The Most Overrated U.S. Vacations Destinations

You've no doubt heard about the Seven Wonders of the World. Well, here are seven of the most overrated vacation destinations in the U.S. More than likely most of them will be familiar to you. They may sound like fabulous places to visit since they're mentioned constantly on TV, in films, online, the list goes on. Just about everybody and their brother has been to these places, except you. Are you missing anything? That is really the question. Find out what makes them overrated, along with attractions and hotel information should you decide to visit one any of them.

1.) Orlando, Florida - In Orlando there are other attractions like Sea World, but the one every tourist drops big money on is Walt Disney World. Technically it is outside of Orlando, but its close enough. As of this writing ticket prices for Ages 10 & Older are a whopping $87.33. For children between the ages of 3 to 9 it is $78.81. For a family of four with two small children that is a little over $330.00. That's just for starters. Once you are inside the theme park the lines to the popular attractions have long waits with some lasting at least an hour.

Now compound that with summertime vacations when the Florida temperatures are in the 90 degrees with high humidity. This is the time when the park gets very crowded with vacationers. If that isn't enough the food stands, restaurants inside the park and souvenirs are insanely expensive. The further away you are from Disney World the cheaper the hotel rates are. With your ticket you can visit the other surrounding attractions such as Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom.

2.) Las Vegas, Nevada - You've heard the saying "what goes on in Vegas, stays in Vegas." That's likely to also mean it's a great place if you're into gambling, concerts, nightclubs, and the other floor shows Vegas is famous for. Otherwise, it would make for a dull vacation. If you're a night person into these activities this is the place for you. However, they tend to hype it as a family vacation destination which it's not. There isn't anything for children whatsoever.

Walking along the Strip is not a good idea, especially crossing the street. There is nothing to do during the day except shop, eat, swim in the pool, get a spa treatment or gamble (but not necessarily in that order). Sure you can take day trips to Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the Grand Canyon. Hotels off the Strip and in downtown Vegas are the cheapest. Otherwise, nighttime is when things start heating up in Las Vegas and it's not exactly for families.

3.) Disneyland/Hollywood, California - Before there was Disney World in Orlando there was Disneyland just outside of Los Angeles. Like its Orlando sister attraction it is also way over-hyped, crowded and expensive. Seeing the stars names on the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard is fun, but not the neighborhood it's in.

Now it is filled with costumed characters of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis trying to score a photo op, wannabe rappers peddling their home-produced CDs and swarms of tourists trying to put their footprints or handprints from the stars of Hollywood's Golden Era. Many assume they will find loads of celebrities along Hollywood Boulevard. That is only on TV and in the movies. Parking in and around Hollywood is expensive. Hotels away from the hyped places in LA are your best bet for being reasonably priced.

4.) Miami, Florida - Thanks to the 1980s hit show "Miami Vice" it made Miami and Miami Beach popular again, specifically South Beach or SoBe. If you are looking to be with the beautiful people of South Beach then you may be in for some disappointments.

The beach itself is small and the sand is hard. It's not as glitzy and glamorous as you see on TV or in films. Most tourists don't get into the posh clubs due to dress codes or for a variety of reasons. Unless you are a supermodel or other famous celebrity you'll be looking on the outside to all the action. Any place is expensive on the beach, but more so in South Beach.

5.) Key West, Florida - You would think there would be gorgeous beaches on this southernmost city, but that is not the case. The best beach for the entire Florida Keys is Bahia Honda State Park, which is 37 miles from Key West. Otherwise, if you're not into scuba diving, fishing or other aquatic activities that takes you out, then it isn't for you. Key West is crowded and expensive since everything comes from Miami due to its remoteness.

6.) Honolulu, Hawaii - Talk about over-commercialism and expensive. The International Market Place is a tourist trap with very high prices. Waikiki and the island of Oahu is one big concrete jungle due to over-development. Since this is a tourist's paradise it is also overcrowded. Traffic is extremely heavy, which you would not think otherwise. Homelessness is a big problem in Honolulu. Parking rates are ridiculously expensive, especially around Waikiki Beach. There are of course beautiful spots in the mountains, but the commercialism is taking it over little by little. Naturally the other islands are your best bet, but Oahu isn't one of them.

7.) Santa Fe, New Mexico - Once upon a time there was an ideal place for artists to live and work due to its breathtaking scenery and Southwestern charm. Santa Fe's reputation as an artist colony has now turned into a tourist trap of over-commercialized bad art. The pueblo architecture that makes the city unique is now becoming over-saturated with faux-adobe by ruining its natural environment.

Many may be in disagreement with some of these seven overrated vacation destinations. They certainly have something wonderful to offer or they wouldn't be so popular. It's that these places are over-hyped when the reality of it all is quite different. If you don't mind crowds, mass commercialism, high prices and overdevelopment than I highly recommend them. Most people like their vacation destinations to live up to their hype as a place to get away from it all.

SOURCES:

Walt Disney World - Tickets & Passes, Disney Word.Disney.go.com

Joanne Poesch, "Top Trips: Most Overrated Travel Destinations", Top Trips.com

Laurel Miller, "Top ten overrated U.S. travel destinations/attractions", Gadling.com

"Overrated destinations of the world", LA Times.com

Nice...but over-rated (Miami, Hollywood, Miami Beach), City-Data.com

Bahia Honda State Park - Frequently Asked Questions, Bahia Honda Park.com

Honolulu, Hawaii SperlingViews, BestPlaces,net