I'd like to second the one for Atlantic City. I went there on a lark once. Had a great time in the casinos, but the boardwalk was full of pigeon poop. And the minute you leave the boardwalk, as I had to to get to my hotel, the place becomes sinister. I've lived in NYC all my life and I've never been so creeped out as I was then, walking in broad daylight at 9AM to the 7ll to get something to eat, with all the drunks and crackheads out.

Regarding Salem, I spent my most memorable Halloween weekend there. I stayed at a motel in Peabody, 5 miles away, and took a cab in and out of town, so I didn't have to worry about parking. Yes, it is very commercialized, but it's interesting to see historic sites like the House of the Seven Gables, and sites pertaining to the witch trials. Also, at that time of year, people walk around dressed up in costume day or night, and it's fun to watch and participate.

Frankenmuth!! It's this little town in Michigan that for some reason is a tourist attraction. I don't get it. It's basically a bunch of shops selling junky Christmas ornaments year-round, with a restaurant that is famous for its chicken dinners (which are not very good and definitely overpriced). There are billboards advertising Frankenmuth all over Michigan and for some reason many people feel a compulsion to go there after all the advertising (kind of like Wall Drug in South Dakota I guess) -- but SKIP IT!

Also Wisconsin Dells is just the worst. Really, the biggest waste of money. I just don't get why anyone would ever go there. What is there that you can't find EVERYWHERE else? Water parks, bad chain restaurants, bad chain hotels. It's like the worst America has to offer -- mass consumerism and commercialism, at the worst possible value for money ratio -- only concentrated in one place. Absolutely nothing special about it at all.

Well, a very interesting list, but if you put all of these together they would never equal the overall badness of the "great" state of Texas and all of the blow hard, arrogant people that live there. Think hot, ugly, nasty, artificial, and what do you have? TEXAS! Yippie yiyay, yiyo, away from Texas we go (AND DAMN FAST TOO)

All Right, TexasSucks,

You're outta the game! Ejected! Hit the showers, Pal! You slammed Texas based on absolutely nothing. You probably haven't even been there; if you had, you could identify an ATTRACTION that is worth skipping, as required by the rules.

I'm referring this to the league for a fine and possible suspension.

Wisconsin Dells tacky and can be pricey. Kids absolutely love it though and there are some fun "non-touristy" things for adults, e.g. camping, boating, canoeing, hiking. There's some good bars too (if that's what you're into). To me, this is far from the worst place.

The worst place is my hometown -- Waukesha, WI. Overpriced homes, no decent "downtowns." The only decent aspect of this county is the lakes, and that's only if you can afford to live on one. If you want something to do, you have to travel to Madison or Milwaukee.

Wildwood, NJ. The tackiest boardlwalk. Couldn't get out of the place fast enough.

Fort Lauderdale, FL. Overdeveloped, overcomercialized, no redeeming qualities whatsoever. And, while we are at it, 99% of the state of Florida is either an environmental disaster, or one about to happen. Hedious state.

I completely agree with what you've all said about Waikiki, but I can't believe none of you mentioned the hookers! I live in LA but have never seen anywhere near as many hookers as I saw on the main street in Waikiki. So, if you're interested in aggresive, tall (suspiciously tall in fact, I think about half were men) hookers who speak Japanese, Waikiki is for you you. Otherwise, skip it and go to one of the other islands.

On a totally different topic, I was a little dissapointed in the Tower of London because they have removed the torture devices that used to be on display in the basement. The crown jewels were on display but there was a two hour wait in line so i doubt that was worth it.

How about Helen, GA? It's like a German version of Gatlinburg, with a little Chimney Rock, NC mixed in. Tacky, tacky, tacky.

Salem, MA has come a long way over the years; contains amusement and history...read your history texts and Nathaniel Hawthorne! We tend to base our vacations short and long around history, and it certainly isn't lacking in Massachusetts! Salem is especially fun in the pleasant days before Halloween--have taken both older children and adults there and all have had a good time. As in virtually any other US town, wouldn't recommend shelling out for the tackiest of exhibits etc.

