Overrated US Tourist Destinations That Aren’t Worth the Hype

With an array of awe-inspiring National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Acadia, Grand Teton, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and more, and fascinating cities like New York and San Francisco, it's no wonder that the United States is such a popular travel destination. It ranks as one of the top three most popular destinations – third only to France and Spain – and in 2023 alone, 66.5 million tourists visited, a significant increase from the previous year. But some overrated U.S. tourist destinations aren't worth the hype.

With vastly different landscapes and regions, from country and city to mountains and beaches, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Some places truly are extraordinary and shouldn't be missed. Other places are perhaps not quite as remarkable. These locations may have historical interest but they have been overhyped, often touted as the best a city has to offer by many social media sites. This often results in an influx of visitors which can take away from what was once an enjoyable spot. (For more U.S. content, test your knowledge with this quiz.)

To compile this list of overrated U.S. tourist destinations that aren't worth the hype, 24/7 Tempo consulted travel-centered websites, including Yelp, Trip Advisor, and The Discoverer. While all these locations have many fine points, they also have a few negatives. The only way to discover the pros and cons is to visit and decide for yourself.

• Location: Midtown, formed by the intersection of Seventh Avenue, 42nd Street, and Broadway

New York City and Times Square have been romanticized in many movies and television shows. The bright lights and beautiful buildings are fascinating to see in person. Coupled with the allure of shops, the theatre, and an endless choice of restaurants, it's understandable how people can be drawn to the city.

However, once you get to Times Square, the excitement may not last for long. The area is incredibly overcrowded, and just like any crowded place, there's a potential for theft, and it's advisable to keep your belongings – like your wallet and phone – close at all times. While Times Square is a landmark the U.S. is known for, it's not necessarily worth planning a trip around. If you should make the trip, don't miss the famous "Naked Cowboy".

• Location: 1912 Pike Place

Starbucks has become one of the most popular brands with more than 38,000 locations globally. Whether you're in Europe, Asia, or the United States, you can generally find a Starbucks near you. Conventional thinking would have you assume that visiting the first location would be a fun experience but this might not be the case.

Seattle has so many interesting offerings, like the Space Needle or the Underground Tour, and unless you happen to be visiting the nearby Pike Place Market, you should try to avoid this cafe. The lines are consistently out the door and the drink menu is no different from any other Starbucks. Take pictures of the outside, but keep moving along.

• Location: Black Hills of southwestern South Dakota

Few locations showcase U.S. history like Mount Rushmore does. The side of the Black Hills has the sculpted likenesses of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. As beautiful as the park might be, this is one of the biggest tourist traps in the United States and it comes at a cost since it's a national park.

Yes, it is a beautiful location, and for history buffs, it can be fascinating, but once you enter, there isn't much to do or see unless you plan on hiking throughout the day or buying souvenirs. It's also one of the most crowded tourist spots in the United States. Visitors need to set aside an entire day to visit this location.

• Location: Closest city – Teec Nos Pos, Arizona

This might be an excellent spot for geography and history fans alike. The only spot in the U.S. where four states meet is at the Four Corners where Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico all come together to make for one of the most interesting places in the nation. But this park may not be worth all the hype.

The location is in the middle of nowhere, and it's pricy to enter since it's a National Park. Anyone who wants to visit this area of the United States should plan on spending the entire day making it happen. There's also a line to reach the viewing location. After you get your picture taken on the circle at this specific point, you'll likely be ready to move on to discover the history of the surrounding area.

• Location: Plymouth (Cape Cod), Massachusetts

This spot was once thought to be where the explorers first set foot in America, (it was actually on the other side of Cape Cod Bay, in Provincetown Harbor). Even if it was the first landing place, it is still one of the least exciting places to visit. You are simply looking at a rock that has 1620 carved into it, commemorating the year the United States was founded by European explorers.

Once you get there and take a picture of it, you'll likely be ready to move on. Massachusetts is home to some of the best history in the United States. If you still need to see it for yourself, consider visiting other places on the cape as well.

