10-meter-high walls, and the entrance fee is ludicrously expensive compared to any other attraction in India. If you're in Agra and want to see the Taj Mahal, go across the river. There are some gardens almost directly across from it, and there's a great spot by the river with a brilliant view of the Taj Mahal, particularly at sunset. This experience is totally free, and you won't have to deal with crowds.

Nevermind04 , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
chi-wei shen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's some solid advice. The Taj Mahal is still a magnificent monument and worth seeing it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#5

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) While the Louvre is wonderful, the Mona Lisa was a huge disappointment.

The painting itself is tiny and there are always hordes of people around it.

There are a million better things to see at the Louvre.

lenachristina , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Sum Guy
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's true... but do you think you can live with yourself for not trying to see the mona lisa when you're already at the Louvre? I don't even understand why the monalisa is so loved, but I would not pass up the opportunity to have a glimpse of it

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

In 2020, global international tourism arrivals fell by 73%, according to the World Tourism Organization, and recovery hopes for 2021 have been dented by waves of new infections. But as vaccination programs advance around the world, opportunities are arising for restrictions to be gradually eased.

Destination and tourism businesses are trying to rebound while also being sufficiently nimble to manage the abrupt tightening of restrictions that could be imposed in response to future infection waves and the emergence of new variants of the virus. Let's hope this brings more transparency to the industry and more chances to travelers!

#6

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) If you go to the Great Wall of China, I'd suggest not going to the section right there in Beijing. Very rebuilt and touristy.

Take a van ride a ways out of the city, to the Simitai section. Now there's some uncrowded, old-school Great Wall.

DownUpOverAndBack , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Sum Guy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like this is a given... you have to try get away from people if you want to experience the best out of something

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#7

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Disney Parks. Want to eat? Be ready to Shell out $50 a person per day. Oh, you came for the rides? Enjoy the four or five you make it on unless it's a busy day, those days enjoy the two or three.

flipamadiggermadoo , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Julia Atkinson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Disneyland is my idea of hell on earth - rampant consumerism, screaming brats and obnoxious parents

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Machu Picchu. I respect the Incas for building it, the real issue I have with it is the current management. It’s flooded with people (they let in over 3x the cap sto make money) being annoying and it’s very expensive, they bus people up a huge hill all day and we are required to have a tour guide and only spend 3 mins at certain areas. It’s misrepresenting the history of the Incas to people with selfie sticks. Not my fave

You are WAY better off seeing the Inca capitol, Cusco because it’s where they actually lived and thrived. See Sasqsyhuaman and the Qoricancha sun temple. Go on a backpacking trip and you will find Inca and pre Inca stuff Everywhere. With no idiotic tourists families. I highly recommend it.

¡Viva Perú!

ccut , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how people run to see a touristic place and complain about the other tourists being there! Well, surprise!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Sydney Opera House. The tours are expensive and the inside is kind of underwhelming. The outside is free and is also the best part. ALTERNATIVE: Just walk around Sydney harbor. It's free and gorgeous.

CaligulaAndHisHorse , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Alethia Nyx
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An acquaintance once told me a great joke about it. Australia has the best performing arts centre in the world, the only problem is the outside is in Sydney, the inside is in Melbourne and the carpark is in Adelaide.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) The Liberty Bell. Wait in a long line to look at... a bell. That looks exactly like it does in all the Philly souvenirs. They don't even let you lick it.

burgundyotter , wikimedia.commons Report

#11

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Every Hard Rock Cafe. Seriously, the pricing is similar to a nice chain restaurant, but the food is right on par with Applebee’s.

Jummatron , wikimedia.commons Report

#12

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Madame Tussauds in London. You're in a city filled to the brim with history and culture and free museums, but you'd rather wait in line for hours and pay a fortune to go see a mannequin of Justin Bieber?

[deleted] , wikimedia.commons Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#13

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) The London Eye

What you expect

Whisked into your futuristic pod by smiling flight attendants, you gently rise above the ancient city of London. The crowds fall away as the panorama of the city is laid out before you - truly an experience for the ages

What happens

A snotty customer services assistant rips your d**k out through your wallet as you are shuffled into a stiflingly hot glass pod with dozens of other people. Sweaty tourists barge you out of the way to get to the windows before you have even left the ground. There are children, and they are screaming. The ride is 45 minutes long.

