Americans Hate These 10 Vacation Spots the Most
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The United States offers travelers so many natural wonders and thrill-inducing attractions that no one could ever visit them all in a lifetime.
But we’re not here to talk about these places.
Instead, we want to acknowledge the attractions that for one reason or another Americans hate the most. Whether these spots are hated due to overtourism, outrageous prices or over-the-top kitschiness, they’re all guaranteed to spark rage in just about anyone who visits them.
10. Bourbon Street
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Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
OK, we get it. Bourbon Street, especially during Mardi Gras, is a drunken party fest that is on most people’s travel bucket lists. But if you’re looking for the real New Orleans, this is not it.
Head to Frenchmen Street if you’re looking for good jazz with a (bit) more of a local vibe. Better yet, check out Magazine Street in Uptown New Orleans for some of the city’s best shopping and dining.
* This ranking comes from a January 2024 report from the International Drivers Association.
9. Mount Rushmore
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Location: Keystone, South Dakota
This national memorial in South Dakota’s Black Hills region is one of the odder American claims to fame. Sure, sculpting the faces of four of the country’s most famous presidents takes some serious talent, especially considering it’s 60 feet tall.
But the remoteness of this statue that you’ll take a picture in front of for maybe 10 minutes makes the long drive into the middle of nowhere seem pointless.
8. New York’s Little Italy Neighborhood
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Location: New York, New York
What was once a bustling neighborhood filled with Italian immigrants and the delicious cuisine they brought with them has been whittled down to just three blocks of Mulberry Street where about 50 or so restaurants charge exorbitant amounts of money for generic pastas.
That said, fans of “The Godfather” will love it, as it’s where the fictional Corleone family lived.
7. Mall of America
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Location: Bloomington, Minnesota
The Mall of America is still the nation’s largest, so there’s that. But its size and notoriety just means you’re shopping with the about 40 million other shoppers who visit the mall annually. We don’t even want to think about the lines to try on clothes.
Of course, it does have a theme park and aquarium, where you can also go find more crowds. Thanks, but we’ll stick to our local mall.
6. Waikiki
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Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Trust us: You don’t want to fly five hours across the Pacific to come to visit the worst parts of Los Angeles. Think generic modern hotels, overpriced restaurants and crowded beaches.
If you’re looking for that authentic Hawaiian culture, visit literally anywhere else in Hawaii. We recommend Kauai for those who want a quintessential tropical experience.
5. South of the Border
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Location: Hamer, South Carolina
This Mexican-themed roadside attraction along I-95 is just south of the border between North Carolina and South Carolina. Get it? Neither do we.
What may have been fun when it opened 70-plus years ago in 1950 is arguably offensive, especially with its mascot, Pedro, a caricature of a Mexican bandido, welcoming visitors. Let's just say we understand why this tourist stop has gotten flack for being politically incorrect and racist.
4. Four Corners Monument
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Location: Teec Nos Pos, Arizona
Like Mount Rushmore, here’s another monument that doesn’t quite deliver considering the amount of time it takes to get to it.
Yes, it’s the only location in the entire U.S. where four states (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah) intersect — and that’s about it, folks.
3. Fisherman’s Wharf
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Location: San Francisco, California
If you want overpriced clam chowder and a T-shirt with a funny slogan about visiting prison (this is the launching point for travelers looking to visit Alcatraz), then this is your place.
But considering you’re in one of the country’s most beautiful and culturally rich cities, we suggest a visit to some of the more unique parts of the city. The de Young Museum or California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park come to mind.
2. Hollywood Walk of Fame
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Location: Los Angeles, California
Like Fisherman’s Wharf, this attraction has been taken over by cheap trinket shops and street performers that haggle with tourists to make a buck.
While we admit that the handprints and footprints of stars like Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn in front of TCL’s Chinese Theatre are pretty cool to check out, the zoo of tourists you have to wade through will exhaust you before you even get to this spot.
Insider’s tip: If you insist on coming here, get away from the swarms of tourists by ducking into the Hollywood Roosevelt for a cocktail in the hotel lounge. The historic hotel has lots of stories to tell and was even the residence of Marilyn Monroe for two years early in her career.
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