csavasc

Add the Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur to that list.

zcat18

I've had a blast reading this thread, even though it's a little silly and includes a bunch of places I really liked, so I'll play

My contribution:

Costa Rica. It strikes me as Latin America Lite. Not terribly challenging in any way, and sort of made-to-order for the tourist. Yes, I even went off the beaten path for a couple of days with a Tico friend, and while it was nice to eat at non-tourist cafes and hang with locals, there just didn't strike me as being much to the country beyond the tourist draws. It has a great diversity of species, some nice landscapes, etc., but Costa Rica was one of the only trips I've ever taken where I did not have at least one "OMG" moment that stuck with me. Sort of a "meh" type of place.

Here are some places I'm surprised haven't yet made the list (DISCLAIMER-- some of these are my all-time faves and none would make MY overrated list):

Taj Mahal: personally, I really enjoyed it, but between the crowds and the relatively expensive-for-India price of admission, I'm surprised that it hasn't been mentioned.

Roman Colisseum: again, liked it, but even with the guided tour, you'd be hard-pressed to spend an hour there. Sort of a been-there-seen-it type of experience that some FT'ers seem not to like.

Angkor Wat: this might be the most amazing man-made complex of any kind that I've ever visited and certainly one of my all-time travel highlights, if not THE highlight. However, I've heard more than one complaint about it not being worth the trip, being too spread out, difficult to navigate if you're too old, too young, not physically fit, etc.

Machu Picchu: again, one of my all-time favorites, but I have heard complaints from some saying that they were underwhelmed by the ruins themselves, which aren't as ancient as most people think (IMHO, the setting is what makes MP so worthwhile, not the ruins alone). Even though I quite enjoyed Machu Picchu, this one might go on the dishonorable mention list, if only because of the, in my opinion, exhorbitant cost necessary just to enter the park. (about $150 when you factor in the unavoidable costs of the bus/train to Agua Calientes, the bus from the town to the park, and the park entrance fee itself. It's no cheaper to go via the Inca Trail.)

STBCypriot

I have found the Greek people to be incredibly friendly and hospitable.

And for goodness sake, it's GREECE, they speak GREEK there - it's their language. It's completely unreasonable for anyone to expect that the people in another country would speak English. Learn a bit of the language of the country you are visiting, parakalo (that's "please" in Greek).

davidvcd

Some places sounds like the appeal would increase if approached in another way.

-Stonehenge while it's cloudy and damp to enhance the atmosphere.
-Grand canyon from the bottom , hiking and away from the tourists.
-Hawaii has great places for it's lava flows,hikes, surfing ... however it's overated for scuba diving for the most part.

Personally, I love the eiffel tower especially at night (I love seeing a town lit up from a high vantage point). Tip, to avoid the lines I d make a reservation at the jules vernes restaurant (food is so so, but not expensive) - they have their own elevator.

I knew how singapore was going to be so I couldnt say it was overrated.

If there s a place I don't get why people visit, it's the Nice/Cannes/Monaco area. I hate that place, though strangely enough the rest of my family and quite a few friends like it there.

Some places though have been redeemed by the people I met and the friends I made...

DownTheRappitHole

Regis Debray argued that quite well in "Against Venice" (orig. French title "Contre Venise"). The same phenomena is taking over the other historic towns and cities in Italy, but one can't say tourism is new.

I'd agree there's great food in SIN, the city itself isn't relaxing to me.

gradybush

I really enjoyed reading this thread and having traveled quite a bit myself...I would want to add my two penny bit to the list.

I might be flamed for saying so but I think that the 'Bay Area' in California is the biggest over rated place I have ever been to. Sure, it has its mountains and clouds and what not, but it doesn't just cut it with me.

Other places that I feel have been underwhelming are the Grand Canyon, Mt Rushmore and Key West. I believe most of the times its the distances that make you feel so empty and tired by the time you get there that you have no energy left to appreciate it. Same feeling for the Taj Mahal.

I would also include some tourist trap places like Dubai, Las Vegas and Gatlinburg, TN. Los Angeles and Mumbai are probably the two biggest ill maintained dumps of major cities I have been to so far.

The place I believe totally lived up to its hype was Paris (although I would not say the same about the Eiffel Tower). A cruise down the Seine after it gets dark and lit is truly a fantastic experience. I loved the Statue of Liberty too. Switzerland has a class of its own.

Maybe, we need to start a new thread on what places have actually lived up to their hype. I believe there is another thread that talks about the not so well known places which have been highly satisfying to the visitor.

MojaveFlyer

Not only that, it's about 1000 feet from where it should be
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Corners_Monument

(but a survey marker, once referenced in the law, becomes legally binding, it is is legally correct)

sunseeker

Paris; all of it.....

USA_flyer

Niagra Falls. The falls themselves are pretty, it's the commercial squalor nearby that detracts from the place.

seaduck79

Niagara Falls. The falls are pretty from the Canadian side, but the town is the tackiest place I've ever seen. Natural wonders shouldn't be surrounded by casinos.

Mt. Rushmore. There is nothing there except the monument, an overcrowded and overpriced snack bar, and a visitor's center.

Wall Drug is overrated if you believe the hype of the billboards, but if you take it for what it more likely will be, it can be kinda kitchy. Almost as tacky as Niagara Falls.

The Appalachian Mountains are impressive unless you've seen REAL mountains, the kind with snow on them most of the time. Otherwise, (yawn). They are very pretty in the fall when the trees turn color.

Lonely Flyer

We were there in October 2008. It was cold but I enjoyed the Soup Factory and stayed in Danvers.

ExtrAAordinaire

Udaipur, India.

Me2E

Some things that spring to mind

Madame Tussauds, London- Even when I visited as a 10 year old I wasn't impressed with plastic semi-famous people

Sound and light show at the Giza pyramids. Despite the various touts and hawkers, the pyramids are wonderful. Who thought they could be improved with some tacky lights?

Niagara Falls- The falls are spectacular, but the town is an eyesore. Once again coloured lights detract from a wonder of nature.

DrMaturin

At the risk of committing heresy I'll add Versailles to the list. Just one gorgeously furnished room after another, to the point that it got boring. I got no feel for the place as a former national capital and site of monumentally important historical events. Very museum like. Maybe it was the hot day and big crowds but I couldn't wait to leave.

lili

No you wouldn't. At least not in this one.