When planning trips, it’s natural for famous tourist attractions to be the first to come to mind. They’ve gained so much recognition and you’ve heard so much about them, you assume they must be worthwhile.
However, not all of these sites live up to the hype. Here are four tourist attractions that are overhyped yet underwhelming. Save your time and money and skip these tourist traps.
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English countryside. People have been fascinated by the mysterious site for centuries, with many considering it a must-visit site when in the United Kingdom. However, tourists often find themselves disappointed with their Stonehenge experience. The closest people can get during normal tour hours is about 15 yards away, so you aren’t able to touch them or truly explore them. This often leaves visitors feeling disconnected from the monument and its history.
Eiffel Tower
People around the world have become accustomed to seeing the Eiffel Tower in movies and shows as the crown jewel of Paris. It is indeed one of the most recognizable monuments in the world and it is said that no trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the iconic structure. Because of that, long queues and overcrowding are unavoidable in the experience that makes many wish they’d never even bothered. The tower’s observation decks tend to be packed with throngs of tourists. This makes it difficult to truly appreciate the views of the city. If visiting the Eiffel Tower is a part of your bucket list, just be sure to manage your expectations and be prepared for the crowds you will undoubtedly have to deal with.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Movie lovers and pop culture fans may desire to visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame found on Los Angeles’ Hollywood Blvd. Perhaps you want to find the star of your favorite celebrity and take photos of it. If you are expecting the glitz and glamour often associated with Hollywood, be prepared to be let down. What you can expect instead is aggressive tour guides, expensive parking, drug dealers, and other unpleasantries. People have also complained about the boulevard reeking of urine. Not exactly the most enchanting experience.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
We’ve all seen the cheesy photos of people pretending to hold up the Leaning Tower of Pisa. If this is something you’ve always dreamed of, go for it. Otherwise, you might consider skipping this underwhelming tourist trap. Though the concept of a leaning tower may seem unique and interesting, there are more than 100 of them around the world. The one in Pisa is often visited as a day trip from Florence. Many of those who visit end up wishing they had spent that day seeing more worthwhile Italian sites.