tourist traps in nj

Atlantic City & Other New Jersey Tourist Traps, Plus Alternatives

by Ladavion | Mar 2, 2024 | Blog | 0 comments

• Uncover underrated alternate options to well-liked sights in New Jersey; skip NJ vacationer traps like Lucy The Elephant, Journey Aquarium, and Liberty Science Heart.
• Try cheaper, less-crowded, and extra attention-grabbing various sights in New Jersey like Menlo Park, SeaQuest, or Naval Air Station.
• Contemplate exploring underrated spots in NJ like Allaire State Park, Bello’s Pub, and Avon Boardwalk for a greater expertise with decrease costs and fewer crowds.

Bordered on its north and east by the state of New York and its expensive cities by the water, New Jersey draws over 114.6 million visitors annually , making it one of the vital well-liked vacationer locations within the nation. Nonetheless, simply because it’s in the top five happiest states in the US doesn’t imply a few of its most famous landmarks, sights, and actions aren’t overrated, and subsequently not a perfect selection for guests quick on time – and cash.

Certain, many vacationers would think about neighboring New York City’s tourist traps and alternatives to be of prime curiosity, seeing because it’s among the many most visited cities on the East Coast. Nonetheless, New Jersey has its personal overcrowded and expensive sights as effectively (plus loads of higher, distinctive choices as an alternative). Listed here are numerous widespread vacationer traps in New Jersey to skip and alternate options to go to as an alternative, the latter of that are usuallycheaper, lesser-known, less-crowded, and extra attention-grabbing.

10 Tourist Traps In Los Angeles, Plus Alternatives Instead

Find out about these Los Angeles vacationer traps and alternate options as an alternative in an effort to escape the crowds and excessive costs of LA’s well-known sights.

8 Skip: Lucy The Elephant, Margate

Extra attention-grabbing various: the world’s second-largest lightbulb at menlo park , edison.

Lucy the Elephant, Margate, New Jersey

Perched by the seaside in Josephine Harron Park, Lucy the Elephant is a six-story elephant-shaped constructing erected in 1881. It’s a extremely popular, however moderately overrated roadside attraction, drawing round 130,000 visitors annually .

A extra thrilling choice is to move to the situation that after housed Thomas Edison’s analysis lab and take a look at the enormous mild bulb close to Menlo Park Museum , erected in 1938. Contained in the tower, a light-weight is all the time stored on to honor the inventor.

The museum is ADA accessible and there’s free on-street parking.

7 Skip: Journey Aquarium, Camden

Much less-congested and cheaper various: seaquest , woodbridge.

Entrance to the Camden Journey Aquarium, NJ

Situated at Wiggins Waterfront Park in Camden, Adventure Aquarium could home 15,000 aquatic animals, however it’s all the time crowded, with lengthy traces, restricted capability, and admission fees starting at $27.99 .

SeaQuest in Woodbridge could not rank amongst the world’s best aquariums , but it surely homes 1,200 animals and affords interactive experiences and feeding periods for an affordable payment, to not point out that the ambiance is extra laid-back than Journey Aquarium.

6 Skip: Krug’s Tavern On Wilson Avenue, Newark

Friendlier, cozier, and tastier various: bello’s pub and grill on market road, spending a couple of days in newark is certain to be a bucket of enjoyable, with it being one of the vital attention-grabbing cities in the entire backyard state, house to well-known eating places and bakeries..

Nonetheless, Krug’s Tavern, a popular joint since 1932, might be a tad overrated , and a few evaluations have referred to as it, “the state’s most overrated burger”.

Guests trying to deal with themselves to hearty American classics with attentive and well mannered service would possibly need to give the underrated Bello’s Pub and Grill a strive as an alternative. This family-owned bar was based in 1974 and affords 180 kinds of beer.

Bourbon Street & Other Tourist Traps In New Orleans, Plus Alternatives

The Crescent Metropolis affords nice culinary and musical experiences, however when it will get too crowded and expensive, different choices are additionally doable.

5 Skip: Liberty Science Heart, Jersey Metropolis

A less expensive instructional various: naval air station wildwood aviation museum , cape might.

Liberty Science Heart in Jersey Metropolis, NJ

Jersey City offers plenty to do and see and could also be most recognized for its charming cultural variety and delectable eating scene. Nonetheless, it additionally options an overpriced and overrated attraction: the Liberty Science Center , an interactive venue situated on Jersey Metropolis Boulevard and with a same-day basic admission payment of $32.99 for adults and $27.99 for youngsters.

Visitors have complained about the cost in comparison with the supplied sights and actions, the lengthy traces for particular reveals, and the extra charges inside, to not point out the “mediocre” meals.

Situated on the Cape Might Airport, in a restored WWII coaching hangar, the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is a lesser-known however extra reasonably priced interactive and academic expertise, with frequent reveals, that can fascinate kids and adults alike.

4 Skip: Liberty State Park, Jersey Metropolis

A safer, less-crammed, and scenic various: allaire state park , monmouth county.

Liberty State Park in Jersey Metropolis

It goes with out saying that Liberty State Park supplies nice views of Manhattan’s skyline, drawing over 4 million guests yearly. Vacationers trying to unwind in a inexperienced house, nonetheless, would possibly discover the crowds overwhelming, and crimes like theft and assault occur all too typically within the space.

New Jersey boasts many comparatively secure state parks, some extra underrated than others. Allaire State Park , for example, consists of the Nineteenth-century Allaire Village and the winding Manasquan River, which is right for fishing and kayaking.

The world is peaceable, stress-free, and dotted with colourful wildflowers. Absolutely, this underrated piece of historical past and pure magnificence is value a better look.

Black bear sightings have been reported, and feeding them is each harmful and unlawful.

3 Skip: The Lobster Home, Cape Might

Much less-crammed various with good seafood in a historic constructing: ocean 7.

The Lobster Home restaurant and fish market register Cape Might, New Jersey

Per Thrillist , the most well-liked restaurant in Cape Might, The Lobster House , is New Jersey’s greatest vacationer lure. Overlooking Cape Might Harbor on Fisherman’s Wharf, the family-owned joint is all the time packed and thought of the world’s must-try seafood place.

Disappointed visitors have left evaluations like, “Horrible and overpriced,” “My Hen Parm was the worst,” “Our waitress was impolite,” and “Worst seafood meal ever.” That stated, The Lobster House does have plenty of positive reviews and 4 stars on Trip Advisor , so guests can strive it and determine for themselves if it is value it.

The Inn at Cape Might, a historic oceanfront resort with Ocean 7 restaurant in Cape Might, New Jersey

Established in 1894, Ocean 7 is a pleasant various; it is open all yr lengthy on the Victorian Inn of Cape Might and serves seasonal substances in a peaceful and nice setting.

The menu consists of calamari fries, pickle-brine wings, scallop fritters, contemporary oysters, crab muffins, and seared scallops.

2 Skip: Ocean Metropolis Boardwalk, Cape Might County

Elegant and fewer commercialized various: avon boardwalk , avon-by-the-sea.

Off season on the Ocean Metropolis boardwalk, New Jersey

Based on an article on BestLife, naming the biggest tourist trap in every US state , New Jersey’s most designated place is Ocean City Boardwalk .

It might be a balanced mixture of old-school and fashionable, but it surely will get slammed in summer season and can be notorious for its “overpriced snacks” and “foolish” touristy t-shirts.

Lined with Victorian lamps, the Avon Boardwalk is not as well-liked because the one in Ocean Metropolis, however it’s a nice mixture of laidback and energetic, with elegant pavilions and benches, a clear seaside, and dwell leisure in summer season.

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Vegas is stuffed with iconic spots, however many are too crowded, costly, and overrated. Try these Las Vegas vacationer traps’ alternate options as an alternative!

1 Skip: Atlantic Metropolis

Different: north wildwood is much less crowded, cleaner, and extra family-friendly.

Aerial view of Atlantic Metropolis Boardwalk and Metal Pier

Maybe the most important vacationer lure in New Jersey is Atlantic Metropolis, which is among the quite a few scenic but underrated casino alternatives to Las Vegas .

Though it is an excellent vacation spot for vacationers in search of sand, sea, and leisure, throughout the confines of the Backyard State itself, it’s thought of one of many many vacationer traps in New Jersey to keep away from as a result of it attracts huge crowds to its seaside resorts, boardwalk, playing spots, and cafés.

The gorgeous resort of North Wildwood is situated on the Jersey Shore in Cape Might County and affords a good gambling venue that doubles as an arcade , huge and nice sandy seashores, boardwalk amusement rides, and fishing alternatives.

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Jersey Shore Tourist Traps Even the Locals Can’t Resist

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There are certain Jersey Shore things that attract out-of-towners. Ya know, like Lucy the Elephant , Atlantic City , Morey's Piers . But, let's be honest. We love 'em, too! Here's a list of 38 places at the Jersey Shore that could be considered 'tourist traps' that even the locals can't resist.

Storybook Land  in EHT never gets old! Manco & Manco pizza is still a MUST when strolling the OC boards. You catch our drift!

We know some of these places get crazy when the tourists invade, especially during the summer, but we can't seem to stay away!

Keep scrolling to check out what you had to say, and see if you agree with our list!

38 Jersey Shore Tourist Traps Even Locals Can't Resist

Jersey shore beach tags guide for summer 2022, all the awesome movies you can watch on avalon nj beach this summer, summer 2022: every awesome concert coming to camden waterfront, more from sojo 104.9 fm.

Home » Roadside Attractions Blog » New Jersey Tourist Attractions & Road Trip Stops » The 15 Best New Jersey Roadside Attractions

The 15 Best New Jersey Roadside Attractions

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Are you planning a New Jersey road trip and want to find all the best New Jersey roadside attractions along your route? Whether you’re driving across the state, taking one of the many scenic routes, or visiting the Atlantic City boardwalk or the Jersey Shore, you won’t want to miss these fifteen must-see places to go in New Jersey. They’re fun road trip stops and great additions to your travel itinerary or route.

Below are the 15 best roadside attractions in New Jersey: from a giant elephant to a giant gorilla. From a big light bulb to a fairy tale forest, from an American queen ready to crown you to a muffler man ready to change your tire. You won’t want to miss any of these bucket list worthy tourist traps and road trips stops on your New Jersey vacation.

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1. Lucy The Elephant

• 2. The World's Largest Light Bulb

3. Miss America Statue

4. grounds for sculpture, 5. giant salt water taffy, 6. fairy tale forest, 7. nitro girl uniryal gal, 8. mercedes benz tombstone, 9. tire guy muffler man, 10. bud the bayville dinosaur.

