Experienced travelers know there are two types of cities: Memorable towns that are always worth visiting and places that are nothing more than tourist traps! Sometimes, it’s just as important to know the places in the world to avoid as it is to know which places to visit. Recently, frequent adventurers met in an online discussion to reveal the most touristy cities in the world.
1. Freeport, Bahamas
It’s a shame that the Bahamas parlays its extensive natural beauty and perfect year-round climate into another way to extract as many tourism dollars from unsuspecting visitors. “Freeport, along with Nassau, is where cruise ships are constantly coming and going, and the local economy has developed to capture as much of the passengers’ money as possible in the short time they’re there,” laments one frequent traveler.
2. Las Vegas, Nevada
It doesn’t matter how much fun you have (or how much money you win) in Las Vegas; one inalienable truth remains: The city is designed to use you and spit you out. Many people believe Las Vegas to be the most stereotypical of all tourist trap destinations. There is arguably nothing in the city that is authentic or local — with all due respect to the people who live there, of course!
3. Honolulu, Hawaii
Countless places in Hawaii offer extraordinary experiences and flawless hospitality, like Kauai and Maui. Unfortunately, thanks to hosting the largest airport in the area, Honolulu has become packed with millions of visitors each year, and the city rolls out the red carpet for each of them! Many locals believe Honolulu isn’t an authentic Hawaiian experience since local businesses cater so much to tourism.
4. Kuta, Indonesia
There are countless memorable spots in Bali, but some parts of Indonesia cater to the tourist crowd. Kuta is a prime example of a place that is deliberately Instagrammable in the most pretentious way. “Bali is a wonderful place to visit in general, but this part of Bali is pretty weird, and everything is geared towards early 20s backpackers,” reveals one woman. “You’ll find nothing local about it.”
5. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Surprisingly, a handful of people believe Amsterdam has too many touristy qualities. “As lovely as this city is and as much as I had fun there, there are better places to see in the Netherlands,” admits one man. “I never once felt like I was mingling with the locals in Amsterdam. It was also hard to find restaurants with local cuisine.” I wholly disagree with this assessment! Amsterdam has plenty of culture and local cuisine; you must try to find it.
6. Hollywood, California
I’m sure I’m not the first person to tell you that Hollywood is a perfect example of an entirely overrated tourist city. From the dilapidated buildings to the unsafe streets to the general smell of the area, Hollywood is not worth anyone’s time in 2023. I must credit the town, though: TV and movies have done a great job of making Hollywood seem like something it isn’t.
7. Santorini, Greece
Let’s put it this way: If you’re an Instagram-obsessed millennial, you’ll feel right at home in Santorini, Greece! “Santorini is a lovely, typical Cycladic island where you’ll be shoulder to shoulder with a few thousand tourists on a narrow path in Oia,” explains one woman. “You can get similar photos on many of the Cycladic islands without the crowd and hyped-up prices to go with it.” This cliffside city is a marvel, but it comes at a cost: An increasingly tourist-driven culture.
8. South Beach, Florida
If you love the hipness and cool factor Miami provides but would love to spend your day shopping at places you can’t afford and your nights eating at restaurants that are overhyped and bland, South Beach is for you! I don’t know why South Beach exists. It only feels like people thought, “How do we make South Florida even more touristy?” and then proceeded to accomplish that goal.
9. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Although its location on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean attracts millions of visitors annually, Myrtle Beach doesn’t hide the fact that it caters to lower-class tourists, earning it the nickname of “Redneck Riviera.” One person puts it all into perspective. “I went there with my family and ended up loving the neighboring towns so much more,” reports one husband. “I honestly don’t get the hype for Myrtle Beach.”
10. Venice, Italy
Venice is arguably the most serene city in Italy, from the canals to the food. Unfortunately, like many cities on this list, it comes at a price: Venice loves marketing itself as a tourist destination, leading to overcrowding and overpricing! “The gorgeous town is nothing but cruises and busses just dumping hundreds of people into that tiny space,” explains one woman. “I really feel for the locals during high season. It must be brutal.”
11. Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
If you ask 100 Canadians what the biggest touristy city in the country is, the vast majority will quickly reply with “Niagara Falls.” Although the falls are beautiful, many Canadians lament that the city is kitschy and dull, with endless stores selling cheap trinkets and souvenirs. According to those who are familiar, culture is lacking in this part of Canada.
12. Wall Drug, South Dakota
Sometimes, cities unabashedly market themselves as a tourist destination first and figure out how to accomplish that goal second. Wall Drug is the worst of the worst. “You see billboards for it across the country, especially on Interstates 80 and 90, but it’s all tourist shops and nothing else,” reveals one woman. “I think it’s the epitome of a tourist trap because it’s advertised to such a crazy degree, and there are only tourist shops with no attractions in the relatively low-population town.”
Source:Â Reddit.
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Who doesn’t like going on a relaxing (or strenuous, depending on your preference) hike that isn’t far from the middle of a bustling city? Millions of Americans hike at least once yearly, and most live close to bigger towns offering nearby trails just out of city limits. Recently, experienced hikers met in an online discussion to reveal the best U.S. cities that provide the quickest access to excellent hikes.
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Traveling solo is challenging, especially for females. While the thrill of exploring a new place is exhilarating, there are plenty of tips and tricks savvy travelers swear by. Recently, solo female travelers met in an online discussion, put their heads together, and came up with a list of the essential travel hacks for any woman embarking on a solo adventure of a lifetime.
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For millions of travelers worldwide, flying is the opposite of a calm and peaceful experience. Flight anxiety is real, and sometimes it can be crippling, especially during turbulence. However, hope is not lost! Recently, frequent fliers met in an online discussion to reveal the best tips and strategies for staying calm during your next flight.
This article was initially published and syndicated by The Cents of Money.
