13 Tourist Spots People Say Aren’t Worth Visiting
When we travel, we tend to think we know what a place, or an attraction, will be like. You’ve seen the photos, you’ve read the reviews, maybe you’ve even heard stories from friends. Sometimes, however, these places don’t meet expectations. Imagine you get all dressed up for a party, and when you get there there’s no music or the food is stale. I’m not saying all destinations don’t have their own charm, but there are some attractions that just leave people a little underwhelmed.
The crowds, the cost, maybe it’s the lack of authenticity but you find yourself wishing you’d spent your precious time elsewhere. Travelers have had enough of disappointingly small landmarks and overpriced experiences, and these are the places they no longer think you should bother with. Now let’s take a look at a couple of spots some people thought fell short.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The world’s most famous sidewalk, but many visitors walk away from it scratching their heads and asking, “Is this it?” The Hollywood Walk of Fame can be more like a really busy crowded street rather than some glamorous stroll through Tinseltown. The stars on the sidewalk are sparkling, but the rest of the area? Not so much. Imagine souvenir shops and cringe worthy costumed characters fighting for your attention.
Stonehenge
Of course, Stonehenge is an amazing archaeological site, but if you were expecting a mystical, life changing experience, you’re in for a bit of a disappointment. The stones are roped off and you can only walk around them from a distance, sometimes you are walking with hundreds of other people. And, of course, the infamous British weather can turn your visit into a soggy field trip rather than an ancient wonder.
The Mona Lisa at the Louvre
The Mona Lisa is a masterpiece, but seeing it in person is a let down. It’s a surprisingly small painting, and there are a sea of people all jostling to get the same photo. In fact, you will probably spend more time fighting the crowd than really enjoying Da Vinci’s famous work. But what about the rest of the Louvre? That’s worth your time.
Times Square
Times Square can be an assault on the senses if you’re expecting the glamour and glitz of the movies. Everything is loud, crowded, and filled with flashing billboards. What about those characters in costume? I wouldn’t say they’re the cuddly mascots you were hoping for. Once you’ve taken a few pictures most people are ready to move on.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
Okay, it’s leaning, but so what? Travelers often say that, after returning from snapping the obligatory ‘holding up the tower’ photo, there’s really not much else to see or do. It is like a tourist trap filled with vendors selling the same things all around the tower.
The Little Mermaid Statue in Copenhagen
If you blink, you are guaranteed to miss it. Well, the Little Mermaid statue is little. Visitors are often surprised by how small, and unremarkable, it is, touted as one of Copenhagen’s top attractions. The statue itself can be crowded with tourists as well, all of them trying to get the perfect picture of a statue that’s only slightly taller than four feet.
Niagara Falls (from the U.S. side)
Niagara Falls is certainly beautiful, but many feel that it just doesn’t look as good from the U.S. side. Once across the border into Canada, you get a much more spectacular panorama. A few visitors on the American side depart having viewed only half of the grandeur they had come to see.
The Blarney Stone
If you’re going to Ireland to kiss the Blarney Stone, think again. It’s not just that you have to lean backward over a ledge to give the stone a smooch, it’s also raised a few eyebrows on the hygiene factor. Let that sink in, hundreds of people press their lips to that same spot every day. Other travelers say the whole thing is just that: a gimmick, not some sort of meaningful tradition.
The Blue Lagoon in Iceland
The Blue Lagoon is beautiful on photos, but you should know it’s not a paradise. Admission is steep for what is essentially a giant spa, and it’s often crowded with tourists. Other travelers find Iceland’s hot springs too commercialized and choose to visit less crowded natural hot springs.
The Pyramids of Giza
There is no doubt that the Pyramids are one of the greatest wonders of the old world. What many people don’t realize, however, is that they’re quite close to the hustle and bustle of Cairo. Seeing the pyramids next to a Pizza Hut and KFC can be a bit jarring and some visitors have found the atmosphere around this awe inspiring site a little too chaotic to be majestic.
The Taj Mahal (on foggy days)
It’s breathtaking, until you visit on a foggy day. Thick fog can obscure views for many tourists who’ve made the trek, leaving what should be a stunning moment rather disappointing. You never know with the weather, so if you are going to go, you might want to check the forecast first.
Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is an iconic landmark in America, but many visitors have said they are underwhelmed by it’s size. In history books, the carvings of the presidents’ faces are impressive, but in person the monument is smaller and more distant than expected. On top of that, there’s not a whole lot else to do in the immediate vicinity, and you may wonder if the trip was worth the drive.
Four Corners Monument
The Four Corners Monument sounds like a cool idea for those hoping to stand in four states at once. It’s a pain to get there, but once you do it’s just a slab of concrete in the middle of nowhere, usually crowded with tourists waiting in line for their photo. Visitors drive hours to get there, and many of them end up feeling like the experience isn’t as exciting as it sounds.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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