JamJarre , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Jyri Hakola
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Generic rule: do not visit popular cities at summer and mid of tourist season.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Times Square and Piccadilly Circus, same damn chain restaurants and tourist traps

shiftdnb , wikimedia.commons Report

#15

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Mount Rushmore. It looks exactly like any picture you've ever seen. It's not easy to get up close to it. If you're in that area, I recommend prioritizing Devil's Tower. It's well worth it.

JBleezy1979 , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Julie C Rose
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mt Rushmore is shitty, anyway - it’s on a spot that’s sacred in Native American culture and I think I remember reading that the people who made it KNEW that.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#16

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Waikiki Beach. It's a horrible, crowded concrete beach surrounded by traffic and overpriced stores.

Go to literally any other beach in Oahu. But the coolest thing to do is drive up to north shore, and pick a spot on any one of the many relatively isolated beaches there and enjoy the scenery.

rachelgraychel , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Usually the famous beaches worldwide don't seem so impressive when you get there because they are overcrowded and probably ruined! You go to the beach to relax so pick a less famous one

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Pyramids of Giza; might be being too harsh, but the swarm of aggressive market vendors surrounding them makes the place a bit of a nightmare. One woman from our group asked a guard to take her photo standing next to the pyramids, and the guard refused to give it back without recieving payment (I cant recall the amount but being extorted by a man with an AK-47 isn't an ideal situation). Inside the tombs themselves it reeked of piss and was a claustrophobes complete nightmare. A ~ 5 foot tall, very steep ramp with f**k all to prevent a fall wide enough to fit 1.5 men at best with a steady stream of people coming up from the opposite direction. Being literally yelled at to buy headscarves and assorted plastic s*** by the truly horrible merchants outside completely ruined my experience of the place, which I'm so, so sad about because I spent months looking forward to the trip.

TheTrustyCrumpet , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Rose the Cook
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately if you want to experience the wonders of Ancient Egypt you have to put up with the modern inhabitants. If you are really interested best join a special interest tour or a university group. As well as knowing the real facts about what you are seeing they know how to deal with the annoying locals.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#18

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Branson. The Simpsons weren't really joking when they described it as Las Vegas ran by Ned Flanders.

earlymusicaficionado , wikimedia.commons Report

#19

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) The Leaning Tower of Pisa - five minutes, that photo, and you're done.

[deleted] , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you are there your brain tells you that you HAVE to take that photo

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Bourbon Street, New Orleans

Now don’t get me wrong, the food is smash so I’d recommend hitting it anyways (Pat O’Brien’s and NOLA Poboys were my favorites). But the whole street itself is dirty, smells like sewage, and is overloaded with mostly ear rapingly loud rap music and maybe a couple jazz bands.

ProfessorSucc , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Donkey boi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't hear or read 'New Orleans' without salivating. Some of the best food I eaten anywhere was in a strangers front yard in New Orleans, he was grilling up for his family and just offered up some food to 2 passing European tourists. If you're reading this, I love Derrick & Leanne!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Plymouth Rock

Put bluntly, this attraction is massively lame, no one even knows if this is the right rock or even if there was a rock.

Beobee1 , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Julie Robertson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not to mention that the rock is nowhere near the shore, and it's frightfully small; you can't even get close, and it's just this rock in the middle of a fenced off area. When we were kids, we were taught Plymouth Rock was this huge historical thing, and then it's a huge disappointment. I recommend you visit the living history museum at Plimoth Plantation, instead.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#22

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Hitlers typewriter. It's a typewriter, I'm not sure what I expected.

girlthatfelltoearth , Birmingham365 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Cactus McCoy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Hitler's typewriter" sounds like a Netflix production on a really tight budget.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Roswell, New Mexico. You’d think it would be a hotspot for conventions and space geeks, but it was an incredibly tiny town with dozens of alien shops and barely any people. It was creepy as hell.

properrocky , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Julia Atkinson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It needs a museum dedicated to explaining how aliens crossed the interstellar void in a craft made of weather balloon materials

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Oktoberfest. Way too crowded for my liking. I had a much better time at fests in the smaller villages.

aircraftwhisperer , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
LostSoul
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Munich here. Been to Oktoberfest every year of my life, first time w/ 3 months-I´m 46 now. Always has been overcrowded in the evenings, but turned unacceptable in the last 10 years. Primitive party crowd like somewhere else in the world. Nothing special, just embarrasing. I recommend coming at 11 in the moning, have some chicken, pretzel and 2-3 Maß of beer and leave at 15 at latest, befor the crazy people arrive. That´s cool. You will meet kind, local people, that are lightly drunk and still able to talk. Or you just visit any of the bavarian beergardens with better food and lower prices for beer and food. Oktoberfest is basically for your insta-bucket-list. :-)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Romeo and Juliet's balcony in Verona. Like, 10,000 people all crammed into this tiny alleyway just to see a balcony that I found out was built after the play was written.