• 11. Junk Sculptures at Peterson's Service Center

12. Hindenburg Crash Site

13. mr. bill halfwit muffler man, 14. giant steel hockey player, 15. mighty joe the gorilla, the 15 best new jersey roadside attractions (in no particular order):.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lucy the Elephant (@lucytheelephant) on Jun 17, 2019 at 10:55am PDT

9200 Atlantic Ave, Margate City, NJ

Standing at six-stories tall and weighing over 90 tons, Lucy the Elephant in Margate City, New Jersey is the world’s largest elephant. Lucy was built in 1881 by real estate developer James V. Lafferty. The giant elephant originally functioned as a real estate office and then for various other businesses through the years, from a summer home to a tavern. By the 1960s the poor elephant had seen better days, laying abandoned and dilapidated. Luckily for tourists to come, the citizens of Margate raised money to restore her to her former glory and she is now the pride of Margate City, a National Historic Landmark, and one of the best New Jersey road trip destinations you can find.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Danielle Burrows (@pedestrianpomp)

2. The World’s Largest Light Bulb

Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park, 37 Christie St, Edison, NJ

At the Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park you can find the world’s largest light bulb. To celebrate the famed inventor, a 118-foot-tall tower topped with a 14-foot-tall light bulb was erected at the sight where it was invented in the 1870s. The eight-ton bulb is illuminated at night (though, now with LEDs). While you’re there you can also pose with a not-quite-as-big giant incandescent light bulb replica that’s also found in the park

View this post on Instagram A post shared by sparanelli (@sparanelli) on Jan 14, 2020 at 10:13pm PST

1761 U.S. 9, Toms River, NJ

For the majority of years since 1921 the Miss America pageant has been held off the boardwalk in Atlantic City. From 2004 to 2013 the pageant was moved to Las Vegas and then, in 2014, it was moved back to the boardwalk. When the pageant returned, larger-than-life-size Miss America statue was erected outside of Boardwalk Hall. The sculpture by artist Brian Hanlon wears a gown, sash, and crown, and holds out a new crown to signify the passing of the title. Visitors can pose for Instagram as if they themselves are being crowned the next Miss America. There’s also a statue of Bert Parks (famed host from 1955 to 1979) holding out a crown outside the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by bettie_noir (@bettie_noir) on Mar 25, 2020 at 6:08am PDT

80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton Township, NJ

Seward Johnson (1930-2020) was probably best known for his larger-than-life hyper-realistic sculptures that popped up in cities around the world. Sculptures like the Forever Marilyn (a giant Marilyn Monroe statue based on Billy Wilder’s film The Seven Year Itch), Unconditional Surrender (a sculpture based on the famous Times Square kiss photo, V-J Day in Times Square), and the God Bless America (a sculpture based on the painting American Gothic). You can see more of his works, both big and small, along with works by other contemporary artists at New Jersey’s Grounds For Sculpture .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Katey Stanley (@kateystanley)

Lucille’s Own-Make Candies, 4105 Long Beach Blvd, Beach Haven, NJ

OH FUDGE! That’s what is printed across the building for Lucille’s Own-Make Candies in Beach Haven and what you’ll be saying is you miss this weird New Jersey roadside attraction. Next to the beachfront candy shop you’ll find a delightful giant piece of white-with-pink-stripe salt water taffy, a seaside classic! Take some photos with this giant confection and then head inside to grab some normal-size versions for yourself!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Baldo Koldo Photography (@baldokoldo) on Nov 30, 2019 at 3:04pm PST

140 Oak Ridge Rd, Oak Ridge, NJ

Fairy Tale Forest was once a bustling children’s theme park in Oak Ridge. Opened in 1957, it attracted visitors with its fairy-tale themed displays until it closed in 2005. A giant shoe (as in there was an old woman who lived in a shoe) and parts of Rapunzel’s castle are still visible from the road and the New Jersey roadside attraction has plans to open again soon as Fables Restaurant and Marketplace at Fairy Tale Forest.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by A donut connisseur. (@multisyn1) on Jun 18, 2018 at 12:57pm PDT

Werbany Tire Town Inc, 1337 N Black Horse Pike, Blackwood, NJ

This Uniroyal Gal has been positioned outside Werbany Tire Town since 1965 but she got a big makeover in 2007. Now known as “Nitro Girl,” the Wonder Woman-esque fiberglass woman sports a star-spangled blue skirt, a W-with-wings logo on her chest, and more stars sprinkled in her hair.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Allison 🔔 (@funerallison)

Rosedale Cemetery, 50 E Linden Ave, Linden, NJ

All Ray Tse, Jr. wanted was to get his driver’s license and drive a Mercedes Benz. When he died before his time at age 15 his brother made his wish come true in the form of a 36-ton granite Mercedes Benz placed at the family mausoleum. The memorial’s license plates read: “RAY TSE.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jen Walker (@msjenjwalker) on Nov 5, 2017 at 7:16am PST

Royal Tire & Auto, 301 N White Horse Pike, Magnolia, NJ

The Tire Guy is a 20-foot tall muffler man holding, you guessed it, a tire! This guy has been a mainstay of among South Jersey attractions for years. He’s lived at several locations over the years and has been repainted many times over. Currently he lives at Royal Tire & Auto in Magnolia and sports some bright pink pants and a bright orange shirt! Check him out along with many other muffler men in New Jersey. Look for muffler men at Barnacle Bill’s Amusements (Ortley Beach), Cowtown Rodeo (Pilesgrove), Casino Pier (Seaside Heights), Dracula’s Domain (Cream Ridge), and Golden Galleon Pirate Golf (Ocean City).

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @primephoto on Dec 30, 2015 at 9:33pm PST

510 U.S. 9, Bayville, NJ

Since 1935 a brontosaurus has served as a local landmark on Route 9 in Bayville. Bud the Bayville Dinosaur is a fixture in town and has seen many paint jobs (including one in a light purple with white and red hand prints all over) over the years. His head was recently torn off by a passing truck but he has been fully restored, painted a more realistic dino-color and is back to being a Jurassic roadside attraction.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by spitfire70 (@spitfire70) on Aug 2, 2015 at 4:46pm PDT

11. Junk Sculptures at Peterson’s Service Center

Peterson’s Service Center, 308 White Horse Pike, Egg Harbor City, NJ

Mechanic Tom Peterson has created hundreds of sculptures made from discarded auto parts over the years. Many of those have been displayed at his garage through the years, including sculptures of dinosaurs, robots, knights, and an eight-foot-tall Statue of Liberty made from car parts, golf clubs, and gum ball machines. Many of the works have been sold off, but a few remain, and are worthy of a road trip stop, including Lady Liberty.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Erin Morris (@emo1281) on Nov 13, 2019 at 5:53am PST

Front Gate Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst, Manchester Township, NJ

In 1937 a German airship caught fire and was destroyed trying to dock in New Jersey. The Hindenburg disaster took the lives of 35 people. A simple memorial in the shape of a cement outline of the Hindenburg was placed in the spot there the disaster took place. The memorial is on an active Naval Air Station, and tours are offered at select times and should be booked ahead.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lisa Jordan (@retrollama) on May 3, 2017 at 8:37am PDT

Mr. Bill’s, 453 NJ-73, Hammonton, NJ

Mr. Bill, a halfwit muffler man with a yellow shirt, blue suspenders, goofy smile, and boater hat, stands outside Mr. Bill’s in Hammonton. The diner features hamburgers, breakfasts, and ice cream creations and Mr. Bill has beckoned hungry travelers on the way to the Jersey Shore since the 1950s. The restaurant closed in 2014 and reopened with new owners in 2016. He’s since been given a good wash and painted, making this vintage muffler man ready for the next 50 years of being an iconic New Jersey roadside attraction.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chris Howell (@howellc4) on Mar 25, 2019 at 4:29pm PDT

232 Market St, Newark, NJ 07102

Called “The Iron Man,” this giant steel hockey player in Newark is the has been the centerpiece of Championship Plaza, the area surrounding the Prudencial Center and Devils Arena Entertainment, where the New Jersey Devils play hockey, since 2009. The statue, which stands at 22 feet tall and weighs three tons, was designed by professional sculptor and Devils hockey fan.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Carrie Kues Maguire (@carriekues) on Nov 6, 2016 at 5:43am PST

Mighty Joe’s Gas Grill & Deli, 1231 US-206, Shamong, NJ

Mighty Joe the Gorilla has had many names over the years. “Kongo-Pongo” and “Magilla” when he lived on the boardwalk in Wildwood and “George” when he watched over a go-kart track in South Jersey. Today he is known as Mighty Joe and stands in front of Mighty Joe’s Gas Grill & Deli in Shamong. Larry Valenzano bought the gorilla and renamed him “Mighty Joe,” after his son who died of a brain tumor in 1999. The giant gorilla holds a sign that says, “Hello, my name is Mighty Joe. My job is to look up to heaven from time to time and say, ‘HEY, JOE, WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.’”

Want to see more of the strangest roadside attractions in America? From Alabama to Wyoming, check out our list of the best roadside attractions in each state .

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Image by Jim McIntosh from Pixabay

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Valerie Bromann

Founder & road trip expert.

Valerie Bromann is a a website manager, content creator, and writer from Chicago, Illinois (currently living in Dallas, Texas). As an avid road tripper who has visited hundreds of roadside attractions, Val always pull over for a world’s largest thing. Founder of Silly America and author of The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book , she visits, photographs, and writes about all the weird tourist destinations she visits and offers road trip planning advice and inspiration based on her own travels so you can hit the road for yourself.

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Last modified: April 28, 2022 Category: New Jersey Tourist Attractions & Road Trip Stops , Roadside Attractions

The 10 Best Utah Roadside Attractions

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The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.

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Silly America is a roadside attractions blog designed to help travelers find unique stops for their next road trip. The website is a tribute to the great American road trip, devoted to all that is odd in America: roadside attractions, tourist traps, peculiar destinations, bizarre events, road food, fun festivals, and more! It’s a travel website and trip planner for those seeking an offbeat road trip.

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The Stupid But Accurate Reason This Was Named NJ’s Biggest Tourist Trap

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Tourist traps. Every state has them, including New Jersey.

You know, those places that are built for the sole purpose of getting people from out of town to part ways with their hard-earned money as they spend their hard-earned money just being out of town.

Those places where if you are a local, you know to avoid -- and then you go somewhere on vacation and you're the one that comes home with a Niagara Falls snow globe, a $44 t-shirt from Daytona Beach, or a miniature license plate from Hersheypark with your kid's name on it.

So what do you think is New Jersey's biggest tourist trap?

Is it Lucy The Elephant in Margate? Nope.

Some place that'll take you to see the Statue of Liberty? Incorrect.

Great Adventure? Negative.

The editors at BestLife recently compiled a list of each state's biggest tourist trap and what they picked for New Jersey kinda caught me off guard.

But first, let's look at surrounding states to see what we're up against.

Pennsylvania

The biggest tourist trap in the Keystone State is the Haines Shoe House in York .

Remember the story about the little old lady who lived in a shoe? So, someone actually built a shoe-shaped house in York, Pennsylvania, and you can go inside it.

You probably guessed it's Times Square for New York.

From being harassed by scammers to creepy costumed characters, overwhelming neon and way too many people, Times Square looks better on TV–and smells better too.

New Jersey's biggest tourist trap

According to BestLife, the Garden State's biggest tourist trap is the Ocean City Boardwalk.

