The United States is a vast country with over 109,000 cities and towns and many popular tourist hotspots, promising visitors fascinating history, famous landmarks, natural wonders, impressive architecture, and cultural delights. But not every city lives up to the hype! Here, we explore 19 American destinations that often leave visitors underwhelmed.
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Once a booming seaside resort, Atlantic City has fallen into decline in recent years. While still operational, the iconic boardwalk is often described as ‘run-down,’ and the casinos are now becoming dated and faded. Despite this shabbiness, high-end gambling and expensive restaurants predominate, which can put off budget-conscious travelers.
Hollywood, California
One of the most iconic places in America, the home of the US film industry attracts movie buffs hoping for fame, glitzy history, and glamor, but they can be disappointed. News.com says that Hollywood is the most complained about tourist destination worldwide—an underwhelming sprawl of tourist traps, dirty walk-of-fame stars, impersonators, and aggressive street hawkers.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville’s reputation as the “Music City” attracts millions of country music lovers every year.
The city promises an energetic and immersive honky-tonk scene and the iconic live-music venue, the Grand Ole Opry, yet the reality can put visitors off. Stifling crowds, overpriced tourist bars, and a focus on tacky bachelorette parties have all caused disappointment.
Niagara Falls, New York
The power and scale of Niagara Falls are undeniably impressive, yet the town nestled on its banks often leaves visitors longing for escape. The area surrounding the falls is extremely touristy, cluttered, and commercialized, with overpriced restaurants and kitschy souvenir shops that detract from the natural beauty of the falls, even from the crowded viewing platform.
Orlando, Florida
Promising manmade thrills, the theme park capital of the world attracts Disney lovers, roller coaster enthusiasts, and families from around the world. However, Open Edition Journals claims over 5 million visitors flock to the city each year, causing long lines in scorching heat and overly priced tickets and food. Many visitors wish they’d explored Florida’s natural wonders instead.
Memphis, Tennessee
For die-hard Elvis fans, a pilgrimage to Graceland is often a long-held dream, but the actual place can be disappointing. The ‘King’s’ mansion itself is a relatively small building, often packed with visitors, and the surrounding area lacks much in the way of additional attractions. While the people are friendly, many visitors complain that the town is ‘trashy’ and dirty.
Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell’s reputation as a UFO hotspot attracts science-fiction fans and curious visitors seeking to uncover the truth about extraterrestrials. Yet the town offers little beyond a few UFO-themed museums and shops, and there are no other attractions or landmarks nearby. Many UFO buffs prefer Area 51 in Nevada, although Roswell is considerably easier to access.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii’s capital city is situated on its most populated island, Oahu. Tourists seeking pristine, desolate beaches find Waikiki Beach crowded and touristy, despite its undeniable natural beauty. The city is also congested and extremely expensive, with huge resorts catering to mass tourism dominating the skyline. Most visitors prefer more remote Hawaiian locations.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is a popular East Coast summer destination famous for its miles of sandy beaches and old-school boardwalk. Unfortunately, overcrowding, questionable water quality, expensive dining, and limited attractions (besides the beach) can leave visitors disappointed. The Washington Post agrees, saying “the world’s largest resort city” is facing a bad image crisis.
Dodge City, Kansas
Dodge City evokes images of the Wild West; think old-timey saloons, gunfights, and cowboys! However, visitors seeking an authentic historical experience complain that the recreated “Boot Hill” district is more like a cheesy theme park than a historical site. A more accurate experience can be had elsewhere, in historic frontier towns like Tombstone, Arizona.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg, the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, promises visitors stunning scenery and outdoor adventures. Yet visitors often describe it as a “tourist trap” and dislike the abundance of chain restaurants, overpriced souvenir shops, and traffic congestion (particularly at peak times). This can distract from the natural beauty and activities on offer.
Branson, Missouri
The self-proclaimed “Live Entertainment Capital of the World” caters to a very specific audience that some tourists don’t resonate with. There are plenty of theaters and music shows with various acts and performances, but the focus is strongly on family-friendly country music and impersonator acts that some visitors find childish and unoriginal.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
A classic family vacation destination, Myrtle Beach has long, sandy beaches alongside abundant amusement and water parks. While young children probably won’t notice, older guests complain about the rows of ‘cut and paste’ chain restaurants, high-rise hotels, and generic souvenirs. It’s only loved by those seeking manmade attractions, not local charm.
Deadwood, South Dakota
Once a notorious Wild West town known for its lawlessness and gold rush boom, Deadwood has been transformed into a tourist destination, attempting to capitalize on its exciting historical reputation. Like in other such towns, the restored saloons and gambling halls can feel overly manufactured and inauthentic, with souvenir sales taking priority over historical accuracy.
Anchorage, Alaska
The “Last Frontier” attracts tourists wanting adventure and untamed wilderness, but this modern city with a high crime rate and ugly architecture doesn’t fit the bill. The Anchorage Daily News reports that one tourist said it was “the most depressing city [they’d] ever visited” after visiting the Fairbanks region. Summer cruise ship passengers are also often disappointed by the lack of snow!
Key West, Florida
The southernmost point in the continental United States, tropical Key West is famous for its colorful, laid-back island vibe and watersports. However, the island’s small size and popularity mean beaches are unpleasantly overcrowded in high season, and the exorbitant prices can make it impossible for visitors to afford restaurant meals, activities, or experiences.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Visitors expecting more than just casinos in the desert are often disappointed with Las Vegas, particularly given its iconic status. The dazzling lights and over-the-top theatrics can overwhelm some guests, while the relentless focus on gambling can become tiring for all but the most die-hard casino lovers. The oppressive desert heat doesn’t help either, especially in summer.
Keystone, South Dakota
This city is the closest metropolis to the world-famous Mount Rushmore. Many visitors come to see the impressive sight of presidents’ faces carved into the granite mountainside. While many enjoy the landmark, the surrounding area and Keystone itself frequently disappoint. There are limited attractions or facilities beyond the monument, and traffic congestion can be heavy.
Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
A meticulously recreated colonial town, Williamsburg promises a glimpse into 18th-century life. Yet, like other such experiences, tourists complain that it feels staged, with actors portraying historical figures unrealistically and limited opportunities to interact with the exhibits beyond a ‘highly controlled’ guided tour. Towns like Charleston or Savannah offer more authenticity.
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