Join the Fun!

_Emerald_Eyes_ , 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."

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."

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.

Final score:

495points

POST

Vicky Z 3 years ago

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!!

288points

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

Final score:

477points

POST

Eleni Aggeliki 3 years ago

Did anyone not know that before they set off?

192points

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."

"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.

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

Final score:

387points

POST

chi-wei shen 3 years ago

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

148points

lenachristina , wikimedia.commons Report

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.

Final score:

358points

POST

Sum Guy 3 years ago (edited)

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

179points

DownUpOverAndBack , wikimedia.commons Report

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!

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.

Final score:

316points

POST

Sum Guy 3 years ago

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

89points

flipamadiggermadoo , wikimedia.commons Report

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.

Final score:

289points

POST

Julia Atkinson 3 years ago

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

298points

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

Final score:

285points

POST

Vicky Z 3 years ago

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

199points

CaligulaAndHisHorse , wikimedia.commons Report

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.

Final score:

265points

POST

Alethia Nyx 3 years ago

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.

94points

burgundyotter , wikimedia.commons Report

#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.

Final score:

253points

POST

Julia Atkinson 3 years ago

If you can't lick it I'm not interested

314points

#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

Final score:

237points

POST

Mazer 3 years ago

True

40points

#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

Final score:

224points

POST

Jyri Hakola 3 years ago

Some could say that a 200 year old wax museum is part of that history.

186points

#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

Final score:

218points

POST

Jyri Hakola 3 years ago

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

183points

#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

Final score:

192points

POST

Vicky Z 3 years ago

Most famous squares worldwide are full of tourist traps

56points

#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

Final score:

189points

POST

Julie C Rose 3 years ago

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.

136points

rachelgraychel , wikimedia.commons Report

#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.

Final score:

180points

POST

Vicky Z 3 years ago

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

55points

TheTrustyCrumpet , wikimedia.commons Report

#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.

Final score:

174points

POST

Rose the Cook 3 years ago

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.

104points

earlymusicaficionado , wikimedia.commons Report

#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.

Final score:

165points

POST

Donkey boi 3 years ago

Never heard of it.

159points

#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

Final score:

157points

POST

Vicky Z 3 years ago

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

77points

ProfessorSucc , wikimedia.commons Report

#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.

Final score:

150points

POST

Donkey boi 3 years ago

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!

138points

#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

Final score:

146points

POST

Julie Robertson 3 years ago

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.

63points

girlthatfelltoearth , Birmingham365 Report

#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.

Final score:

145points

POST

Cactus McCoy 3 years ago

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

114points

Bacony Cakes 3 years ago

history channel when they run out of mysterious things to blame on aliens and the illuminati

16points

Tara B. 3 years ago

Honestly this comment was the best part about this one. 😂

3points

Stannous Flouride 3 years ago

More History Channel.

1point

Jackson Barnett 3 years ago

🤣🤣🤣

1point

Susan Widomski 2 years ago

LOL!

0points

Gregg V 2 years ago

1. I don't believe Hitler typed anything. 2. What were you expecting a swastika key? or 3. A photo of him next to it. ;-)

0points

Julia Atkinson 3 years ago

Did he actually use it?

13points

Samantha Lomb 3 years ago

Probably not. He likely dictated everything to secretary

16points

lara 3 years ago

No, he dictated Mein Kampf to Rudolf Hess, he used the typewriter.

2points

Louchebert 3 years ago

If he did, it was probably only with his left hand...

0points

farthermore 3 years ago

Why would you even make an ounce of effort to see this? What kind of person even keeps track of such a thing?

10points

tuzdayschild 3 years ago

Hitler's typewriter sounds like a cursed object Mickie and Ryan have to put in the vault.

5points

Bacony Cakes 3 years ago

It sounds like a joke SCP.

0points

BleeBloo 3 years ago

How is this a tourist attraction?

4points

Cyndielouwhoo 3 years ago

Sounds like a very suspicious Ebay listing.

4points

aaaggg hhh 3 years ago

When he wrote Mein Kampf on it, everyone did nazi what was coming.

3points

Bored Cats 3 years ago

Good Lord

0points

Kinslee Hager 3 years ago

Why would you even want to see that. Its just a typewriter

2points

Tom Pepper 3 years ago

How sick do you have to be to think this is an attraction in the first place?!

2points

John L 3 years ago

Wha, he didn't put a swastika, on it?

2points

Downunderdude 3 years ago

You were expecting Hitler's laptop?

1point

El muerto 3 years ago

an evil typewriter? with a brush mustasch?

1point

Marek Čelko 2 years ago

If it is a typewriter used by Hitler's staff, then it should have very large letters. Hitler refused to wear glasses, so they built special machines with large letters for his staff, so he could read reports without glasses.