Now, I don't necessarily disagree with that choice, however, why they picked it is a bit stupid as far as I'm concerned.

Jersey Shore has quite a reputation, thanks to MTV, so its role as a tourist destination only makes sense. Like many other parts of the East Coast, Jersey is full of boardwalks, which often become tourist traps.

Can we stop it with the Jersey Shore references, please? I mean, c'mon. Get over it.

But they continue,

But one of the biggest, most popular boardwalks is also still considered a pretty good spot despite being so touristy. Ocean City boardwalk was named the best in the state by NJ.com. Even with all the trappings of the others, Ocean City is apparently still the right mix of locals and tourists–overpriced snacks, silly t-shirts, and all.

And for that, I believe they are correct.

Look at it this way: Ocean City markets itself as "America's greatest family resort," which attracts zillions of people every summer. And those zillions of people have no problem dropping a hundred bucks (or much more) on ride tickets, $34 for a pepperoni pizza, a weekend rental that costs more than a mortgage payment -- and let's not forget the beach tags. And the beach chairs. And the umbrella. And the $19 sunscreen.

Other states

If you wish to be a true tourist, you might want to check out these gems:

• Illinois: Super Museum (a huge museum dedicated to Superman)
• Indiana: The World's Largest Paint Ball
• Kansas: Dorothy House (The Wizard of Oz)

Be sure to check out BestLife's full list of the nation's biggest tourist traps.

How many of these popular new jersey attractions have you been to, 15 go-to restaurants in south jersey that shoobies love the most, more from wpg talk radio 95.5 fm.

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Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament In New Jersey Just Might Be The Most Entertaining Tourist Trap Yet

Beth Price-Williams

A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.

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Some people automatically get a bit turned off when they hear “tourist trap.” However, tourist traps often offer us a fun experience that everyone’s tried at least once. Sure, we might grumble and groan a bit, but the experience is ultimately one we’ll never forget. If you’ve never been to Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament in New Jersey, you’re about to experience one of the most entertaining tourist traps around.

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I Found Every Crabbing Spot in New Jersey

The Jersey Shore makes up miles and miles of barrier islands, which protect the saltwater marshes behind them. This is the perfect formula for tons and tons of blue crabs. It’s overshadowed by its neighbor Maryland, but NJ has plenty of spots for you to catch some crabs.

I called bait shops, talked to locals, and used my own crabbing intuition to compile a list of crabbing spots along the Jersey Shore. Feel free to bookmark this page and try a few of these spots out for yourself. Happy crabbing!

I color-coded the spots on this list to give you an idea of what each spot has to offer.

• Public piers  which are perfect for crabbing are labeled with a  blue pinpoint .
• Boat Landings  to go crabbing by boat are labeled with a  green pinpoint .
• Shoreline crabbing spots  are labeled with a  red pinpoint .
• Bridges that allow crabbing are labeled with a yellow pinpoint .

The spot you end up choosing depends on how you want to go crabbing. There are several methods to catch a blue crab, three of the most popular being hand lines, collapsible traps, and crab pots.

If you want to go crabbing with a hand line or ring net, pick a red pinpoint . If you want to use ring nets or other collapsible traps to go crabbing, pick a blue or yellow spot . If you want to set a crab pot and come back later, or actively crab with a collapsible trap connected to a buoy, I recommend you go crabbing by boat at one of the green pinpoint locations.

Table of Contents

NJ Crabbing Charters

South Jersey / Delaware Bay

Wildwood / Cape May

Ocean City / Atlantic City

Seaside Heights

New Jersey Crabbing Charters

Before you decide to go through the process of finding a crabbing spot, purchasing crabbing gear, and going down the rabbit hole that is recreational crabbing, you may want to consider a crabbing charter. A crabbing charter is a private crabbing trip with an expert captain. He or she will take you on the water with their boat to set crab traps and go fishing. You’ll spend the day on the water and learn a thing or two, and you get to keep whatever fish or crabs you catch!

I highly recommend this experience to anyone new to crabbing. There is a huge learning curve when it comes to figuring out crabbing techniques, buying the right gear, the right bait, finding the best time to go crabbing, and the list goes on. With a charter, however, you’ll get to have an expert at your side to answer any questions as you learn how to go crabbing. They’ll provide all the gear necessary, a license, and everything else you will need for this trip.

I don’t say this to overwhelm you, but just to introduce the idea of a charter boat. I found two captains who are beginner-friendly and has years of experience when it comes to catching blue crabs:

Wrecking Crew Fishing Charters, Somers Point, NJ

Click here to see Captain Dave Savidge’s availability on Fishingbooker.com .

Barnegat Bay Adventures, Mantoloking, NJ

Click here to see Captain Anthony Grassi’s availability on Fishingbooker.com .

South Jersey / Delaware Bay Crabbing Spots

After scouring New Jersey’s coastline along the Delaware bay, I found that there aren’t many options when it comes to crabbing piers. There are a few bridges and docks to crab from, but you’ll get the most crabs crabbing by boat. I’ll list the shoreline spots here. If you want to crab from a boat, you can view my map which labels boat ramps with a green pinpoint. You can also consider a boat rental service as there are a few in this area.

Turkey Point: Crabbing Bridge

View on Google Maps .

One of the only spots to crab from shore along the Delaware Bay in New Jersey is at Turkey Point. I’ve written crabbing articles for almost every coastal state in the United States, but I’ve never seen a spot like this. It’s a small bridge dedicated to crabbing in the middle of nowhere. Prepare for the inundating smell of sulfur because you’re driving way out into the bay.

Check the tide charts beforehand, because a high tide can submerge this spot. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts because this a very little known spot. There, you’ll find a bridge where you can drop collapsible traps and ring nets into the crab-filled marsh. You can also set hand lines along the shore.

Be wary that there are no restrooms here or trash bins. Take your garbage with you! Help preserve the Delaware Bay.

Old Mauricetown Bridge

The Old Mauricetown Bridge was torn down and replaced with a waterfront park where a locals love to sightsee and go fishing. It’s a little-known fact that this spot is perfect for collapsible traps. You can park right along the water and setup traps along the 115ft of shoreline. You can park so close to your traps that you can literally crab and fish from the back of your vehicle. That’s a big advantage compared to some spots where you have to drag your gear over a long distance.

Dividing Creek Boat Rentals

Visit their website

There are plenty of boat rentals along the NJ bayside, but I recommend Dividing Creek Boat Rentals. Full disclaimer, I’m not associated with Diving Creek Boat Rentals in any way.

Diving Creek Boat Rentals receives great feedback from their customers. It’s centrally located in the NJ Bay Area, just south of Millville. I believe their rates to be fair, and they’re situated in some of the best crabbing spots along the Bay.

Wildwood & Cape May Crabbing Spots

The Cape May & Wildwood Area borders acres of wetlands and coastal bays, which make great spots for crabbing! It’s a common local past time, and the area has plenty of piers and docks for anyone to set crab traps. Let’s go over a few.

Sunset Lake Park Pier

View in Google Maps .

This small, metal pier is used mostly for pedestrians watching the sunset, but it can make for a nice spot to set one or two collapsible traps. There’s parking for a handful of vehicles going south on E. Louisville Avenue, which is a short walk away from the pier. The spot has beautiful views and walking trails.

Back Bay Bulkhead, West Wildwood, NJ

This bulkhead serves as a centrally located fishing spot in Wildwood, but can also work for crabbers. The water is a bit too shallow at low tide, so make sure to plan your trip with the tides. Get your traps in the water an hour before high tide for a few hours of crabbing. Collapsible traps will work here, as well as hand lines if you venture down towards the shoreline.

West Wildwood Park

West Wildwood Park sits along The Grassy Sound, with bulkheads protecting a small playground. These bulkheads border a water that’s a few feet deep, which puts you in the perfect position for collapsible traps. I prefer this spot over Back Bay Bulkhead because there’s more parking, it’s a nicer area, and you’re along a spot with more current. More current means more crabs.

Carol Nicoletta Memorial Park & Fishing Pier

This spot is along the NJ Mainland, and not the coastal town of Wildwood. This is where you go for some serious shoreline crabbing. The pier stretches nearly 200ft into Jenkins Sound, which gives you plenty of room to set collapsible traps and crab pots. You’re surrounded on all sides by saltwater marshes and brackish waters, giving you access to all the crabs the Cape May area has to offer.

Grassy Sound Marina

Grassy Sound Marina sits right next to the old Route 147 bridge, which is a very popular crabbing spot for the Wildwood area. It stretches nearly 300 ft into the water, and comes with benches. You’ll meet other crabbers here who will spill endless crabbing knowledge. The only reason it’s so low on this list is because it’s a heavily-crabbed area.

Avalon Crabbing Spots

Public street piers.

One thing I love about Avalon is its piers at the end of a few streets. They’re small, little-known, and great for a couple crab traps. A big issue is parking. 57th Street Pier is the only one of these piers that have public parking. I would walk to these spot, if possible. There are no public restrooms and no public waste bins.

There are piers at the West end of 57th, 37th, 33rd, 23rd, and 8th street. According to locals, which is confirmed by the amount of reviews on Google Maps, 8th street pier is the most popular of the five. Because of this, I’d skip this one and go for spots that aren’t as pressured for blue crabs.

Link to each pier on Google Maps:

• 57th Street Pier
• 37th Street Pier
• 33rd Street Pier
• 23rd Street Pier
• 8th Street Pier

Ocean City / Atlantic City Crabbing Spots

Route 52 (image above), which connects Ocean City, NJ to the mainland, is home to three of the best fishing piers and crabbing spots on the Jersey Shore. Let’s go over each one.

The Secluded Fishing Pier

I may upset some people by putting this spot first, or even mentioning it at all! It’s the closest pier to Ocean City, and right next to the visitor’s center. People think it’s off limits because you need to walk down a road that looks like it’s for vehicles to access it. This drives off the competition, so take advantage of it! Park your car as close to the end of the visitor’s center parking lot as you can. Right before the exit, there’s a roadway with a “DO NOT ENTER” sign. Do the opposite of this sign, and walk your crabbing gear down to the pier.

Rainbow Island Fishing Pier

This 400 foot pier is the longest of the three piers on Route 52, which means more room for crab traps. There’s enough parking for around 20 vehicles. Please do your part to maintain a clean pier.

Elbow Thorofare Fishing Pier

On the opposite side of Rainbow Island, Elbow Thorofare Fishing Pier is a much shorter option with fewer parking spots. However, don’t let that turn you away! It has all the same amenities as Rainbow Island Fishing Pier and isn’t picked as much by competing crabbers. A smaller pier does much better at spots with less pressure.

Long Beach Crabbing Spots

Bayview park pier.

Bayview park has a few spots to crab, with the viewing spots next to the parking lot, and the pier to the right by the playground. You’ll have more luck at the pier because it stretches out into the water. The viewing spot by the parking lot will only work at a higher tide, since the water is too shallow otherwise.

This has plenty of parking, trash bins, a playground, and beach. This will make for a great day of crabbing for the family since there is plenty to do if the crabbing gets slow.

