16 Tourist Spots in America No One Wants to Visit

Written By Jill Taylor

America is home to a lot of very unique attractions. Some are amazing, some are terrible, and some are just plain weird. Here’s our list of 16 American attractions that not even Americans want to visit.

Four Corners Monument

Photo Credit: Dr. Alan Lipkin/Shutterstock

The only place where four states meet, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah, is noted in Navajo Parks and Recreation. Four Corners is in an isolated location, which can be unappealing for such a brief visit. It can be underwhelming, and visitors to Four Corners frequently comment on the anticlimactic experience of standing in four states at once.

South of the Border, South Carolina

Photo Credit: EWY Media/Shutterstock

This roadside attraction’s once-charming theme now feels outdated, and the Mexican tropes can seem culturally insensitive to modern visitors. The kitsch and novelty that made South of the Border popular in the past no longer attract today’s tourists, and although it is fine for a roadside break, it is a little run down and outmoded.

Times Square, New York

Photo Credit: Luciano Mortula – LGM/Shutterstock

Famous for its New Year celebrations, Times Square is the place to be on New Year’s Eve. However, the overwhelming presence of advertisements and commercial activities can be off-putting, and the square is always crowded with tourists, leading many to view Times Square as lacking the authentic New York City experience.

Liberty Bell, Pennsylvania

Photo Credit: f11photo/Shutterstock

The Liberty Bell is a traditional symbol of U.S. freedom, notes Britannica. However, the actual experience of seeing the Liberty Bell can be underwhelming due to it being a smaller size than people expect, and the limitations on visitor interaction. The frequent overcrowding and long wait times can diminish the quality of the visit.

The Mystery Spot, California

Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock

The Mystery Spot describes itself as a gravitational anomaly located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, however, visitors to the attraction have described it as a waste of time and money, and an unimpressive optical illusion. The site is often perceived as a tourist trap, with minimal entertainment value.

Hollywood Walk of Fame, California

Photo Credit: nito/Shutterstock

This area’s heavy commercialization and crowds detract from the experience. There are pushy street vendors on the walk, and many visitors voice concerns over the upkeep of the street and express disappointment in the smell and the trash in the area. In fact, The Guardian names it the worlds worst tourist attraction.

Wall Drug, South Dakota

Photo Credit: Frank Romeo/Shutterstock

Extensive billboarding leading up to this very large store creates high expectations that the overhyped attraction does not meet. It is somewhat of a tourist trap, and while it is fine as a place to stop and refresh on your travels to other places, the limited range of activities available here may not justify the detour for many travelers.

Corn Palace, South Dakota

Photo Credit: Rachael Martin/Shutterstock

This quirky building hosts games, proms, and graduations for the local area. The Corn Palace’s theme of corn-motif murals and decorations has a specific charm that might not appeal to the general public, although if you are passing it is worth a visit. The corn murals are changed annually, but these changes don’t generate significant interest.

World’s Largest Ball of Twine, Kansas

Photo Credit: Larry Porges/Shutterstock

The largest ball of twine in the world is one standalone, quite underwhelming attraction. This place is completely lacking in anything else to engage visitors beyond viewing one large ball of twine. It’s fine if you’re in the area, but unless you really love twine, not worth the journey.

Carhenge, Nebraska

Photo Credit: LindseyW521/Shutterstock

Carhenge is certainly a different kind of attraction. This is a replica of England’s Stonehenge, but it’s made from cars. The novelty may not be enough to attract visitors to its remote location, but it is definitely a unique and pretty cool thing to see if you are in the area.

The Wave Organ, California

Photo Credit: Daily Travel Photos/Shutterstock

The Wave Organ is a wave-activated acoustic sculpture located on a jetty in San Francisco Bay. Visitors say that it is a nice walk to the organ, surrounded by stunning views, but ultimately an underwhelming experience. The difficulty in accessing the organ can deter visitors, as can the fact that it only makes noise at high tide.

Dinosaur World, Kentucky

Photo Credit: duckeesue/Shutterstock

This is a fun theme park with life-sized dinosaur statues placed around it. It’s probably a fun day out for die-hard dinosaur fans. And it might be good for very small kids, but overall, visitors often say it is a waste of time and money and have described it as a disappointing and overpriced run-down tourist trap

Graceland, Tennessee

Photo Credit: Rolf_52/Shutterstock

Most Elvis fans are left feeling “all shook up” after this overpriced, crowded, and badly organized experience. Many tourists complain that they waited in line for hours even though they had booked their tour for a specific time. Visitors often feel like the commercialization of the site detracts from its authenticity and historical significance.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Photo Credit: Joseph Hendrickson/Shutterstock

The recurring theme of this museum across multiple locations can lead to a redundant experience for visitors, and tourists often complain that the attractions are overpriced and overcrowded. Visitors to these museums usually expect to see some exciting attractions but often feel let down.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani/Shutterstock

The home of Dollywood, Pigeon Forge is a mountain town known for its natural beauty. Situated beside the Smoky Mountains National Park, it boasts spectacular mountain views, but the heavy focus on tourism here can make the area feel overcrowded and inauthentic. The abundance of attractions can feel overwhelming and detract from the natural beauty.

Branson, Missouri

Photo Credit: TommyBrison/Shutterstock

The city of Branson started out as a quaint entertainment town but now it is a commercial tourist hub, which feels inauthentic and may not appeal to everyone. The plethora of entertainment options, from live shows to events, can seem excessive and overly commercialized. Branson is a town for tourists, but a lot of Americans.

Up Next: 20 Personal Things You Should Never Share With Others

Photo Credit: kornnphoto/Shutterstock

Building meaningful connections with others requires a certain level of transparency and trust, but that doesn’t mean you have to tell your friends and family members everything! Some aspects of our lives are too personal, incriminating, or risky to share. This article explores 20 aspects of your personal life that you should always keep confidential.

20 Personal Things You Should Never Share With Others

18 Things Everyone Forgets to Include in Their Will—But Shouldn’t

Photo Credit: JGA/Shutterstock

Wills and estate plans are essential ways to ensure what will happen to your belongings and property when you die or are incapacitated. However, people often forget to include important information in their wills before it’s too late, complicating matters for their descendants. Here are the 18 common things people forget to include in their will.

18 Things Everyone Forgets to Include in Their Will—But Shouldn’t

18 Items at Walmart that Aren’t Worth Your Hard-Earned Money

Photo Credit: PERO studio/Shutterstock

For many of us, Walmart is the go-to superstore. Whether we need groceries, clothing, or technology, Walmart is a one-stop shop for everything you would need. However, there are some Walmart products you should avoid at all costs, such as the following 18 examples.

18 ITEMS AT WALMART THAT AREN’T WORTH YOUR HARD-EARNED MONEY