0points

Marek Čelko 2 years ago

well if it is an actual Typewriter used to type reports for Hitler, then it should have very large letters. Hitler refused to wear glasses, so they had built special machines with large letters for his staff.

0points

Mike Weber 3 years ago

I was not aware this existed before reading this.

0points

Eric Forster 3 years ago

My dad once paid for us to see one of Hitler's Mercedes. It was an impressive car.

0points

Mickie Shea 3 years ago

Where's the Zoom?

0points

MAKtheknife 3 years ago

And not even a swastika on it. Hmmmmmm.

0points

Rick Drew 3 years ago

Das Keymeister?

0points

Barbara Miller 3 years ago

love the comment!!!

0points

kkathleen517 3 years ago

Ugh, God I wouldn't go near that thing. They should f*****g burn it. What if some of that co*k suckers evil rubbed off on it. Blah

0points

Jane Dorothy Warner 3 years ago

Now, were it Hitler's haunted typewriter, that would be way cooler.

0points

Cybele Spanjaard 3 years ago

He typed?Some things would have been of historical relevance

0points

Mosheh Wolf 3 years ago

Why would Hitler's typewriter be a tourist attraction? Besides, what do people expect - a 10 foot tall monstrosity with mechanical soldiers that give the Nazi salute and sing "Deutschland Über Alles"?

0points

Dennis Zimmermann 3 years ago

is there a key for the Hakenkreuz?

0points

Samantha PandaNotBored 3 years ago

I’d burn it. Why would you possibly want to see anything of that freaks , is beyond me

0points

v 3 years ago

Kehlsteinhaus (Eagles Nest to most) used to be a villa in the sky. Today it's a mediocre restaurant with fantastic views.

0points

fogharty 3 years ago

I’d might go see Traudl Junge‘s typewriter, she was an interesting person who truly regretted her past.

0points

Marco Conti 3 years ago

Maybe Swastika Emojis on the keyboard? A key that lets you invade Poland?

0points

Zophra 3 years ago

Maybe a special swastika key? :(

0points

Sur Mer 3 years ago

There is probably hardly a German who has ever heard of this thing.

0points

CatWoman312 3 years ago

It’s not something I’d want to see. It likely radiates negative energy

0points

PeachPossum 3 years ago

My American cousins have a typewriter that was used by their German grandmother in the 1930s when she worked as a secretary for the military. While the keyboard was standard German, this one had an extra key, the double SS lightening bolt character. I was told it was used often in some correspondence. I am not sure who has the typewriter today.

0points

Thomas Sweda 3 years ago

Neither am I.

0points

Firkin Dirkin 3 years ago

Nope. Not his.

0points

jeff belli slack 3 years ago

........... itsa' gas

-1point

#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

Final score:

144points

POST

Julia Atkinson 3 years ago

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

71points

aircraftwhisperer , wikimedia.commons Report

#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.

Final score:

144points

POST

LostSoul 3 years ago

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. :-)

129points

#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

Final score:

130points

POST

Julia Atkinson 3 years ago

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

68points

#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

Final score:

125points

POST

Pat Dobson 3 years ago

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

10points

#27

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

CaliPalDude , wikimedia.commons Report

Final score:

119points

POST

Vicky Z 3 years ago

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

66points

#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

Final score:

110points

POST

Vicky Z 3 years ago

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

31points

#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

Final score:

105points

POST

Aunt Messy 3 years ago

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.

51points

#30

The Fyre Festival

abudabu Report

Final score:

89points

POST

WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago

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

76points

Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium

Unlimited content

Ad-free browsing

Dark mode

#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

Final score:

29points

POST

Julia Atkinson 3 years ago

I'm all in favour of more fudge and less poop

25points

PM_ME_YOUR_INDOMIE 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.

Final score:

28points

POST

Julia Atkinson 3 years ago

I had to google "bogan", and discovered that they are chavs Down Under

15points

#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

Final score:

27points

POST

Julia Atkinson 3 years ago

The entire Harry Potter industry is a complete mystery to me

13points

#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

Final score:

26points

POST

Monty Is Fiennes 3 years ago

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...

3points

#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

Final score:

26points

POST

Linus Nilsson 3 years ago

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

20points

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

See Also on Bored Panda

Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

#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

Final score:

26points

POST

Vicky Z 3 years ago

Most malls are like malls actually

33points

#37

Cadbury world. Offensively bad.

twofin Report

Final score:

25points

POST

Devil's Advocate 3 years ago

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.

5points

#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

Final score:

25points

POST

Julia Atkinson 3 years ago

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

45points

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

See Also on Bored Panda

“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

#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

Final score:

24points

POST

lara 3 years ago

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.

9points

dasoberirishman , wikimedia.commons Report

#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.

Final score:

23points

POST

Natalie Bohrteller 3 years ago

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

26points

#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

Final score:

22points

POST

Daniel Marsh 3 years ago

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.

