MSN Travel's "World's Worst Worst Tourist Traps"  Slide Show Review

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I do agree that there are some very over-rated-or at least over-reported spots in the world that people "should go and visit." I myself am not a typical tourist, as I like to observe from more a writer and artist point of view. Therefore, I also am reluctant sometimes to visit the most touristy places in the world.

However, I also do think there is value in visiting overly-busy locations. For starters, it's all in the way you approach locations such as The Leaning Tour of Pisa, Times Square, and Wall Drug, or Faneuil Hall.

How to Tour the 'Right' Way

Experiencing the culture busy traveler's destinations involves more than reading engraved inscriptions or watching cheesy historical videos. It also requires more than just having a stranger break your camera trying to be kind enough to take your photos for you at visitors' sites.

I prefer to investigate thoroughly when I visit popular tourist places such. When I leave a place I want to know that I know more about a certain locality than the average tourist.

To me, traveling is just more than about getting away. It's a learning experience.

I will confess that under extreme situations, such as when a tripped is planned for me and I have no control over how much time I spend in a location, I do not always research thoroughly.

However, when I plan my own vacations I try to do my best to see what not everyone else sees, even if it is a very common tourist location.

According to MSN Travel: Places Considered "Tacky" and Why

(And How it They Don't Need to Be, Exceptions Included)

~The Leaning Tower Of Pisa (Pisa, Italy)-My first thought was that MSN Travel is right about this. I also thought at first who cares? Then I realized I care.

I have never even been to this place. So, of course I am going to want to go. Therefore, it is not tacky to me-as long as I learn something from the visit because how expensive the tourist T-shirts are.

There are so many questions that can be asked about this location. For instance, who had first settled in the area where the Pisa stands? Was it the Romans? Greeks? Who was it?

Then I would of course want to know how the tower could lean for so long without collapsing. Furthermore, I would want to know when it was built and why it was built, and so on.

(Maybe some of the above-mentioned questions are answered in canned historical media productions, but perhaps they are not. Either way, I hope I am making my point.)

Even if visiting Pisa, Italy would seem to be tacky, I wouldn't mind traveling half a day to see this tower if I lived in Florence, Italy. Hey, I'm from America, so my travel time would be much longer, but I would want to see it because I never saw it before.

~Times Square (Manhattan, New York, New York)-I had actually lived on Staten Island for about 8 months during 1994 to 1995. Therefore, I have been to Times Square many times day and night. In fact, I first arrived from the Newark, NJ port authority in a taxi to the Times Square location.

My stay in New York was was about 14 years ago, but I still remember it like i was yesterday. It is even more engrained in my mind since the days of the September 11th disaster. (The site of the 9/11 is not too far from Times Square.)

Times Square is considered tacky to certain people for reasons including these (my own observation): The bright Vegas-style lights, over-run Broadway and off-Broadway shows (my own observation, would have liked to been able to afford to see some of them), and tacky restaurants.

I notice also that none of the people I lived with on Staten Island wanted to go to Times Square on New Year's Eve. That was most disappointing to me. I wanted to at least go because it is just one of those "things to do" at least once in your life. (In fact going to

New York for me was also one of those "things I just had to do." If people look closely enough they can see that Times Square is full of culture, art, and history. Also, they have more than just commercial-run poor excuses for ethnic foods.

I have actually been to a view very good Middle Eastern Restaurants as well as vegetarian places while in New York. I never would regret visiting this place.

I would have only regretted visiting it if I had approached visiting New York and Times Square like a typical tourist. As I feel I was not. I didn't even own a camera at the time, and well...I must admit I would have at least liked to have taken pictures of Times Square and the World Trade Center.

But does that mean I am just a typical tourist? Not by any means. If I would have been smart, I would have taken pictures and later used them for photos for travel articles to write.

A Little Off Topic: About the Statue of Liberty

Apart from Times Square: I will say that while I lived in Manhattan I was debating the issue of whether or not I should have decided to climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty.

I feel a little bit like an American trader that I didn't because I have a tendency to be somewhat patriotic. However, I was a little chicken and was told the line to do so is two and one-half hours long.

So I didn't climb the Liberty. However, It was magnificent enough to me to be able to pass it at least a couple of weekends a month.

I absolutely loved the ferry ride as dirty as the Hudson River is. I also felt a sense of duty to know a little bit more about the country I came from. To actually witness places I only saw in movies previously.

~South of the Border (Dillon, S.C.)-Having been 'south of the border (not the attraction), and I must admit I totally agree on the sentiment of MSN Travel for this one. I have actually been to Mexico and it's possible that Mexican locals would consider this South Carolina attraction an insult.

On the other hand, people who want to have fun and some great laughs and shop for awhile wouldn't mind visiting this attraction. In my opinion, it is a place not meant to be taken very seriously. It is just meant for fun. By the way, a water park is located in the area.