I understand Romeo and Juliet is a work of fiction, but the story of the balcony is it inspired the play. I now know that isn't true but as someone knowing very little about Shakespeare, I thought it was true when I went to the wonderful city of Verona.

Jay_1327 , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Julia Atkinson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The "Juliet's balcony" story is so silly I can't summon up much sympathy for this disappointed tourist

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#26

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) M&M World in London. Every single tourist has a bag from there, they don't even sell the unusual flavours of M&M, just the usual UK packets of peanut and solid chocolate. I just don't understand it...

WraithCadmus , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Pat Dobson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stand in front of the store in London, turn 180degs, hey-presto the Lego store :) Much better :)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Hollywood Blvd

CaliPalDude , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the actors are not in their balconies waving at me there is no point

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Any instagram gimmick where you need to spend money on tickets and wait in line for a photo op

Specifically thinking of Museum of Ice Cream

yeelee__sin_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh i hadn't heard of that and now i want to go😅😅

Adam
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went to the Ice cream museum and it was so lackluster. The only good part was free Icecream around every corner

Troux
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More and more places designed for photos over experiences. Just understand who these are designed for and choose your own way.

Lynne Stankard
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Museum of Ice Cream??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Mickie Shea
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is a must see for every one. Bring your mown cone (hat).

Riley Quinn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just buy a package of cones and rearrange them yourself. This is stupid.

Grace Smith
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m having trouble figuring out if this is a normal sized room or a giant slide

Cybele Spanjaard
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just Googled and there a few of these interaction fun places. I wonder does one eat what they and others wallow in too? Guess I will never know .

Nimue47
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This summer I took my daughter and her friend and they had a great time (and lots of pics). To be honest, due to covid there were timeslots of course

Nicky
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Boston Bunker Hill monument was the worst - a steep climb up stairs to look through a scratched-up window too scratched to see much of a view.

JuJu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We just got an insta-spot. There a different themed rooms and you can take pics...but you have to pay an entrance fee like in a museum.

Cyndielouwhoo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For some reason I just read that as getting an Instant pot and for a brief moment wondered why that was relevant :)

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Takeshita Street in Harajuku (Tokyo). I couldn't move my elbows an inch without bumping into someone, and pretty much every shop had a 30-minute line. I went to see the Harajuku-style fashion associated Takeshita Street, but hardly saw any of that. So essentially I was packed like a sardine for hours while waiting in long lines to shop for overpriced clothes. I love Tokyo, but I definitely won't be going back to Harajuku anytime soon.

danganranger , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Aunt Messy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go on the side streets and alleys. They're full of tiny shops and artisans that are way more interesting and original than tourist traps like this. ...///... Frankly, I don't know how dumb you'd have to be NOT to have fun in Tokyo. Every time we go, we find more gorgeous parks and wonderful places.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#30

The Fyre Festival

abudabu Report

Add photo comments
POST
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A festival promoted on Instagram by social media influencers turned out to be a massive scam. Who could have guessed....

View more commentsArrow down menu
#31

Mackinac Island. I’m a Michigan native, and I can tell you right now that it’s a complete tourist trap. The fudge is okay... and the entire island smells like fudge and horse poop. If you want to get fudge, but with less horse poop, and less tourists, go to Frankenmuth, MI. The whole town is Bavarian in style, plus it’s home to Bronners, the largest Christmas store in the world! The fudge is honestly so much better there, there aren’t a ton of tourists, and it’s so much cleaner. Plus there’s an ice fest in the winter. My family goes every year!

Tl;dr: don’t go to Mackinac Island, you’ll regret it. Instead, go to Frankenmuth, you won’t regret it!

liztory Report

#32

Kuta beach, Bali. It's nothing but a dirty beach and drunk bogans. If you're visiting Bali, head down south to Canggu or Uluwatu area and enjoy the view of the ocean from top of the hill.

PM_ME_YOUR_INDOMIE Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#33

Not ridiculously hyped up, but got to say the Harry Potter Platform 9 3/4 thing at Kings Cross station, it's not even on a platform anymore it's been moved to some random part inside the station (I suppose for people to use it without having to buy a ticket/ go through a barrier) but there are sometimes the most ridiculous queues just to get a photo with it.

Ellend821 Report

#34

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Temple Bar (Dublin). There are better pubs a block away, but all the tourists go to Temple Bar to pay twice the price for a Guinness.

mcampo84 , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Monty Is Fiennes
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My heart is sad about this one... my hubby has been going here since he was a young lad and has many great stories about it.... he has ingnored the crowds, which he loves when there is good craic...but I am not as convinced and enjoy the irish pubs where that feeling of community, (maybe some local musos and a rough wood booth gives me space to enjoy a pint can be had).... I think he still loves the Temple Bar because of the past and that is hard to let go of sometimes...

View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) The Little Mermaid (Copenhagen). Most tourists know that it's just a small statue on a rock, yet still they come here and swarm around it like a flock of seagulls. I don't understand why.

maniaccheese , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Linus Nilsson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Have you looked around when standing there? It's very nice in the surroundings.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#36

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) The Mall of America. It’s just like any mall in the US. All the same stores just more of them. Edit: struck a nerve with this one. If you like malls in general you will probably like this one. Yes, there is more to do then your standard mall but I still found it pretty underwhelming. The one thing I forgot about that many have pointed out is Legoland. That is legitimately cool.

Mr_Saturn1 , wikimedia.commons Report

#37

Cadbury world. Offensively bad.

twofin Report

Add photo comments
POST
Devil's Advocate
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

USED to be amazing, then the Americans (Kraft) bought it, hiked the prices, and lowered the required visitor IQ to 6. Even the shop which used to be full of good, cheap chocolate is now just a shop. A rubbish shop.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

The Sugar Factory (in Orlando and elsewhere).

My SO was hyped about it, and it seemed popular (there was a 3+ hour wait for tables). But it's only popular because it's owned by the Kardashians...and even if you didn't know that fact before going in (I didn't), you could figure it out from the restaurant itself. The ambiance was gaudy and loud, and the dining area felt dirty. The food was terrible and overpriced. The "hook" was big sugary alcoholic drinks and desserts (the "sugar" part), but even those sucked. Their headline drinks were big goblets with candy and dry ice vapor coming out, but they were $40+ each, so we passed. We got a couple of cheaper dessert-themed drinks, but even though we got different ones they all had the same taste of cheap vodka with lots of sugar. We got some actual desserts too, but you could tell they were pre-made over-processed garbage with no flavor. It probably came out of a package.

The worst part was their birthday cheer. If someone had a birthday, they would blare really loud and obnoxious club music, and all the wait staff would start dancing around on the tables while they brought out some dessert with road flares sticking out of it for candles. This wouldn't have been so bad if they hadn't done it FOUR TIMES during our meal.

I pity those poor employees.

seanrm92 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Julia Atkinson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing on earth would induce me to add more filthy lucre to the Kardashians' overflowing coffers

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#39

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Khao San Road. I love Thailand but I absolutely hated Khao San Road. It's entirely fabricated for tourists to make tour groups feel like they're doing something exotic and adventurous. Signs for "We don't check ID!" "Take a picture eating a scorpion for $5!" "Fake passports sold here!" and then it's just t-shirts and bars. Compared to the rest of the country it's gross, fake, and douchey.

BeastModePwn· , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
lara
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our son's favorite vacation place was Thailand. He said that all the great places they used to go have been torn down so that they can build over priced tourist hotels. He said all the little street "restaurants" were gone, all the little shops, everything that made Thailand such a great place to visit had been torn down because they are turning it into a "high class tourist" destination. That was his last trip he said.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Top of the Empire State Building. You spend all that time in line for the elevators, in what is a very nice Art Deco piece of architecture, for the opportunity to struggle taking pictures through a caged roof and squint at what would otherwise be an excellent view of New York City.

Totally not worth it.

dasoberirishman , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Natalie Bohrteller
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can recommend Rockefeller Center. Nice view and you actually get to take a picture of the Empire State Building.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#41

Rockefeller Christmas Tree. There was so many people we couldn’t even get that close. And once we were somewhat near I realized the only real reason we were there was to take pictures/“make memories”. The only memories I have from that night was the stress of that damn city!

ArcticPugs Report

Add photo comments
POST
Daniel Marsh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wouldn't travel to NYC to see the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, in particular. But Manhattan in Christmas is gorgeous. (Or at least was. I haven't been since the '90s.) Looking at the lights and thinking about crass commercialism is as hard-heartedly Puritanical as looking at flowers and thinking "smut!!!" And the tree is part of a scene including the ice rink, the angels, the hall of nations, etc., that certainly IS worth it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#42

There’s plenty of incredible things to do and see in Amsterdam. However, the sex museum is not one of them.

