How do you define a tourist trap? It seems lots of people have varying viewpoints and even double standards where this is concerned.
I was dining with strangers at a bed and breakfast in Ohio’s Amish country last month when I began to ruminate on this topic. At my table, we had a lovely Asian woman who was entertaining a friend visiting from Thailand. The friend was here for six weeks and they were doing long weekends and day trips to see the sights around the midwest and southern US.
The other two people at my table were a nice older couple from Ohio who are retirees and who enjoy traveling. They said they visit Amish Country a few times every year. The three of us were sharing ideas for experiences near and far from the Cincinnati market. Since her homeland doesn’t see cold weather, I suggested ice skating in Cincinnati’s Fountain Square where hot chocolate and holiday music would make the experience especially festive. They were soon headed to see the amazing holiday decor at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC and were looking for some more Christmasy things to do.
I recommended looking into Michigan and shared some about my experience in Frankenmuth. I enjoyed the German themes of this small town and shopping at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. I told them about the gorgeous nineteenth century church that took my breath away and about the holiday light display outside Bronner’s.
The man rolled his eyes and said “yeah, but that’s kind of a tourist trap.”
I was taken aback and couldn’t think of a polite thing to say so I said the first impolite thing that came to mind. “I suppose it is but it’s no more a tourist trap than Amish country,” I said with a smile that may have resembled a barring of teeth. After all, the main things to do here are shop and eat and it feels more like a caricature than an authentic experience.
Lots of people love Amish Country but it stresses me out and makes me wonder what the Amish residents think of all these crazy English people coming in droves to eat noodles and buy the foreign made craft items sold in gift shops. The entire place feels like a giant tourist trap to me and that’s ok. I feel the same way about other popular destinations like Gatlinburg, Myrtle Beach and anything with the word Disney in it.
In fact, if a place is a tourist trap, that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun to visit if you like that kind of thing. I know people who only ever vacation in Gatlinburg but have never been to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That’s the thing I like best about that area but they prefer the hillbilly shows, restaurants and shopping. You know, the things I don’t really want to do in abundance.
Frankenmuth wasn’t created only to sell stuff. The town was founded by Germans in 1845. Their downtown strip is lined by shops and restaurants with fun designs and they do a nice job commercializing their heritage. The Christmas store is on the outskirts of town and attracts swarms of Christmas enthusiasts every day. It’s festive and fun. It’s kind of an oddity but visiting was a pleasant experience I would repeat if given the chance.
Tourist trap? Maybe. Still worth a visit? You bet.
What places do you enjoy that might be classified as a tourist trap? After all, I may want to go.
Yeah I don’t get why people are so judgy about tourist traps. I mean each new place is new to you and a mystery, even if millions of other people have already seen it. I would have been curious about the church, too.
Oh the irony.
And I don’t think he saw it at all.
Ha! Well you know where I live.
Places classified as tourist traps often have the kinds of amenities (restaurants, nice places to stay) that can be difficult to find in other scenic venues. The idea is to find the tourist town closest to the great outdoors park or public land (or museum) you plan to visit. When we spent the night in Los Angeles before the Channel Islands cruise, we stayed in Long Beach where all the touristy stuff was instead of the hotel in San Pedro where we had to go to get on the ship. Why? Because there were no restaurants and few other attractions.
Yes! These places give us the things we need and want to be comfortable, fed and entertained.
Some places are called “Tourist Traps” by certain travelers, while those same places are remembered in higher regards. I say visit the place and see what you think. Yes, Frankenmuth has its economic footprint, but it has authentic German roots and culture that still thrives despite the added contemporary trappings. You will see what you want to see and take away from it what you will! Great post!!
Thank you so much! That’s a terrific point – we see what we seek. In Frankenmuth, I see an authentic community that has found a way to prosper. It is possible to walk down the street for free to admire the architecture, the murals, the scenery and the charm of the area. Obviously, there are plenty of shops and restaurants happy to capture your money but you can have fun for free or cheap. I appreciate that!
“The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.”
Happy Trails!
Exactly right!
Happy trails to you as well!
I think my favorite would be the Canadian side of Niagra Falls, just for the variety of experiences you can choose from. With in a few minutes walk you can go from the wild natural splendor of the falls themselves, through the tasteful manicured Provincial Park spaces into the downtown containing every tourist trap amenity available. Something for every taste, just depending on what you partake in.
Agreed. That area has something for every taste and it’s all pedestrian friendly.