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There are places all over the world that are considered tourist traps, or places where tourists are lured in with the expectation of something great. Sometimes, these attractions can exploit travelers with overpriced goods or services, but other times, they can really live up to the hype. Either way, it's always good to be aware of what popular and frequently visited locations are considered tourist traps that won't have much to offerbefore you travel there.

Here are the places considered the biggest tourist traps in every state—from the good to the bad and the downright weird. (It's also worth noting that a lot of spots that have been considered major tourist traps in the past no longer exist, perhaps because of the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of visitors.)

Read on to see if any of your future "must-see" tourist spots around the U.S. made the list. Maybe there are even a few you've been to before! And for more travel tips, check out The 10 Best Trips Every Movie Lover Has to Take in Their Lifetime.

Ironically, the first tourist trap on this list isn't the biggest. Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman, Alabama is actually one the smallest as a miniature landscaped village. Per the grotto's website, the miniature town includes 125 tiny stone and cement structures made by Benedictine monk, Brother Joseph Zoetl, O.S.B. of St. Bernard Abbey. He evidently began the creation in 1912 and finished with the Lourdes Basilica Church in miniature in 1958.

For travelers who love miniatures of anything, this could be a great destination. But for others, it can be an underwhelming two-block site.

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Just because Alaska has a reputation for being cold doesn't mean it's quite north enough to be at The North Pole. But that hasn't stopped one city in the state from trying. North Pole, Alaska celebrates Christmas all year round. Their whole city is done up for Santa's arrival at all times, and even has streets like Mistletoe Lane–just in case you needed further evidence of their loyalty to Christmas.

To the surprise of no one, Arizona's biggest tourist trap is a spot that's notorious for being advertised on billboards along the highway. The Thing Museum, located at the Bowlin Travel Center in Benson, is a circus sideshow-esque showcase. According to its website, there are hundreds of billboards advertising The Thing to drivers traveling down the road. What is The Thing? Their famous answer is that you'll have to go to the museum to find out… but we can tell you that involves aliens.

Crater of Diamonds State Park has its fair share of disappointment, according to Tripadvisor. While some visitors might balk at the idea of digging around in the dirt at the prospect of maybe finding a diamond, it can happen. The largest diamond ever found at the park (a 2.38-carat brown diamond) was uncovered by a guest in May 2022.Arkansas State Parks said one to two diamonds are found and registered by park visitors every day.

Without a doubt, Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, California is the state's biggest tourist trap… with an emphasis on the biggest. A street dotted with celebrity names and full of impersonators or costumed characters, this spot has its fair share of pop culture references. Take this locale'sTripadvisor reviews to show that the experiences in the area are very hit or miss.

Regardless of whether you think this is a cool spot or not, Four Corners in Colorado is definitely the state's biggest tourist trap. Where else could you get a Twister-like photo sprawling across four states at once? At the Four Corners Monument, you can simultaneously be in Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. And, well, that's it. There's plenty else to see out this way, according to Colorado tourism–if you're up for it after traveling to four states.

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Since the 1950s, Holy Land USA has been part of Waterbury, Connecticut. The pinnacle of the site found at the top of a hill is a giant lighted cross that sits high above the statues that depict the life of Jesus Christ below. Per Holy Land USA's website, this park is a place where folks can gather in peace together while also seeing attractions based on the Bible.

Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk is another example of a place that can be considered a tourist trap that is still popular for folks. It is a frequent recipient of Travelers' Choice awards from Tripadvisor with visitors raving about the snacks. Although, some tourists have chimed in about the boardwalk being overcrowded at times with difficult parking. Still, you get one look at those fries and you have to admit: They look mighty tasty.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

He wasn't a monk, but Edward Leedskalnin did carve over 1,100 tons of coral rock by himself in secret for almost 30 years. Those efforts have culminated in a bizarre place called the Coral Castle Museum in Miami, Florida. According to the sculpture garden's website, no one ever found or figured out how Leedskalnin managed to do all that carving… but we're not sure it's worth it to try to crack the mystery.

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Bubbling up to the top in Atlanta, Georgia is none other than the World of Coca-Cola. Millions of visitors come through this space every year. They taste some soda, learn about the brand, contemplate what the secret formula tucked away in the vault might be, and hang with the Polar Bear mascot. Tulad ngFuturama once portended, Coca-Cola is pretty tied to its home in Georgia.