• Location: Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street

Many entertainers aspire to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It may be an exciting honor to get a star, complete with festive fanfare, but as a visitor, it may not be quite as exciting. Finding your favorite celebrity's star can be frustrating, and the crowds, along with street performers, don't make it any easier.

The stars appear to be placed in a random order with not much thought as to where they should go. Much like the Times Square experience, while walking around you'll be met by solicitors trying to sell overpriced goods or pictures while they're dressed up in costumes. The area is often closed off to tourists when certain shows are filming, so there's no guarantee you'll even be able to walk through the area. Los Angeles has beaches, Santa Monica, downtown Beverly Hills, and plenty of luxurious areas that are better places to visit.

• Location: French Quarter

Over the years, Bourbon Street has become known as one of the best places to party in the South, especially during Mardi Gras where residents and visitors turn out for the annual Mardi Gras Parade. Unfortunately, this area of New Orleans isn't quite what it's cracked up to be and is an area of town that most New Orleans residents tend to avoid.

The day experience is completely different than the night, turning from one that is fairly quiet and comfortable strolling to an atmosphere with loud music, and at times, raucous behavior. Crime in the area is rather high as well, added to the crowds, which may leave you with not-so-great memories of Bourbon Street. Skip the nighttime festivities and check out the incredible cuisine or the famous Cafe du Monde.

• Location: Elvis Presley Boulevard

Elvis Presley launched into fame with his songwriting talents, dancing skills, and good looks. Dubbed the King of Rock n' Roll, he had a huge impact on music, revolutionizing the industry with his modernization of traditional genres. One of the places where he lived was at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. After his death, Presley was buried there along with other family members, including his beloved mother Gladys. (His daughter Lisa Marie was buried there in 2023).

It has become a tourist trap for music lovers around the world. To get into the museum, visitors must pay a significant amount of money, with tours of the home starting at $82 and to get the top VIP tour – with lunch – it will cost $240. Once you're in, there are several impressive artifacts, but there are far more money grabs in the form of souvenirs. Listening to Presley's music is the best way to honor him and his legacy.

• Location: Post Alley – Pike Place Market

Seattle is home to some of the most influential technology companies in the world and some incredible sights, from Pike Place Market to the Space Needle. One of the not-so-incredible sights is also one of the most disgusting (especially if you're someone who hates germs). The Gum Wall is where patrons of the Market Theater would add pennies to the wall by attaching them to pieces of gum. The pennies are no longer a tradition and today, people visit to add what they've been chewing in their mouth.

If you want to visit, you're going to need to wash your hands thoroughly after sticking your gum down. Even though you might find an open spot, odds are, the area has already been touched by someone else's gum before. Professional cleaners come through to routinely scrape older pieces of gum down. There are plenty of other fabulous places to visit in Seattle before heading over to such an unsanitary place.

• Location: Kamehameha Highway

Hawaii is known for a lot of things – pristine beauty, surfing, coffee, and of course pineapples. Thanks to the climate, the state can produce this fruit, along with many others, every month. To get the full pineapple experience, one can visit the Dole Plantation on the island of Oahu where you can choose between a variety of options that range in price from $27 for all three attractions (Pineapple Train, maze, and garden), or choose between two with prices ranging from $14 to $19.75.

Of course, there's also fresh pineapple to eat. However, many people are adamant that while they might have had a fun time, there are more exciting and interesting activities offered on the Hawaiian Islands. You should check out the Pearl Harbor National Memorial or the Iolani Palace. A must-try are the apple bananas, only available in the state.

• Location: Between Main Street and Sahara Avenue

There's no denying that Las Vegas is a popular destination that sees millions of people from around the world flocking each year to take in the magic of Sin City. The Las Vegas Strip has amazing food, nightclubs, and gambling and just a few miles away from the strip is Fremont Street. This section is where the older casinos in the city were built, and although the area has tried to make this a better place for tourists, they've had little success.

The casinos are old and dirty and largely in part due to the high homeless population as well as a litter issue, Fremont Street smells terrible. The crime rate is significantly high on this street, including theft and assault. When visiting Las Vegas, most people are aiming for the best experiences. Consider visiting the museums, shows, or even the nearby Hoover Dam.

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