Not every famous place is loved by the people who live nearby. Some of them become far too crowded, and some are popular with pickpockets, while others have safety risks attached that the locals desperately try to warn their friends about. The worst part has to be the fact that a lot of these places are ones the majority of Americans already recognize. Sadly, they don’t know the truth until they arrive.
Here are nine American destinations that locals warn visitors to stay away from. Just remember, we’re not trying to bash these places or anyone who lives near them. Feel free to visit if you want, but you may want to keep our advice in mind when you’re there.
1. Bourbon Street, New Orleans
Bourbon Street is hardly a hidden place in New Orleans, but unfortunately, that’s not always a good thing. The city government has to keep reminding people to be on high alert there because of problems like pickpocketing. Crowd awareness is another big issue in the French Quarter. In fact, many locals recommend that tourists explore the nearby streets instead.
They’re often much less crowded than the others, and they can give you a similar experience of being in New Orleans. Of course, that’s not to say that you can let your guard down completely. But at least in places like Frenchmen Street, you can be a little more relaxed and enjoy the artistic side of the local area.
2. Navy Pier, Chicago
Try asking longtime residents in Chicago about places they rarely go to, and they’ll probably mention Navy Pier. It’s somewhere that many locals hate because there are endless crowds of tourists, as well as souvenir stands with vendors trying to hawk whatever they can to visitors. Essentially, it’s a tourist trap.
Local leadership has tried to change the area’s reputation through things like the “Centennial Vision” plan that includes better dining & arts options. They’re trying to make it less of a generic place. However, it’s still a way off from being able to transform itself completely, which is why locals recommend skipping a visit here.
3. Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
Sure, Ocean Drive looks cinematic enough, thanks to all those pastel hotels & classic cars, as well as neon lights. But that comes with movie-style pricing, too. The prices along this stretch are much higher than in nearby neighborhoods, especially in the restaurants. They get a lot of tourist traffic, and they have inflated prices to match.
Instead, many locals recommend going to one of the other neighborhoods for meals instead, such as North Beach for a much calmer experience, or Clearwater Beach near Tampa for one that’s cheaper. You can still use Miami Beach as a photo stop if you really want to. But perhaps avoid buying anything when you’re there.
4. Spitting Caves, O‘ahu
The issue in Spitting Caves has less to do with crowds and more to do with actual danger. Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources has repeatedly tried warning visitors about the sheer number of injuries & fatalities that happen on the shoreline cliff areas, including Spitting Caves. Unfortunately, not everyone listens to their advice.
The waves and unstable edges make being there rather unpredictable, despite the fact that the ocean itself may seem rather calm. As such, many locals have taken it on themselves to warn people about the area. They strongly advise against climbing down for photos or jumping into the water because it’s simply not worth the risk.
5. The Wave, Arizona
You’ve probably seen a bunch of travel photos of the Wave in Arizona. However, federal permit pages like Recreation.gov have made it clear that the area isn’t exactly a casual hike, thanks to issues like extreme heat & limited shade. There’s also the challenge of trying to navigate the local area.
Due to these issues, access to the Wave is controlled by a lottery system, but it’s actually something that locals in nearby towns suggest avoiding entirely. They say that it’s only worth it for those who are genuinely prepared for desert conditions. Everyone else should, apparently, skip The Wave and try doing an easier trail for the same beautiful views.
6. The Las Vegas Strip photo-performer zones
Not everyone knows that Las Vegas has strict rules for street performers, and these include registering with the city government. These rules came about after a lot of confusion over things like tipping & photos. The question of where performers can stand was another issue, too. All of these issues make the area a place that locals suggest avoiding, or at least walking past quickly.
They say that it’s far too easy to get pulled into unwanted interactions along the Strip, especially in areas with many different performers. Feel free to watch them from a distance, but be aware that you might get involved in something that you don’t want to be a part of. Saying “no” is also always an option.
7. Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts
Don’t get it wrong, the locals in Plymouth do love the history of the area. But their issue is that visitors here tend to build their entire trip around seeing Plymouth Rock, which is something that takes all of two minutes to visit. It’s under a small granite canopy by the harbor. Many travelers are usually surprised by how small it is once they arrive, so perhaps avoid booking a whole day to see it.
For a real historical trip, try visiting Plimoth Patuxet Museums or the waterfront instead. These will give a lot more context to American history than simply visiting the Rock by itself. There’s so much more history to explore outside of that.
8. Beale Street, Memphis
Beale Street is certainly one of the most historic places that you can visit in Memphis. But the issue here, according to some local residents, is how the street changes at night. The Commercial Appeal has reported that there has been an increased number of police patrols following crowd incidents.
As such, many longtime residents recommend only visiting the place during the day or going to some of the live music spots in Midtown instead. You should walk the street & hear a band. But make sure you go somewhere a little quieter before things get too busy, and you’re stuck shoulder-to-shoulder in a crowd.
9. Lombard Street, San Francisco
Lombard Street’s famous curves apparently aren’t worth the hassle of trying to travel around there. For many years, locals have complained about the constant lines of cars & tour buses clogging the roads nearby, and they even went as far as pushing for crowd control ideas. The traffic jams are that serious.
As a result, many residents recommend not visiting here because there are so many people stepping into the street for pictures, as well as lines of cars that stretch for miles. You’re better off walking near Russian Hill. At least then you’ll get the gorgeous views without having to sit in a line of vehicles that barely moves.
While the majority of travel lists include the biggest attractions, it seems that the local advice is to stay away from these crowded places. There are plenty of nearby places that give you a similar experience but without the danger or busyness of the most popular spots. Visit them if you want. But don’t expect the locals to be very forgiving, should you have any problems.
