Results: Tourist Trap Trip Tips! Part 1 of 12.
Published on 04/12/2025
Whether an attraction qualifies as a tourist trap is often in the eye of the beholder, and some are still beloved by locals. Some are iconic locales now overrun or overrated. Others lure road trippers out of the way of their intended destinations. They might be cheesy, inauthentic, overpriced, crowded, boring, ugly, or just plain not worth the time. Here is a collection of American tourist traps that may leave you wishing you'd stayed at home. Cheapism is my source for this series. (Right click or tap and hold to open image in a new tab.)
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1.
1.
Alabama: McDonald's Visited by Reagan. At the McDonald's in Northport, a bronze bust and a photo honor President Ronald Reagan's visit in 1984 for a photo op with a Big Mac. Although a plaque states he ate there, the original restaurant was demolished. A new McDonald's opened on the site in 2006. Have you ever ate a Big Mac?
Yes
62%
1302 votes
No
16%
345 votes
I prefer a double cheeseburger, thanks.
9%
184 votes
Not Applicable
13%
269 votes
2.
2.
Alaska: Gold Dredge 8. Gold Dredge 8 offers a glimpse into Fairbanks' gold-mining history and receives good reviews, but uses tourist trap tactics. A ticket costs $57 for adults and $37 for children, including a train ride, a visit to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and a short gold panning experience. The main aim seems to be to direct visitors to the large gift shop. Have you ever panned for gold?
Yes
16%
345 votes
No
67%
1406 votes
I've always wanted to give it a try.
10%
210 votes
I've pawned some gold, but panned? Nope.
7%
139 votes
3.
3.
Arizona: O.K. Corral. Deriding staged gunfights lasting only 30 seconds and declaring the O.K. Corral just okay, critical reviewers say the town of Tombstone is worth a visit only for true cowboy fanatics. And even they might want to rethink this destination, which detractors label gimmicky and overpriced. Do you consider yourself a cowboy fan?
Yes
23%
475 votes
No
50%
1054 votes
Kinda... Sorta... Meh.
22%
457 votes
If we're counting Cowboy Carter, then... Yeppers!
5%
114 votes
4.
4.
Arkansas: Crater of Diamonds State Park. Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro is said to be the world's only diamond-bearing site open to the public. Some reviewers scoff that they could find the same variety of rocks in their driveways, and that kids lose interest quickly in digging in the hot sun and hard dirt. Many feel that it's better to skip the fee of $15 for adults and $7 for children. Others, however, feel that the trip pays for itself. Does this sound like an experience that you'd like to try?
Yes
26%
543 votes
No
53%
1117 votes
Maybe... Can I bring my dog to do the digging for me?
16%
337 votes
I've done this!
5%
103 votes
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