Awesome and must-see attraction or overhyped and underwhelming tourist trap? From faded theme parks to tatty boardwalks and crowded famous streets, our well-travelled editorial team has ranked the most overrated tourist attractions in America. We've done so knowing that this approach is deeply subjective, and that your opinions may well differ.
Scroll on to discover the US tourist attractions that, in our opinion, aren't worth making the effort for...
Coca-Cola is arguably the world’s most famous drink, invented in downtown Atlanta by pharmacist John S. Pemberton in 1886. The World of Coca-Cola opened in 1990 to show fans of the fizzy stuff where its story began.
The attraction moved to its current, larger premises on Pemberton Place in 2007, promising a multimedia sensory journey where visitors could discover the history and science behind the beverage. Although not the secret recipe, obviously. With the promise of endless tastings, this tourist attraction really hit the sweet spot. But is it still sparkling?
Super fans may fizz with excitement on a visit, but essentially it is one giant ad for the drinks giant. Expect Coca-Cola artefacts and tenuous exhibitions that link US icons to the brand and a mildly interesting interactive scent room.
Many online reviewers point out that the museum is 'old' and 'tired', with the only good part being getting to taste limited edition cokes and other Coca-Cola brands from around the world. So maybe just skip straight to that part if you do find yourself here.
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A dusty old silver mining town in the parched Calico Mountains of the Mojave Desert, Calico dates back to 1881 and was a bustling community until silver lost its sheen and the workers abandoned the town to the elements. Its weatherworn buildings were restored by Walter Knot in 1951 and it became a popular tourist attraction.
Is the ghost town a romantic remnant of the Wild West or an overcommercialised trap?
While the location is arresting and the 'ghost town' has plenty of charm and retains some of its original buildings, it does feel more like a Disney-fied reproduction of a Wild West town as opposed to many other more authentic deserted mining towns in the west. After all, it’s hard to suspend your disbelief when you see a Starbucks in one of the buildings.
With its huge Ferris wheel, fairground rides, restaurants and fab water views, this historic pier on Lake Michigan is a one-stop shop for family fun. One of Chicago’s most popular landmarks, Navy Pier opened in 1916 and was used for both shipping and public pleasure before it was converted into a training facility by the Navy in 1941.
Since its major regeneration and reopening in 1995, the pier has welcomed over 186 million guests. It hit its peak in 2016 with a whopping 9.3 million annual guests. So, is the longest public pier in the world today still a worthy pitstop?
Fun for all the family? If you’re a fan of crowds, noise, tacky souvenir stores and expensive rides, yes.
While the waterfront views are undoubtedly impressive, you wouldn’t be missing much if you didn’t visit this touristy part of Chicago on your city explorations. There are less congested waterfront areas to enjoy the views from such as the Riverwalk. Alternatively, you can hop on a boat to cruise around Lake Michigan.
One of the world’s most famous rocks, the Plymouth Rock is said to be the very stone that William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgrims stepped onto in 1620 as they disembarked their boats after sailing from Plymouth, England. The boulder, located in the harbour town's Pilgrim Memorial State Park, was identified as the historic site in 1741 – 121 years after the arrival of the Mayflower – by Thomas Faunce, whose father had been on the Mayflower.
Visiting this etched rock, which was housed within a dedicated monument in 1889, is supposedly a must for anyone interested in the founding of the US. But does it wow or fall flat?
The reaction from most people on visiting the Pilgrims’ purported landed place is to ask, “Is that it?”. The large boulder is a sorry sight within the grand monument, although its barriers are often thronged with tourists peering down to see the fabled rock.
Thankfully, the historic harbour town of Plymouth, New England, has plenty more crowd-pleasing attractions to occupy you once you've checked this off your sightseeing list.
Luring lovers of strange phenomena since the 1950s, when this allegedly gravity-defying area was discovered, the Mystery Spot promises to take visitors on a mind-bending journey of optical contradictions. The story goes that this site was discovered by a group of surveyors who experienced strange physical sensations and found their equipment didn’t work properly.
Today, the attraction is popular with families searching for something a little out-of-the-ordinary to do. Does this roadside attraction induce wonder and intrigue in those who visit, or leave them disappointed?