1point

50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

See Also on Bored Panda

French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

#42

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

MuscleMuseum Report

Final score:

21points

POST

WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago

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.

6points

therealsunshinem81 Report

#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.

Final score:

21points

POST

Nevits Yibble 3 years ago

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

0points

ElBomberoLoco , wikimedia.commons Report

#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.

Final score:

19points

POST

ElenaK 3 years ago

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

14points

#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

Final score:

19points

POST

WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago

"Hai I have this $10 bill...?" "Best I can do is 50 cents."

9points

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

See Also on Bored Panda

Mom Leaves $250k Inheritance To Son, Throws A Fit When Daughter Stops Looking After Her

#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

Final score:

18points

POST

Samantha Lomb 3 years ago

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

20points

#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

Final score:

18points

POST

Ivana 3 years ago

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.

5points

#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

Final score:

17points

POST

Tarcandor 3 years ago

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

10points

Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

See Also on Bored Panda

“This Breaks My Heart”: People Stunned—And Angry—After Woman Buys Lost Luggage From Airport

#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

Final score:

16points

POST

Mazer 3 years ago (edited)

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

2points

#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

Final score:

16points

POST

Marco Hub-Dub 3 years ago

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.

0points

Pickled_Ramaker , wikimedia.commons Report

#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.

Final score:

15points

POST

JuJu 3 years ago

The WHAT?

10points

#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

Final score:

14points

POST

F. H. 3 years ago

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

13points

"I Didn't Start The Dryer": Karen Gets Taught A Lesson After Throwing Out Neighbor's Wet Clothes

See Also on Bored Panda

Guy Divorced 3 Years Ago Drops Off 3 Y.O. With His Ex-Wife Completely Out Of The Blue

#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

Final score:

14points

POST

Julia Atkinson 3 years ago

Anywhere with a bunch of crazy peacocks is fine by me

12points

#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

Final score:

14points

POST

Lizzzzz 3 years ago

There isn’t even a basement!

12points

#55

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

hickeyspoorface Report

Final score:

12points

POST

DE Ray 3 years ago

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

6points

#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

Final score:

12points

POST

Pilot Chick 3 years ago

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.

4points

“All Three Shot Out Pink”: Triplets' Baby Shower Turns Sour, Pregnant Wife Wants A Divorce

See Also on Bored Panda

College Student Does Exactly As Told After Roommates Demand They Keep Their Stuff In Their Room

#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

Final score:

12points

POST

Mazer 3 years ago

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

8points

#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

Final score:

12points

POST

Vicky Z 3 years ago

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!

20points

amathysteightyseven Report

#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.

Final score:

11points

POST

Vicky Z 3 years ago

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!

45points

firstghostsnstuff , wikimedia.commons Report

#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..

Final score:

10points

POST

Sue Hazlewood 3 years ago

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

11points

#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

Final score:

9points

POST

jk nbt 3 years ago

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

1point

#62

Casa Bonita. Everything about it is horrible.

chronburgandy922 Report

Final score:

5points

POST

Sian Edwards 3 years ago

Eric Cartman would like a word with you...

11points

CaligulaAndHisHorse 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.

Final score:

2points

POST

chi-wei shen 3 years ago

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

6points

#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

Final score:

-7points

POST

chi-wei shen 3 years ago

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.

88points

CaligulaAndHisHorse , wikimedia.commons Report

#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

Final score:

-13points

POST

Eleni Aggeliki 3 years ago

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.

40points

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

Read less »

I'm the Visual Editor at Bored Panda, responsible for ensuring that everything our audience sees is top-notch and well-researched. What I love most about my job? Discovering new things about the world and immersing myself in exceptional photography and art.

Read less »

What do you think ?

POST

Bel 3 years ago (edited)

Some people just shouldn't travel. Honestly. Who goes to Disneyland and complains about crowds and overpriced food? Either go out of season and bring your own food, or don't go at all. The Liberty Bell is just a bell - who knew? What exactly were you expecting, a line of dancing entertainers in bell costumes? Egyptians live in Egypt and many are extremely poor. Your rich tourist $$ feed their families. There are plenty of wonderful people in that country, and lots of other amazing historical monuments if you don't like the crowds at the Pyramids. I've been to many of these places and had an amazing time. I go in with the right expectations and set up the experiences to suit me and my family. It's all about research and being realistic.

