You’ve heard the complaints.
“It’s too touristy.”
“There’s nothing to do.”
“Total waste of time.”
Some places just get labeled as overrated.
Maybe they’re too popular for their own good.
Maybe the expectations are sky-high.
But sometimes, what people call “overrated” is actually just misunderstood.
These are the places that get trashed in travel forums but still deliver—if you know what to look for.
Here’s my take on 12 U.S. destinations that people love to hate—and why they’re still 100% worth your time.
Times Square, New York City
Yes, it’s loud, crowded, and full of flashing screens and costumed Elmos.
But this is the beating heart of Manhattan.
If you’re expecting serenity, you’ve taken the wrong subway.
Come at night when the lights are brighter than your hotel bill.
Stay just long enough to feel the pulse.
Then slip into a dive bar, grab cheap dumplings in Koreatown, or walk a few blocks west and find real New York.
Don’t skip it just because it’s iconic.
There’s something magnetic about standing in the center of it all—even if you’re just passing through.
The Las Vegas Strip, Nevada
The Strip is pure chaos.
It’s also genius.
A mile-long fever dream of fountains, volcanoes, slot machines, and rooftop DJs.
Sure, it’s not “authentic”—but that’s never been the point.
It’s the one place in the U.S. where you can eat caviar at 2 a.m., ride a gondola indoors, and still be home before sunrise.
You don’t come here for subtlety.
You come for the spectacle.
Just know your budget and stick to it.
Otherwise, you’ll end up eating room service crackers next to a $700 receipt for tequila shots.
Bourbon Street, New Orleans
You will see beads.
You will hear saxophones.
You might regret ordering that last hurricane.
Bourbon Street isn’t the real New Orleans—but it is one of its most unfiltered sides.
It’s loud, it’s messy, and it absolutely leans into the chaos.
That’s the point.
Walk it once, people-watch, grab a beignet, then head over to Frenchmen Street to find the soul.
But don’t skip it just because it’s a tourist trap.
It’s the kind of place you remember—whether you want to or not.
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
People say it’s underwhelming.
You drive all that way just to look at a rock wall for 15 minutes.
But it’s not just about the monument.
It’s the silence of the Black Hills, the twisty mountain roads, and the sudden view of those faces carved into granite.
Add Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, and Badlands to your itinerary and it becomes a whole trip.
Mount Rushmore isn’t the destination.
It’s the centerpiece of a surprisingly underrated region.
Salem, Massachusetts
Come in October and you’ll regret everything.
It’s wall-to-wall Halloween merch and lines out the door.
But go in the off-season and Salem is a moody little gem.
Historic homes, indie bookstores, and a harbor you’ll want to sit by for hours.
The witch trial stuff is still there—but without the inflatable ghosts and screaming crowds.
And honestly? Even the kitsch has its charm.
Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
You will not have the beach to yourself.
You will hear someone playing a ukulele at 8 a.m.
But Waikiki still hits.
The waves are gentle.
The view of Diamond Head is postcard-perfect.
And if you get up early or stay past sunset, it suddenly feels calm and cinematic.
Yes, it’s touristy.
But that doesn’t make it fake.
It’s just easy to access—so everyone wants a piece of it.
Mall of America, Minnesota
Yes, it’s a mall.
But it’s also kind of insane—in a good way.
There’s a rollercoaster inside.
You can eat, shop, ride, and then hit an aquarium without going outside.
Is it high culture? No.
Is it fun when it’s -10°F out? Absolutely.
It’s not about the shopping.
It’s about the spectacle.
Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona
People love to say it’s “just a big hole.”
They are wrong.
It’s so much more than the overlook photo you’ve seen a million times.
Stand at the edge and your stomach flips.
Hike down even half a mile and everything changes—fewer people, more silence, and that feeling like you’re walking through geologic time.
It’s crowded because it’s incredible.
Plan smart and you’ll get the views and the solitude.
Four Corners Monument
It’s literally just a plaque on the ground.
You can put one limb in each of four states and then be on your way.
But how many people can say they’ve done that?
It’s silly, sure—but it’s a one-time novelty worth 20 minutes of your life.
And it’s surrounded by some of the most stunning desert landscapes in the country.
Make it a pit stop, not the whole show.
Magnolia Market at the Silos, Texas
If you’re not a fan of farmhouse decor, skip this.
But if you’ve ever seen Fixer Upper and thought, “I want that vibe,”—welcome to your Disney World.
Yes, the prices are high.
Yes, the lines are long.
But it’s clean, curated, and exactly what fans come for.
Waco’s never been on most people’s bucket list, but Magnolia made it a thing.
And honestly, it’s kind of impressive what they built.
Crazy Horse Memorial, South Dakota
It’s not finished.
It’s not cheap.
And yes, there’s a giant gift shop.
But it’s also massive, meaningful, and nothing like any other roadside stop.
This isn’t just a carving—it’s a statement.
If you’re in the area already, it’s worth seeing the scale of the project up close.
Go in with context and a little patience.
It hits different when you understand what it’s trying to do.
Niagara Falls (U.S. Side)
Some people say the Canada side is better.
It probably is.
But that doesn’t mean the U.S. side isn’t worth it.
Niagara is still jaw-dropping.
The roar of the falls, the mist on your face—it’s unforgettable.
You just have to be strategic.
Skip the tacky town center.
Focus on the state park trails and scenic viewpoints.
Get in, get misted, get out.
But don’t skip it just because someone online called it overrated.
It’s Niagara.
You’ll remember it.