One of the most famous beaches in the country and, perhaps, even the world, Waikiki Beach gained its popularity because of Duke Kahanamoku. Kahanamoku made surfing famous and, by default, this beach as well. Though it remains a destination for many, it is also plagued by the typical tourist trap issues: high prices and high population density. Ayon kayYelp, if you want a chair or umbrella, you better be prepared to pay between $50 and $80 for just a few hours.

Another park to add to this list, only this time it has a more stellar backstory. Craters of the Moon National Monument is made up of lavaflows and sagebrush in Arco, Idaho. Because of its unique environmental aesthetic, the preserve/monument is said to simulate the landscape of the moon (well, with gravity anyway). You can even sleep here if you're so inclined.

It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's the Super Museum! In Illinois' very own Metropolis, you'll find what is, evidently, the world's largest collection of Superman in an appropriately painted brick building. Per the museum, there are around 70,000 items in the collection and even a giant Superman statue outside. Get that Superhero pose ready!

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This is probably the only place on the list that has appointments. The World's Largest Paint Ball, created by Mike and Glenda Carmichael of Alexandria, Indiana, can be seen any day of the week from 9 to 5 so long as you call or email to make an appointment. Here you will see a baseball that is covered with over 27,000 layers of paint.

There was a time when Spook Cave was, apparently, set up to spook you. Which makes sense. Now, it still has some of its silly spookiness, though it's more of a cave tour than haunted house at this point, according to Roadside America. It's an actual cave tour by boat with the trappings of what could be considered a literal tourist trap. After all, the cave itself only has one passageway.

It would almost be insulting if the biggest touristy spot in Kansas wasn't Dorothy's house, right? Ayon saDorothy House, the beginnings of the endeavor to bring The Wizard of Oz to life in Kansas involved a resident traveling to San Francisco in the 1970s and asking a waiter what he would expect to see in Kansas. Ang sagot? A house like the one from the beloved film. Ayan. That's how this cinematic replica and its Land of Oz touring area were born.

"Biggest" gets some liberties here because Kentucky is home to Ark Encounter–where you see a full-sized Noah's Ark replica. Per the website, it was made to the exact specificity given in the Bible: 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high. When you're done at the ark itself, you can hop over to the Ark Encounter theme park. Though, given that the ark was built for an apocalypse, a horror theme park would probably be more fitting.

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Bourbon Street has a reputation for being the place to be in New Orleans. If you ask Tripadvisor though, it's not even in the top 100. Even so, the street itself is made to cater to tourists in the best and worst ways. If you do decide to go out on Bourbon, remember not to make eye contact with the random people selling shots on the sidewalk or to answer anyone who says they bet they can tell you where you got your shoes.

Visiting the East Coast, especially for foodies, means gorging on some fresh seafood and knowing it'll cost a pretty penny. And if you decide to indulge your lobster tooth at Lobster Shack at Two Lights in Maine, it'll probably cost even more than usual. This spot is big for tourists and has had its time on the Travel Channel too, so it's definitely a tourist trap. At least the ocean views and shack-like coziness give it a warm and beachy aesthetic.

Not only is Inner Harbor one of the oldest seaports in the country, with history dating into the 1600s, it's also one of the busiest tourist attraction areas in Baltimore, Maryland. Tripadvisor suggests at least three hours to spend in this area, which is full of shops, restaurants, museums, and other attractions. If you don't mind the crowds, there is fascinating history to be found here.

Ayon kayBoston.com, Faneuil Hall Marketplace has more annual visitors than Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. If that's true, this place must be packed like sardines. Especially since the whole marketplace is about eight acres, and Magic Kingdom is 142. Still, as one of Boston's major historical spaces, Faneuil Hall is still bringing in guests well into its almost 300 years of operation. That's a feat.

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In the same category as The Thing Museum, Mystery Spot in Saint Ignace, Michigan is another one of those wacky roadside attractions that beg you to inquire. Even though the locale is a bit dated, per Tripadvisor user reviews, the ziplines, minigolf, mazes, and optical illusions do delight the kiddos. At the time of publication, Mystery Spot's website wasn't working, so what it entails really is quite a mystery.