For many, the Mystery Spot experience is over-egged and corny with clearly slanted floors and off-kilter surfaces used to create said optical illusions. If you can suspend your disbelief, it is mildly amusing but very much a one-hit wonder.
However, the addition of ziplines, a maze and an 18-hole mini golf course keep families amused, even if the mystery aspect is all a little underwhelming.
The beachside boardwalk lining the shores of Ocean City has been a hub of the East Coast seaside resort since 1902, when some of the hotel owners collaborated to build a wooden walkway for their guests to promenade on. Back then it could be rolled up and stored.
It’s been rebuilt numerous times and is now over two-and-a-half miles (4km) in length, lined with stores, places to eat, rides, games and arcades. There is also a pier and pavilion. But does it still have its historic charm?
While a slice of seaside kitsch is always welcome on holiday, Ocean City Boardwalk is less kitsch and more cringe. Think lurid souvenir stalls, the smell of junk food, overpriced rides and large, boisterous crowds on hot days.
Many disgruntled visitors have complained of the high crime rates and rubbish on the boardwalk too. Not to mention, the predatory seagulls.
Epicentre of the USA’s alien conspiracy theories, this New Mexico city has garnered a big reputation for itself after suspected remains of an alien spacecraft were found here by a ranch worker in 1947. Roswell is now cashing in on its fame with one of its main attractions being the International UFO and Research Center on Main Street, which lures in extra-terrestrial hunters looking for answers.
Does it really offer an out-of-this-world experience though?
Sadly, for all its otherworldly intrigue, those that go out of their way to visit will largely find a very down-to-earth experience of gift shops, alien-themed motels and restaurants and a tacky museum masquerading as a research centre, where the aliens look more meek than menacing.
To be fair to Roswell, the streetlamps having alien heads on them is quite cool. The stargazing in these parts is also pretty special.
Founded by Pat Olivieri in 1930 and still family run, Pat’s Kings of Steaks is the place to try Philadelphia’s famous cheesesteak sandwich, which Pat is said to have invented. Queues snake out the door of this South Philly institution on the corner of South 9th and Wharton Streets, known for its brisk service.
It has appeared in numerous movies and politicians' photo opps but does it serve up a stellar steak sandwich or simply trade on its reputation?
Opinion is divided as to whether Pat's trades off its reputation or is the best place in Philly to try the city’s signature sarnie. 'Overrated', 'underwhelming', 'overpriced' and 'tourist trap' are among the negative terms thrown at the fast-food joint online.
Whatever they're saying about it, the cheesesteak shop clearly has staying power given the constant queues.
At the heart of Key West, Duval Street dates back to the early 1900s. It has been dubbed 'the longest street in the world', running from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean.
This fabled, mile-long (1.6km) thoroughfare in the Conch Republic’s Old Town is home to some of the island’s most picturesque historic buildings, including some legendary bars. The street tops most tourists’ lists when exploring the island for the first time. For all its old-world charm though, is this notorious party stretch still a must-do?
Whether it's essential or not comes down to your noise and crowd tolerance levels. As far as locals are concerned, Duval Street is one long tourist trap to swerve – especially when cruise ships have docked.
If you’re in the mood for a party atmosphere, it’s undoubtedly fun but once you’ve walked its length once (and sampled a cocktail at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, which opened in 1933 and is designated a National Historic Landmark) there’s no reason to rush back to this crowd-clogged artery. You’ll find plenty of other pretty streets that ooze Key West charm and that have better places to eat, drink and shop on them.
One of America’s best-known streets, Nashville’s Broadway is a world-renowned neon-clad hub for honky-tonk bars and live music venues. Nicknamed Honky Tonk Highway, the strip became associated with the city’s booming music scene in the 1930s and is now a major tourist attraction.
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, one of the most iconic landmarks here, launched the careers of some big name country stars including Willie Nelson. However, is the downtown thoroughfare still the place to go in Music City to see authentic acts?
If you’re happy with rowdy bars, beer-covered floors and bands cranking out covers (loudly), the bars of Broadway will hit the spot. But if you’re looking to watch up-and-coming acts, this is one tourist trap you’ll be happy to avoid after ticking its bright lights off your checklist.