After reading this entire thread, I was relieved to see no listings for our 3 upcoming trips (1 short ones to Vegas, and then Paso Robles, CA), and then 2 wks in Chicago, Niagra Falls, the Finger Lakes (just 2 d), and Montreal. I did find that everyone has different tastes, but that's what makes us all unique. My husband and I have been to WDW and Epcot 3x in 6 yrs., and loved every minute (OK, except when we went to Pleasure Island, and there was a cold snap, and I came with clothes for our S. Calif. weather).

And re: Napa; yes, we like Sonoma, Russian River etc. very much, but get off the beaten path, and visit Silverado, Schramsburg Champagne Cellars (the cellars rival what we just saw in Reims), Silver Oak, S. Anderson for some great wine and scenery. Yes, we in S. Orange County do avoid the crowds in LA as much as possible, however nothing beats having a drink watching the sun set from the pier at San Clemente, or the Dana Point Harbor. What we've found is that if you have a car, and can poke around a place to find the "undiscovered" places, and talk to the locals for tips, you can have a great time anywhere! Botanical gardens, museums associated with colleges, even the little local historical museums my parents used to drag me to can be fun! Though I've loved seeing sights here and abroad ranging from the Louvre to the Grand Prix, even a museum dedicated to branding irons (Wyoming someplace) or corkscrews (Napa) can be so ridiculous that it's fun! We've been in so many pickles travelling, that the bad experiences just turn into a long-standing joke. But I think I'll skip the Wisconsin Dells.

Now, now fodorite friends...I keep reminding you that Waikiki is not `Oahu. And, I confess to having avoided the Polynesian Cultural Center myself all these years (too many tour buses). Also, I've never been on a booze-cruise, although a male polynesian dancer friend of mine used to get great tips!

For true Hawaiian culture, go to O Puu Honua O Honaunau on the Big Island.

Enjoy our city for its mix of people, its flowers and ocean, the beautiful mountain ridges, and our fabulous restaurants. And maybe poke around Chinatown or in a museum or two, after an around-the island drive with beach stops.

And thanks for the information above! I had never heard of the Wisconsin Dells before reading this post and will certainly not go out of my way now We loved Minnesotta though, esp. Duluth and the drive north on Lake Superior...beautiful country!

Happy (and informed) travels!
k

I have to agree with EVERYONE who has ragged Atlantic City, NJ. I have been there a few times as a teenager before gambling and three times since gambling has been initiated. BG (Before Gambling) the beach was dirty, the boardwalk run down and in disrepair, and one block away is some of the worse urban blight on the east coast. The only thing i found ever remotely intersesting was the Steel Pier and the diving horse. Gambling got voted in with the promise of cleaning up the city and jobs for everyone. Well AG (After Gambling) the beach is dirtier (if at all possible),the water a strange light brown, the boardwalk in the same condition except that it has all these giant gauldy casinos attached to it, and it is down right scary in the City itself and I don't scare easily!!!!! All the descent resturants have been run out of business by the bland buffets that the casinos offer. Oh yea the Steel Pier was closed and no diving horses or rides.

I also want to take exception with Neal Sanders post on 5/26/00 with the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. I must agree that the two Pavillions leave much to be desired, just tourist oriented depots of food booths, resturants, and overpriced trinkets (Though I believe that the last overhaul of businesses which included Planet Holleywood, the Cheesecake Factory, Capitol Brewpub, and Hooters among many others, has improved the Pavillions overall). Neal should have done a little homework and found that in the WHOLE Inner Harbor (which goes from Fort McHenry in Locust Point for around 8 to 10 miles to Canton) there is plenty to do other than check out the GAP in "clean, sanitized, Disneyesque version of what a harbor ought to be." Here is a couple of my suggestions:

Walking south along the water from the Light Street Pavillion one will find the Maryland Science Center with its rotating displays and IMAX theatre. If you continue down Light Street through a safe upscale city neighborhood you will come across Federal Hill, which has a lot of small shops, resturants, and pubs. There is also the Cross Street Market which is one of Baltimores open air markets and well worth a walk through.