32points

Eilean Luna 3 years ago

I have also been many of these places and enjoyed some of those but egypt especially Cairo and the pyramids have been very bad experience because of local people. I have been dealing with sellers in other countries in Africa and Asia and usually they do not not act so agressive way than next to pyramids. First taxi driver was taking us to atleast two destinations we didn't want to stop (his friends business) We had to get out of the car in the middle of the street because it was scary and annoying and he refuse to give our bags first. Next to the pyramids people really push their items to your hands even you say firm NO and yells to you and insist to give money. Almost impossible to walk thru (we went alone, not with tourist group so we were almost only persons at the moment and all vendors werw all over us) Worst part was that one man stuck his hand to my intime area while I was trying to walk forward and that is only time ever anywhere in the world that I have been sexually attacked

4points

Ranch Dressing 3 years ago

No, Egyptions selling you things and taxi drivers too are on another level. The especially don't respect female traveller's

3points

alloutbikes@yahoo.com 1 year ago

Glad you had the right expectations. These people apparently didn't.

0points

Adriana Loborec 2 years ago

People probably expect some frustration, but sometimes until you experience how bad it can get, you don't know - or you imagine better management, some basic scruples and such. I've been in places where l purposefully went to less popular places to avoid crowds- but then local sellers had only me to bother and any moment several of them would run after me for hundreds of meters pulling my sleaves and yelling at me - you do expect some nagging, you do not expect zero sense of consideration or even reason.

0points

Stephanie Keith 3 years ago

I think the point that people are trying to get across is that we should be able to enjoy all of these things. Without money being an issue. And money doesn't have to be an issue we very much so could enjoy everything this world has to offer. And all of us equally doing our part and just enjoying our existence and all the things in this world. It's not a perfect world scenario it's a possibility. It's very doable but there are just very selfish people who don't want that. Thus that's why money was created to put a stop to all of that. To divide and conquer. I don't think these people are so much complaining about the views and the places. They are complaining about how unreasonable the cost is. That is just my take on it.

0points

Casey McAlister 3 years ago

We already had a post like this not long ago, and it didn't get any more interesting. Popular tourist destinations are really crowded, a building is just a building, a painting is just a painting, and a lake is just a like, who could have guessed. That can be said about virtually every place.

15points

Nevits Yibble 3 years ago (edited)

I remember that. And someone actually complained "Wall Street" was a disappointment. "It's just a street". Yep, that's what it is. What it's not supposed to be is a tourist destination

4points

alloutbikes@yahoo.com 1 year ago

Yes but many people don't know how small the Mona Lisa is or how aggressive the locals are in Egypt. I would hate to save for years and be that disappointed. Or heaven forbid send my older parents to one of those places. Thanks to those who let us know.

0points

Stannous Flouride 3 years ago

As Yogi Berra once said, "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."

0points

Calyfan Yelood 3 years ago

I came to be discouraged from different places but I left with a million new travel wishes! Especially the christmas shop in michigan (or was it minnesota?) seems cool

7points

Fulsome Kitten 3 years ago

Come visit us in Michigan! Frankenmuth has a Bronner's Christmas Wonderland (the biggest Xmas store in the world*), and then down the street a bunch of cute little shops, horse & buggy rides, and a lot of Bavarian architecture. You can also take a river boat ride and eat in at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant which is covered in murals, the staff dress in the old timey German style, and there is always an accordion player entertaining diners. Kids especially love it!

4points

Kristal 3 years ago

Michigan! I'm in Minnesota (so is Mall of America) and I want to visit that place in Michigan :D

2points

Shaun Coleman 3 years ago

The Christmas Store in Frankenmuth, MI. So much Christmas stuff! However, there are only so many Christmas Trees and Ornaments I can look at in one go - especially in July!

1point

Sawdust 3 years ago

I think I'd rather read a thread about tourist attractions that people thought were *better* than expected.

4points

Ksenia M 3 years ago

oh, this would be great actually!

1point

ivan bolitekurac 3 years ago

I want to go to a place everyone knows about to take my instagram selfie but it was too crowded because everyone wanted to do the same as me...

4points

Jo Choto 3 years ago

All I can say is how incredibly lucky I am to have been able to travel over so much of the world. There's very few places that I would actually complain about. All I think about is what are we creating now that somebody will be in awe of some 200 or 300 years in the future?

2points

Hufflepuff 3 years ago

Most of these really aren't that bad, especially if you can learn to focus on the experience more than the tourists. Also, don't make that one attraction the main focus of your trip, instead, go there, then enjoy the small towns/natural areas nearby.

2points

third molar 3 years ago

If you are complaining about crowd in a tourist attraction then you are a hypocrite. All other complaints are fine...

2points

Leo Domitrix 3 years ago

First Rule of Travel: Look at the top five sites people say you MUST see.... and avoid them. You have a lot more fun, learn a lot more, meet amazing and diverse people. Just act with courtesy and learn enough native language to be polite (I don't speak the language is the first phrase to learn, second is forgive me, third is please, thank you, may I request assistance, etc.).... the best of most countries is never at any site featured on postcards, in my experience.