Barnegat Municipal Pier

Barnegat bay Pier is a dock that stretches along 200 ft of shoreline. The spot is a bit dirty and poorly-kept, but it makes for a great spot to go crabbing and fishing. There’s a small fee charged to crabbers, but not too many people come here.

Seaside Heights Crabbing Spots

First off, let’s go over two of the best spots crabbing in the town of Seaside. Then, I’ll list nearby spots on the NJ mainland.

13th Avenue Pier

13th Avenue pier is a crabber’s dream. There’s plenty of room for parking, right next to the base of the pier. There’s a boat ramp if you want to crab in Barnegat Bay, and public waste bins. All of this right in the town of Seaside Park.

The pier is well-kept and stretches nearly 400 feet into the bay, and is used by anglers and crabbers. It’s great for collapsible traps, since you can tie your lines to the railings. It’s not great for handlines, since the railings are so high and the pier is too high off the water.

5th. Avenue Bay Pier

This park and pier is a staple of Seaside’s amenities. Parking isn’t great, since you have to pull over on the shoulder, but there is playground equipment, a beach with a lifeguard on duty, and a long crabbing pier. The pier is nearly 500 feet long, and doesn’t have a railing. This makes crabbing with handlines a possibility. Just tie the strings to the pilings, along with a few collapsible traps.

Toms River Crabbing Piers

Tom’s River is one of the last rivers going north along the Jersey Shore. Here, there are two piers on opposite sides of the river that make great shoreline crabbing. Pine Beach Pier ( View on Google Maps ) and West End Ave Crabbing Pier ( View on Google Maps ) both serve as great spots for crabbing with collapsible traps and handlines.

John C. Bartlett, Jr. County Park at Berkeley Island

This park is home to a T-pier, walking trails, covered eating areas, public restrooms, and trash bins. The pier is a bit of a walk from the parking lot, which will be a pain when lugging crabbing supplies back and forth. It’s still an excellent spot for crabbing being so far away from the rush of the Jersey Shore.

Hi! I'm Taylor. I'm from Maryland and love to go recreational crabbing. I'm no expert, but I'm becoming a better crabber every single day. I created Crabbing Hub to teach others about the past time.

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Tourist traps to avoid in every state

There are few things more American than a good old-fashioned roadside attraction. After all, they're at the heart of almost every road trip. But just because they exist doesn't mean they're all worth seeing.

While most states have quirky, unique attractions that are worth your while, it's all too easy to get suckered into a veritable tourist trap, a waste of time and—even worse—money. To avoid that dilemma on your next road trip, Stacker scoured online reviews and feedback on each state's most popular tourist attractions to find the ones that you should avoid.

ALSO:  Locals share the most overrated and underrated tourist attraction in every state

Alabama: The World's Largest Brick

This oversized ad for Jenkins Brick & Tile Company calls Montgomery, Alabama, home. The “world’s largest brick” is actually constructed from many small bricks, not one giant brick, and secondly, it can’t even boast the title anymore. In 2007, a larger clay brick, made by ACME Brick Co. in Denton, Texas, stole the honors.

Alaska: Santa Claus House

The Santa Claus House is a largely self-explanatory establishment that capitalizes on its home in North Pole, Alaska. Now, this town of 2,000 people has no relation to the real North Pole, and it’s mostly home to generic Christmas knick-knacks you can buy anywhere. Although it does have a 900-pound statue of jolly old St. Nick himself out front.

Arizona: The Thing

Anyone who’s taken a southwest road trip has probably seen mysterious billboards advertising “The Thing,” outside of Dragoon, Arizona. If the nearly 250 billboards along I-10 aren’t enough to pique your curiosity, Stacker will cue you in: “The Thing” is nothing more than an odd collection of antiquities, the centerpiece being a mummified mother and child of ambiguous origin. Save your $1.

Arkansas: Crater of Diamonds State Park

If playing around in a field of dirt appeals to you, you’ll love Crater of Diamonds State Park. As the world’s only diamond-producing site open to the public, Crater of Diamonds draws in loads of tourists who want to spend $8 for the minuscule chance of digging up a precious stone of their very own.

California: Venice Beach Boardwalk

It's been immortalized in movies and TV shows for decades, but the Venice Beach boardwalk is mostly an overcrowded stretch of street performers, meatheads, and other eccentrics who hope to make a quick buck off an unsuspecting tourist. If you want an authentic L.A. beach experience, hit up Santa Monica Pier or drive up to secluded Malibu instead.

Colorado: Mike the Headless Chicken Festival

The tiny town of Fruita, Colorado, hosts a two-day festival each year to commemorate Mike, a Wyandotte chicken who met his untimely death in 1945 and proceeded to live for another 18 months—without a head. While Mike’s story is remarkable, the festival itself is not.

Connecticut: Wild Bill's Nostalgia Store

Wild Bill's is particularly creepy on the outside—thanks to a giant clown head. This Middletown, Connecticut, attraction is home to the world’s largest jack-in-the-box and store akin to a small-town flea market.

Delaware: Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk

Once you've seen one boardwalk, you’ve seen them all. While Delaware’s Rehoboth Beach is scenic, it’s boardwalk is not—unless you’re a fan of overpriced logo T-shirts and other tourist memorabilia.

Florida: St. Augustine Alligator Farm

Florida’s famous for gators, but once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen ‘em all. The St. Augustine Alligator Farm has been in existence since the late 1800s, but we’re not entirely sure. Save your time and money, unless you’re absolutely dying to zip line over a pool of the hungry reptiles.

Georgia: Jimmy Carter Peanut Statue

No disrespect to one of America's past presidents, but there are few reasons to stop at this landmark, which consists of a 13-foot statue of a smiling peanut. It was erected by the Indiana Democratic Party during Carter's 1976 campaign, but it now lives in the former president's hometown of Plains, Georgia.

Hawaii: Dole Plantation

Dole’s famous Hawaiian plantation is popular with those who are curious about how pineapples grow, but it’s become even more famous thanks to a sweet whipped treat called a Dole Whip. Lines for this pineapple-flavored treat can grow extremely long, so next time you’re in Hawaii, skip the Dole and try truly authentic Hawaiian shaved ice instead.

Idaho: The Spud Drive-In

While a drive-in movie theater sounds quaint in theory, they don’t work nearly as well in practice. However, this Idaho theater does boast a giant sculpture of a potato sitting on the back of a flatbed truck.

Illinois: The Super Museum

What do you get when you combine the small Illinois town of Metropolis with a rabid Superman fan? A 100,000-piece homage to the superhero. Unless you’re a die-hard fan of the fictional superhero, keep on driving.

Indiana: The Largest Ball of Paint

What was once a humble baseball is now the world’s largest ball of paint, with more than 25,000 layers and weighing more than 4,000 pounds. It’s among the state’s most-visited roadside attractions. If curiosity gets the better of you, you can make an appointment to view the ball for yourself.

Iowa: The Field of Dreams

The beloved movie was filmed here—and that's about it. Since then, it's hosted a baseball exhibition game and a film screening, but it's still basically a baseball diamond surrounded by cornfields. 

Kansas: The World's Largest Ball of Twine

Yes, it’s a real thing. This Cawker City, Kansas, attraction is more than 40 feet in circumference and weighs almost 15,000 pounds.

Kentucky: Ark Encounter

This biblical theme-park opened in 2016, boasting a life-size, 510-foot-long ark among other religious exhibits. While the exhibitions might be interesting to many, the ticket price is tough to swallow. Ticket prices are $48 for adults, and between $15 and $25 for kids, so bringing the whole family here will be a pricey endeavor.

Louisiana: Bourbon Street

Louisiana’s Bourbon Street is unfailingly popular in a city with so much else to offer. There are much more interesting things to do in the Big Easy than walk down a stretch loaded with strip clubs, loud groups of partiers, and tacky drink offerings.

Maine: The Desert of Maine

In a state with so much natural beauty, why would anyone care about seeing a desert? This sandy 40-acre attraction is the result of exposed glacial silt in the middle of what was once a working farm. Admission costs $12.50 for adults to visit what is basically a sandbox.

Maryland: God's Ark of Safety

Kentucky beat Maryland to the punch with their Ark Encounter, but at one time, Marylanders, too, wanted a life-size replica of the ark. While the project kicked off with a bang in 1976, it quickly fizzled out, leaving a steel-and-concrete skeleton alongside the interstate that nevertheless still draws curious visitors.

Massachusetts: Plymouth Rock

Want to see where the original pilgrims landed in Massachusetts? Prepare to be disappointed. While there is indeed a Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts, disappointed visitors will discover it’s nothing more than an average-sized rock with a plaque next to it.

Michigan: Mystery Spot

This famed area was discovered in the 1950s by surveyors who discovered their equipment had mysteriously stopped working. Since then, it’s been regarded as, well, a mysterious spot that defies the laws of gravity. Now, it’s nothing more than a few shacks built into hillside, a mini-amusement park with a maze, mini-golf, and zip lines. Like one TripAdvisor reviewer wrote, “the only mystery is ‘where did my $9 go?’”

Minnesota: Mall of America

It’s large and has every store imaginable, drawing in more than 40 million visitors each year. But in the era of Amazon, there are better ways to spend your time and money than shopping at this chain-store conglomerate. Even a visit to some of the more unique attractions, like the aquarium or Nickelodeon Universe, will cost you, with ticket prices of $25—or more.

Mississippi: Mammy's Cupboard

This restaurant, which has its dining room set within the skirt of a 28-foot black woman, has its roots in an offensive stereotype that existed for decades in the South. While the Natchez restaurant was repainted during the Civil Rights era, it’s still hotly debated in Mississippi.

Missouri: Silver Dollar City

Branson's Silver Dollar City is no Disney World—but you still might be floored by the prices to get into this wannabe amusement park, where tickets for adults run nearly $70. With just 40 rundown rides, there are better places to spend your hard-earned money. 

Montana: Lincoln’s World Famous 50,000 Silver $ Bar

“Montana’s largest gift shop” also boasts a motel, free RV parking, and a casino. But the real attractions here are the 50,000 silver dollar coins affixed to every surface. 

Nebraska: Carhenge

Imagine that the builders of Nebraska’s Carhenge said, “Imagine Stonehenge, but with cars.” Thirty-nine painted cars are arranged to resemble the famed English monument. Instead, consider checking out some of Nebraska’s natural wonders, like the famed sandhill crane migration.

Nevada: The Las Vegas Strip

Impressive by night, this iconic stretch of Las Vegas looks more like a strip mall during the day. Hoping to get a selfie with the namesake sign? Be prepared to wait in a long queue, likely with no shade and scorching heat—this is Vegas after all.

New Hampshire: Ice Castles

Man-made ice caverns sound impressive and they are in fact beautiful, but like many roadside attractions, these just aren’t quite as breathtaking in person as they sound. If you like bitterly cold temperatures and crowds — you’ll love it.

