We’ve all been ensnared by tourist traps, those vacation “must-sees” that turn out to be overcrowded, overpriced, and inauthentic should-have-skippeds. If you’re planning your summer vacation, here’s how to avoid the biggest and worst tourist traps, whether you’re traveling in the United States or internationally.
The key to avoiding tourist traps is preparation
By far the most effective way to identify and avoid tourist traps is to do some research before you leave. Guidebooks and travel websites can be good resources, but they can also be influenced by advertising and marketing, usually by the kind of places you’re trying to avoid. So the best way to research a destination is to talk to someone who lives in the place you’re visiting, or who used to live there. Reach out to your friends in real life and online and ask “Is anyone from Yonkers? I’m going there in June.” People love to recommend cool places and steer you away from lame ones; plus, these are people who know you so they’ll know what you like.
If you aren’t connected to someone who has lived in your destination, use Reddit. Almost every city has a subreddit, so post a respectful query on r/Yonkers about what to visit, where to stay, and what to avoid. Give some information about your interests and get ready to wade through a ton of often conflicting answers and arguments; that’s the way of the internet.
How to avoid tourist traps after you’ve arrived
If you’ve arrived at travel destination without a plan and you want to avoid tourist traps, do so by avoiding other tourists. If you find yourself somewhere with no sign of locals, it’s probably an inauthentic experience designed to separate rubes from their cash as quickly as possible. Gift shops are another marker—too many opportunities to buy trinkets should send you in the other direction.
In terms of restaurants, go where locals go. Avoid places with menus in multiple languages, hawkers trying to lure you inside, and gimmicky food—these are all signs of touristy places.
My idea of the very worst tourist trap on Earth is any cruise ship. I know some people enjoy these kind of experiences—there’s an open bar and you don’t have to worry about much of anything—but a cruise ship is the definition of a tourist trap: The only people there are tourists, and you’re literally trapped. On a boat. With other people.
The world’s worst tourist traps
Website Casago recently compiled a massive list of the world’s biggest tourist traps. They dug through Trip Advisor’s user reviews and determined the place mostly likely to be called a “tourist trap” by online reviewers. it. It’s a blunt instrument, but I can’t argue with the results: Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco is the world’s biggest tourist trap. The Dole Plantation in Hawaii, number three on the list, is pretty bad too.
But…when I looked a little deeper, it made me question whether avoiding all “tourists traps” is actually a good vacation goal in the first place.
Is St. Peter’s Basilica actually a tourist trap?
The descriptor of “tourist trap” is almost always seen as a negative, but maybe some people are using the phrase wrong. Sure, some places that attract tourists are faked-out experiences designed to empty wallets as quickly as possible (I’m looking at you, Cheeseburger in Paradise). But tourists also go to places because they’re cool, interesting, and unique. There’s a reason so many folks visit the Parthenon, and are you really going to travel to Paris and not go to the Eiffel Tower, supposedly the biggest tourist trap in France? Do you want to go to Rome and miss the Trevi Fountain because it’s surrounded by t-shirt shops?
When you’re traveling, you are a tourist, even if you don’t like what that means, so it’s often better to just embrace it—go ahead and wear that fanny pack; no one knows you here. Visit the absolute dumbest tourist spots you can find with the full knowledge that they’re lame. You’re on vacation!
People like to pay lip service to the idea having an “authentic” experience while traveling, but that’s usually not possible unless you’re staying for a while to get the vibe of a place, or you’re friends with some locals. And even if you do know some guys in Bali, most of the authentic people in tourist locations work at boring jobs in the tourism industry, marking the days until they can go on vacations of their own.
How to Spot the Worst Tourist Traps (and When to Just Give in and Visit Them)
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on ‘Pokémon Scarlet’ and ‘Violet’ Fan Theories Suggest Legendary Time Travel, Alternate Dimension Plot
on Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on Inside the Michael Jordan ‘Air’ movie, plus why NFL, others are buying into the sports film industry
on If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer