Latest news with #FishermansWharf
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Both of the world's two biggest tourist traps are in the U.S.
New data reveals which iconic destinations leave travelers feeling most duped in 2025. They're crowded, overpriced, and often underwhelming. While millions of people flock to them every year, many walk away wondering whether the experience was worth the hype — or the hefty price tag. They're ourist traps — attractions that promise iconic moments or local flavor but instead deliver inflated prices, long lines, and a lack of authenticity. And now, a new report has identified exactly which places around the world are the biggest offenders in the category. According to a global analysis by Nomad eSIM, which examined thousands of online reviews for popular destinations worldwide, the two worst-rated tourist traps on the planet — tied for first place — are both located in the United States. The first is Wall Drug in South Dakota, a sprawling roadside attraction that began as a small-town pharmacy in the 1930s and built its fame on quirky billboards and free ice water. Today, it's a full-blown spectacle featuring Western-themed shops, photo ops, and kitschy Americana — and it draws about 2 million visitors annually. But not everyone leaves impressed. Reviews label it 'crammed and tacky,' with some warning that visitors are 'ripped off by every store owner in town.' Sharing the top spot is San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, the city's waterfront strip of seafood joints, souvenir stands, and the occasional sea lion sighting. It pulls in around 12 million visitors a year — but critics say the area is 'dirty, run down, and overcrowded,' and 'only worth it to see the seals.' International destinations sit near the top of the list as well, including Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Temple Bar in Dublin, and Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin — all sites that regularly draw huge tourist crowds, and just as regularly show up in online complaints about inflated prices, aggressive vendors, and a lack of local authenticity. Nomad's analysis didn't just look at popularity: It specifically tracked mentions of the phrase 'tourist trap' in traveler reviews. It also tallied up the estimated cost of disappointment at several of the world's most expensive attractions, factoring in entrance fees alongside those negative mentions. Among the priciest letdowns: Graceland in Tennessee, with an $84 entry fee and hundreds of complaints. The Grand Canyon Skywalk in Arizona and the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina also made the list, thanks to high ticket prices and underwhelming experiences reported by visitors. While many travelers are still drawn to these iconic places for the photo ops or bragging rights, the data suggests that some may be better admired from afar — or skipped altogether in favor of more authentic, less crowded alternatives.


Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The worst tourist trap in the world
In every country, tourists eagerly gather at the most popular and talked-about spots , hoping it lives up to their expectations. Though at times, travellers may find themselves disappointed - charged premium prices and squashed shoulder-to-shoulder with others all aiming to chase the same sought-after attraction. Now, the very worst tourist trap in the world has been revealed, in research by Nomad eSIM. There's not one, but two places that tie as the top spots to avoid when travelling – and both are in the United States. Fisherman's Wharf, located in San Francisco, and Wall Drug, in South Dakota, scored the worst in Nomad's analysis. The company looked at thousands of reviews for attractions in 50 popular destinations around the world and tracked mentions of 'tourist trap'. Both Fisherman's Wharf and Wall Drug have 1,000 reviews labelling them as 'tourist traps'. Wall Drug attracts around 2 million tourists each year and started out as a small pharmacy in 1931. Now, it is known worldwide for being a quirky roadside attraction spreading across 76,000sq feet. Visitors can enjoy coffee for five cents, fresh donuts and an old-timey photo studio, as well as over 300 pieces of Western art. However, not everyone is impressed with its offerings and the attraction has received more than 1,000 reviews labelling it a 'tourist trap,' according to Nomad. One slammed it for being 'very crammed and tacky' while another swiped 'you will be ripped off by every store owner in town'. Fisherman's Wharf ties with Wall Drug as one of the worst tourist traps. The historic waterfront spot brings in around 12 million tourists a year who visit for the seafood restaurants, sea lions and souvenir shops. However, many leave disappointed and underwhelmed. According to Nomad, some visitors described the location as 'dirty, run down and overcrowded' and commented 'only worth it to see the seals.' Spain's Las Ramblas, a promenade that runs for more than a kilometre through central Barcelona, placed second in the 'tourist trap' rankings with 826 reviews. The attraction is packed with shops, eateries, and attractions and while some travellers enjoy its energetic vibe, others find the experience chaotic and overwhelming. Known for pickpocketing, the area is often packed with crowds some visitors find that it's 'one of the most overrated roads in the world', and one even went as far as to say that 'it should be on your DO NOT DO list'. Dublin's Temple Bar was listed third, despite being renowned for its lively nightlife and traditional Irish pub s. The Irish icon saw 'tourist trap' mentioned a whopping 687 times. Complaints about Temple Bar range from how dirty it is to the sky-high prices, with one reviewer describing it as 'overcrowded, overpriced and overrated'. Temple Bar was closely followed by Checkpoint Charlie, in Germany, which had 681 reviews dubbing it a 'tourist trap'. The famous Cold War-era border crossing in Germany features plenty of souvenir stalls and draws in plenty of visitors. But it doesn't always impress and according to Nomad, one traveller said: 'For somewhere with so much historical importance, it has become a cheap and nasty tourist spot'. While the Royal Mile in Edinburgh placed five in the 'tourist trap' rankings with 539 reviews. Stretching 1.81km, the cobbled road links Edinburgh Castle the Palace of Holyroodhouse. However, one visitor to the Scottish capital expressed disappointment: 'Bring back the days when locals could live and work in the area without locusts like plagues of tourists!'.


Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Dublin's Temple Bar named as third-worst tourist trap in the world
It's where visitors end up battling crowds to order pints of Guinness for €10 (£8.65) – and now it's been named one of the biggest tourist traps in the world. Temple Bar in Dublin, renowned for its lively nightlife and traditional Irish pubs, has been given the dubious honour of ranking third in a round-up of global tourist traps. In research by Nomad eSim, reviews of the area were analysed to see how many times the negative term was used. The Irish icon saw 'tourist trap' mentioned a whopping 687 times. Complaints about Temple Bar range from how dirty it is to the sky-high prices, with one reviewer describing it as 'overcrowded, overpriced and overrated'. One user on Instagram wrote that they 'can't believe it only came third'. Dublin's nightlife hotspot was only beaten by Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco and Las Ramblas in Barcelona, coming in first and second place respectively. The US attraction is located in the Californian city's northern waterfront, and attracts millions of visitors each year with souvenir shops, seafood restaurants, and sea lion sightings. But many are left underwhelmed. Comments brand the area 'dirty, run down and overcrowded', and point out it's 'only worth it to see the seals'. 1,000 reviews used the term 'tourist trap'. Spain's Las Ramblas, a promenade that runs for more than a kilometre through central Barcelona, is packed with shops, eateries, and attractions. While some travelers enjoy its energetic vibe, others find the experience chaotic and overwhelming. The area is often packed with crowds and is known for pickpocketing. Visitors find that it's 'one of the most overrated roads in the world', and some even go as far as to say that 'it should be on your DO NOT DO list'. However, someone cheekily wrote on social media: 'La Rambla isn't a tourist trap, it's there to keep the tourists away from the good places and for that I salute it.' It was listed as a tourist trap in 826 reviews. Checkpoint Charlie, the famous Cold War-era border crossing in Germany, and the historic and bustling Royal Mile in Edinburgh, round out the top five. One review of the Scottish capital expressed disappointment: 'Bring back the days when locals could live and work in the area without locusts like plagues of tourists!'. Europe's most popular cities are being overrun this summer, as record-breaking tourist numbers turn once-scenic streets into overcrowded, chaotic hotspots. Videos show locals and visitors alike struggling to navigate packed squares, endless queues, and overwhelming crowds across Greece and Italy - as selfie-hunting holidaymakers ignore mounting anti-tourism protests. In the Italian capital of Rome, tourists are crammed shoulder-to-shoulder as they try to take in the city's famous architecture, with one likening the experience to being 'part of one big sweaty herd.' Meanwhile, in Athens, known for its ancient ruins and historic streets, the crowds are so dense that visitors can barely squeeze past each other.