New Jersey: Atlantic City

Natives of the Garden State won't be surprised by this addition to the list. Atlantic City's boardwalk is full of unsuspecting attractions that lure tourists into spend money. If you want to visit the Jersey coast, stick to the charming houses and quaint seaside in Cape May.

New Mexico: Roswell

The Land of Enchantment is also supposedly the site of a 1947 alien crash landing, which sent the town of Roswell into a frenzy. Now, the southern New Mexico town has turned the alleged event into a tourist attraction, building a museum, the International UFO Museum and Research Center, kitschy gift shops, and more.

New York: Times Square

A plaza of flashing lights and Disney characters might sound appealing on your first visit to New York, but real New Yorkers generally avoid the place. At its crux, Times Square is just a plaza surrounded by bright billboards and overpriced chain restaurants. 

North Carolina: The World’s Largest Chest of Drawers

High Point, North Carolina, holds the distinction of Home Furnishings Capital of the World, drawing interior designers, media, and manufacturers annually for its namesake festival. But the town has one other curious draw: a 38-foot statue of a dresser built in the 1920s.

North Dakota: The Center of North America

A stone obelisk marks the center of North America, located near a town aptly-named Center, North Dakota. For years, nearby Rugby claimed the title, until a geographer updated the previously used calculations. 

Ohio: Mary Yoder's Amish Kitchen

This restaurant-gift shop serves hearty Amish food that is purportedly homemade, but some online reviewers report being served canned green beans and frozen dinner rolls. While the temptation of a filling country meal can be strong, Mary Yoder's is best skipped.

Oklahoma: Blue Whale

Catoosa, Oklahoma’s blue whale won’t be seen in the ocean anytime soon. The derelict 80-foot-long replica of a sperm whale was originally part of a public swimming hole, but it quickly became a popular Route 66 attraction. Today, the whale remains in the pond, alongside a summer concession stand and, naturally, a souvenir shop.

Oregon: Sea Lion Caves

It sounds cool in theory: the world’s largest sea cave. Then, you enter a crowd freight elevator that drops to the bottom, prompting the aforementioned sea lions to dive into the water. At $11, you should keep driving.

Pennsylvania: Hershey's Chocolate World

Hershey’s Chocolate World is essentially a theme park dedicated to average chocolate. While admission for the trolley tour is free, the end-goal here is to get visitors to make purchases from the overwhelming, sugar-fueled gift shop.

Rhode Island: Newport Mansions

Rhode Island’s coast is lined with breathtaking mansions that are well-worth the visit—but you don’t need to pay to get inside. While a ticket to tour the Newport Mansions’ interiors will run you about $25, you can instead take in the opulent homes from the adjacent Cliff Walk, free of charge.

South Carolina: South of the Border

This bizarre rest-stop-meets-theme-park might lure you in with its bright colors and promise of an easy attraction to satisfy restless kids, but once you're here, you'll find a kitschy, dated complex with a Mexican restaurant, a reptile exhibit, and a truck stop all in one. Combined with the racist bandito mascot and you'll see why you should keep driving.

South Dakota: Wall Drug

Like Arizona’s “The Thing,” if you’ve driven through South Dakota, you may have seen a billboard for Wall Drug—after all, there are more than 300. Back in the 1930s, the drugstore served a valuable purpose, serving up free ice water to thirsty drivers. But today, it’s nothing more than a hodgepodge of stores and a random snake pit.

Tennessee: Graceland

Warning: Elvis Fans might find this addition blasphemous. “The King” left the building decades ago, but this tourist trap still rakes in the big bucks, charging nearly $40 for adults to tour his Memphis home.

Texas: Cadillac Ranch

It's hard to miss this long-standing Texan tourist trap while driving toward Amarillo, Texas. Consisting of colorful Cadillacs embedded in the sandy soil, there’s not much to see here, yet thousands of visitors stop their cars each year. Don’t waste your time at the nearby Big Texan either, a kitschy steakhouse that’s lured in unsuspecting road-trippers for years.

Utah: Hole N The Rock

While this attraction can be given credit for being more than just a “hole n the rock,” it doesn’t mean it’s worth your time. Located outside of Moab, Hole N" The Rock consists of a multi-room cave-house, gift shop, and small zoo.

Vermont: Rock of Ages

For fans of giant holes in the ground, stick to the Grand Canyon. Don't be one of the hapless tourists who's fallen for the Rock of Ages, a giant granite quarry you can pay to see, alongside a tacky gift shop selling granite goods, natch.

Virginia: Dinosaur Land

Opened more than 50 years ago, Dinosaur Land is home to many slightly dated fiberglass models of ferocious dinos—as well as a random shark and octopus for good measure. While charming for small kids, there’s not much that you can’t see at your neighborhood mini-golf course.

Washington: Seattle Gum Wall

One word comes to mind when describing Seattle’s gum wall: gross. For years, locals and visitors alike have stuck their gum to this unsuspecting wall, creating a colorful canvas of saliva and the sticky stuff. The wall was cleaned for the first time in 2015.

West Virginia: Mystery Hole

Like so many mystery attractions, West Virginia’s Mystery Hole is not so much dedicated to one hole, but instead a hodgepodge of random oddities, similar to Michigan’s Mystery Spot. Save $7 and let this mystery remain.

Wisconsin: Mars Cheese Castle

If there’s one thing Wisconsin’s known for, it is cheese, and the Mars Cheese Castle takes cheese to a whole new level. While mildly amusing—the building does look like a castle—it’s not necessarily worth a visit unless you want to buy some average cheese that you can probably get from the local grocery store at home.

Wyoming: Frontier Prison

This depressing stop might appeal to some with a mean streak, but for most visitors, the thought of paying money to sit in a defunct gas chamber in Rawlins, Wyoming, doesn't sound appealing. The prison closed in 1981.

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Day Trip Nomad

9 Popular US Tourist Traps That Look Better in Photos Than in Reality

Posted: July 18, 2024 | Last updated: July 18, 2024

Ever find yourself elbow-to-elbow with a horde of tourists, squinting at a so-called “wonder” and thinking, “Huh, this it?” You’re not alone. We’ve all been lured in by the siren song of top-10 lists and Insta-worthy spots, only to discover that reality doesn’t always live up to the hype. 

After spending years living out of a van and road-tripping across the country, I’ve had my fair share of incredible views and unforgettable experiences. Along the way, I’ve stumbled into a few places that, well, let’s just say I wouldn’t rush back to. That’s why we’re spilling the beans on some overrated tourist attractions in the US you might want to skip during your next vacation.

1. Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles, CA

• Expectations:   Star-studded sidewalks, celebrity sightings, and glamorous photo ops.
• Reality:  Crowded streets, faded stars, and can be sketchy at night

While the Hollywood Walk of Fame may seem like a must-see for any movie buff or pop culture fanatic, the reality is that it’s mostly just a sidewalk filled with names you might not even recognize. 

The area is often crowded and filled with tour groups, making it difficult to get that perfect photo without someone walking in front of you. Plus, the neighborhood itself can be a bit sketchy at night. 

If you’re set on seeing some stars, head to the Griffith Observatory for a better view of the Hollywood sign and the galaxy and Malibu or Rodeo Drive for a better chance to spot actual celebrities.

2. Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, CA

• Expectations:  Colorful seafood markets, and waterfront restaurants with a Golden Gate Bridge view.
• Reality:  Crowded streets, overpriced food, and touristy souvenir shops

While Fisherman’s Wharf may have been a hub for fishermen back in the day, it’s mostly overrun with tourists now. The area is filled with tacky souvenir shops, overpriced seafood restaurants, and street performers hoping for a tip. And while the views of the Golden Gate Bridge from here are nice, you can get a better (and less crowded) view from other spots in the city.

Instead, take a stroll through the Ferry Building Marketplace for delicious food options, or head to one of San Francisco’s many beautiful parks for a view of the bridge.

3. The Las Vegas Strip during the day, NV

• Expectations:  Glitzy casinos, friendly party vibe, and endless entertainment options
• Reality:  Hot temperatures, overpriced everything, and a lot of walking

Save your visit for when the neon lights shine bright at night. The Las Vegas Strip may seem like the epitome of excitement and luxury, but during the day, it can quickly turn into a sweaty nightmare. The sidewalks are crowded with tourists trying to get from one casino to another, and the blistering sun makes for a less-than-enjoyable experience. 

Instead of braving the Strip during the day , go on some of the best day trips in the country, like Red Rock Canyon or the Hoover Dam. Otherwise, one of my favorite Vegas neighborhood gems I love is the 18b arts district.

4. Four Corners Monument, Southwest USA

• Expectations:  A unique photo opportunity to stand in four states at once.
• Reality:  Overpriced entry fee, really remote drive out, and underwhelming experience.

While the idea of being in four states at once may seem cool, the reality is that the Four Corners Monument isn’t as exciting as it sounds. The area itself is quite remote and can be a bit of a drive to get to, only to find yourself waiting in long lines for a photo op. Plus, the entry fee is quite steep for what it is – essentially just standing on a plaque. 

Only if you’re on your way to other attractions nearby (like a trip to Mesa Verde National Park or Monument Valley), then you might as well stop by. But if not, save yourself the time and money or take a photo of the Four Corners sign on the side of the road instead.

5. Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA

• Expectations:  Lively market with fresh seafood, local produce, and friendly vendors.
• Reality:  Crowded walkways, overpriced food, and pushy crowds 

While Pike Place Market may be a staple in Seattle, it’s not always the idyllic market that it’s portrayed to be. Sure, you can find some fresh seafood and local produce, but the narrow streets are filled with tourists trying to get a glimpse of the famous fish throwers, and the market itself is quite touristy. Due to its popularity, prices can be heavily inflated, so it might not be exactly the charming market experience you were hoping for. 

While I would still go for a quick visit to see the iconic neon sign and fish-throwing in person, I’d recommend exploring other neighborhoods like Capitol Hill or Fremont.

6. The Original Starbucks, Seattle, WA

• Expectations:  The very first Starbucks store, a pilgrimage for coffee lovers.
• Reality:  It’s just another Starbucks, but with longer lines.

Speaking of Seattle, the original Starbucks may seem like a must-visit for any caffeine enthusiast. But be prepared to wait in long lines and fight your way through crowds just to order your grande latte. While it may have been the first Starbucks, it’s now just like any other chain coffee shop. 

If you’re craving a unique coffee experience in Seattle, head to one of the many independent cafes in the city or take a tour of some local roasteries. Trust me, there are so many amazing mom-and-pop options!

7. The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas

• Expectations:  A historic landmark and symbol of Texas pride.
• Reality:  Small, packed, and underwhelming 

While the Alamo may hold a significant place in American history, it’s just a small building with limited exhibits. It can also get quite crowded with tourists trying to take photos or waiting for the next tour. Just outside its doors, the surrounding area is filled with tourist traps and souvenir shops aimed at capitalizing on its fame. 

However, a visit here is free, so there isn’t much to lose if you’re touring San Antonio anyway. But don’t expect to spend more than an hour or two here. If you’re interested in Texas history, I recommend other historic sites like The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park or boat tours around the River Walk.

8. Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

• Expectations:  Exquisite beach, crystal-clear water, and the ultimate paradise.
• Reality:  Crowded, noisy environment, and over-commercialized

Waikiki Beach may have been a tropical paradise in the past, but now it’s filled with high-rise hotels, loud street performers, and is very crowded almost all year round. 

While the water may be blue, it’s not as pristine as you might expect due to its popularity with tourists. And because many of the activities and restaurants in this area cater to tourists, this is one of the most expensive places to visit in Hawaii. 

Instead, venture to some of the less crowded and more secluded beaches on the other sides of the island, such as Lanikai Beach, Sunset Beach, and Makalawena Beach.

9. Bonus: Times Square on New Year’s Eve, NY

• Expectations:  An unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration in the heart of NYC.
• Reality:  Cold, no bathrooms, and standing for hours and can barely see anything

Times Square on New Year’s Eve may seem like the ultimate way to ring in the new year, but in reality, it can be miserable. I’m including this one as a bonus because I think it was one of the funniest travel fails I’ve ever had. As a New Jersey native, I can confidently say that spending New Year’s Eve in Times Square is not worth it. 

The crowds are intense, the weather is usually freezing, and there are no bathrooms available! Plus, if you want a decent view of the ball drop, you’ll have to stand for hours without moving. Even knowing that, I arrived at 3 pm and was almost a mile away!

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10 Worst American Tourist Traps You Should Avoid

Every traveler has been a victim of the dreaded tourist trap. These places leave you feeling empty, hoodwinked and filled with regret. And yet, it's almost impossible to avoid them. 

Thankfully, we now have sites in which people can leave reviews — aka warnings so that other travelers don't make the same mistakes. Based on Tripadvisor reviews, these are the 10 worst tourist traps you should avoid when traveling in the U.S.

10. Hollywood Walk of Fame

Location:  Los Angeles, California

We like the idea behind the Hollywood Walk of Fame: to commemorate artists who have truly left a mark on the world. But the tourist experience of this street is absolutely underwhelming. There just isn't much to be said about seeing a star with a name on the floor. Sure, you could tell yourself that you're standing in the exact same spot as someone famous, but how much does that really matter?

If you're in L.A. and want to take an obligatory picture on this street, go ahead. But if you're short on time, there are much better things to do with your time.

*Ranking is based on Casago’s 2023 “ The Biggest Tourist Traps Worldwide ” report.

9. Cannery Row

Location:  Monterey, California

Once home to multiple sardine canning factories, Cannery Row has now been gentrified into a bougie district filled with shops and restaurants. We won't deny that its views of Monterey Harbor and its historic buildings are charming. The issue is that the district has become too popular for its own good and now offers just OK experiences for exorbitant prices (as well as a lot of cheesy, touristy trinkets). 

Come here if you have nothing better to do in Monterey.

8. San Antonio River Walk

Location:  San Antonio, Texas

Like Cannery Row, the San Antonio River Walk is undeniably pretty. But the only thing to do here is to sit down at an expensive restaurant and pay absurd prices for views of the San Antonio River. First-timers are encouraged to at least walk along the river.

But for those returning to cool San Antonio, this is a place to skip in lieu of much more incredible attractions, like the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.

7. Hyman's Seafood

Location:  Charleston, South Carolina

Hyman's Seafood has definitely earned its legendary place in Charleston's food scene. The establishment has been around since 1890, first as a dry goods store, then as a seafood restaurant. Now on its fifth generation, the iconic eatery has been graced with guests like Oprah Winfrey and Barbara Streisand. 

So, why do so many people feel disappointed? The prices aren't the problem. In fact, we think they're pretty good for a restaurant this famous. But people say the food isn't out-of-this-world. At least not enough to justify the absurdly long lines. Still want to try it? Make sure to have a reservation.

6. Big Texan Steak Ranch

Location:  Amarillo, Texas

Part restaurant, part hotel, part random gift shop, the Big Texan Steak Ranch encompasses the spirit of Texas. Its main claim to fame is its 72-ounce steak dinner, which consists of steak, a bread roll, baked potato, salad and a shrimp cocktail. Anyone who is able to finish it in less than one hour gets the meal for free. The challenge calls to people, especially in a state where bigger always equals better. 

But if you don't like the idea of getting sick for the sake of a food contest, there is nothing especially interesting for you here.

5. Navy Pier

Location:  Chicago, Illinois

Chicago's Navy Pier is basically a scenic mall with indoor dining and shopping as well as outdoor offerings. During the summer, small water attractions bring in families looking for a refreshing activity. 

Let's be honest: It's really not the worst attraction; in fact, if you visit, you'll probably enjoy your time here. The issue is that Chicago has so many amazing  things to do that it seems like a waste of time to come to a mall. You can find that anywhere — but you can't find the Art Institute of Chicago or the Skydeck. 

4. Cafe du Monde

Location:  New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is one of the culinary epicenters of the U.S. So, if a place becomes legendary within the city, you know it has to offer something extraordinary. And Cafe du Monde certainly does: Its beignets are heavenly. 

But, sadly, the cafe's quality has been its doom. If you want to enjoy what it offers, you'll likely have to stand in line for an hour and a half or longer. Really, no restaurant in the world justifies that wait time. 

3. Times Square

Location:  New York, New York

Have you even been to New York if you haven't been to Times Square? Yes and no. There are so many more interesting places in the city that actually give you a glimpse of its beautiful, chaotic energy. At the same time, the square is the epitome of capitalistic hedonism, and that certainly describes the city. 

Our advice is to go here once the first time you visit New York. Then, try to stay away from it as much as possible.

2. Dole Plantation

Location:  Wahiawa, Hawaii

Why on Earth would someone spend their time in Hawaii touring the Dole Plantation? Maybe if you were in a state where there is nothing but corn fields and Walmarts, but visiting an attraction like this while on Oahu seems like a crime. 

Sure, pineapples have been important to the state's modern-day history. But that doesn't justify wasting your time here when you could've been at the beach or hiking in Waimea Valley. To be fair, we blame any tourist who makes this decision, not the plantation.

1. Fisherman's Wharf

Location:  San Francisco, California

One of San Francisco's most famous districts, Fisherman's Wharf is a historic area that attracts people with its promise of fresh seafood and gorgeous harbor views. Like other places on this list, the Wharf is a cool attraction turned sour because of its popularity. Food prices are absurd, and scenic spots have lines of people waiting to take the same picture. You'll hardly ever see locals here for this very reason.

Is it more touristy than Times Square? Tripadvisor reviewers seem to think so, but we'd disagree.

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Historical And Beloved New Jersey Landmark On Boring Tourist Trap List

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There will be a lot of people all over New Jersey who are not very happy about this one. A beloved New Jersey landmark has been included on a national list of the worst tourist traps.

Let's be honest. There are definitely tourist traps out there all over this great nation, and yes, we are sure they even exist right here in New Jersey.

But when we found out which New Jersey attraction one major national website included on a list of tourist traps, we were really surprised.

The list consisted of which roadside attraction the folks at Far & Wide considered the most boring tourist trap in each state.

For us, that location is surprisingly found in the lovely town of Margate City. That's right, the roadside attraction we're talking about here is the beloved Lucy The Elephant.

Wait. What? The revered Lucy the Elephant, that large, legendary figure that is known by all who come near it, has been called boring, and we don't like it.

Why in the world would you pick on a huge elephant building that has been around for over 100 years and is beloved by generations of New Jersey visitors and residents alike?

No, there aren't any rides,r 3D movies, or adjoining 5-star restaurants, but there is history, and there are memories, and you can't put a value on either of those.

There are definitely worse ways you can spend $8.50 than getting a guided tour inside Lucy, but you can still park and walk around the outside of Lucy for free.

To those who don't have nice things to say about Lucy, don't say anything. Lucy may not be Disney World, but she isn't boring. Maybe just a little shy.

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The worst tourist trap in every state

• There's tons of sightseeing to do in the US but some spots have become tourist traps .
• Avoiding overcrowded landmarks like New York City's Times Square and New Orleans' Bourbon Street is recommended.
• Offbeat attractions like Nebraska's Carhenge or Maine's "desert" also aren't worth the hype.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories .

Maybe you're touring the US as a citizen out to see your homeland. Or maybe you're coming from afar to see what America has to offer. Either way, you probably want to make the most of your travels . 

While some tourist spots across the country have become legendary landmarks that everyone should see , others are just disappointing tourist traps . Some are blatant attempts to make money, others are plain weird, but either way, they should be avoided at all costs.

Save your time, money, and sanity by skipping these 50 tourist traps. 

Amy Daire contributed to a previous version of this piece.

ALABAMA: Ave Maria Grotto

This miniature city was built out of cement and trash by brother Joseph (formerly Michael Zoettl), a hunchbacked Benedictine monk. The little village is often referred to as  "Little Jerusalem," and features 125 tiny religious statues, grottos, and holy locations.

It's essentially a wacky, four acre holy shrine — you might be better off going to Legoland.

ALASKA: The North Pole

Did you really come this far, to one of the most beautiful, untouched, wild and untamed states , to see a fake little Christmas village?

On top of that, the North Pole is freezing in the winter, and actually really hot in the summer, and swarming with mosquitos.

ARIZONA: The Four Corners

Of course it sounds cool to technically be in New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah, all at the same time , but you'll find yourself in the middle of nowhere, far away from anywhere you'd ever want to be, in a sweltering desert, and all you'll have to show for it is a cheesy photo. EVEN BETTER, it's really just a brass, CD-like disk that's allegedly 1,800 feet from the actual intersection of those four states.

ARKANSAS: Crater of Diamonds State Park

While the idea of digging for diamonds sounds cool — the park is apparently the  only source of natural diamonds in the US that's open to the public —  the reality is a 3 7 ½-acre plowed field  of dirt. It's been open since 1906, so the chances of finding a diamond seem pretty slim to us.

CALIFORNIA: Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Hollywood walk of fame has become one of the biggest hotspots for tourists visiting California. Sadly, the stars that celebrities are so proud of are on a dirty, crowded sidewalk, surrounded by tacky street performers, and far from anything else worth a visit. 

COLORADO: Buffalo Bill Grave and Museum

Sure, it's the grave of one of the world's most famous cowboys — and outstanding hunter and accomplished showman — but a grave is a grave is a grave.

Plus, the  Buffalo Bill Grave and Museum  opened in 1921, and hasn't changed much since.

CONNECTICUT: Wild Bill's Nostalgia Store

People from all over the country stop at this quirky roadside pop culture  reliquary , which is most famous for being home to a (terrifying) Jack-in-the-Box that's said to be the world's largest. A sort of cabinet of curiosities where most curiosities are for sale, the shop is a little like a hyped-up flea market.  

DELAWARE: Rehoboth Beach boardwalk

Not technically overrated, but certainly overcrowded, Rehoboth Beach's boardwalk makes this list for being jam-packed with tourists, and chock-full of tchotke's aimed at them. Apparently, finding a parking spot is about as rare as spotting a unicorn, and many complain about inflated prices, and call the boardwalk "average," or even "extremely average."