With hundreds of stores, tons of restaurants, an aquarium, and an actual theme park inside, Mall of America wanted to be a destination in its own right. This behemoth Minnesotan attraction has been around since 1992 and visitors tend to love or hate it. Myself? I am a Camp Snoopy fan (the original theme park) all the way, and Nickelodeon Universe just isn't as good.

No offense to The King, but he probably wouldn't be surprised that his Birthplace Museum was on this list. His childhood was pretty tragic. That hasn't stopped fans of Elvis from all over the world from stopping by theElvis Presley Birthplace and Museum in Tupelo, Mississippi. His childhood church is on the premises too, which is pretty cool because that's where Elvis found his musical roots.

Branson, Missouri is one of those parts of the country that is known for being a place for tourists. That said, The Titanic Museum has a pretty great reputation even though it is absolutely for tourists. (This location is owned by the same person who owns the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee museum.) Every visitor gets assigned a passenger that they learn about during their tour of the museum before finding out their fate at the end. Touristy? Yes. Still cool? Also yes.

Anytime a place has a claim to fame like "state's largest gift shop," it's probably a tourist trap. If it has a restaurant and a gas station? It's probably a tourist trap. 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar in Haugan, Montana? It has all three. And two casinos, two bars, and a convenience store. The name is derived from the massive silver dollar collection you're surrounded by inside the bar itself.

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Despite its name, this isn't a wild west-style town. Pioneer Village is actually a 50,000+ item museum that depicts how the country grew from its days of buggies to the technological super age. Ayon samuseum, it is the only one of its kind in the country that really shows "how America grew." Museum founder Harold Warp chose the year 1830 to be the museum's chronological beginning so there is a lot of innovation to see.

Sorpresa! It's not Las Vegas. Largely because of its name,Alien Research Center is Nevada's biggest tourist trap. Bakit? Because, unless you look it up, you'll be under the impression that this is a museum or some kind of cool extraterrestrial attraction–it's not. It's a souvenir shop on the way to Area 51. Not a bad tourist trap, though it definitely fits under the "deceptive" category.

A place where families go for a good time without having to trek down to Orlando: Story Land in New Hampshire. With theme park rides, character interactions, and other experiences, Story Land is a place where fairy tales come to life, according to its website. Though the Daniel Tiger costume and knockoff Tinker Bell in thisphoto definitely give off an upgraded Hollywood Boulevard or Times Square character vibes.

Jersey Shore has quite a reputation, thanks to MTV, so its role as a tourist destination only makes sense. Like many other parts of the East Coast, Jersey is full of boardwalks, which often become tourist traps. But one of the biggest, most popular boardwalks is also still considered a pretty good spot despite being so touristy. Ocean City boardwalk was named the best in the state by NJ.com. Even with all the trappings of the others, Ocean City is apparently still the right mix of locals and tourists–overpriced snacks, silly t-shirts, and all.

Obviously, it's Roswell. The whole of the city, really. Because of its reputation for being the site of Area 51, Roswell, New Mexico became the epicenter for all things alien encounters. You'll find the UFO Museum here, other exhibits around space/interterrestrial phenomena, and even chain restaurants getting down with the outer space theme. There are things in Roswell that aren't alien-centered, but the little green men have a stranglehold on this spot.

If you've done it once, you probably don't want to do it again: Times Square. Depending on where you're going in New York City, it might be inevitable to have to venture into the square, though it has become the epitome of a tourist trap. From being harassed by scammers to creepy costumed characters, overwhelming neon and way too many people, Times Square looks better on TV–and smells better too.

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With hit or miss reviews on TripAdvisor, Mary's Gone Wild in Supply, North Carolina is an oddball tourist trap. Artist Mary Paulsen started making folk art from glass bottles in 1996 and now her thousands upon thousands of art pieces are available for public viewing. The Visionary Folk Art Garden and Doll Village has a philanthropic side too in abating childhood hunger, according to its website. So. tourist trap or art gallery, it's the only place on this list that's giving back.

In 1931, it was determined that the geological center of North America was in Rugby, North Dakota, so there is a large monument dedicated to that fact… and tourists travel to see it. Though the validity of that geological point has been debated, even in jest, it's the claim to fame for the ND town. Also, the monument is now in the parking lot of a local Mexican restaurant, so at least there is food nearby?