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Travel + Leisure
21-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This City Was Just Named California's Most Expensive Tourist Destination—but Here's How to Visit on a Budget
San Francisco has long enchanted visitors with its historic cable cars, fog-draped Golden Gate Bridge, and pastel-painted Victorian homes—but now it holds a new, less flattering distinction: the most expensive tourist destination in California. According to a recent GOBankingRates study, the City by the Bay is the most expensive tourist destination in California, surpassing cities like Laguna Beach and Malibu. San Francisco had an overall cost of living index of 245.5, which is more than double the national average baseline of 100 and accounts for the cost of things like groceries, healthcare, housing, utilities, and transportation. But while San Francisco's soaring prices might send budget-conscious travelers into sticker shock, there are plenty of ways to soak up the city's charm without emptying your wallet. From free live music to the sweeping views from Twin Peaks, the city remains, at its core, a world-class destination—on any budget. Most of the city's most iconic sights, from the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park to Fisherman's Wharf and the Painted Ladies (the pastel homes) are free to visit and explore. (If you go to the wharf, don't miss a visit to Pier 39, which overlooks colonies of California sea lions.) It doesn't cost a cent to walk around the Mission District and see the neighborhood's famous murals and street art or cruise through Chinatown and North Beach, which are known for their Chinese and Italian heritage, respectively. If you want a dose of nature, head to Lands End and walk the scenic Coastal Trail or hike to the top of Twin Peaks, which offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding bay area. Beyond exploring neighborhoods and surrounding nature, many of the city's best museums are either free or have free admission days. On the first Tuesday of every month, admission is free to the fine art museums of de Young and Legion of Honor, and on the first Sunday of every month, entrance to the Asian Art Museum is free. Other museums, like the kid-friendly Randall Museum, which offers free, hands-on science and arts exhibits, and the Cable Car Museum are always free. The MoMA is free for visitors ages 18 and under and has 45,000 square feet of art-filled public spaces that are always free and open to the public. In addition, there are plenty of annual festivals that are free and open to the public—including the music of People in Plazas, which runs through the summer, and the Stern Grove Festival, which offers free concerts every Sunday from mid-June through mid-August. There is also free Shakespeare in the Park theater in August and September. In addition to free to-dos spread across the city, there are a few activities that are so affordable it's hard to complain. For example, you can hop aboard one of the city's iconic cable cars, which are National Historic Landmarks, for just $8. While exploring Chinatown, you can pick up a selection of dim sum or pastries for well under $15, or visit a North Beach cafe or retro-Italian bar for a quick (and affordable) espresso or negroni. With so many low-cost experiences woven into every corner of the city, you don't need a big budget to enjoy California's most expensive tourist destination.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
San Francisco Says Goodbye to 99-Year-Old Fisherman's Wharf Institution
A cornerstone of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf is coming down. Alioto's, a 99-year-old Sicilian seafood restaurant that survived fires, earthquakes, and generations of diners, will be demolished as part of a sweeping $10 million renovation of the iconic waterfront. Once the wharf's first permanent building, Alioto's began as a modest fish stand in 1925 before evolving into an 11,000-square-foot institution known for Dungeness crab and shrimp cocktails. Its founder, Italian immigrant Nunzio Alioto, carved out a legacy that weathered decades of change until the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered the family-run restaurant for good in 2020. SFGate reported that efforts to revive Alioto's failed, according to Port Director Elaine Forbes, who said the structure's age, deterioration, and costly repair needs scared off potential operators. So instead of another tenant, the site will become part of a new public plaza, complete with lighting installations and scenic overlooks. The first phase of the project is scheduled to wrap by summer 2026. Plans include direct access to docked fishing boats, where visitors will once again be able to buy fresh fish and crab straight from the source. Alioto's isn't the only lost legend. Longtime fixtures like Fishermen's Grotto and Tarantino's are also gone. But fresh names are moving in. Salvadoran spot Chasca Rio will open in the former Pompei's Grotto by year's end, and Everett & Jones barbecue will take over Lou's Fish Shack's old space on Jefferson Street. The port's long-term plans stretch through the next 75 years, with a focus on climate resilience. Projects will strengthen seawalls, flood-proof buildings, modernize retail and public spaces, and support the fishing fleet that gives the wharf its name. Fisherman's Wharf drew 10 million visitors in 2024, and San Francisco hopes these updates will keep that number climbing even as it says farewell to one of its oldest culinary Francisco Says Goodbye to 99-Year-Old Fisherman's Wharf Institution first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 9, 2025