MuscleMuseum Report

Add photo comments
POST
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many people visit Amsterdam and leave the Netherlands thinking that they know all about the Dutch. Amsterdam is just as typical Dutch as New York is typical Russian. The best things in Amsterdam are the trains and busses to other parts of the Netherlands.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#43

Daytona beach. It’s like a Permanent carnival plus some street preachers, people of Walmart, and homeless teens. It also smells like diesel fuel, feet, beer, and cigarettes.

therealsunshinem81 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Nevits Yibble
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Daytona Beach is "overhyped"? According to who? Why would anyone even visit that place? What is this person thinking

View more commentsArrow down menu
#44

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Pier 39 in San Francisco. I'm from the East Coast...I'd never been to SF before. Everyone said "skip Pier 39....it's a tourist trap". However...since I'd never been before...I figured I'd go and see for myself.

It's a tourist trap. Nothing of value save for the sea lions, and Musee Mechanique....other than that....chains & ripoffs.

ElBomberoLoco , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
ElenaK
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a non American I really enjoyed the experience too. It was all we expected it to be.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#45

The pawn shop from Pawn Stars. A guy who was with us in Vegas insisted on going, and the rest of us got dragged along. We got corralled through the store and there was literally nothing worth a second look there. Waste of time.

I was particularly annoyed at the prices of used musical instruments there. I’ve been selling drums for 10 years, and I’m not about to buy a kit for higher than the new price just for the honour of having bought it there.

PBaz1337 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#46

Atlantic City is a row of dingy casino hotels against a gross beach with a strip of disgusting shops in between. At least Vegas is clean.

jaycatt7 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't believe Atlantic city has ever advertised itself as anything other than kinds sleazy

View more commentsArrow down menu
#47

The infield at the Kentucky Derby. You won’t see a horse all day and will be surrounded by the drunkest rednecks north of the Daytona 500.

581977 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ivana
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People in the infield freak the horses out. Grew up with race horses and I have a grudge against the Triple Crown. The races are too close together to give the horses a break in between, they have people in the infield where they do not belong, the horses are all 3 year olds and some times their legs are just not developed enough (should be 4 year olds), and they pack the field so there are way too many horses racing at once. Always bugged the hell out of me. Won't watch the races.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#48

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Manneken Pis in Brussels. Don't get me wrong, Brussels is BEAUTIFUL and I absolutely loved visiting. There's so much interesting folklore and a lot of souvenirs and what not around Manneken Pis, and you expect it to be this really amazing statue... Until you see it. It's down a tiny little street with hundreds of people stuffed into the corner where he sits. I know he's very respected and loved in Belgium, but he's just so tiny and the street was so crowded... I found it very hard to be excited once I actually saw him. Brussels is amazing though and I'll definitely be back one day!

findvision , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Tarcandor
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brussels is beautiful???? As a Belgian myself, I'd say Brussels is ok-ish, there's much prettier cities to see in Belgium.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#49

The Blue Lagoon (Iceland). I was shocked by how pricey it was for the experience, especially considering most of the public hot baths are free and there are geothermic springs everywhere in Iceland. I felt like I had to check it out, but in the end it felt like a rip-off.

goldikova14 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Mazer
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Iceland has so many other very cool (and hot) natural areas.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#50

This may not be known to everyone but Magnolia Silos in Waco, TX as made famous by the TV show "Fixer Upper". 100% waste of time and money. Everything in the store can be bought at Target or it's just show merchandise.

People come from across the country for this little store. Go somewhere else man.

occasional_user Report

Add photo comments
POST
Marco Hub-Dub
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If people want to travel for Bravo/TLC/crap tv filming locations, they’re getting exactly what they want. I’ve never seen the p**n, storage or house renovation mock reality shows, but I imagine if o were interested in one I’d know exactly what the destination entails.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#51

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) The corn palace and wall-drug. The Dakota's love to make s*** up to get people to stop.

Pickled_Ramaker , wikimedia.commons Report

#52

Centralia, Pennsylvania. A town that has had a coal mine fire underneath it still burning since 1962. It sounds super cool to go see it but its just a few roads with graffiti on them and a bunch of ATV trails

bkarst5 Report

Add photo comments
POST
F. H.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is this person complaining about? You can see the pictures, there's absolutely nothing left of the town.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#53

The Fountain of Youth down here in St. Augustine, Florida. The actual fountain is just a fake cave with a pipe that you fill a cup from. There were way cooler things there than that like a dude who fired a cannon, a bunch of crazy peacocks, and these guys who built replica ships using the techniques from the 16th/17th century.