FLORIDA: Epcot

Of the four Disney parks in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Epcot is easily the most underwhelming. Unless you're a college student looking to "drink around the world" (for hundreds of dollars nonetheless), this theme park offers nothing. 

The experiences at each country in the park focus only on the most basic stereotypes of each culture, and the few rides this park has are disappointing to most children. 

GEORGIA: World of Coca-Cola

This huge tourist attraction in the middle of Atlanta brings in millions of visitors every year. Guests can see how the soda is bottled, take their picture with the famous polar bear, and taste several of the company's other drinks. 

The tickets aren't too costly, with adult prices at $17 and children's at $13, but battling the overwhelming crowds and long lines just to walk through what is essentially a huge advertisement, is downright silly. 

HAWAII: Waikiki Beach

Waikiki was basically designed with tourists in mind, and is a strip of luxury hotels, expensive stores, and chain restaurants flanked by an overcrowded beach. It looks like most of the rest of America, and is not representative of the stunning, tropical island paradise Hawaii really is.

IDAHO: Craters of the Moon

While the name evokes a surreal, alien-like landscape, the reality does not quite live up to it.

While it is quite pretty, it's only interesting for about 10 minutes. After all, how much time can you spend ogling volcanic rocks?

ILLINOIS: Chicago's Magnificent Mile

We're not sure what's so magnificent about a street that has a few shops and restaurants, but hey.

INDIANA: NCAA Hall of Champions

With surprisingly little memorabilia on display and in dire need of a renovation, you'll be in and out of this museum , which pays homage to student athletes, in 30 minutes or less. If you want to learn about Hoosier basketball, you're better off heading 50 miles east to the  Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame  in New Castle.

IOWA: Captain James T. Kirk's future birthplace

Trekkies the world over make the trek to this tiny town in Iowa, to a private yard behind a small house, to look at a gravestone-like plaque commemorating the "Future Birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk, Karch 22, 2228."

Now obviously that's not true, since "Star Trek" is fiction, but to add insult to injury, it was really just the doing of an intrepid Trekkie mayor who, upon reading "Making of Star Trek," saw that Kirk would be born in an unnamed small town in Iowa. He figured, 'Why not Riverside?' and plopped the plaque in the middle of town, declared it Kirk's future birthplace, and the rest, as they say, is history (or the future).

KANSAS: The World's Largest Ball of Twine

It’s a ball of twine.

KENTUCKY: Ark Encounter

Last year, this life-size arc and biblical theme park opened in Williamstown, Kentucky. The grounds feature a zip line, because what would a biblical theme park be without one?

The fact that this attraction is an ode to one of the most famous biblical stories ever isn't the trap, though. It's their outrageous prices that should make you think twice: tickets are $40 per adult and $28 per child, and zip lining costs at least $50 on top of that.

LOUISIANA: Bourbon Street

New Orleans is a beautiful, historic town filled with culture, and Bourbon Street just doesn't do it justice. It's essentially like Cancun during Spring Break — neon signs advertising cheap, tacky bars line a street that's full of drunk people throwing plastic beads at your head — when they aren't throwing up.

You're better off going to a jazz bar or something that will let you drink and experience a little local culture.

MAINE: The Desert of Maine

Despite its appearance, this block of land is not actually desert. The empty plot is a glacial silt surrounded by thousands of Maine's pine trees. People can gawk at the natural phenomenon that created a desert in the middle of New England, but with plaster camels and plastic sand-related souvenirs, it's hard to imagine what draws in 30,000 tourists every year . 

MARYLAND: Ripley's Believe It or Not!

There are several Ripley's Believe It or Not! "museums" all over the country. However, in a historical city like Baltimore where there is actual art and history to see, it's baffling why anyone would spend time in a place full of replicas and gimmicks. 

MASSACHUSETTS: Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market

Sure, it's been open since 1742, but these days it's a glorified food court teeming with tourists that sells mediocre food and tacky souvenirs. Do like a local and avoid it.

MICHIGAN: Mystery Spot

There's a maze, mini golf, and a zip line, but their main attraction is several crooked shacks built into hillsides that trick kids into thinking everything is gravity defying. It's a cheap roadside tourist trap with gaudy billboards along the highway to prove it.

MINNESOTA: Mall of America

This mall is the largest shopping center in America, with 520 stores and so many square feet that the Yankee Stadium could fit inside of it nine times. But there's much more to do than just shop — there's an indoor theme park, a miniature golf course, and and aquarium — but all that adds up to is sensory overload.

The fact that it is crowded with hundreds of tourists each and every day ( 42 million visitors each year)  makes it all the worse. 

MISSISSIPPI: Birthplace of Elvis

It's a two room shack. The King may have been born there, but it's no palace. 

MISSOURI: Nuclear Waste Adventure Trail and Museum

This giant pile of rocks is essentially a mound of nuclear waste.

To be precise, it's 1.5 million cubic yards of hazardous waste entombed to create a small mountain that marks the spot that was home to the country's largest explosives factory turned uranium ore processing plant until 1966. After being left abandoned for over two decades, the US Department of Energy decided to cover it with rocks. Now, it features a museum and covered up  TNT, asbestos, mercury, radium and radioactive uranium. Enjoy!

MONTANA: 50000 Silver $ Bar

This Montana bar is home to over 50,000 silver dollars, and thus one of the largest coin collections in America. There's also a motel, tons of RV parking, a casino, and Montana's largest gift shop.

NEBRASKA: Carhenge

This quirky roadside site is  one of the highest-rated attractions in the state , though it's little more than 39 cars stacked to resemble England's famous Stonehenge. 

Sadly, this isn't the only ode to Stonehenge you'll see on this list.

NEVADA: The Venetian gondolas

While the entire city of Las Vegas could arguably be considered a tourist trap, the one place you should really steer clear of while you're there is The Venetian's gondola rides .

It might sound romantic, but once you see the gamblers and shoppers strolling by as you float through what is essentially a shopping mall in a chlorine blue pool water for less than 15 minutes, you might think differently. Even worse,  a p rivate gondola for two will set you back $116.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Clark's Trading Post

Locals who have been going here for years seem to love it (and the fact that it hasn't changed at all). However, tourists who don't feel the nostalgia will likely feel differently. 

Their lackluster attractions include bumper boats, Segways, and a steam train, but their money maker is the trained bear shows, which many consider ethically questionable. 

NEW JERSEY: Atlantic City Boardwalk

Like a second-rate Vegas, Atlantic City's good ole days are long gone. All that's left are gaudy casinos, tacky souvenirs, and overpriced taffy.

NEW MEXICO: Roswell

The town of Roswell prides itself in being the alleged site of an alien crash landing in 1947, and has created an entire tourist industry around it.

The town is now a giant gimmick, where everything that could possibly be shaped like an alien or UFO, is. It's full of creepy alien toys, and all of them pretty low budget.

NEW YORK: Times Square

Locals avoid this spot at all costs, and so should you. Not only is it overcrowded, it's also full of expensive souvenirs and tacky chain restaurants that you can find anywhere else in the country.

NORTH CAROLINA: The Blowing Rock

The views of the  Blue Ridge Mountains are beautiful, to say the least. People rave about the sights you can see from your car or on trails throughout the many parks. However, The Blowing Rock, which gets a lot of praise for its stunning views and interesting rock formation, is a miss. 

It costs $10 dollars per person to visit, which might not break the bank, but why pay anything at all for a view you could see for free? 

NORTH DAKOTA: The Enchanted Highway

This collection of scrap metal sculptures stretches across 32 miles on a southern North Dakota highway. You'll see giant grasshoppers, families of fish, towering humans, and an all-seeing eye made of geese (yup). If you happen to be driving down the road, it might ease some road trip boredom, but it's certainly nothing to drive out of the way for.  

OHIO: "A Christmas Story" House

There are hundreds of ways you can celebrate the holidays. Waiting in a line and paying money to see the filming location of "A Christmas Story" should not be one of them. While the movie may be great, the basic house it was filmed in and the museum dedicated to it aren't anything to stop your car for. 

OKLAHOMA: J. M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum

A majority of the ~50,000 artifacts in the museum are firearms from a private collection that dates back to the 14th century. The West might have been wild, but this glorified gun museum is wilder.

OREGON: Undersea Gardens

This underwater room holds tourists for about half an hour as they watch divers interact with the natural wildlife. The realistic view (murky water and five fish, if you're lucky) is hardly worth paying for, especially when there are sea lions right above the surface that you don't even need to pay to see. 

PENNSYLVANIA: The Liberty Bell

This American history classic is the definition of underwhelming. After learning about it year after year in school, you'd think it'd be a large, spectacular bell. In reality, it's small and broken (obviously), not to mention surrounded by tourists. 

RHODE ISLAND: Mysterious Viking Tower

If you have an affinity for mysterious landmarks, then you might enjoy the tiny tower that sits in the middle of Newport. 

Unfortunately for most, these mysterious remains aren't that exciting. No one really knows who built it, but legend says that it was the Vikings, which would make it one of the oldest buildings in America. Most beg to differ. Either way, the speculating gets old quick.

SOUTH CAROLINA: South of the Border

South of the Border is nothing more than a large gift shop and adjoining restaurant. The "attraction" sits right below the border that separates North and South Carolina, and is intentionally tacky.

SOUTH DAKOTA: Wall Drug

This blatant tourist trap  makes over $10 million a year , but how they do it is a mystery. The drugstore turned makeshift mall became famous for offering free ice water back in 1931, and doesn't charge for attractions such as their snake pit and giant road side sculptures (see the dino, above). They do reel in tourists and road trippers with over 300 billboards throughout the state, though. 

TENNESSEE: Graceland

Elvis was a true prodigy, but touring his house for a minimum of $30 is a strange way to honor him. While the grounds are beautiful, there are far better ways to spend your time in Tennessee. 

TEXAS: The Big Texan Restaurant in Amarillo

The Big Texan restaurant is crawling with so much Texas décor you may go into sensory overload. With dead animals all over the walls, a souvenir shop with every kind of tacky Wild West memorabilia you can think of, and, of course, a Texas-sized   72 ounce steak eating challenge , this place is one big Texas cliché .

The food is also extremely mediocre, and many customers have   complained on Yelp   that the steak is tough and dry. For a real, authentic Texas experience, head to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo where you can shop for genuine Texas souvenirs, watch bull riding, and chow down on delicious fair food.

UTAH: Moqui Cave

The sandstone erosion "cave" is touted as an ancient landmark and natural history museum, but it's not even a cave that was built or used by Native Americans. 

Even if you don't mind the ruse, people who have been claim that it's just a glorified gift shop. 

VERMONT: Rock of Ages

You can tour this giant granite quarry for a small price, but looking down into a hole that isn't the Grand Canyon is hardly worth it. The tour is provided by a company that mostly makes tombstones, which puts a damper on everything, and their gift shop sells overpriced granite gifts and jewelry.

VIRGINIA: Foamhenge

Like Stonehenge, but styrofoam. No further explanation necessary.

WASHINGTON: Gum Wall

This brick wall attraction near Seattle's Pike Place Market was covered in 15 years worth of gum until 2015, when it was removed to preserve the brick. The tradition of sticking used, germy chewing gum on the wall picked back up shortly after, and it is now almost back to its original, grimy glory. 

WEST VIRGINIA: The Congressional Bunker

For $34 a person, you can see where all the beloved (and not so beloved) politicians in America would have lived post-apocalypse. The bunkers, which were hidden in a hotel  at first, opened for tours in 1995 after someone spilled the beans about the secret hiding place. 

The idea is pretty cool, but there's no real need to spend 90 whole minutes and over $30 for a tour of wooden bunk beds, canned food, and white cinder block walls. 

WISCONSIN: Mars Cheese Castle

Wisconsin is known for its amazing cheese, and really, anything involving cheese can do no wrong. However, Mars Cheese Castle, which beckons tourists driving down I-94, is a pretty obvious trap. The gaudy building should be warning enough, but if it isn't, the inflated prices on the hundreds of cheeses, sausages, condiments, and crackers they sell might be.

Despite it being an obvious tourist trap, tourists and locals alike don't seem to mind at all .   

WYOMING: Frontier Prison

This old prison is basically a museum of torture the whole family can enjoy. It's no Alcatraz, but tour guides do let you sit in old gas chambers and see the "Punishment Pole," both of which will likely cause nightmares. 

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Experts Shared The "Red Flags" That You're About To Enter A Tourist Trap, And It's Helpful

These are the cues that can signal you should seek a better meal elsewhere.

HuffPost Writer

For those who travel to eat, meals while away from home are precious. A marquee meal can be the most memorable highlight of a trip, and when you only get so many per day with no do-overs, there is literally no room for mediocre food. And even harder to stomach is when it’s expensive, inauthentic, or — even worse, in a world with such diverse cuisine — boring. In other words, a tourist trap restaurant.

What is a tourist trap restaurant.

According to a study by online passport photo service provider PhotoAiD , the top three criteria that make a place a tourist trap are above-average pricing, amenities tailored for tourists, and a lack of cultural authenticity. But these traits aren’t always immediately apparent, so we asked a diverse panel of culinary research-driven travel tourism pros and chefs to add more perspective. 

From a publicity standpoint,  Taryn Scher  (“The Sparkle Boss”) of TK PR  considers a tourist trap “a spot that has a lot of buzz but doesn’t really have the flavors to back it up.” Sadly, this can also include famous institutions. 

“There are long-standing restaurants that exist on buzz, simply for the sake of ‘You have to go to X if you’re visiting Z.’ Some of these are even places you might want to say you visited, even if the food is second-rate,” she said. Based on 15 years of representing destinations such as Greenville, South Carolina , and The World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, she’s found that, while there are exceptions, “these aren’t really the place for serious food lovers who travel for food.” 

Executive pastry chef Claudia Martinez and Top Chef contestant Hector Santiago  — both James Beard semifinalists — feel that intent is what defines a tourist trap. 

“To me, it’s a place that makes what they assume a traveler would want … like pizza how they think an American would want it rather than making a delicious version of pizza that has their spin on it,” Santiago explained. As a Puerto Rican native, he finds this particularly grating because “I want people to try the authentic cuisine,” he said. “To me, one of the best parts of traveling is immersing yourself somewhere to live like a local.”

Martinez dismisses any restaurant that’s “not locally owned and doesn’t embody the city’s culinary talents as a whole, but rather, focuses on turning tables for profits and promoting sub-par food.” This translates into higher prices with lower quality, she says, with a focus on the biggest payoff for the owners instead of the best experience for diners.

All of this is part of why nearly 70% of travelers surveyed by PhotoAiD said a visit to a tourist trap diminished their overall enjoyment of a trip — and is why you should keep these six red flags in mind. 

1. A Whole Lot Of ‘Come Hither’

All six experts HuffPost spoke to listed this as their No. 1 warning: beware a loud, overeager welcome, starting with décor. Scher cautions that “theme-y spots that are overly kitschy, or any beach bar that’s covered in $1 bills are probably tourist traps.”

“And most are generally pretty loud,” she added.

Okan Kizilbayir , chef de cuisine at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, agrees with the latter. He says of his home country, “In Turkey, instead of shiny and loud entrances, there are hosts with a menu in their hand and they’ll constantly talk to you to get you in the restaurant and tell you that they’ll give you a big discount.”

And after traveling through 30 countries in seven years doing culinary research,  Jared Hucks , chef-owner of The Alden in Atlanta, agrees that employees blatantly trying to lure travelers is the brightest red flag out there. But also, “I avoid any places on the ‘beaten path’ with menus with multiple languages posted in front of the restaurant,” he said.

Santiago bluntly added, “I walk the other way when I see someone standing outside soliciting travelers as they pass out menus in 100 different languages.”

Worse yet is if said multilingual menu is plastic-coated and has pictures of the food, according to Italian native Piero Premoli , executive chef and partner of Pricci in Atlanta. Whenever he returns to his homeland for the culinary deep dives that inform his monthly regional menu dinner series, he steers clear of those and checkered tablecloths.

2. Location, Location

It’s hard to resist the convenience of proximity, especially when you’ve been walking around all day and your stomach’s growling. But being close to major attractions usually comes with big crowds and high rents that “hyperlocal spots wouldn’t be able to afford unless they’re feeding tens of thousands of visitors a week,” Scher said. And as Martinez points out, “larger-scale, over 200-seat operations, usually in downtowns” are indicative of corporate ownership, with the marketing and budget to design a tourist trap. 

“I want to make sure my money is being spent on people who work hard to put out their local cuisine — not mass-market corporations or tourist traps that purchase food that’s already made,” she said, which is why she actively seeks restaurants off the main roads.

3. Size Matters

Another example of how bigger isn’t always better is when it comes to menu size. One of Kizilbayir’s peeves is “Too many items on the menu! And too many different styles or regions.” If a restaurant is trying to be everything to everyone, it’s unlikely to be cooking seasonally or to the destination. That’s why Santiago said, “I also stay away from places that overly complicate their menus by throwing everything on a plate. You can’t get everything from an area on one plate!”

A giant menu also increases the likelihood that it’s going to be pretty uninventive or “generic, Anywhere, USA,” as Scher put it, with basic items like burgers. Or it might contain foods that are American despite having other associations — for example, Premoli points out chicken Parm, fettucine alfredo, and spaghetti and meatballs.

And within that large menu, “Watch out for excessive fried appetizers,” Premoli said, coming back to Martinez’s point about premade food. A menu rich with deep-fried selections means the restaurant has prioritized food that’s frozen, cheap, quick and easy to prepare. “Also watch for repetitive [ingredient] pairings and big frozen food trucks parked there in the morning,” he adds, both of which signal the above. 

4. Predictable Desserts And Drinks

Everyone has their one favorite dessert — a good ol’ standby that you can count on. But as a pastry chef, Martinez knows how to recognize tourist traps by their after-meal sweets. “Classic cheesecake, molten lava cake, key lime pie … these aren’t usually made in-house,” she shared. Ice cream is also usually brought in by a restaurant supplier unless otherwise stated. 

Too-perfect sliced cakes and pies are also signs of mass production. “If there are desserts on display or on the menu with pictures, or outside signage of the desserts, especially in a restaurant that seats over 200 people, it usually means they’re supplied by commercial bakers,” she revealed. And if desserts lack description and are decorated the same way (“Think whipped cream star piping with mint garnish, strawberries sliced like a rose, powdered sugar on everything,” she says), it’s unlikely they have a pastry chef on staff baking their goods.

Scher gauges by available drinks. “Look at the wine list, the cocktails, beers … that’ll tell you a lot about a restaurant! Ask yourself, How Target wine aisle is the list?” Instead, look for local beers to indicate regional tie-ins and inventive cocktails to show attention to and investment in professional craftsmanship. But if there’s nothing more than your major beer brands and “your typical appletinis and cosmos,” she said, you might want to rethink using up a vacation meal there.

5. Spectacle And Superlatives

On the other side of the humdrum spectrum are the spots that are irresistibly photogenic. Anything too sparkly is suspect, according to Santiago and Kizilbayir, who quickly flags Insta-spots when “people have a cue to take pictures and the restaurant is showcasing more merchandise than what they should sell, which is good food.” 

Additionally, he spears what he calls “stupid tableside shows,” not to be confused with genteel tableside presentation. He defines these shows as food served with “lowbrow or loutish style to get attention.”

“They don’t care about the food; they just want people to take pictures or videos and post them on social media for attention” — and to make money off this new form of tourist trap, he said.

This kind of misrepresentation and manufactured hype is exactly why Martinez is wary of what she calls “showy or Instagram-forward restaurants” when she travels, as well as anyone that uses overly effusive praise in their social coverage. Key turnoffs for her include the words “the best” or “amazing,” while Scher says she’s “hesitant to believe any restaurant’s website or marketing that claims they are No. 1 for anything in their city but don’t say where they earned that nod.”  

“Anyone can claim to have the best anything if they want to, so make sure you look into that achievement before just believing it,” she said. 

6. Your Would-Be Fellow Diners

We mentioned that if a menu feels a tad too familiar, you might just be in a tourist trap. Well, same goes for the clientele. That’s why Kizilbayir keeps his distance from restaurants that specialize in serving group tours.

“It’s the circle of life: Tourists come to the city. They show the historic places, museums, gardens. They start to get hungry. Then, the tour guide takes a busload of tourists to a place that looks attractive,” he said. But, he argued, “You cannot deliver good quality food for that many people at the same time, so as a restaurateur, you have to cut corners. You make the food or drinks look ‘bombastic.’ You bring desserts with sparkly candles, play loud ‘popular music,’ have servers sing in weird outfits or hats.”

“Tourists leave these places with bad food in their stomachs, but the tour guide gets a cut of the profits. It’s an easy turn,” he admitted.

But that’s why, during his travels, Hucks seeks out restaurants devoid of tourists like himself. “If you’re in a country or region that speaks a different language than your own (in this case, English), avoid places where you hear a lot of non-native chatter,” he said. 

Santiago also avoids restaurants with too many other fellow tourists. “When I’m eating at a tapas restaurant in Spain, I want to hear the table next to me speaking Spanish,” he said. “I look for where the locals are.”

He confessed: “As a restaurant owner, I have a love-hate relationship with things like Google reviews, but I do find they are helpful for finding where the locals go. Are the reviews written in the local language? If I’m going to Portugal, reviews that are all in English are a red flag. I look at what people are wearing in pictures. In Europe, you dress up to go out to dinner. Seeing pictures of people in shorts and T-shirts at a ‘fancy’ restaurant in Madrid lets me know it’s not where the locals are going.” 

As Premoli neatly sums up, “The main giveaway for a restaurant’s authenticity is the [local] clientele!” This article originally appeared on HuffPost.

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