The Overrated Wonders: Rethinking Popular Tourist Destinations

The expectation of entering a new destination, the thrill of discovering unknown streets, and the excitement of discovering hidden corners. Let’s be honest, however; all travel experiences are not the same. With the journeys I’ve embarked on so far and as your virtual guide across diverse and multifaceted landscapes of the world, I increasingly come up against somewhat controversial thoughts: What popular kinds of tourist destinations or activities am I not fond of, and why?

“World’s Most OVERRATED Tourist Attractions To NEVER Visit!” shared by YouTube channel: Around The Globe

Get right into the heart of travel culture, where top tourist spots often veil in a reality of crowded, overly priced, sometimes underwhelming experiences. It is a truth most of us hesitate to openly admit, but today, let’s break the silence. From the glittering streets of Times Square to the historic walls of the Tower of London, some destinations lauded by travel brochures and Instagram feeds might simply not be worth the hype.

Let’s start with one of the icons, the Times Square in New York—an area that makes it a requirement for tourists from all parts of the globe to meet up. While it can be touted as something one has to see, the reality is a crammed space, very little other than what is already under construction, overpriced eateries, and panda, Spiderman, and Elmo mascots galore. Somewhere off these crowded blocks, charm lies in mystique of the city—for instance, in places like the High Line, elevated park space, which transports and tranquil amidst the buzz of the city.

“TIME SQUARE” by airlines470 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Venture south to Mexico, and Cancun will no doubt be touting itself as the best beach destination. It has warranted the reputation as a mecca for Spring Break, which translates very loosely to extremely overcrowded, removing the peace one would assume to be present with a beachy vacation. Oaxaca presents a piece of the real Mexico, possessing rich history and animated street life, making it much more rewarding.

Across the Atlantic, in Italy, the Leaning Tower of Pisa does the same—thronging with people who want to take the traditional ‘holding up’ shot. The truth is, there is little else to do here but that one action. A short drive away is the cradle of the Renaissance—Florence—with architectural wonders like the Duomo that offer a far greater enriching experience.

The Louvre houses the Mona Lisa, and it is an unskippable destination when people visit Paris, but it’s normally overcrowded and roped off to keep a distance between one and the famous piece. A stop at the Musée d’Orsay will mean one is going to experience the intimacy of getting up close and personal with masterpieces from Van Gogh, Monet, and other greats without the crush of the crowd.

Mount Rushmore itself is quite an iconic feature, though there is little to do besides the view from afar of the presidents etched into stone, and there really isn’t anything else of note nearby. In comparison, Badlands National Park will boast beautiful landscapes and a variety of wildlife around that lets one connect more with nature.

Back in the tinsel town of Los Angeles, the Walk of Fame may beckon a traveler with visions of old-school Hollywood glamour, but he’ll end up finding a cluttered sidewalk in a less-than-stellar neighborhood. A better gamble would be the Griffith Observatory, where the stars of the night sky are a far more engaging spectacle than any celebrity name stashed on the ground.

While London’s Tower of London does come with a pricey admission ticket, the historic worth and glamour of the Crown Jewels simply do not make it worth the price of admission. On the other side, a walk across Tower Bridge will give equally as beautiful views across London’s horizon, showing that often the greatest experiences are free ones.

Traveling is about discovering those moments and places, after all, which strike our souls. The one that doesn’t keep to the main road gives way to the feeling of stepping off the well-trodden path, far out diagonally into the unknown. So, next time you plan a trip, remember: the world is huge, and its far-flung corners store way more experiences than is equaled in fame by any overdone tourist trap. Embrace the adventure, the unplanned, and the unexplored, for it’s there that the true heart of traveling beats. Happy travels, fellow explorers!