Unearth The Voyage
Some American cities once buzzed with tourists eager to explore their famous landmarks and vibrant streets. Now, many travelers are crossing these same destinations off their lists entirely, vowing never to return. Recent surveys reveal which cities have fallen from grace, with visitors citing everything from sky-high costs to safety worries and disappointing experiences that left them regretting their trips.
1. Detroit, Michigan
A 2023 national survey crowned Detroit as America’s most-avoided city, with 22.5% of respondents saying they’d skip it at all costs. That number held steady through July 2024 updates.
Safety concerns and economic struggles have shaped Detroit’s reputation for decades. Many travelers worry about crime rates and neighborhoods that still show scars from industrial decline.
Yet some adventurous visitors find hidden gems in the city’s art scene and comeback stories. Still, for most Americans planning vacations, Detroit remains firmly on the no-go list, a city they’d rather read about than visit themselves.
2. Chicago, Illinois
Coming in second place, Chicago earned a 21.71% avoidance rating from survey participants. The Windy City’s reputation has taken a beating in recent years.
Travelers frequently complain about two big problems: wallet-draining prices and worries about personal safety. Hotel costs, restaurant bills, and attraction fees add up fast, leaving many families feeling nickeled and dimed throughout their stay.
Crime headlines haven’t helped Chicago’s tourism image either. While millions still visit Navy Pier and Millennium Park annually, a growing chorus of former visitors say once was enough and they won’t be booking return trips anytime soon.
3. Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta snagged third place with 18.47% of survey respondents vowing to avoid it. The city’s biggest enemy? Its own roads.
Traffic jams in Atlanta have become legendary, turning simple trips into hours-long ordeals. The sprawling metro area forces visitors to spend vacation time stuck behind steering wheels instead of enjoying attractions. Even getting from the airport to downtown can feel like an endurance test.
Beyond the gridlock, travelers mention the city lacks a walkable core. Everything sits miles apart, requiring constant driving through confusing highway interchanges that leave out-of-towners frustrated and exhausted.
4. New York City, New York
The Big Apple landed in fourth position at 18.07%, with expense being the deal-breaker for most avoiders. Everything in NYC costs more than visitors expect.
Official fiscal watchdogs have documented sky-high housing and household costs that translate directly to tourism pain. A simple meal can cost triple what you’d pay elsewhere, and hotel rooms routinely hit $300-plus per night for basic accommodations.
Many families calculate that a week in New York equals what they’d spend on two weeks almost anywhere else. That math makes it hard to justify, especially when kids are just as happy at cheaper destinations.
5. Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore claimed fifth place with 17.39% of respondents marking it as a city to avoid. The Maryland port city struggles with an image problem that won’t quit.
Crime statistics and negative media coverage have overshadowed Baltimore’s historic neighborhoods and waterfront attractions. Travelers express hesitation about which areas are safe to explore, leading many to simply choose different destinations altogether.
Even though the Inner Harbor offers family-friendly museums and restaurants, the city’s reputation keeps potential visitors away. For every person who discovers Baltimore’s charm, several others decide the risk isn’t worth taking when planning their precious vacation days.
6. Anaheim, California
Ranked sixth at 17.19%, Anaheim owes its spot almost entirely to one massive attraction: Disneyland. What was once a magical destination now leaves many families saying never again.
Rising ticket prices have climbed into the hundreds of dollars per person, with add-ons and special tiers pushing costs even higher. Families easily spend thousands for a single day at the park, then face expensive hotels and meals nearby.
Many visitors report feeling nickel-and-dimed at every turn. That magical feeling fades quickly when you’re calculating whether your family can afford lunch after already spending a fortune just to get inside the gates.
7. San Francisco, California
San Francisco grabbed seventh place with 15.62% avoidance. The city has been plagued by perception problems, as even local tourism officials openly acknowledge.
Visitors frequently mention shocking costs alongside troubling downtown conditions. Streets that once charmed tourists now feature visible homelessness and property crime that makes families uncomfortable. Hotel prices remain among the nation’s highest despite these concerns.
The Golden Gate Bridge and cable cars still draw crowds, but many former fans report their last visit left them disappointed. What they remembered as a beautiful, quirky city felt dirtier and more dangerous than they expected.
8. Austin, Texas
Austin landed eighth with 15.42% of travelers now avoiding it. The city that branded itself as weird and welcoming has become a victim of its own success.
