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.
1
Enchanted Highway – North Dakota, USA
Giant metal sculptures along a rural highway. Fascinating art drive, but miles between exhibits, zero facilities except gift box stops.
2
Four Corners Monument – CO/NM/AZ/UT, USA
Fun photo moment, then you’re stuck dealing with heat, crowds, and gift stands.
3
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.
4
Craters of the Moon – Idaho, USA
Lava field trails, volcanic rock formations, small visitor center. Otherworldly scenery… after paying an entrance fee for a rocky hike with minimal amenities.
5
Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA
Beachside resorts, surf rentals and souvenir stands. Gorgeous locale, but chockablock with tourists, pricey rentals, and trinket hawkers.
6
World of Coca‑Cola – Georgia, USA
Fun fizzy history… surrounded by corporate branding and obligatory souvenir churn.
7
EPCOT – Florida, USA
$150+ daily admission for aging “future” tech and mega-crowds. Mid-life nostalgia meets wallet drain.
8
Crater of Diamonds – Arkansas, USA
Chance of finding diamonds; but mostly sweat, sun, dirt, and gift-shop consolation prizes.
9
The Blowing Rock – North Carolina, USA
Cliffside rock where wind blows up through it. One-time quirky view for a pricey ticket and minimal additional substance.
10
Ark Encounter – Kentucky, USA
Life-size Noah’s Ark, exhibits, zoo, restaurants, gift shops: Heavily ticketed "bible theme park". Immersive but preachy, commercial, and expensive.
11
Desert of Maine – Maine, USA
Marketed as “desert,” it’s eroded farmland: pay hefty fees to look at sand and buy merch. Quaint, but pricey.
12
Wall Drug – South Dakota, USA
Free ice water, café, Western kitsch, souvenirs, jackalope displays. Over-advertised via hundreds of roadside signs; pack-rattling pit stop with overpriced tchotchkes.
13
Hollywood Walk of Fame – California, USA
Tourist pixel: sticky sidewalks, cardboard cutouts, overpriced memorabilia; all to say “I was here.”
14
Times Square – New York, USA
Iconic, but a selfie-saturation zone with inflated prices and zero local soul.
15
Frontier Prison - Wyoming, USA
Historic jail tours, reenactments, ghost hunts, prison gift shops. A scenic stop with contrived staging and souvenir hustle.
16
Mystery Spot – Michigan, 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.
17
Graceland – Tennessee, USA
Elvis’s mansion tour. Must-see for fans, but pricey tickets and relentless merch push make it a commercial shrine.
18
50,000 Silver Dollar Bar – Montana, 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.
19
A Christmas Story House – Ohio, USA
Fans flock to the scripted setup: tiny interiors, expensive lodging, massive kitschy gift shop; it’s often dubbed as “boring” .
20
Bourbon Street – Louisiana, USA
High-drink prices, swooping elmos, staged “authentic” dancers: an overhyped, overpacked snapshot of NOLA.
