Planning a big trip across the United States is exciting until you reach a famous landmark and realize it is just not what you expected. Many iconic spots look great in pictures but feel different in person. Here are several popular American attractions that many travelers say did not quite live up to all the heavy hype.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
This famous sidewalk is often much dirtier than people expect and it feels more like a crowded street than a movie set. You might find yourself dodging people in costumes instead of seeing the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle you saw on your television.
Times Square in New York City
It is basically a giant intersection with way too many flashing lights and people trying to sell you stuff you do not need. Most visitors find it is just way too loud and crowded to actually enjoy the view for more than a few minutes.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
This monument is actually a lot smaller in person than it looks in the movies and there is not much else to do once you finish looking. Many folks drive a long way only to spend about ten minutes at the viewing platform before heading back to the car.
The Las Vegas Strip
Walking around here during the day can be a sweaty mess and the prices for everything from water to parking have gone through the roof lately. It is a lot of walking through smoky casinos just to get from one building to another which can get tiring fast.
Four Corners Monument
This is basically just a flat piece of concrete in the desert where you pay a fee to stand in four states at once. Since there is nothing else around for miles and miles it can feel like a very long drive for a very short photo.
Kennedy Space Center
Even though space is cool the actual center can feel a bit outdated and the high ticket prices might leave you wanting more. Many travelers were surprised to find that the experience felt more like a crowded museum than a high tech space base.
Plymouth Rock
People often expect a giant boulder but it is actually a pretty small stone sitting in a pit behind some metal bars. It is historically important for sure but most visitors walk away feeling a little underwhelmed by the actual size of the rock.
The Liberty Bell
You often have to wait in a long line just to see a bell with a crack in it through a glass window. It is a nice piece of history but if you are looking for a big thrill you might be disappointed by the quick walk by.
Waikiki Beach
This beach is world famous but it is often so packed with people that you can barely find a spot to put your towel down. The surrounding area feels more like a busy shopping mall than a tropical paradise which might not be the island vibe you wanted.
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