Peak event weeks like South by Southwest bring crushing crowds and price gouging that underwhelm visitors. Hotel rates spike to ridiculous levels, restaurants pack in diners elbow-to-elbow, and the laid-back vibe Austin promised evaporates under tourist pressure.
Many travelers report Austin just isn’t special enough to justify the hassle and expense anymore. Other Texas cities offer similar food and music scenes without the hype-driven inflation and overwhelming crowds that now define Austin visits.
9. Miami, Florida
Miami claimed ninth place at 14.83% and also appears on most-overrated lists based on large-scale review analysis. The Magic City’s shine has seriously dulled for many visitors.
Tourist-trap zones along South Beach charge outrageous prices for mediocre experiences. Parking fees, beach chair rentals, and restaurant bills shock travelers who expected better value. The glamorous lifestyle Miami advertises feels out of reach for average families.
Beyond costs, visitors mention aggressive vendors, crowded beaches, and a general sense that the city cares more about separating tourists from their money than providing genuine hospitality or memorable experiences worth the premium prices.
10. Dallas, Texas
Dallas took tenth place with 14.34% avoidance, with car dependence topping the complaint list. Nothing in Dallas sits within walking distance of anything else.
Travelers without rental cars feel stranded, while those who do drive face confusing highway systems and endless suburban sprawl. The city lacks a charming downtown core where visitors can stroll between attractions, restaurants, and hotels.
Even Dallas’s famous attractions sit scattered across the metro area, requiring planning and driving time that eats into vacation enjoyment. Many visitors leave feeling they spent more time in traffic than actually experiencing what makes Dallas supposedly worth visiting in the first place.
11. Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles landed twelfth at 14.15% in the avoidance survey and frequently earns overrated labels from travelers. The Hollywood Walk of Fame disappoints visitors most often.
What looks glamorous on TV turns out to be dirty sidewalks crowded with costume characters demanding tips. Traffic nightmares make getting anywhere an exhausting chore, and attractions sit spread across a massive metro area requiring hours of driving.
Many families realize too late that LA works better as a movie backdrop than an actual vacation destination. The gap between Hollywood’s marketed image and the reality of visiting leaves travelers feeling cheated and unlikely to return.
12. Houston, Texas
Houston earned thirteenth place with 13.16% avoidance. Heat, distances, and car traffic form a triple threat that drives travelers away from Texas’s largest city.
Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95 degrees with crushing humidity that makes outdoor exploration miserable. Like other Texas cities, Houston sprawls endlessly, forcing visitors to drive everywhere while battling some of the nation’s worst traffic congestion.
The city lacks the tourist infrastructure and concentrated attractions that make other destinations easy to navigate. Visitors often wonder what they’re supposed to do in Houston besides sit in air-conditioned spaces and drive between scattered points of interest through oppressive heat.
13. Las Vegas, Nevada
Vegas ranked seventeenth at 11.20% for avoidance but topped 2024’s most-overrated list. Disappointment around Fremont Street came up repeatedly in reviews.
What’s marketed as vintage Vegas charm often feels tired and sad compared to the glitzy Strip. Visitors report feeling pressured by aggressive casino tactics, overwhelmed by cigarette smoke, and frustrated by hidden fees on everything from resort charges to parking.
The constant push to gamble, drink, and spend wears thin quickly. Families especially find little to do beyond expensive shows, while budget travelers discover Vegas isn’t nearly as cheap as they imagined once all the fees add up.
14. Portland, Oregon
Portland landed eighteenth with 10.81% avoidance. Local resident surveys show persistent public concern about homelessness and safety, issues visitors echo loudly.
Downtown streets feature tent encampments and visible drug use that shock tourists expecting the quirky, clean city Portland once promoted. Many businesses have closed or reduced hours, leaving the urban core feeling unsafe and unwelcoming, especially after dark.
Travelers who visited Portland years ago and return today report being stunned by the changes. The creative, weird city they remembered has been replaced by one where they don’t feel comfortable walking around, turning fond memories into reasons never to come back.
15. Washington, D.C.
The nation’s capital claimed twentieth place at 10.61% avoidance, with congestion being the recurring complaint. Getting anywhere in D.C. takes longer than visitors expect.
Despite transit improvements, 2025 data show delays actually worsening across the metro area. Tourists trying to hit multiple monuments and museums find themselves spending huge chunks of their day stuck in traffic or waiting for crowded Metro trains.
Security checkpoints add even more waiting time at popular government buildings. What should be an educational, inspiring trip often becomes an exercise in frustration as families realize they’ll only see half of what they planned because transportation ate their schedule.