2points

NsG 3 years ago

My main takeaway from this is that the worst thing about tourist traps... is the tourists. Who knew? I grew up in Blackpool and I swear people just turn off their brains when they go on holiday - wandering out into traffic just to get a better view of the Tower or the Illuminations. Oh, and that advice about "if you want the real experience, go back a few streets from the central tourist area" only applies to little towns in Spain or Italy. Go back a few streets in Blackpool and all you see is the second most deprived area in the UK (after a small town in Essex with a population of less than 5% of Blackpool). Stick to the tourist areas and maintain the illusion.

2points

Sian Edwards 3 years ago

Go back a few streets in Blackpool and get offered literally every kind of illegal substance possible.

0points

Maximiliano Rodriguez 3 years ago

I do not understand people who go on vacation to a place in the middle of the tourist season and get angry because it is full of tourists, surely the local people are more angry. If you don't like people there are many destinations to go to, otherwise there is no other option than to enjoy the place in the best possible way. Sometimes, you just have to be grateful that you could go, see and be in a place that many people in the world will never be able to meet. I mean, you're on holiday, just relax and enjoy!

1point

Susie Elle 3 years ago (edited)

For me, it was definitely the Plitvice Lakes in Croatia. Don't get me wrong, the area itself is gorgeous, it's just that the area is also FLOODED with people, the entire flipping day. Like, imagine a lake, which you can either walk around or take a boat to cross. Around where the boat departs there's a small area for people to wait for the boat, that area is about as big as the lake itself and it's PACKED with people. As in, wait for three hours before you can cross, if you're not going to walk around the lake. The boardwalks over the water are amazing but there's so many tourists that you can't cross them without risk of falling in the water, you constantly have to wait for people to take their selfies (with the risk of being hit in the face with a selfiestick). There's so many tourists that there's a traffic jam in front of the gates an HOUR before the park even opens. AT SEVEN IN THE MORNING. Never go there.

1point

Daria B 3 years ago

Ehehehehhe I'm from Croatia and I've been to Plitivice Lakes once. It wasn't as crowded as you say, but that was a long time ago and not during tourist season. It was pretty rainy, though. It's often rainy at nature parks built around rivers. Sadly, falling into the water is less of a risk, when it comes to Plitvice - landmines are a greater concern, but it's safe if you stay within the tourist infrastructure. Just don't wander around too far, and possibly stand by your tour/guide. Anyway, Plitvice Lakes are nice, but there's plenty of equally beautiful nature parks in Croatia.

6points

alloutbikes@yahoo.com 1 year ago

My family made the trip up the NC coast to visit the lighthouses. There they were...no information just them sitting there. But so remote we had to rush by one to get to the ferry. I held the camera out of the window and clicked. Very anticlimactic. We made the ferry.

0points

Adriana Loborec 2 years ago

I'd add Pamukkale in Turkey. Completely empty of water except one small artificially built part! We asked an employee why it was so, he said water enables algae and stuff to grow in the pools, so they keep it all dry except when promo material is being done :/ Understandable, but dissapointing.

0points

Tobias the Tiger 2 years ago

A bit of a milder example since I still found it interesting, but the Victor Hotel (and town of Victor) in Colorado wasn't as cool as I thought it was gonna be. It's a historical hotel that's pretty well-known for its "haunted elevator", but the rooms only have one bed (unless you decide to borrow a foldable one) and there isn't much to do in the town. We ended up going to the nearby town Cripple Creek for food and other attractions.

0points

Viv Hart 3 years ago

As I stated in one of my comments, I'm so glad that I did my travelling back in the Sixties & Seventies, tourism was in it's infancy, not too crowded, I have wonderful memories of those days, I've written out my travel diaries, digitised my slides, and share the experiences with friends, who are all like me, in our 70's. All the places that I visited, are places I'd read about, like the song says - 'Far away places, with strange sounding names, far away over the sea .......'

0points

bill marsano 3 years ago

True, many people haven't the inner resources to benefit from travel. Travel is about what YOU bring to IT. Yes, there are tourist traps to be avoided (the glass bridge is an excellent example) and there are overcrowded places that should be visited off-peak. Faced with a long line at the Fondation Vuitton museum in Paris, my wife had a great idea: ask the attendant what days/times are slowest. He told us--and three days later at a decently convenient hour were practically OWNED the place. Then there's the problem of essential interest. For every 'must-see,' as WHY. If the answer is because it's supposed to be quite something, you're almost guaranteed to get nothing out of the experience. If you're seriously interested in the American Revolution, the Liberty Bell may very well be more than a mere bell to you. If not, not. I love Italy and Shakespeare, so when in Verona I always drop by Juliet's House. Of course it's all a fiction, but so what? It's also an homage to love.

0points

Jane Alexander 3 years ago

No need to travel, it's getting to d*** crowded and rude right here in this town these days.

0points

shado 3 years ago

tourist destinations - especially the 'trending' ones - are always crowded granted ... and I imagine lists and posting such as this simply add to that fact a hundred-fold

0points

Anton Kider 3 years ago

Tourists just complaining about tourists...

0points

Aisling Allan 3 years ago

Balmoral Castle in Scotland: You can only go in one room, the gardens are tiny, there is security cameras everywhere throughout the surrounding land and the police will harass you. It's not worth the money or time.

0points

Amna Chaudhry 3 years ago

Go to Pakistan it's fun

0points

TheartfulDutchGinger 3 years ago

Almost every foreign person I ever spoke to loved Amsterdam. I live about 50km from Amsterdam and I don't see the appeal to the city. It's a overcrowded,dirty city. There are many much more beautiful places in the Netherlands.

0points

Ola Pe 3 years ago

People travel to the most popular tourist destinations and surprise surprise!!! There are other people there! Who would have thought😁

0points

Kate Paddock 3 years ago

This honestly sounds like a bunch of Karens.

0points

Adam McCready 3 years ago

THIS ARTICLE JUST PO ROVES HOW F*****G STUPID THE MASSES ARE! I LIVE ON A PLANET FILLED WITH MORONS!

0points

damiana 3 years ago

I thought that headline said Thirst Trap and I was very disappointed.

0points

йЫ щЪё 3 years ago

I think it's not about the thing you are seeing or place you are visiting, but what feelings they bring in you. Some wonders of the world I deeply feel like I have a connection, and visiting them would probably make me feel amazing, no matter how expensive and crowded it is. And some, are just not my thing. So I don't go.

0points

Legen ( wait for it ) dary 3 years ago (edited)

I think travel is about the people and your spirit. I went to Switzerland and love it and hate it, because I was with the wrong person and my mood was not the best. Try to visit your own city and you will be amazed the same way people who come from far away to visit it.

0points

Cindy M 3 years ago

San Francisco. You come here to do what exactly...stare at a bridge? See a prison? Look at sea lions. Ok...you also get to walk around piles of human feces, homeless tents and people shooting up. STAY AWAY!

0points

Daniel Marsh 3 years ago (edited)

BOSTON: The aquarium is very famous, but meh. The science museum is surprisingly lame. Stick to the historical stuff. The great thing about Boston is that it's very compact; young people can walk around the whole city; I used to walk from work near Fenway and join my housemates as they got out of work going through Back Bay, downtown, North End, and up to Charleston in one big, walk that wasn't much longer than going down th national mall in DC

0points

Daniel Marsh 3 years ago

FROM DC: There are few places in the District itself that are overhyped. Mannassas (Bull Run) National Battlefield. The only thing to SEE is just a big field. A very historically important big field, but that doesn't mean there's anything to see or do there. If you want to get out of town, but still want to see the Air & Space Museum, go see the Udvar-Hazy (sp?) campus out towards Reston. And I'm no fan of the redo of the dinosaur exhibit at the Museum of Natural History. But typically ALL the free stuff is great.

0points

CatWoman312 3 years ago (edited)

There’s currently a fence up around the White House and you can only see it from a distance close to the Washington memorial. The fence was put up during the BLM protests last year by Trump and it has still not been taken down, so until it is down I have to say the White House is a disappointment since you can’t really see it because of the fence.

0points

alloutbikes@yahoo.com 1 year ago

It's the wall he promised.

0points

Natalie Oleander 3 years ago

I think the point of this post isn't to discourage you from going there. The point is to go, but look ELSEWHERE nearby for the best experience.

0points

Asia 3 years ago

Most of those are horrible because there generally is too many people on earth.

0points

Victoria Pitt 3 years ago

Seattle. My highlight of the trip was the ferry ride over to Bainbridge Island. The PNW is truly beautiful. I also enjoyed snowshoeing near Mt. Rainer and exploring old growth forests on an excursion. I had a friend take me around Seattle for good food, breweries and shopping spots. With that said, I found it hard to enjoy much in the city due to the overwhelming homeless population. They weren't harassing me or anything, they were literately just everywhere and it was very sad. I've since then made donations to some organizations in Seattle, even though I live in Pennsylvania.

0points

Caro Caro 3 years ago

Don't go to Uluru (Ayers Rock). It's a big rock!

0points

jk nbt 3 years ago (edited)

a question or challenge for you world traveling Pandas out there: how many of these 65 places have you been to? In the reply, put your handle up with "x/65" next to it if you have been to any of these places with the "x" being the number of places:

0points

M M 3 years ago

4/30 There are many American attractions. I only travel in Europe

0points

April Stephens 3 years ago

12/65

0points

jk nbt 3 years ago

jk nbt: 15/65

0points

bonnyatlast 3 years ago

Maui the submarine that takes you around the harbor. Don't go unless you have kids under five who just watched the Mermaid. There is a person in a mermaid costume that comes up to the windows and shows you a rock and a starfish. That's it. It's like a smelly bus that is underwater. And that trolly that goes up the mountain out of Vancouver to some kind of tourist park. They did have a good movie but the rest was just trails with two bears behind a fence. Oh and a raptor show. Nice view from the trolly going down but found the whole place under whelming.

