With 195 countries throughout the globe, there are plenty of places to discover. Whether you want to get a better understanding of a region’s culture, explore the various cuisines, immerse yourself in the land, or just relax, there is always something for everyone. But you don’t always need to travel internationally to experience a different way of life. Often what you are looking for can be found right in your backyard, and sometimes, what you aren’t looking for can be found there too.
While other countries may be on your bucket list, the United States is on the must-see list of many others. Each year, more than 50 million international visitors frequent America. No matter which part of the country you visit, you will find delicious food, incredible entertainment, and breathtaking views. However, not all places may be as enjoyable as others.
Today’s generation has become defined by its online presence. With apps like Instagram and TikTok offering a wealth of information on where to travel and what to see, some places have become so oversaturated that tourists should avoid them. Adding to the congestion are the amazing images people post when they visit certain places. Many of these destinations are popular for a reason – whether it’s the vibe of city life that pulses with an energy not found in many other areas or the jaw-dropping views that awe and inspire, people want to experience these places for themselves and see what the hype is all about.
New York City is unquestionably a fascinating city. There’s a reason why it ranks as the number one city visited each year. One of the top spots to visit is Times Square, which sees more than 50 million visitors yearly. While it certainly has plenty of positives, there are many aspects of Times Square you won’t find in any picture or video posted online. The area is incredibly crowded – on most days more than 330,000 people pass through – and plenty of people can be lurking for the right moment to pickpocket both natives and visitors alike.
Another popular place to visit is the first-ever Starbucks store in Seattle (there is debate on which location is truly the first one – Pike Place Market or the corner of Western Avenue). While it’s cool to say that you went to the original location, the lines are lengthy and there’s nothing different about the drinks than any other Starbucks storefront. It’s just like nearly every other basic coffee cafe around the world. For more United States content, test your knowledge with this quiz.
To compile this list of the worst tourist traps in America, 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.
Times Square – New York, New York
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 has become known for being overcrowded, and just like any crowded place, it is advisable to keep your belongings close at all times or you’ll risk losing your money, wallet, and phone. While Times Square is a landmark the United States is known for, it’s not necessarily worth planning a trip around. Although you might just catch a glimpse of the famous “Naked Cowboy”.
The first-ever Starbucks – Seattle, Washington
Starbucks has become one of the most popular brands around the world. Whether you’re in Europe, Asia, or the United States, there’s always a Starbucks right around the corner. Conventional thinking would have you assume that visiting the first location would be a fun experience but this may not be the case.
When traveling to Seattle, you should try to avoid the coffee shop with siren branding. 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.
Mount Rushmore – Keystone, South Dakota
Few locations showcase United States history like Mount Rushmore in South Dakota does. The side of the Black Hills has the likenesses of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt sculpted. 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.
Once you’re in, there isn’t much to do or see unless you plan on hiking throughout the day or spending even more money on souvenirs. This isn’t because it’s not aesthetically pleasing. There’s just not much to see or do when you’re there. 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.
Four Corners National Park – Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado
The only spot in the United States 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 U.S. But this park may not be worth all the hype. The location is in the middle of nowhere, and it’s pricy to get to 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. Once you’re at the park, the most interesting part is seeing where all four states meet. 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.
Plymouth Rock – Plymouth, Massachusetts
Plymouth Rock is said to be where the explorers first set foot in the United States. However, it’s since been proven that they first ended up on the other side of Cape Cod Bay. Even if that was the first place explorers set foot in the United States, it’s one of the least exciting places to visit.
Other destinations on this list have bright lights or beautiful views to look at, but Plymouth Rock offers just that – a rock – which has 1620 carved into the rock, 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 leave. Massachusetts is home to some of the best history in the United States. Consider visiting other places there before Plymouth Rock.
Hollywood Walk of Fame – Los Angeles, California
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 14: Christina Applegate attends a ceremony honoring Christina Applegate with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on November 14, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Netflix)
Many entertainers aspire to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There’s a massive celebration lined up whenever a celebrity is added to the walk. As a visitor, though, you’ll likely be annoyed at how hard it is to find your favorite celebrity’s star. 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 Hollywood and Vine to find your favorite star, 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 for filming different shows and movies, 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.
Bourbon Street – New Orleans, Louisiana
Over the years, Bourbon Street has become known as one of the best places to party in the South. Unfortunately, this area of New Orleans isn’t quite what it’s cracked up to be. This is an area of town where most New Orleans residents don’t go – and for good reason. During the day might be a different experience than the evening which is when you’ll wish you stayed home.
When you get there, you’ll be met by thousands of drunk people at night with no sense of who they are or where they’re headed. The streets smell terrible since plenty of drunk people have to relieve themselves somehow. Add to that the fact that crime in the area is high, which may leave you with not-so-great memories of Bourbon Street.
Graceland – Memphis, Tennessee
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 daughter Lisa Marie, and his beloved mother, Gladys.
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. The people who run the museum know they can charge any amount since the millions of Presley fans will most likely pay. 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.
The Gum Wall – Seattle, Washington
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, on Post Alley near Pike Street, 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 go there to add what they’ve been chewing in their mouth to part of Seattle. If you want to go here, you’re going to need to wash your hands and sanitize thoroughly after putting 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.
Dole Plantation – Wahiawa, Hawaii
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.
Fremont Street – Las Vegas, Nevada
Some people love Vegas and some people don’t. Whichever one you are, 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 area 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 thanks to the homeless population and 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. To find that, consider avoiding Fremont Street at all costs.
For more United States content, click here to read about each state’s experience joining the U.S.