Chances are you will be underwhelmed by some of these highly rated US cities!
Let’s face it, there are a lot of overrated famous cities in the United States, and while we all know that the hype may be a bit too much around them, everyone falls for them time and time again. It could have already happened to you— to visit one of these cities that everyone raves about only to end up disappointed.
Be it that they are full of tourists, they don’t rise to the expectations we had of them, or just because they are actually a tourist trap and famous for only one thing, it is better to not waste your days off on some of these places. Even more, when you are already retired, you do not want to end up having to deal with a ton of people and get frustrated with long lines and huge crowds, especially if it ends up not being worth it.
To help you avoid the disappointment some of these overrated cities could bring you (not to mention the price that they come along with), we have gathered some of the most famous places to visit around the country that could be on your travel bucket list as well, explained all the reasons why they are not the best choice for retirees, and even added a recommendation of where to visit instead!
Believe me, once you realize how much quieter, cheaper, and, dare I say, entertaining these other locations are, you will soon forget all about the cities everyone says you cannot miss in this lifetime!
Did you visit a famous US city that ended up feeling overrated to you? Tell us all about your experience in the comments below!
Miami, Florida
Florida is one state that is known for a number of locations and cities that are always highly rated in travel magazines. And while we would never discredit the beauty of the Sunshine State, there are a few locations you should not run to if you want to have a calm, beach getaway!
Yes, Miami is one of those cities that you should not visit too soon if you are looking for that relaxing beach vacation. They are famous, rightly so, for having some of the best beaches in the nation and obviously for the amazing nightlife, but here’s the problem: They are famous for all of those things and more, and if you happen to visit during the summer, you will be battling a ton of other tourists. And if you want to avoid the heat and go in the spring, then good luck when encountering the spring breakers that flock here in packs!
Not to mention, Florida was named one of the rudest cities in the country. We doubt that you want to deal with all of that!
Instead, turn your attention towards San Diego! The city will give you an amazing beach vacation, where you will be able to soak up all the sun and relax, while also being able to go out to party if you wish, without having to deal with the Miami chaos! There is no shortage of beaches here either, so do not worry: you will have all your ocean activities covered!
Make sure you do not forget your sunscreen!
Nashville, Tennessee
If you are a fan of country music, you probably have this city on your travel bucket list, which is probably why you would be sad to hear that it has become a bit overrated over the years. This has nothing to do with the numerous live music venues, because they are still amazing, especially if we are talking about the famous Grand Ole Opry. It has something to do with the fact that the city has been flocked to by tourists in the last few years, and if you haven’t been there in a few years, you would be surprised at how crowded it is.
It is also in part due to the fact that it is a charming city and also known to be a more affordable vacation destination, but this has made it pretty hard for those of us who do not want to deal with crowds! If you still want to be able to celebrate music but not have to deal with crowds of people everywhere on the streets, we recommend you visit another city in Tennessee, Memphis!
Here, music is just as loved, and you will be able to attend just as many live shows if you so wish, especially since Beale Street is packed with venues and you will have a hard time choosing between them. Their food scene is just as good, as you will be able to get some true southern food here and for a good price too! And for the Elvis lovers out there, Memphis is also where his home, Greenland, is located.
Chicago, Illinois
You will not find a bigger city in this part of the country, and despite the Bean, the coffee, the local culture, and the famous deep dish pizza (we won’t get into the debate if it counts as pizza or not today), it has been called the most depressing city in the Midwest, with some even calling it miserable! Yikes, those are some strong words. And it doesn’t stop at just people’s impressions; author Rachel Shteir has even called this city the biggest cliche and just “conformist”, despite being rated high on most tourists’ lists of cities to not miss in the US.
Even if we ignore all the buzz and somehow new trend that has formed around hating on Chicago, all of us who still love this city can still attest that it is so full of tourist traps that it becomes quite disheartening sometimes, and the crime rates around the city do give it the title of being overrated.
To still be able to enjoy Midwestern hospitality without all the hustle and bustle of Chicago, we recommend you visit another gem in this part of the country, Detroit, Michigan! Indeed, the city’s history is convoluted and complicated, getting its start with the boom of the automobile industry, but the city has done a ton of work in the latest years in order to rebrand itself.
Now you can truly consider Detroit a world-class city, full of history and culture that is worth exploring! If you choose to visit, make sure you go to Belle Isle, where you can find the conservatory, zoo, and aquarium.
Most overrated city: Las Vegas
This one should not come as a surprise to anyone, especially since we are talking about overrated cities. And when it comes to retirees, it is even more important to make sure that you do not fall into touristy gimmicks, which is what Las Vegas has turned into in the last few years. Of course, we cannot deny its vast history, the world-class casinos, or the number of celebrities that chose to reside here, but we also cannot ignore the number of drunken nights, bad decisions, and gambling addictions that have been formed in the same exact city.
The town has ended up being known as a money-making machine, with everything from casinos to hotels and restaurants being extremely expensive for those who visit, along with tons of crowded areas and massive crowds. If you have been there before, there is no need to go through the hassle of visiting again, even if you just want to have some fun at the slot machines.
There is another city that will give you the same thrill of an occasional gambling getaway without actually making a huge dent in your retirement savings and still providing the same amount of fun. Make sure to put New Jersey, also known as Atlantic City, on your map for such a getaway destination!
There are numerous famous casinos here where you will be able to bet safely, like Tropicana, Hard Rock, and the most well-known, Caesars Palace. And while the Strip in Vegas is popular, it is also rated a bit too high in our opinion, as the wide broadwalk in Atlantic City rivals it in its beauty, especially since it overlooks the beach!
Believe me, you will want to choose New Jersey over the hot Las Vegas when it comes to weather and affordability, and you also have the perk of being able to cool your feet after a hard day of fun if you choose to visit this city!
Orlando, Florida
You didn’t think we would miss this overrated Floridian town, now did you? While Orlando has its own charm and is a beautiful city, we cannot deny the fact that it is mostly famous for the fact that it hosts two extremely popular amusement parks: Disney World and Universal Studios. Over the years, it has become the reason why so many people flock to this city time and time again, and while they are a lot of fun, the city doesn’t offer you much more than that.
If all you want is to have fun at an amusement park, and especially if you have been to those two before, we recommend you trade Orlando for Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, to visit their local amusement park legend, Dollywood. It will end up being much cheaper than a trip to Orlando, and you will be able to have a ton of fun with your family at Dollywood. They have the world’s fastest wood rollercoaster if you are still up for some thrill rides, and you can also enjoy the waterpark!
Not to mention, after you are done with the excitement the park provides, you can easily take some family trips in the Smoky Mountains, which are packed full of fun options to explore for family activities! These ones are never overrated!
If you are looking for a vacation you will never forget, you can always take the road down Route 66! It is iconic for all the right reasons and trusts me, you will not get bored. Reads all about the best places to stop and visit here!
