If your summer travel plans include trips to any of these hot spots, you may want to make a few itinerary revisions. Here are 10 of the world’s most overrated attractions according to USA Today.
10. Stone Henge, England
Thanks to some past tourists who took pieces of it home as souvenirs, visitors are no longer allowed to get close to the site. Add that to the heavily trafficked roads on either side and it’s just not the profound travel experience it’s cracked up to be.
9. Times Square, New York
At one time, it was probably cool to travel a great distance and experience an over-crowded place packed with big screens and a plethora of bland, greasy food options. Nowadays, that sort of thing is everywhere.
8. Pyramids at Giza, Egypt
Not only can tourists no longer touch the Sphinx, views of the great statue are compromised by previous tourists’ trash. On the upside, with all of the American fast food restaurants surrounding it, you’re unlikely to go hungry.
7. Hollywood Walk of Fame, California
Between television, the internet, and grocery store checkout magazine racks, indirect brushes with celebrities are easier to have than ever before. It is however a great place to pick up low quality Hollywood themed merchandise and maybe even get pickpocketed.
6. Prague Astronomical Clock, Czech Republic
It may be the oldest one ever built but it only does something cool on the hour. If you’re too early or too late, you'll have to stand there and literally watch time go by until it self-activates again.
5. Blarney Stone, Ireland
Kissing it is supposed to give you great eloquence, but rumor has it that pranksters sneak in at night and urinate on it. Ending up with your lips on this ancient stone may leave you with nothing but germs.
4. Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
Let’s be honest, most people travel to the attraction for one reason: either to get a picture of themselves holding up or pushing over the tower. Technology being what it is, you could easily make one at home and spend the day traveling to other places.
3. Manneken Pis, Belgium
Trips to see the statue of the little boy peeing are not completely wasted if timed right. On some days, a city employee puts clothes on the statue which is at least different. Also, there are times when the water in fountain is replaced with free beer.
2. Equator, Equador
This tourist site was established pre-GPS, so the provided photo opportunity is technically in the wrong place. The actual equator is quite a ways back and mostly impossible to get to.
1. The Little Mermaid, Denmark
Not only is it a copy, it is often the target of vandalism and typically not much to look at. Not worth traveling to visit.
