The Al Capone tour in Chicago. It's awful. Raging full of stereotypes about Italian Americans

Here’s one that sort of applies: Rainforest Cafe. They are in every major resort area and they suck. Over stimulation and over pricing at it’s worst. And to kick it off, they take you through their retail establishment on the way in. All this to promote “conservation” and “animal welfare.”

I'll second Rainforest and add a vote for Hard Rock Cafe. Also, throw in those "xxxx Mills" outlet malls where I had my first encounter with Rainforest in the Phoenix version.

Let me please add Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant. Don't ever go to one. They're awful. No matter how much you liked the movie Forrest Gump, the restaurants are awful.

Wall Drug Store in Wall, South Dakota.

Baker City, Oregon and it's Oregon Trail hype. The Trail "historic" complex was funded with federal money so the town could cash in on the hardship and death of people of days gone by. If it were not for federal funds Oregon would dry up on the vine. There are many tourist traps in that state but this one takes the cake. There is something wrong with a state who's largest industry is prisons and even that has an investment (give-a-way)of federal funds. My vacation dollars will go elsewhere.

Solvaang, CA--billed as a "Danish village." Ridiculous--nothing to do except shop in high-priced stores with nothing worth buying or eat at high-priced bakeries. For some unknown reason, everyone I know has gone here--don't even bother. (This is from someone who _loved_ Wall Drug--why did nobody mention that they give free donuts to veterans, truck drivers, and honeymooners (we were the latter)--and the Wisconsin Dells--roller-coasters and go-karts only--both).

top!

The Black Hills of South Dakota were a fairly frequent destination for me when I was a boy (we lived in western Iowa) and, even today, while doing reporting in the west, I always make a point of stopping at Wall Drug. I did a story on the proprieter a few years ago (he recently died) and found him to be a charming, engaging man who knew EXACTLY what he was offering folks. He never pretended that Wall Drug was anything more than a place where people could stretch their legs and buy baseball caps with fake dog crap on the bills. I like to stop and stock up on cheesy gifts for my friends (they love me for it). I am starting a campaign to get Wall Drug removed from this list.

Cherokee, NC <BR> <BR>It is at the end of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the entrace of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. It must be the most tacky place on the earth. <BR> <BR>It's angle parking off the HIGHWAY!!! You take your life in hand trying to back out of a spot. <BR> <BR>Some guy dressed up as an Indian chief dancing in the street for money. Tacky gift stores with a stuffed bear outside selling plastic tomahawks, headdresses, mocassins, totem poles, etc. along with the usually souviner junk. <BR> <BR>Hotels with names like Arrowhead Inn and Teepee whatever. <BR> <BR>I'm not an Indian and I found it offensive. <BR> <BR>There is one casino there. All machine games (video poker, blackjack, slots). No payout. Too much second hand smoke to breathe -- even in the non-smoking section. If the machines had given out 1 quarter for every 4 I put in I might have stayed. <BR> <BR>Okay, now something not completely negative: the mountains are beautiful, the Indian Culture Center shows many wonderful works of art and handicrafts.

I've never been as disappointed as I was when going to EPCOT CENTER. Whew! Overpriced entry fee, the longest walk from the parking lot to the gate and once inside a long walk in a circle from gift shop to gift shop selling trinkets made in Taiwan that were suppose to represent the different countries of the world. I think not. Lousy, lousy over priced food. We walked aimlessly trying to understand why people go to this place. One or two rides for a moments glee and then more walking through gift shops. This was truly the most expensive shopping trip I'd ever been on and I didn't buy anything! <BR> <BR>The Kennedy Space Center was well worth the trip. The tour is a must do and if you do a little homework you can plan to be there on a day when the shuttle is lifting off! <BR> <BR>Have a great trip. <BR>Susan

Seattle, especially the Space Needle and all the silly skin-pieced youth who are ubiquitous. That said, western Washington is beautiful. If I had to relocate, I'd seriously consider that part of the country.

Don't "See Rock City" or Ruby Falls either, the best part of Lookout Mtn. is the incline cable car that takes you to the top, the rest is a just the results of a marketing genius. After your inside you get the feeling you just paid to get in to see the smallest horse in the world that shows up at everybody's state fair. You look at rock formations that are named after the masterminds imagination, at Ruby Falls you take an elevator down to an undergrond cavern that displays a tall but weak waterfall that has a red light shining on it, oooooh ahhhhhh, boring, boring, boring.

HOOVER DAM!!!!! <BR> That was a miserable experiance! Although the fact that it was 107 degrees might have aggrevated my time, I still would tell people not to go there! First of all, b/c of the heightened security (they get lots of bomb threats) you can't carry anything in with you. Then there are tours, but they are hours long! (I think 1 1/2 hrrs to 2 hrs) So we didn't go on them. So basically we just looked at the dam while my parents oohed and aahed and I was like, "Get me back to the hotel and the pool!"

I just have to say for those who have nominated New Orleans for this honor -- NEXT TIME GET OFF BOURBON STREET. Most New Orleanians (myself included) love this town, but not much of the French Quarter and WE HATE Bourbon street. The town has so much to offer as far as history and culture that most other places pale in comparison, but saying you've been to New Orleans when you've just barely been out of the French Quarter is like going to San Fransisco and only going to Fisherman's Wharf -- or going to Manhattan and only visiting Times Square -- you get my point. Nuff said

Not only did I get teased for the whole "Plymouth Pebble" experience, but for my insistance on going to the Oceanspray Cranberry "farm" down the road. Just so you know my teenager had a great laugh at my expense... It is a store with free juice samples and two planter boxes out front! <BR> <BR>places we return to regularly..Santa Cruz, Capitola, Santa Catalina, places with a history of fun.

it does seem to me that any intelligent people would investigate any place they thought about going to before they took off. wouldn't asking people with similar views about their experiences alleviate a lot of disappointments? I can't help but think that these "ripoffs" are somebody's cup of tea.

Hey! Wher is that referee?

<BR>I think the ref swallowed his/her whistle back near response number 115--six long, long weeks ago.

Hey Nadene! <BR> Epcot does indeed have beer! I'm not that fond of Epcot, but if you must go (I live near Orlando so I'm forced to go sometimes), go to the World Showcase and do a "tour of beer." No, this isn't advertised, I made it up. Go to each country and have *at least* one native beer. By the time you're at the end, you'll need to stay in one of their overpriced hotels! <BR>