Ten Most Overrated US Tourist Traps
Chuck Thompson Day here at Gadling continues... Over at the website of his new book Smile When You're Lying, Thompson presents his Top 10 Most Overrated U.S. Tourist Attractions. He makes a number of interesting picks, and I can't say I disagree with them. Here are just a few:
Graceland: "Or any spot dedicated to Elvis kitsch. If the man wasn't over-marketed before, he is now. When did Presley go from American icon to white trash icon? Blame Graceland."
New York City's Ground Zero: "Six years later, the smoking hole in the ground is a national disgrace, a monument to American litigiousness, lack of national will, and craven political leadership."
Architecture in Las Vegas: "We went to the moon in 1969. Big fountains and replicas of pyramids built 4,500 years ago aren't that impressive. Nor is a city where you can't walk to the building next door without burning 600 calories."
More here.
In my opinion, as a general rule, any tourist attraction that is designed and built with the intent to be a tourist attraction is automatically suspect. My hometown's Gateway Arch certainly fits that bill, though its not without some appeal (to somebody, somewhere). What are your picks for most overrated tourist traps?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
Jan 2nd 2008 @ 5:34PM
paul said...
Hollywood and Haight/Ashbury in San Francisco come to mind.
Reply
Jan 4th 2008 @ 10:54AM
Laura said...
I loved the Haight when I went!!! SF is a great vacation spot.
Jan 3rd 2008 @ 6:42PM
deya said...
My top 5 worst destinations:
Disney World (after the first time)
Myrtle Beach
Key West
New Orleans
Anywhere Kansas and Nebraska
My Top 5 BEST destinations (for families):
Niagara Falls
Sedona, Arizona
South Padre Island, Texas
Yellowstone National Park
A Carribean cruise..
try holding the hands of your husband and children in Grand Cayman over the Coral Reef as everyone, for the first time snorkeling, puts there face in the water to see this magnificent artwork of God.
Jan 10th 2008 @ 4:36AM
kathty said...
ELVIS...white trash??? Are you kidding me??? Wash your mouth out with soap! (and you call yourself an American?) Yes, his place (the community) he called home has certainly been run down, but that has nothing to do with HIM! Graceland is an amazing place and I DO agree his heirs exploited him...but put the blame where it belongs and watch the name-calling. It's not an attractive asset you have! ELVIS, the American ICON is still fully in place!
Jan 4th 2008 @ 1:46AM
phil said...
A tourist trap is only a tourist trap if the only reason one goes there is because everyone else goes there. There are, however, many legitimate reasons for one to choose to go to so-called tourist traps, not the least of which are the experience itself, the history involved (Wall Drug being a prime example), and the beauty or magnitude of the location or object.
Jan 4th 2008 @ 5:38AM
soflfriend said...
Ground Zero isn't what you should be looking at anyway. it's the store across the street, you should be looking at. Century 21 dept store.
forget ground zero. go to the store and get some of the best bargains NYC has to offer!!!!!!!
Jan 3rd 2008 @ 1:01AM
tikiloungelizard said...
I've never been to Branson, Missouri, but it sounds like a positively awful place to go. Its attempts at a homey, family atmosphere would probably make me ill.
Reply
Jan 3rd 2008 @ 3:06PM
Pablo said...
Except for the horrific traffic, Branson is very nice, if you like CLEAN entertainment, Not FILTH. It does get a little carried away with its folksy advertisement and presentations
Jan 3rd 2008 @ 4:06PM
Martha Smith said...
I am from Branson,Mo. I was from northern Ill. I moved here 24 years ago. We are one of the most toured places in the US. You have it all wrong. You do not have a clue what you are missing out on. The Ozark Mountains are great. We have Silver Collar City,number 1. Shepard of the Hills. and so many attractions you would not believe. The Ozark Mountains ( Branson,Mo.) is many great large lakes for any kind of enjoyment you can think of .Such as boating ,fishing ,camping,caves scubadiving ,or what ever else you like to do in the waters. Our rivers and lakes are clear water and our waters do not freeze. I am sorry but you have the wrong picture of Branson. You never run out of things to see or do. You need to visit us before you judge us.
Jan 3rd 2008 @ 10:02PM
Sue said...
Think for yourself WITCH branson is a lovely place to visit/ The people there are friendly because they are for the most just down home type people
Jan 3rd 2008 @ 11:28PM
Rachel said...
Branson is a great place to visit if you have kids. Silver dollar city is a little overrated, but if you love minature golf and go carts...branson is the place to go
Jan 4th 2008 @ 2:59AM
Laura said...
You come across as a very bitter person. Shame.
Jan 3rd 2008 @ 2:16PM
Lazix888 said...
Two glaring, yet obvious offenders didn't make the list, Disney world and the entire state of Hawaii.
Reply
Jan 3rd 2008 @ 6:41PM
CKC said...
"The entire state of Hawaii"? Being a native Hawaiian, i absolutely HATE touristy kitch. But the entire state? Not only are you ignorant, Lazix888, you are not welcome. Unless we resume sacrifices to Pele. But then again, who would want to see an active volcano? IMAX has A/C and parking.
Jan 3rd 2008 @ 2:21PM
walter stiff said...
Good Lord, Gatlinburg, Tennessee is the king of crap shops. Its supposed to be homey and mountaineous beauty but turns out to be 4 miles of shops selling cedar ashtrays. Ditto for Pigeon Forge down the road
Reply
Jan 3rd 2008 @ 5:35PM
llinda w said...
IF YA DON'T LIKE THE SMOKIES STAY AWAY. THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND MOST VISITED AREA IN THE USA. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT.
Jan 6th 2008 @ 5:31AM
Roadrunner said...
I agree on Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. These places are not the Smokies, only their touristy periphery. I got stuck in Gatlinburg traffic once and couldn't wait to leave the place and never return.
And as a central Floridian, I have to also vote for Disney World. IMO Rodentville is largely responsible for the mess that Orlando has become. Whenever feasible, I avoid this sprawling, traffic-snarled blot on the landscape.
Jan 3rd 2008 @ 2:35PM
Duffy said...
ALL of Las Vegas is an over-rated tourist dump! I've been working in this hole for the past six months and I see this crap every day. It's over-hyped, over-priced, and tasteless.....a complete zero!
Reply
Jan 3rd 2008 @ 3:42PM
Lisasjf said...
I agree with Las Vegas being the pits. I don't get what a;; the Hoopla is about that place.
Jan 3rd 2008 @ 8:51PM
vegasnative said...
I was born and raised in Vegas, but I have to agree. Vegas is no longer Vegas. It used to be a magnificent place to live and visit! There was a time when you had to be someone to get into the clubs and casinos, and now they let in all the trash! It's sad really!