0points

Evil Little Thing 3 years ago

Surprised nobody said Wisconsin Dells. Big plastic animal statues, indoor hotel water parks, and fudge shops.

0points

M O'Connell 3 years ago

You clearly missed the Tommy Bartlett Water Show, and Circus World, and Duck tours, and the railway museum, and House on the Rock, and all the wine.

1point

Guy MacGregor 3 years ago

Niagara falls. Casinos and restaurants. The best spots to take a picture are paying. They sell shirt saying "I survived Niagara Falls" but truth is there is nothing wild reminding there.

0points

An Co 3 years ago

Left out my hated attraction. Under NO circumstance watch the Ball drop in NYC. It is way too cold on December 31st in NYC to hang around at midnight, it is way too crowded, with drunk people, and no place to pee.

0points

Ian Reynolds 3 years ago

There are three things I have seen that left me totally disappointed. The Hope Diamond in Washingtion DC, it's a rock that is not really that big, tons of people were really excited about it, it was completely lost on me. The Magna Carta, in Salisbury Cathedral, it was a small piece of paper written in French, I don't know what I was expecing, but felt very underwhelmed when leaving there. Salem, Massachusetts, the famous witch trials city, it was a tourist trap, with nothing of any real substance, excited to go there, left really disappointed. There are a dozen witch museums and they are all expensive for what they are.

0points

Troux 3 years ago

For me, it's any business in NYC that is movie-famous. Katz's Deli is below par for a deli and Serendipity III is a truly great dessert place but still not worth the crowd, hype, cost and wait. NYC's museums, small galleries and Central Park are the gems there.

0points

Vicky Z 3 years ago

I want to mention one too.... The hypogeum in Malta! It's supposed to be the most famous sightseeing in the island but hear my advice and don't throw your money!!! It's ridiculously overpriced 40 Euros per person for a tour that lasts about 40 minutes! The place is impressive with underground tombs but they don't show any respect to it! The staff was bored when i was there, they didn't have headphones and you had to hold the thing to your ear for 40 minutes and the most important they didn't have many languages available! When your sight is called hypogeum (Greek word) i expect to have Greek language available!!! Especially for the 40 Euros i paid! We've been in other audio tours in Malta with 10 Euros and they had more languages available! Huge shame still crying for this money

0points

Ksenia M 3 years ago

I have to disagree about this one. Hypogeum is an amazing historical monument that is over 6000 years old with breathtaking architecture. The word hypogeum just means that it's an underground temple, it doesn't really have any Greek connection as far as I know. The guided tour provides enough information to at least give a glimpse into it's history. That is unfortunately not always the case for other megalithic structures in Malta, all of which are just awe-inspiring. If you are interested in history and especially in pre-history on Europe, hypogeum is definitely a must visit. Just a note for anyone interested: the number of people allowed inside is very restricted and you need to buy tickets an advance, I suggest checking their website as soon as you have your plane tickets booked) Honestly, to this day the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum remains one the most impressive places I've ever visited.

3points

Logic and Reason 3 years ago

I have 0 sympathy or surprise. Lower your expectations, or have them lowered for you by research.

-1point

René Studer 3 years ago

Every single one of these are just stupid. Who knew a popular landmark can be a tourist trap. What did you expect? Do you people read at all before you travel?

-2points

Bhaskar Reddy Devarapalli 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Lauren Caswell 3 years ago (edited)

Nope 🙂

2points

POST

Bel 3 years ago (edited)

32points

Eilean Luna 3 years ago

4points

Ranch Dressing 3 years ago

No, Egyptions selling you things and taxi drivers too are on another level. The especially don't respect female traveller's

3points

alloutbikes@yahoo.com 1 year ago

Glad you had the right expectations. These people apparently didn't.

0points

Adriana Loborec 2 years ago

0points

Stephanie Keith 3 years ago

0points

Casey McAlister 3 years ago

15points

Nevits Yibble 3 years ago (edited)

I remember that. And someone actually complained "Wall Street" was a disappointment. "It's just a street". Yep, that's what it is. What it's not supposed to be is a tourist destination

4points

alloutbikes@yahoo.com 1 year ago

0points

Stannous Flouride 3 years ago

As Yogi Berra once said, "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."

