It’s no secret that millions of people want to travel and explore the world while they can. The United States is a popular place to visit. There’s delicious food, amazing entertainment, and views that are second to none. However, some places have become so oversaturated that tourists should avoid them. The amazing pictures visitors can post once they leave are a huge reason for certain places are more popular than others. In a generation that’s become defined by its online presence, it’s no wonder apps like Instagram and TikTok are the focal points behind going to some locations.
A popular place for tourists to visit is Times Square in New York City. While it certainly has plenty of positives, there are tons of aspects of Times Square you won’t find in any picture or video posted online. The area is incredibly crowded and there are tons of people lurking for the right opportunities to pickpocket visitors. If you go there, you’ll have to make sure your pockets are secure.
Another popular place to visit is the first-ever Starbucks store in Seattle. 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 the US, 24/7 Tempo consulted travel-centered websites. These include Yelp, Trip Advisor, and The Discoverer.
Times Square
- Location: New York, New York
Tons of movies and television shows have romanticized New York City and Times Square. The bright lights and beautiful buildings are lovely to lay eyes on with the people you’re traveling with. However, once you get to Times Square, you’ll only be filled with excitement for a few moments. The area has become known for being overcrowded, which makes it less enjoyable.
You have to keep your belongings close to you at all times or you’ll be at risk of losing your money, credit cards, and phone. While Times Square is a landmark the United States is known for, it’s not necessarily worth planning a trip around.
The first-ever Starbucks
- Location: 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… right? Unfortunately, that isn’t the case.
When making a trip to Seattle, it’s best to avoid the first coffee shop with siren branding. The lines are consistently out the door and there’s nothing special about the drink menu that you can’t get from any other Starbucks spot. It’s okay to take pictures of the outside, but don’t worry about adding it to any itinerary.
Mount Rushmore
- Location: Keystone, South Dakota
Few locations showcase United States history like Mount Rushmore in South Dakota does. The side of the Black Hills has George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt clearly sculpted. However, this is one of the biggest tourist traps in the United States to visit. For starters, it’s going to cost you to get into the area since it’s a national park.
Once you’re in, unless you plan on hiking throughout the day or spending even more money on souvenirs, you’ll find yourself ready to leave almost immediately after seeing it. 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
- Location: Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado
The only spot in the United States where four states meet is in the Four Corners. Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico all come together there to make for one of the most interesting places in the U.S. However, this park isn’t exactly worth all of 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 coolest detail 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 leave. The drive from most other states doesn’t justify an estimated half-hour experience.
Plymouth Rock
- Location: 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 the 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. While the other destinations on this list have bright lights or beautiful views to look at, all Plymouth Rock visually offers is a rock.
1620 is carved onto the rock, commemorating the year the United States was founded by European explorers. Once you get to the rock 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
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MAY 04: Mark Hamill speaks onstage during the ceremony for Carrie Fisher being honored posthumously with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 04, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
- Location: Los Angeles, California
Being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is what many entertainers aspire to do one day. 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 are seemingly placed in a random order without much thought put into organization.
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 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, downtown Beverly Hills, and plenty of luxurious areas that are better places to visit.
Bourbon Street
- Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Another place that countless movies and television shows use for backdrops is Bourbon Street. Over the years, this area of New Orleans has become known as one of the best places to party in the South. Unfortunately, Bourbon Street 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.
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. There are tons of crimes that happen in the area, which is beyond dangerous. Bourbon Street may not leave you with positive memories since it isn’t the safest.
Graceland
- Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Music wouldn’t be the same today if it weren’t for Elvis Presley. The King of Rock n’ Roll launched into fame with his songwriting talents, dancing skills, and good looks. 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 of his. These days, it’s become a tourist trap for music lovers around the world.
To get into the museum, visitors are forced to pay hundreds of dollars. The people who run the museum know they can charge any amount they want since there are millions of Presley fans out there. 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
- Location: Seattle, Washington
Seattle is home to some of the most influential technology companies in the world. One of the more disgusting places (especially if you’re someone who hates germs) is the Gum Wall. This part of the city was where patrons of the Market Theater would add pennies to the wall by attaching them to pieces of gum. Today, people go there to add what they’ve been chewing in their mouth to part of Seattle.
If you want to go to this area, 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
- Location: Wahiawa, Hawaii
Over the years, Hawaii has become known for serving delicious pineapple year round. Thanks to the climate, the state can produce this fruit, along with many others, every month. The Dole Plantation is where visitors can get the full pineapple experience while in Hawaii.
While this might sound fun and appealing to some, the cost of entering the Dole Plantation is expensive. Once you’re inside, you’ll be met with a Pineapple Train, maze, and more. 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 activities offered on the Hawaiian Islands instead.
Fremont Street
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Millions of people from around the world flock to Las Vegas each year to take in the magic of Sin City. The Las Vegas Strip has amazing food, nightclubs, and gambling. You’ll find Fremont Street only a few miles away from the Strip. It’s where the older casinos in the city were built. The area has tried to become a better place for tourists to visit, but with no success.
The casinos are old and dirty. Fremont Street smells terrible, thanks to the homeless population and litter issue. Tons of crime takes place on Fremont 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 cost. For more United States content, click here to read about each state’s experience joining the U.S.