Steer Clear of These 12 Overrated Tourist Traps on Your Next Vacation
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While there are some places on earth you cannot miss in your lifetime, there are just as many that are best avoided. The planet is packed with tourist traps, from overrated artworks to spoiled natural wonders. Here are destinations on which it’s not worth wasting your time and money.
Las Vegas, Nevada
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The entire city of Las Vegas in the Nevada desert is just one big tourist trap. Centered on the notorious strip, it’s all about parting you from your hard-earned cash. If you have a penchant for bright lights, it might be worth a quick visit, but you can easily experience all the tacky glory in 24 hours.
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The Louvre, Paris
We’re not saying the Louvre in Paris itself isn’t worth your time. It is – but only if you come for artworks other than the Mona Lisa. Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece is disappointingly small and screened behind a sheet of glass that always has tourists’ noses pressed against it. If you visit, look up instead – the unsung ceiling frescoes are breathtaking.
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Blue Grotto, Capri
Don’t go to Capri in Italy just to see the Blue Grotto. Boat trips are often canceled due to inclement weather conditions, for starters. Even if you make it, the blue water isn’t worth the motorboat ride. Though a natural phenomenon, the industry built around the Blue Grotto makes it seem like the ultimate tourist trap.
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The Great Wall of China
Unless you’re into walls in a big way, give the Great Wall of China a miss. Once you’ve seen a section, you’ve seen it all, and there’s nothing of interest to see beyond the stonework. This is also one of those places where hawkers harass you non-stop, which somewhat detracts from the feeling that you’re visiting somewhere special.
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Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland
If you go to the Temple Bar in Dublin for genuine Irish craic, you’ll be sorely disappointed. It might have been authentic once upon a time, but now it only appeals to tourists. Take a selfie outside, if you must, before heading off down the side streets in search of a pub that’s actually frequented by locals.
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Times Square, New York
Times Square has tacky written all over it, from the brash billboards to the tourist trap shops and restaurants. Explore a New York neighborhood like Greenwich Village or the Meatpacking District for a more satisfying experience. If you take in a Broadway show, you’ll not be able to avoid Times Square anyway. Seeing it once is more than enough.
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Madame Tussauds, London
The Baker Street branch of Madame Tussauds in London is the original and may even be the best. Nevertheless, the wax figures here often make the UK news, because they bear little or no resemblance to the person they’re modeled on. Instead, save your cash to splash at the shops, restaurants, or theaters.
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Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Italian city of Pisa is pleasant enough, but its famous lopsided tower is barely worth making a special trip for. Venture into rural Tuscany instead, or head straight to Florence for a cultural overdose. Standing there trying to get your hand in the right place for the requisite photo will only make you feel like a fool.
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Little Mermaid, Copenhagen
For numerous reasons, Copenhagen is a fabulous European city break destination, but the Little Mermaid statue is sadly overrated. Cast in bronze and situated on the waterfront, the four-foot stature makes this a letdown. If you’re visiting in summer, live like a local by dipping in an outdoor swimming spot instead.
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Manneken Pis, Brussels
Like the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, the Manneken Pis statue in Brussels is simply not worth seeking out. It’s also disappointingly small and looks more impressive in pictures than in real life. Who needs to see a small boy peeing into a fountain, anyway?
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Hollywood, California
Hollywood is way overrated. The Walk of Fame is a dirty sidewalk that doesn’t get swept often enough, and the area generally has an unkempt, down-at-heel feel. If you must see it for yourself, take a quick peek at the Chinese Theater, before heading to the stylish beachside suburb of Santa Monica.
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Caminito, Buenos Aires
Caminito is one of those tourist traps that feels like a movie set, rather than a real place – and one that’s seen much better days. It’s also thronged with hawkers, as well as too many tourists. The items for sale and the restaurants are just as overpriced as Caminito is overrated.
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