0points

Calyfan Yelood 3 years ago

I came to be discouraged from different places but I left with a million new travel wishes! Especially the christmas shop in michigan (or was it minnesota?) seems cool

7points

Fulsome Kitten 3 years ago

4points

Kristal 3 years ago

Michigan! I'm in Minnesota (so is Mall of America) and I want to visit that place in Michigan :D

2points

Shaun Coleman 3 years ago

The Christmas Store in Frankenmuth, MI. So much Christmas stuff! However, there are only so many Christmas Trees and Ornaments I can look at in one go - especially in July!

1point

Sawdust 3 years ago

I think I'd rather read a thread about tourist attractions that people thought were *better* than expected.

4points

Ksenia M 3 years ago

oh, this would be great actually!

1point

ivan bolitekurac 3 years ago

I want to go to a place everyone knows about to take my instagram selfie but it was too crowded because everyone wanted to do the same as me...

4points

Jo Choto 3 years ago

2points

Hufflepuff 3 years ago

2points

third molar 3 years ago

If you are complaining about crowd in a tourist attraction then you are a hypocrite. All other complaints are fine...

2points

Leo Domitrix 3 years ago

2points

NsG 3 years ago

2points

Sian Edwards 3 years ago

Go back a few streets in Blackpool and get offered literally every kind of illegal substance possible.

0points

Maximiliano Rodriguez 3 years ago

1point

Susie Elle 3 years ago (edited)

1point

Daria B 3 years ago

6points

alloutbikes@yahoo.com 1 year ago

0points

Adriana Loborec 2 years ago

0points

Tobias the Tiger 2 years ago

0points

Viv Hart 3 years ago

0points

bill marsano 3 years ago

0points

Jane Alexander 3 years ago

No need to travel, it's getting to d*** crowded and rude right here in this town these days.

0points

shado 3 years ago

tourist destinations - especially the 'trending' ones - are always crowded granted ... and I imagine lists and posting such as this simply add to that fact a hundred-fold

0points

Anton Kider 3 years ago

Tourists just complaining about tourists...

0points

Aisling Allan 3 years ago

0points

Amna Chaudhry 3 years ago

Go to Pakistan it's fun

0points

TheartfulDutchGinger 3 years ago

0points

Ola Pe 3 years ago

People travel to the most popular tourist destinations and surprise surprise!!! There are other people there! Who would have thought😁

0points

Kate Paddock 3 years ago

This honestly sounds like a bunch of Karens.

0points

Adam McCready 3 years ago

THIS ARTICLE JUST PO ROVES HOW F*****G STUPID THE MASSES ARE! I LIVE ON A PLANET FILLED WITH MORONS!

0points

damiana 3 years ago

I thought that headline said Thirst Trap and I was very disappointed.

0points

йЫ щЪё 3 years ago

0points

Legen ( wait for it ) dary 3 years ago (edited)

0points

Cindy M 3 years ago

0points

Daniel Marsh 3 years ago (edited)

0points

Daniel Marsh 3 years ago

0points

CatWoman312 3 years ago (edited)

0points

alloutbikes@yahoo.com 1 year ago

It's the wall he promised.

0points

Natalie Oleander 3 years ago

I think the point of this post isn't to discourage you from going there. The point is to go, but look ELSEWHERE nearby for the best experience.

0points

Asia 3 years ago

Most of those are horrible because there generally is too many people on earth.

0points

Victoria Pitt 3 years ago

0points

Caro Caro 3 years ago

Don't go to Uluru (Ayers Rock). It's a big rock!

0points

jk nbt 3 years ago (edited)

0points

M M 3 years ago

4/30 There are many American attractions. I only travel in Europe

0points

April Stephens 3 years ago

12/65

0points

jk nbt 3 years ago

jk nbt: 15/65

0points

bonnyatlast 3 years ago

0points

Evil Little Thing 3 years ago

Surprised nobody said Wisconsin Dells. Big plastic animal statues, indoor hotel water parks, and fudge shops.

0points

M O'Connell 3 years ago

You clearly missed the Tommy Bartlett Water Show, and Circus World, and Duck tours, and the railway museum, and House on the Rock, and all the wine.

1point

Guy MacGregor 3 years ago

Niagara falls. Casinos and restaurants. The best spots to take a picture are paying. They sell shirt saying "I survived Niagara Falls" but truth is there is nothing wild reminding there.

0points

An Co 3 years ago

0points

Ian Reynolds 3 years ago

0points

Troux 3 years ago

0points

Vicky Z 3 years ago

0points

Ksenia M 3 years ago

3points

Logic and Reason 3 years ago

I have 0 sympathy or surprise. Lower your expectations, or have them lowered for you by research.

-1point

René Studer 3 years ago

Every single one of these are just stupid. Who knew a popular landmark can be a tourist trap. What did you expect? Do you people read at all before you travel?

-2points

Bhaskar Reddy Devarapalli 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Lauren Caswell 3 years ago (edited)

Nope 🙂

2points