~Madame Tussaud’s-This is a was museum in London. In it stands life-sized wax statues of famous celebrities, political leaders, performing artists, and movie characters. I don't understand what would be cheesy about this. I would go to this, and if I had children I would want to take them (as long as all the models are "decent").

There are also Madam Tussaud's locations in Amsterdam, Berlin, Vegas, and New York. From an artist and writer's point of view, I can appreciate the intricate detail of the models. Did you ever see how accurate they are?

I think visiting a wax museum is a very useful way to learn about the history of specific regions. It also is a unique way to learn about the culture of locations. I have nothing bad to say about this opportunity, as new statues are added periodically.

~Wall Drug (South Dakota)-This attraction blossomed from the small drug store that it used to be. Now it is a complete western-theme amusement park.

I can see how this would be a tacky tourist trap, and I honestly have never heard of this place until now. I don't think I would consider it an "authentic" place really. However, it would be fun for families to visit. Kids love this kind of stuff so families need places like this.

~Blue Grotto (Capri, Italy)-Probably the only reason I would not want to visit this place is because it seems to be very busy. I prefer more remote waterside destinations.

However, I would appreciate the beauty of the Mediterranean from this point, and I would enjoy the motorboat trip to the Grotto. It is not recommended for those who do not like the outdoors.

~Experience Music Project (Seattle, Washington)-This attraction contains an extensive collection of guitars. On the grounds science-fiction memoriabeli is also displayed. I think it would be most beneficial for those who are musicians and for those who appreciate popular music history.

I agree that perhaps it would be a little cheesy (about a 4, with 1 being the least cheesy and 10 being the most cheesy.) However, for musicians who want to know what it would be like to be inside a music studio this may the place to visit.

Also, for those who are wannabe musicians or those who just come to have fun, the studio can be entertaining. I think it would be recommended for either semi-professional musicians, families with children, elementary or high school music teachers, or just plain goof-offs.

~Fisherman's Wharf-This area is often inundated by tourists. Therefore, I can see MSN Travel's point. It is overrated. Moreover, the San Francisco Bay waterfront can be quite a beautiful place to visit. The biggest challenge would be to find a bare spot on the beach to pitch your beach towel or umbrella and chairs.

~Gateway Arch (a.k.a. "St. Louis Arch", Missouri)-I agree that this massive structure is impressive from the bottom up. It can be quite a rush to stand right next to one side of it and look up. I felt like such a small person in contrast to this monument.

I did not climb the top either time, but I probably would if I have enough money next time I am in the area. I took plenty of close-ups and far-away pictures of this semi-unique architectural structure.

However, I regret to say I no longer have them as it was before I owned a digital camera and was lazy about picture processing. The area inside the Arch provides visitors with extensive learning opportunities.

One of which is the enclosed Museum of Westward Expansion. Riverfront tours are available in this area as well.

~Faneuil Hall (Boston, Massachusetts)-This is an area lined with quite a few shops and restaurants.  However, I do not think this should stop visitors from viewing it.

The Faneuil Hall is a very important part of U.S. History. From an artistic point of view, I can say that the architectural style of this particular structure is very solid and sturdy.

Furthermore, it is rich with texture, trimmings, and decor characteristic of English markets. Several high-quality merchants are displayed in this famous marketplace.

Furthermore, several find places to dine are located in the vicinity. The trick is to know where to go and how to appreciate local Boston history. (In fact, I had

elected to walk the entire perimeter in Boston while I was on vacation there quite some time ago. So I know I can.)

An assembly hall is also located in Faneuil Hall  place where several historical political leaders such as Samuel Adams, John Otis, and others advocated American independence.

There is something about interesting historical places that cannot be avoided-typical tourist activity. When you look past this you can learn quite a bit about Boston while examining the Faneuil Hall and surrounding areas.

The Hall is a part of Boston's historical Freedom Trail. This is a route which contains Boston's primarily assembly gathering places as well as attractions based upon  Revolutionary War events and battles.

~Bourbon Street (New Orleans, Louisiana)-If you can look past the stumbling drunks and rows of strip clubs this may be an alright place to visit. Parents would need to take special care if they  have small children traveling with them.

On the other hand, persons who travel to this location can learn about why this street is called what it is. They can also appreciate the unique ethnic flavor of the area as many historical buildings are still standing here.

An upscale dining establishment called Galatoires is located on Bourbon Street. People often wait for hours to secure a table here.

Furthermore, visitors can witness various works of architecture still standing on this world-famous street. Among the most important is the large Bourbon Esplanade Marigny Allison (a downtown building). Others include the Bourbon Esplanade Weed Castle (local home), and Canal Street buildings.

I am surprised that the Eiffel Tower, Daytona Beach, or Disney World was not on the list of worst tourist destinations. However, I can see that MSN Travel has solicited responses from readers who have named various places, and it is most likely these are somewhere on the list.

If not, they will be soon because I am going to comment on them. Someone has to do it.

Written by: Julie from J.A.B.'s Freelance World

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Written By: Julie, J.A.B.'s Freelance World.com