BeefMcGeef Report

#54

The Alamo. I picture it being the stoic little fort on a lonesome Texas prairie but instead it's a little building in the middle of the City with all this touristy stuff around it like the Guinness Book of World Records

[deleted] Report

#55

That famous philly cheese steak place in philly. Awful service plus the food downright sucked.

hickeyspoorface Report

Add photo comments
POST
DE Ray
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of people (even Philadelphians) tell me that you get better cheese steaks in south Jersey.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#56

If you ever come to a Chicago, stay away from Navy Pier. Everything is way overpriced (rides, games, food) and the tourists that visit are rude and annoying.

NS172002 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Pilot Chick
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sitting at the end of the pier on a warm summer day and enjoying the breeze and view is nice. This is another place where I don’t know what people really expect it’s obviously a tourist trap— the Farris wheel gives it away.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#57

Four Corners. For those not from America/don’t know, it’s a spot where the corners of four different state borders touch. None of them were states I had any real fondness for (Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico) and once you get over the “zany” fun of being in 4 states at once it’s just a bunch of s**tty food carts. It was the classic tourist trap on a family vacation you try to talk your parents out of and fail at.

Sonic10122 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Mazer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Get deep into the natural part of any of these four states

View more commentsArrow down menu
#58

Astronomical Clock in Prague. Everyone makes it seem like this crazy wild event when the clock hits the hour and throngs of people gather in the square to watch it every hour and are disappointed when it hardly does anything.

VERY cool considering the time period in which it was made, very very interesting, but not an extravagant display by any means.

I found it more fun to go and watch the the people get disappointed every hour after I had seen it the first time.

GiraffeDoodle Report

Add photo comments
POST
Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly it's an amazing clock and very impressive if you learn its history and I'm still crying that when i went to Prague it was under renovation!!!! I really wish i had seen it live from up close!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#59

Will probably get downvoted in to oblivion for this, but the Sistine chapel left me wanting. The art is absolutely incredible but it's let down by the room itself. I was expecting it to be held with a bit more prestige. Instead it's just a big chapel absolutely crammed with tourists aiming their cameras at the ceiling.

It's a shame because the rest of the Vatican is amazing. So many beautiful rooms and corridors to walk through before you get to the chapel.

amathysteightyseven Report

Add photo comments
POST
Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People need to understand that when you visit a famous place there will be other people there! It's not a private tour for you only!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#60

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) The Palace of Versailles. It’s become so crowded that you have to push your way around people to make it through the castle. It’s also developed a huge pickpocketing problem. A lot of people go just to take a photo in the hall of mirrors..

firstghostsnstuff , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Sue Hazlewood
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes there was a lot of people but you could get away from them and enjoy yourself. The gardens are lovely.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#61

Cadillac Ranch and The Big Texan in Amarillo, TX. I Iove to travel and almost always have a great time experiencing new things, even if it's just to say I've been there. But I could have done without stopping in Amarillo and not missed much.

riotpunchphanatic Report

Add photo comments
POST
jk nbt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

did you try to eat the 72 oz steak? It is as big as two pot roasts... or did you try rattlesnake meat?

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#62

Casa Bonita. Everything about it is horrible.

chronburgandy922 Report

#63

Cinque Terre (Italy). This one may be controversial, but I found this handful of villages in coastal Liguria to be very boring and overly touristy. All the hiking trails were closed. Either way, it's a day trip at best, and I would recommend visiting the Amalfi Coast over Cinque Terre.

CaligulaAndHisHorse Report

Add photo comments
POST
chi-wei shen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fascination of Cinque Terre is the view from the outside, not from the inside.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#64

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Stonehenge. It’s a 2hr drive from London, and after you get there and get your picture, there’s really to much else.

GenXer1977 , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
chi-wei shen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a monument people have erected more than 4000 years ago. If you're not interested in history don't go there. Don't expect Disneyland.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#65

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) The Duomo (Florence). The outside of the Duomo is magnificent, but the interior is bland and underwhelming and not worth waiting in line for. If you've seen the outside, that's all you need to see. If you're thinking of going inside the view, you can get a much better view of Florence from across the river

CaligulaAndHisHorse , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
Eleni Aggeliki
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't understand people who visit places that did not interest them in the first place and then disparage them. If you don't appreciate art and architecture just don't visit the Duomo. If you're only interested in the view, sip your drink and let monuments alone.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT