paula1470

I will second Meteor Crater. It didn't cost quite that much when I went many years ago but it was still a lot to pay to look at a hole!

I agree with Patrick about Disneyworld or Disneyland. There is no doubt it is expensive to go to any big amusement park. If you are going to these places, you are definitely aware of the cost and the crowds. I know that people on vacation don't always have the luxury of picking the exact time for their trip but if you are going to Disney or other similar venues, plan accordingly. Don't go on the weekend or holiday, go early, hit the big rides first, take a break during the day and then go back later in the evening when the crowds have thinned out a little. And if you think it is still a rip-off, then plan a different vacation.

BetsyinKY

The cheesiest tourist trap I think I've ever visited was the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine, Fl. It was hilarious. I think it was only about $7 to get in, but the "fountain" was a slow trickle of sulphery smelling water. We were each given a small paper cup of the water to drink. I gave mine to the plants!

mary_s

Another vote for Four Corners. We meant to stop for a quick photo op...when my husband saw the 'pay here' booth he pulled a great big u-turn. LOL

highbay

Mary S:
Because it was "my idea" to go to 4 corners, there was no way my husband was going to make a "u-turn", he actually laughed as I paid at the booth. It is now a source of amusement for the two of us....like, remember the time we paid to see the Four Corners?

Patrick

jacketwatch, how dare you! Wall Drug overpriced? Didn't you know the ice water is free! LOL

And that story about Alpine Helen, Georgia reminds me of one of the worst places I've ever seen -- Solvang, California.

qzseattle

Before my trip to Miami last year, I borrowed a camera from my friend but he didn?t have the batteries. So, while I Miami, I stopped by at an electronics store located in Lincoln Road Mall. I had a little chat with the store's owner and mentioned that I was visiting from Seattle. Since I didn?t own a camera at that time, I had no idea how much its batteries cost. The chatty store's owner showed me his "hospitality" by selling me batteries that had a sticker price of $40 for $22 bucks. He opened the packet and put the batteries in the camera for me. I kept feeling that the price was a bit too high. So, I went into Walgreen store down the road and found the exact same batteries for 7 bucks!

Went back to the store where I bought the batteries but the guy wouldn?t return my money since the packet had been opened! I didn?t want to ruin my vacation by making a big fuss out of it but it surely ruined my mood for the evening. Sure, he made a few bucks off of me but he also succeeded in casting a negative impression on his community, and similar businesses in the area.

Dreamer2

Well, E, in the Alpine region they do have the raclette (cheese) that tastes like smelly feet! So maybe you were closer to reality than you realized!

Funny how a souvenir shop like South of the Border or Wall Drug can become a tourist attraction.

Is Four Corners that place in the southwest where you can be in four states at once? What sort of attraction is it? You pay, walk through a fence gate, and take a picture by a directional pole?

Heavens

Well, I saw that there were dinosaur tracks in AZ on the way to CO. So, had my DH pull into it. We had to pay our "guide" money for the "tour" and for parking. We were the only ones there about noon one day and we must have had suckers tatood on our foreheads. So our "guide" whose face was covered with salve b/c of sores was trying to talk to us about the tracks and none of us could understand a word he said b/c he had a kerchief up by his mouth. Suffice it to say we could not get out of there fast enough. Yes, time and about $20 just to get out of there.

Niagra Falls a rip off? That is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. We loved the views, then we walked over the bridge and saw the falls at night. I could just listen to them to hear the power of the water. Even the Maid of the Mist was awesome. Not sure how a natural wonder can be a rip off. Is the Grand Canyon a rip off? Jeesh.

mary_s

Dreamer2:
You've got the right Four Corners. It did seem like a good idea at the time as we were passing thru on our way to the Grand Canyon (that was worth a stop!!)

wanderluster

South of the Border and Wall Drug are undeniably tacky, but they really aren't a rip off.
There's no charge to visit either and no obligation to buy anything.
If nothing else its an easy on / easy off pit stop.
And just think, you're treated to a chuckle of earnest disgust for free. What a deal!

USNR

Never been there but I get bad reports on Branson, MO. My brother-in-law bent my ear for an hour about going to some amazing toilet there, sort of a Japanese-sounding name. No way!

thecollectivekelly

To the mexico person, you should have done research before you went! I went there for four months and never got sick. You simply need to take bacteria pills ($5.00 over the counter)(same as eating yogurt) and you will not get sick. Mexicans boil their water before they drink it or before they use it as to rinse fruits. Don't buy things from the street. In restaurants ice is usually from bags. You can tell the difference because of the shape. Better luck next time.

dwoodliff

The International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell, NM.

The website says admission is free; donations are encouraged. If you make a donation (as we did), you have been ripped off.

It is tacky and fake. The research paper I did on UFOs in high school was a LOT more interesting.

We were kicking ourselves when we realized we passed up shopping in Ruidoso to drive to "the UFO capital of the world".

Donna

marigross

Four Corners!!! I could have kicke myself It was only $6 for the three of us but it was still a major rip off -a single dollar would have been too much.

snowrooster

thecollectivekelly - If I need to take pills to enjoy a vacation, I think I'll pick a different spot. There are too many other great places to visit where you don't have to worry about being sick. I realize some people go to Mexico and don't get sick at all - I wasn't one of them. I never bought anything "from the street" as you suggested. We ate dinner out the first night we were there at a pretty nice restaurant and I was sick the next day(I doubt their ice was from a bag). Yes, I should have done more research - I would have chosen a different destination. However I was just out of college when we went and I wasn't much into travel planning at the time. I won't return - with or without "bacteria pills." There are too many fabulous islands in the caribbean to explore to spend vacation time in Mexico (IMO).

Meesthare

I'm intrigued by the posts mentioning food that tastes like feet. Don't know that I've ever actually tasted feet - well, not enough to become a connoisseur. I may have licked a toe or two in my time, but I refuse to discuss it in any detail.

swalter518

Frankenmuth, MI- we didn't even pay anything but felt ripped off just for spending time there, especially that big Christmas store. Right behind that would have to be the gyser in Calistoga, CA. Talk about a Griswald site!

tudorprincess

As I said in my first post, funny what others think are a rip off. I've been to Niagra Falls twice, once as a kid and once to take my kid and both times I said I don't need to ever see this again. Like the other poster said, it was a rip off of my time.

ncgrrl

Repressed memories returning.

There is a place in Miami (Miami area) where this guy built a granite park for his lost love. He didn't use any tools and it was to be an engineering marvel, sort-of like the Egyptian pyramids. I went with a friend who saw the place on tv (The old show with Lenord Nimoy that I can't remember the name of). I was doing my best not to laugh, but soon after paying our AAA-discount rate we realized we were in a tourist trap ripoff. At least we didn't have to pay for parking.

reneeinva

ncgrrl -
In Search Of.
That show gave me nightmares when I was a kid, but I loved it anyway!