18 American Attractions That Not Even Americans Like To Visit
Let’s face it every country has its fair share of “meh” attractions, and the U.S. is no exception. While some spots draw endless crowds, others barely get a second glance (and sometimes, for good reason).
After years of exploring hidden corners and hyped-up duds, I’ve rounded up 18 places that Americans don’t exactly line up to visit twice. Some are quirky, some are just plain odd, and a few might surprise you.
Either way, get ready for a fun, no-holds-barred tour through the most skipped, shrugged-at, and side-eyed attractions in the country.
1. The Four Corners Monument
How many times have you heard about standing in four states at once? That’s the whole draw of the Four Corners Monument. When I finally visited, the novelty faded after about two minutes.
This landmark sits in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by dry desert. Vendors sell trinkets in the heat, but there’s little else to do or see.
You won’t find a bustling scene, just folks snapping a quick picture before hitting the road again.
2. Hollywood Walk of Fame
If you dream of glitz and glamour, the Hollywood Walk of Fame delivers something else entirely. Stars line the sidewalk, but most are coated with spilled soda and old gum.
Are you hoping for celebrity sightings? Most people just see T-shirt vendors and costumed performers angling for tips.
Hollywood magic feels distant here, replaced by noise, litter, and pushy crowds.
3. The Corn Palace
This place calls itself the Corn Palace, and yes, it is covered in corn. The murals are impressive for about five minutes. After that? There’s not much to hold your interest.
It’s a popular roadside stop, but locals rarely visit unless relatives are in town.
The gift shop leans heavy on kitsch, and the corn theme wears thin quickly. Odd, but not exactly exciting.
4. Roswell UFO Museum
Did you ever want to see plastic aliens in glass cases? The Roswell UFO Museum offers plenty, but it feels more like a thrift store than a captivating exhibit.
Displays are a jumble of newspaper clippings and models from sci-fi movies. Curious?
Maybe. But most Americans leave scratching their heads, wondering what all the fuss was about.
5. Times Square (New Year’s Eve)
When millions watch the ball drop on TV, it looks magical. If you’re there in person, it’s hours of standing in crowded pens, nowhere to sit, and freezing temperatures.
Crowds are shoulder-to-shoulder. Bathrooms? Good luck finding one.
The excitement wears off fast, and most New Yorkers steer clear unless they’re hosting out-of-town friends.
6. Wall Drug Store
Where else can you find free ice water and a giant jackalope statue? Wall Drug’s billboards stretch for miles, but the store is just a maze of trinkets and souvenirs.
How did this spot become famous? Clever marketing. Are the homemade donuts worth it?
Maybe once. I usually leave wondering why I stopped at all.
7. The Mystery Spot (California)
Gravity gets weird at the Mystery Spot, or so they say. I felt more dizzy from the tour guide’s corny jokes than the ‘mysterious’ tilting rooms.
Visitors walk out skeptical, if not a bit dizzy. Most return just to show friends the odd angles, not because the illusion is impressive.
Curiosity fades fast here.
8. Liberty Bell (Philadelphia)
When someone mentions the Liberty Bell, I think of long lines and a quick glance at a crack. The viewing area is packed, and you barely get time for a photo.
It’s a symbol of freedom, but the experience feels rushed and underwhelming.
Locals rarely visit more than once—usually on a school field trip.
9. The Alamo (San Antonio)
How small is the Alamo? That’s always my first thought. The building is dwarfed by nearby hotels, and the famous battle feels distant amid T-shirt shops.
Tourists shuffle through quickly, and the experience lacks the drama you expect from history books. Where’s the excitement?
Most Texans pass by without stopping twice.
10. Mall of America
If you like shopping, Mall of America is a behemoth. I find the endless rows of chain stores overwhelming, and the indoor amusement park isn’t much of a thrill.
How long can you wander before every store starts to blend together?
Most locals visit once and avoid it on weekends. The novelty wears thin quickly.
11. Mount Rushmore
Seeing presidents carved into a mountain sounds epic, right? But when I finally made the trip, it felt smaller than expected. You can’t get close, and the crowds make it hard to enjoy.
Are fireworks or special events happening? Rarely.
Most Americans snap a few photos, buy a magnet, and wonder if the drive was really worth it.
12. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Guitar legends and famous outfits fill the halls, but the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame feels more like a giant music closet than a thrilling shrine. Exhibits rarely change.
Did you expect live music and energy?
Most of the time, it’s eerily quiet. People visit once, then find better vibes at local bars or music festivals.
13. Salem Witch Museum
Are you chasing spooky vibes? The Salem Witch Museum offers wax figures and dramatic narrations, but the chills end there. The displays feel outdated and stiff.
Locals skip it, and even history buffs leave disappointed. Did you want something genuinely eerie?
Look elsewhere, because this museum rarely gives anyone goosebumps.
14. Niagara Falls (American Side)
You hear about Niagara Falls, but the American side often disappoints. Views are blocked by fences, and everything feels run-down compared to Canada’s side.
When I visited, the crowds thinned quickly, and the attractions nearby felt dated.
Most Americans cross the bridge for a better experience, leaving these viewpoints empty.
15. Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Where else can you see a shrunken head or a two-headed calf? Ripley’s museums are everywhere, but the oddities get old fast. I found myself wanting to leave halfway through.
Are you looking for real wonder? Most Americans try it once for the novelty, then never return.
The weird factor wears off quickly.
16. Graceland (Elvis Presley’s Home)
Elvis fans might swoon, but Graceland always felt like a time capsule I couldn’t escape. The tours are expensive, and the rooms are roped off.
This home’s quirky style is stuck in another era, with velvet everything.
Most locals avoid the hassle and crowds, unless they’re showing visiting relatives.
17. International UFO Museum (Roswell)
Aliens in Roswell again? The International UFO Museum piles on the conspiracy theories, but the displays are just old magazines and photos. I left more confused than amused.
Locals rarely visit. Did you expect a mind-blowing discovery?
Prepare for a head-scratching, underwhelming walk through extraterrestrial folklore.
18. The Winchester Mystery House
Staircases to nowhere, doors that open into walls—this is the Winchester Mystery House. I found the endless rooms more tiring than spooky, and the ghost stories felt forced.
How did it get so famous?
Probably the lore, but most visitors leave wondering what, exactly, they just toured. Locals only visit when out-of-towners insist.