As the city continues its tourism boom (visitor numbers are expected to hit 17.8 million by 2026), you can bet your bottom dollar the pavements and bar queues on this legendary lit-up strip are only going to get more overcrowded.
See how much America's most famous streets have changed over the years
Could this be the world’s most famous pavement? Quite possibly. The star-studded sidewalk known as the Hollywood Walk of Fame lines both sides of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street.
The walk of fame was the brainchild of E.M. Stuart, president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, in the 1950s. Today, it is one of the key sights that movie lovers flock to in Hollywood. With roughly 2,800 stars to spot though, has it maintained its star appeal?
Overcrowded, dirty, super touristy, home to hustling street vendors and 'very, very long' are just some of the main complaints about it online. Sadly, for many, seeing this Los Angeles landmark in the flesh does not live up to the hype.
While it's free to walk along, you may find yourself jostling with selfie-taking crowds on the famed strip and decide to swerve it altogether.
Whisking visitors back to the dark days of 1692 and 1693, when the fledgling community of Salem was swirling in superstition and tales of the supernatural, the Salem Witch Museum is considered a Massachusetts must-see. The museum, which opened on Salem Green in 1972 in an old church, tells the story of the infamous Salem Witch Trials with life-size models and immersive exhibitions that examine the history of the 'witch'.
Is it a haunting hit or overcrowded spot to avoid?
The spooky spot was named one of the world’s biggest tourist traps by USA Today, based on online reviewer feedback. It’s certainly busy, drawing more than 300,000 visitors a year as the touristy town’s most popular attraction.
Salem itself is clogged with tourists and tour buses year-round, but oppressively so in October when Halloween brings in even more visitors: over one million people visited the town in October 2024. Truly horrifying for those who hate crowds.
Promising 'one-of-a-kind' animal experiences, 'record-breaking' roller coasters and kid-friendly rides galore, SeaWorld is a firm fixture on most families' Orlando itineraries. The marine-themed park opened in the Florida city in 1973 as the third in the SeaWorld chain, offering wildlife shows and exhibits before rides became a core part of its offering in the 1990s.
Huge queues, overpriced food, poor service, rides all too often closed for maintenance and concerns around animal welfare have seen this Orlando attraction underwhelm and appal many visitors. While the marine park still draws millions of visitors each year, its attendance figures have been falling steadily since 2019.
According to Statista, visitor numbers fell to 4.34 million in 2023. This was a decrease in attendance of 2.5% on the previous year.
The greatest natural wonder in the USA, the Grand Canyon National Park draws close to five million visitors annually. When the Skywalk, a glass walled and floored viewing bridge, opened in 2007 on the western edge within the Hualapai Indian Reservation, it promised a new perspective on the geological wonder and a thrilling experience of walking on air high above the gaping canyon.
But does it really have the wow factor?
Attracting one million visitors annually, with its promise of awe-inspiring views, the Skywalk experience inevitably brings long queues. Many visitors are also disappointed to learn that there is a 'no camera' rule, due to safety concerns, meaning there is no chance of capturing those 'never seen before' views.
Needless to say, expensive photo packages are available – all of which incur extra wait times. Other online critics have complained that the Skywalk itself is 'overpriced', 'not worth it' and a bit of a 'gimmick'. Higher, better and free viewpoints of the canyon can be found elsewhere.
Times Square used to be one of the main must-see sights in Manhattan, a neon-daubed entertainment hub at the heart of the Big Apple. Sat at the intersection between Seventh Avenue, 42nd Street and Broadway, iconic Times Square is where the New Year's Eve Ball has descended at 11.59pm on 31 December, as part of the city's famous New Year celebrations, since 1907.
However, the reputation of this world-famous city centre area has warped in recent years. It's got so bad, in fact, that we're ranking it number one on our list of US tourist traps to avoid.
While its bright lights and yellow cabs are still set to thrill first timers to the city, the selfie-taking hordes, tacky souvenir stores and traffic jams soon tarnish the excitement of being in Times Square. While it remains the gateway to the theatre district of Broadway, this overcrowded and overhyped Midtown intersection can happily be bypassed.
For us, it's easily America's worst tourist trap. When you're in New York, arguably the world's greatest city, there are thousands of better ways to spend your time. Trust us.