Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Travel&Dining > TravelBuzz
Reload this Page >

Most overrated tourist attractions in the world

Community
Wiki Posts
Search

Most overrated tourist attractions in the world

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 2, 2013, 11:26 am
  #886  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR
Programs: AS 75K, DL Plat, *G, OW G, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Fairmont Plat
Posts: 197
Leaning tower of Pisa. Not a whole lot going on and swarming with people. There is nothing else around and unless you are doing a trip around the rest of Tuscany, it is not worth it.
jason53 is offline  
Old Feb 6, 2013, 12:43 am
  #887  
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sydney, Straya
Programs: QFF
Posts: 22
Cannot agree enough with Madame Tussaud's. Went while I was in New York and was pretty disappointed.
annihilistic is offline  
Old Feb 6, 2013, 3:53 am
  #888  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Chicago, USA
Programs: TK Elite ...and blue, lots of blue...
Posts: 746
Manneken Pis in Brussels: it's a tiny statue of a boy peeing. Most people are disappointed when the see it. But as it's only a short walk from the Grand Place (definitely a must-see) most people go anyway, only to see what costume it is wearing (if any). So go see it, but expect to be disappointed
Few people know that he has a female counterpart, hidden in a small dead-end street on the other side of Grand Place. A statue of a peeing boy is regarded as funny but many tourists feel different when being confronted with a peeing girl, so the tourist office doesn't promote it.
Ghentleman is offline  
Old Feb 6, 2013, 11:32 am
  #889  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC, IHG Plat Amb, Le Club Accor Plat.
Posts: 48
Little Mermaid in Copenhagen.

I love Copenhagen I really do and there are a multitude of things to do here but give the little mermaid a miss - 'little' doesn't justify the word. Location is a bit out of the way and you can do alternative things in your time rather than visit this statue.
nautilus is offline  
Old Feb 6, 2013, 6:38 pm
  #890  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 2
I agree with others. Leaning Tower of Pisa
benziebbj is offline  
Old Feb 7, 2013, 6:17 pm
  #891  
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: California
Posts: 2,731
Disneyworld (or -land, etc.). Perhaps I would have appreciated it had I not gone for the first time in high school on a school trip. However, I am mystified by the fact that Disney has been marketing their parks--successfully!--to childless adults. What's the appeal?
fwoomp is offline  
Old Feb 8, 2013, 12:46 am
  #892  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: CLE/CAK
Programs: DL Gold (2.5MM program miles), Airtran A+ Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 593
Athens and the Acropolis

Yes, the Parthenon is amazing in many ways and I am glad that I did see it ... once.

But once you get there you realize that the place is not very well maintained, the most recent restoration effort goes unfinished after 30+ years, and the grounds are inhabited by dozens of feral dogs who have discovered that wherever the tourists roam, food waste can't be far behind.

I'd contend that it is worth a trip to take it off your bucket list but, if planning a vacation to Greece, I'd spend much more time on the islands and far less time in the city.
OldRoyal is offline  
Old Feb 8, 2013, 9:06 am
  #893  
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 633
I actually liked the campo around the leaning tower, and I would probably never have visited if relatives didn't want to see the leaning tower.

For me it's definitely Manneken Pis.
Homer15 is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2013, 5:24 am
  #894  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 567
I'm surprised no one has so far mentioned the Sphinx.

The Pyramids at Giza are impressive and worth visiting (if you can overlook the rubbish, flies, over pricing, over crowding and the close proximity of a KFC) but the Sphinx is so disappointing. For something that is so often photographed and so famous, in reality it is a tiny pile of rubble with only the face now resembling anything that it once was. Definitely not worth bothering with.
travellingblade is offline  
Old Feb 12, 2013, 12:15 am
  #895  
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: texas
Posts: 85
THE ALAMO.

I'm from San Antonio. It's a huge bummer, and it's because instead of preserving the land, it's downtown, surrounded by hotels, shops, buildings. It's really a sad sight.
topmikey is offline  
Old Feb 12, 2013, 3:27 am
  #896  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Tainan, Taiwan
Posts: 14,707
Originally Posted by topmikey
THE ALAMO.

I'm from San Antonio. It's a huge bummer, and it's because instead of preserving the land, it's downtown, surrounded by hotels, shops, buildings. It's really a sad sight.
I was especially disappointed with the basement.
Skyman65 is offline  
Old Feb 12, 2013, 9:03 am
  #897  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,475
Originally Posted by topmikey
THE ALAMO.

I'm from San Antonio. It's a huge bummer, and it's because instead of preserving the land, it's downtown, surrounded by hotels, shops, buildings. It's really a sad sight.
Could this be because you are from SAT? Usually people tend to not value things they see regularly. For instance I grew up in India and have seen many Hindu temples but there is clearly a difference in my reaction and that of a non-Indian.

I am thinking of making a trip there next month and so would like to hear what others. have to say about the Alamo.
UA Fan is online now  
Old Feb 14, 2013, 9:41 pm
  #898  
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 257
Probably Times Square in New York. Fascinating to study in terms of urban planning and history, especially with Disney's huge but often hidden role in shaping the entire area, but besides the theaters, it's just a huge tourist trap.
jamescho is offline  
Old Feb 14, 2013, 11:09 pm
  #899  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 56
Empire State Building, NYC. Pay $24 for the privilege of waiting in a series of endless lines, all for a not-terribly-impressive view.
MusicManSamwise is offline  
Old Feb 15, 2013, 1:43 am
  #900  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Tainan, Taiwan
Posts: 14,707
Originally Posted by MusicManSamwise
Empire State Building, NYC. Pay $24 for the privilege of waiting in a series of endless lines, all for a not-terribly-impressive view.
Wow, they're up to $24 now??

I thought it was a rip-off at $13 a decade ago. Only paid it because it was my colleague's first visit to NYC, and he really wanted to go up.

Can't remember what I paid to go to the top of the WTC back then, but I remember the view was much more impressive.
Skyman65 is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.