Wax museums in general are tourist traps, and the BibleWalk location is no exception. It's the only wax museum in Ohio and includes 325 figures of Biblical characters enacting 100 scenes, per its website. Ang nakakakita ng mga kilalang tao ng waks ay sapat na kakaiba sa iba pang mga museyo, hayaan lamang na tinitigan ni Judas Iscariot.

Inaasahan namin na hindi sila bumangon, ngunit angJ.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum ay masyadong kakaiba hindi upang maging ang pinakamalaking bitag ng turista sa Oklahoma. Bukod sa pagiging pinakamalaking koleksyon ng pribadong gaganapin ng mga baril sa mundo na may higit sa 12,000 baril sa kanilang koleksyon, ang museo ay mayroon ding mga tarong, beer steins, at mga lokal na artifact ng kasaysayan ng county. Dahil lang.

Kung mahilig ka sa mga dinosaur, pag -ibig sa kalikasan, at pupunta sa Jurassic Park kung mayroon kang garantiya na hindi kinakain, baka mahalin mo angPrehistoric Gardens sa Gold Beach, Oregon. Ang halos dalawang dosenang laki ng buhay na dinos ay hangal at cool din sa parehong oras. Minsan ang mga atraksyon sa kalsada o mga traps ng turista ay sikat sa isang kadahilanan.

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Tandaan ang kwento tungkol sa maliit na matandang ginang na nakatira sa isang sapatos? Kaya, ang isang tao ay talagang nagtayo ng isang bahay na hugis ng sapatos sa York, Pennsylvania, at maaari kang pumasok sa loob nito.Haines Shoe House ay limang antas at maaaring maglakbay mula sa tagsibol hanggang Oktubre. Ang mag -asawa na kasalukuyang nagmamay -ari ng bahay kahit na ang mga paglilibot. Kahit na hindi ka mapabilib ng bahay, kahit papaano may ice cream na ibinebenta.

Salita sa matalino, kung ang isang bagay ay may salitang "misteryo" sa loob nito, marahil ito ay isang bitag na turista. Kaya napupunta ang kwento para sa Misteryo Tower ng Newport, na kilala rin bilang Misteryo Viking Tower. Ayon kayRoadside America, pinaniniwalaan na ang tower ay itinayo ng Vikings noong 1100s, o ang Knights Templars noong 1300s, o ang mga Tsino noong 1400s ... at iba pa. Ito ay isang luma, random tower sa gitna ng Newport, Rhode Island.

Ang masamang pag-iingat, kawastuhan sa politika, at hindi banayad na mga stereotype sa tabi, ang timog ng hangganan ay isang pang-akit ng turista sa ilang kadahilanan. Pinangalanan para sa pagiging posisyon nito kasama ang hangganan ng Timog at North Carolina, ito ay isang tindahan ng regalo na may isang naka -tackle na pangalan. Kahit naAng mga bisita ay may medyo halo -halong mga opinyon Tungkol sa "patutunguhan," sa pangkalahatan.

Nakita mo na ba ang mga bumper sticker para sa gamot sa dingding? Kung saan naramdaman ang isang biro sa loob na nawala sa atin? Mabuti,Gamot sa dingding ay nasa South Dakota at isang pagsasama -sama ng mga bagay na gumagawa ng mga traps ng turista, well, mga traps ng turista. Sa mga photo opps, restawran, mga tindahan ng regalo, mga bagay na gagawin sa mga bata, at mga pagpipilian sa libangan, ang paghinto na ito ay tulad ng isang jacked-up na pang-akit sa kalsada sa mga steroid. O, mas naaangkop, isang pang -akit na pang -akit sa kalsada.

Tulad ng Branson, Gatlinburg, nagsimula ang Tennessee bilang isang lugar kung saan pupunta ang mga tao upang makatakas sa kalikasan. Ngayon, ang lungsod ay hindi lamang nasobrahan ng mga turista sa buong taon, puno din ito ng mga tindahan ng souvenir ng turista. Ang mga traps ng turista sa lungsod ay napakalawak doonMga Artikulo partikular sa kung paano maiiwasan ang mga ito.

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Ang lahat ay mas malaki sa Texas, di ba? Kahit na ang mga traps ng turista.Big Texan Sa Amarillo, ang Texas ay kilala para sa 72 oz. Steak Hamon, Giant Steer, at lahat ng mga bagay Texas. Ayon sa website ng Big Texan, higit sa kalahating milyong mga tao mula sa buong mundo ang dumarating sa bawat taon. At ngayon, mayroon itong Airbnb at RV ranch kaya hindi mo na kailangang umalis!

