The 20 Worst Tourist Traps In The United States

You know the feeling. You’re on a road trip, spirits high, map in hand, and suddenly a flashy sign promises something amazing. A few wrong turns and one regrettable admission fee later, you're sweating in line, clutching a melted souvenir, and asking yourself, “Why did we stop?” Tourist traps: they’ve been duping us since the family station wagon first hit the highway.

Overpriced, overcrowded, and underwhelming, these spots sold us magic and delivered mediocrity. We fell for them again and again… and kind of loved it. Let’s revisit the kitschy, cringey, gloriously terrible traps that ate our time and wallets.

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA, Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA, 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA, Graceland – Tennessee, USA, Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA, Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA, Times Square – New York, USA, Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA, Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA, Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA, Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA, The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA, Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA, EPCOT – Florida, USA, World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA, Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA, Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA, World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

Marketed as “desert,” it’s eroded farmland: pay hefty fees to look at sand and buy merch. Quaint, but pricey.

Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA, Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA, 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA, Graceland – Tennessee, USA, Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA, Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA, Times Square – New York, USA, Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA, Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA, Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA, Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA, The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA, Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA, EPCOT – Florida, USA, World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA, Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA, Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA, World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

High-drink prices, swooping elmos, staged “authentic” dancers: an overhyped, overpacked snapshot of NOLA.

50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA, Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA, 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA, Graceland – Tennessee, USA, Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA, Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA, Times Square – New York, USA, Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA, Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA, Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA, Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA, The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA, Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA, EPCOT – Florida, USA, World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA, Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA, Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA, World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

A bar, casino, and gift shop with over 50,000 silver dollars nailed to the walls and ceiling: It’s flashy, quirky, and wildly overpriced.

Graceland – Tennessee, USA

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA, Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA, 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA, Graceland – Tennessee, USA, Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA, Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA, Times Square – New York, USA, Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA, Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA, Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA, Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA, The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA, Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA, EPCOT – Florida, USA, World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA, Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA, Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA, World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

Elvis’s mansion tour. Must-see for fans, but pricey tickets and relentless merch push make it a commercial shrine.

Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA, Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA, 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA, Graceland – Tennessee, USA, Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA, Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA, Times Square – New York, USA, Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA, Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA, Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA, Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA, The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA, Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA, EPCOT – Florida, USA, World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA, Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA, Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA, World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

Slick highway signs lure you off-route for $10 tour & a knick-knack, all for a "how’d-they-do-that?" buzz. Classic roadside gimmick.

Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA, Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA, 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA, Graceland – Tennessee, USA, Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA, Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA, Times Square – New York, USA, Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA, Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA, Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA, Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA, The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA, Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA, EPCOT – Florida, USA, World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA, Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA, Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA, World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

Historic jail tours, reenactments, ghost hunts, prison gift shops. A scenic stop with contrived staging and souvenir hustle.

Times Square – New York, USA

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA, Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA, 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA, Graceland – Tennessee, USA, Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA, Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA, Times Square – New York, USA, Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA, Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA, Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA, Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA, The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA, Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA, EPCOT – Florida, USA, World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA, Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA, Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA, World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

Iconic, but a selfie-saturation zone with inflated prices and zero local soul.

Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA, Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA, 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA, Graceland – Tennessee, USA, Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA, Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA, Times Square – New York, USA, Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA, Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA, Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA, Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA, The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA, Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA, EPCOT – Florida, USA, World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA, Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA, Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA, World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

Tourist pixel: sticky sidewalks, cardboard cutouts, overpriced memorabilia; all to say “I was here.”

Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA, Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA, 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA, Graceland – Tennessee, USA, Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA, Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA, Times Square – New York, USA, Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA, Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA, Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA, Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA, The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA, Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA, EPCOT – Florida, USA, World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA, Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA, Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA, World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

Free ice water, café, Western kitsch, souvenirs, jackalope displays. Over-advertised via hundreds of roadside signs; pack-rattling pit stop with overpriced tchotchkes.

Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA, Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA, 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA, Graceland – Tennessee, USA, Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA, Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA, Times Square – New York, USA, Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA, Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA, Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA, Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA, The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA, Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA, EPCOT – Florida, USA, World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA, Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA, Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA, World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

Giant metal sculptures along a rural highway. Fascinating art drive, but miles between exhibits, zero facilities except gift box stops.

Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA, Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA, 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA, Graceland – Tennessee, USA, Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA, Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA, Times Square – New York, USA, Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA, Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA, Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA, Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA, The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA, Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA, EPCOT – Florida, USA, World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA, Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA, Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA, World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

Life-size Noah’s Ark, exhibits, zoo, restaurants, gift shops: Heavily ticketed "bible theme park". Immersive but preachy, commercial, and expensive.

The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA, Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA, 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA, Graceland – Tennessee, USA, Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA, Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA, Times Square – New York, USA, Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA, Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA, Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA, Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA, The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA, Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA, EPCOT – Florida, USA, World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA, Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA, Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA, World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

Cliffside rock where wind blows up through it. One-time quirky view for a pricey ticket and minimal additional substance.

Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA, Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA, 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA, Graceland – Tennessee, USA, Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA, Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA, Times Square – New York, USA, Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA, Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA, Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA, Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA, The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA, Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA, EPCOT – Florida, USA, World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA, Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA, Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA, World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

Chance of finding diamonds; but mostly sweat, sun, dirt, and gift-shop consolation prizes.

EPCOT – Florida, USA

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA, Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA, 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA, Graceland – Tennessee, USA, Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA, Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA, Times Square – New York, USA, Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA, Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA, Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA, Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA, The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA, Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA, EPCOT – Florida, USA, World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA, Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA, Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA, World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

$150+ daily admission for aging “future” tech and mega-crowds. Mid-life nostalgia meets wallet drain.

World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA, Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA, 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA, Graceland – Tennessee, USA, Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA, Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA, Times Square – New York, USA, Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA, Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA, Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA, Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA, The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA, Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA, EPCOT – Florida, USA, World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA, Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA, Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA, World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

Fun fizzy history… surrounded by corporate branding and obligatory souvenir churn.

Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA, Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA, 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA, Graceland – Tennessee, USA, Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA, Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA, Times Square – New York, USA, Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA, Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA, Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA, Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA, The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA, Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA, EPCOT – Florida, USA, World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA, Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA, Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA, World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

Beachside resorts, surf rentals and souvenir stands. Gorgeous locale, but chockablock with tourists, pricey rentals, and trinket hawkers.

Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA, Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA, 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA, Graceland – Tennessee, USA, Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA, Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA, Times Square – New York, USA, Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA, Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA, Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA, Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA, The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA, Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA, EPCOT – Florida, USA, World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA, Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA, Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA, World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

Lava field trails, volcanic rock formations, small visitor center. Otherworldly scenery… after paying an entrance fee for a rocky hike with minimal amenities.

World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

Desert of Maine – Maine, USA, Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA, 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, USA, Graceland – Tennessee, USA, Mystery Spot – Michigan, USA, Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA, Times Square – New York, USA, Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA, Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA, Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA, Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA, The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA, Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA, EPCOT – Florida, USA, World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA, Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA, Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA, World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Kansas, USA

Huge twine ball, picnic tables, roadside plaque and gift shop. One weird claim to fame. Great for a quick photo, then you’re twined out.

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