Also on that side of the harbor is a three block walk to Oriole Park at Camden Yards and the Babe Ruth Museum. The way the Orioles have been playing it is easy to walk up and get a couple of tickets to a game but you can walk along the warehouse and look into the field if you like during the day (there is also tours)

In the Inner Harbor area itself are three boats which can be toured (USS Constellation, a submarine, and some other war ship), going to the top of the World Trade Center for a great view, the National Aquarium (go early beat the crowds), The Power Plant (Home to ther ESPN Zone, Lava Longue, and Hard Rock Café amongst others). Little Italy is just beyond the Power Plant with some of the best Italian Resturants on the east coast.

The water taxis (both companys have a $5 all day riding fee) and will take you to Fort McHenry, Fells Point (lots of shops, resturants, bars and pubs) and Canton. If anything else it is a refreshing ride on the water.

If you look you will find plenty to do.

Does everybody LIKE Branson, MO? Surprised there weren't any comments. I thought it was a BIG disappointment. The Main Drag is so crowded you are better off parking (if you can find a place) and walking. The over-priced shows all start at the same time (8:00 PM or there are some matinees), causing a hugh traffic snarl-up on this Main Drag. We were there in Spring before the kids were out of school...since it is geared to families, hate to think what its like in summer time. Don't invest in any property there!

Excuse me for being slow, however, I still don't have a clear idea of what the Wisconsin Dells are...besides awful.

Very touristy NE of Madison, WI. Includes water parks, amusements parks, mini golf, bars and restaurants, trendy amusement park-like hotels, condos for rent, camping, horseback riding, go carting, Indian dance demonstrations, souvenir shops, those take your picture dressed in cowboy day era outfits", beautiful scenery with rock cliffs and gorges between the river/lake, sightseeing, guided boat trips, petting zoos, hiking trails, water ski shows, haunted houses. etc. You name it, they got it.

This was a very interesting post. I am heading to Gatlinburg and I think it got a couple of votes. However, I have heard from several people that it is just beautiful. We are staying at the top of the mountains and doing a lot of hiking and rafting. I am sure there are a lot of cheesy, touristy things to do there that we will not do if we are not interested so I wouldn't let this post distract me.

A couple of posters mentioned that 90-99% of Florida is just awful. I have been to Florida several times: Disney, Clearwater, Naples. It isn't my favorite place to go and definetly too humid (but it is in Chicago in the summer, too) but I still have a great time every time I do. What I don't understand is how anyone knows that 90% of the state is awful. Especially if they hated it that much why would you keep going back!

Also, to the poor poster that traveled all the way to White Fence Farm south of Chicago: eventhough there are several signs for it once you start getting closer it has never been listed in any information I have seen as a "tourist" attraction. I live south of the city so we went there quite a bit as children, waited a long time for a table and I personally don't care for it but when you visit a city like Chicago where there are numerous excellent restaurants I can't imagine why anyone would have sent you 50 miles out of your way for that. I am assuming you were staying in the city, of course.

Add to the list: Petrified Forest
If you are driving by the entrance, fine...do it! Just don't go out of your way to get there. I never dreamed something with the word 'forest' in its name would be a desert!

Don't bother with Amish Acres in Northern Indiana. I think it is near Nappanee. The pies aren't as good as our homemade ones either. I might be flamed for this one but most college towns are really worth a visit. Not South Bend!

MAP is so right about ALL the things to do in Wisconsin Dells...EXCEPT...you forgot to mention FISHING!!!!!!! For approximately $20.00, you can visit a pond so "stocked" that they practically jump out of the water and onto your hook themselves. The catch? Can't throw anything back. The problem? Exhorbitant fees per pound. Ridiculous!! By the way, Wisconsin Dells is really the name of the town. It's actually quite scenic and is carved out and around the Wisconsin River, but is a tourist trap to the 10th power.

TOMMY BARTLETT RULES!!!!!!

Went on one of those tour groups to Plimouth Plantation. The plantation itself was wonderful, the tour was TERRIBLE. Waited in line forever. Drove in the same bus as the tour going to some kind of Lobster tour. They were dropped off first. Ended up with about 1 1/2 hours at the Plantation. Then had to go pick up the Lobster group. My advice, rent a car and go by yourself. Although I guess it could have been worse, I could have been on the Lobster tour. One of the gentlemen on that tour got on the bus and rather wearily said "I know more about Lobster than I ever wanted to!"