Pagpunta sa Moab, Utah, handa kang makakita ng maraming mga pormasyon ng bato. Ang hindi mo maaaring asahan na makita ay tulad ngAng butas n "ang bato. Ang 5,000-square-foot home na ito ay itinayo sa bato na naging isang atraksyon ng turista at tindahan ng regalo. Maaari kang mag-tour mismo sa bahay, tingnan ang kanilang mga nasa nasasakupang zoo at iba pang mga atraksyon na turista na kanilang nakolekta, tulad ng Big Foot (hindi ang tunay, paumanhin).

Kapag ang isang lugar ay nakalaan upang maging isang bitag ng turista, magalang lamang na libre din ito. Iyon ang kaso sa Vermont'sAng Museo ng Pang -araw -araw na Buhay. Ipinagdiriwang ng museo na ito ang mundong, pati na rin ang mga bagay na maaari nating gamitin araw -araw nang walang pangalawang pag -iisip.Nakaraang mga bisita Gustung -gusto ang lugar na ito dahil pinapanatili nito ang Vermont na kakaiba, na maaari nating pahalagahan.

Sa anumang kadahilanan, ang mga traps ng turista ay mahilig gumamit ng mga dinosaur upang maakit ang mga bisita. White Post, Virginia'sLand ng Dinosaur, ay isa pang halimbawa ng mga turista ng Dinos na nag -trap. Dito maaari kang makatagpo ng limampung dinosaur na maaaring nasa panahon ng Mesozoic. Siyempre, mayroon ding dino na may temang regalo sa tindahan kung sakaling hindi ka nakakakuha ng sapat na oras ng dinosaur sa parke.

Pasensya naStarbucks, Ang iyong orihinal na lokasyon ay isang bitag ng turista. Maliban kung ikaw ay isang diehard mermaid na tagahanga ng kape, ang orihinal na lokasyon ng 1971 coffee shop sa Pike Place Market sa Seattle ay turista sa max. Sigurado, ito ang unang lokasyon at cool na, kahit na madalas itong masikip. Ang mga nakaraang bisita ay nagsabi saYelp na hindi talaga nagkakahalaga ng linya.

Tandaan kung ano ang sinabi namin tungkol sa mga bagay na tinatawag na "Misteryo?" West Virginia'sMisteryo hole ay isa pang lugar na isang kombinasyon ng tindahan at pang -akit na pang -akit. Tiyak na mukhang ang misteryo na shack mula sa "Gravity Falls" na nagtataka sa amin kung iyon ang batay sa shack. Hokey na pang -akit sa kalsada o hindi,mga bisita Mukhang medyo halo -halong tungkol sa kung ang mga tao ay dapat na huminto.

Bahay sa bato May isang medyo kakaibang reputasyon dahil ito ay isang kakaibang lugar. Bilang isang katutubong Wisconsinite, tiyak na ito ang pinakamalaking bitag ng turista sa estado. Ito ay isang museo ng mga kakatwang upang matiyak na may ilang mga kagiliw -giliw na disenyo ng arkitektura, bagaman sa pangkalahatan, ito ay isang sobrang pag -akit na nakakaakit ng mga tao na may pagkilala sa pangalan lamang. IsaTripAdvisor Tinantya ng bisita na 15% ng bayad na paglilibot ay sulit at sasang -ayon ako. Kahit na ang infinity room ay medyo kamangha -manghang -at medyo nakakatakot.

Ang isang listahan ng turista ng bitag ay hindi maaaring kumpleto nang walang isang hangganan na bayan.Old Trail Town ay binubuo ng higit sa dalawang dosenang mga gusali na may petsang 1879 hanggang 1901, na may mga artifact ng Frontier Era na ipinapakita din. Dito, makikita mo rin ang Museum ng Old West.TripAdvisor Sinasabi ng mga gumagamit na huwag hayaan ang iyong unang mga impression sa lugar na ito na humadlang sa iyo na suriin ito dahil ang karamihan ay humanga sa mga (mga) koleksyon.

Para sa higit pang mga tip sa paglalakbay, tingnanAng nangungunang 10 lungsod na may pinakamamahal na mga hotel, sabi ng bagong data.