Some say the Niagara Falls are best viewed from the Canadian side. Photo / iStock
Some say the Niagara Falls are best viewed from the Canadian side. Photo / iStock
Is Stonehenge, Niagara Falls or Oktoberfest on your travel bucket list? You should probably give them the flick.
That's the advice on a new Reddit thread that reveals the most overrated tourist drawcards in the world.
From oversized crowds to overpriced entry tickets, Redditors from across the globehave offered their brutally honest critique of the things and places that have made their countries famous among foreign travellers.
In some cases, they have even offered insider tips on much better alternatives to check out instead.
Tourists themselves have taken the appeal right out of Niagara Falls, the awe-inspiring series of waterfalls that straddled the US-Canadian border, Reddit users said.
"The American side of Niagara Falls (is) always crowded with tourists and you don't even get a great view," user Paigemars said.
"Go over the border to the Canadian side for a much better view."
A Canadian Redditor said it wasn't all that great on Canada's side, either.
"Don't get me wrong, the horseshoe (and the curtain) falls are both beautiful natural wonders, but literally everything around it is tacky as sh*t," they said.
"Ugly casinos, ugly hotels, ugly tower. And don't even get me started on Clifton Hill. I'm sure if you look up 'tacky tourist trap' it will just point you to that. And everything is overpriced."
Manneken Pis, Belgium
The Manneken Pis has become a symbol of Brussels' rebellious spirit. Photo / iStock
A Reddit user from Brussels said they couldn't understand the appeal of the Manneken Pis, the 61-centimetre bronze statue of a little boy urinating into a fountain that has become a symbol of the city's rebellious spirit.
The user, Zyygh, said: "People hate on Belgium because Manneken Pis is such a tiny, unremarkable statue.
"Funny thing is, that statue was never meant to become a tourist attraction; it's just a little fountain like hundreds in any city (that) became famous because it's pretty unique and humorous.
"So now all our tourists hear about the statue and expect it to be something huge and significant with eons of history.
"Well nope, should have done your research."
Stonehenge, UK and Blarney stone, Ireland
Stonehenge: ancient wonder of the world, or notorious tourist trap? Photo / Supplied
It is one of the ancient wonders of the world but Stonehenge's high cost of entry offered little bang for your buck, Redditors warned.
"As you go down the road near it, you can see it perfectly, but you decide to park up and pay a fortune to go inside to get a better view," one user warned.
"It's currently £15.50 (NZ$31.83) to get in and you can't see anything more than you can for free from the road and the accompanying audio guide is hardly enlightening.
"Almost £16 is a ridiculous price to pay to ... get literally a couple of feet closer to them, than what you are for free from behind the fence."
Speaking of stones: the iconic Blarney stone in Cork, Ireland, has been popular with tourists thanks to an enduring legend that anyone who kissed it would gain the gift of eloquence.
"It's just a stone and I'm pretty sure it has been peed on a few times," BigShowFardy said.
The Hope Diamond, Washington DC, US
Millions have flocked from around the world to Washington DC to witness the Hope Diamond, an impressive gem once owned by King Louis XIV of France, which is now housed at the National Museum of Natural History.
Redditors in DC agreed the museum was worth the visit - the thing was, the Hope Diamond was one of the least interesting things in it.
"You've come all the way to one of the most vibrant cultural cities in the world, and you're going to spend several hours queuing to see a mannequin dressed like Princess Diana?"
Others agreed the entry cost was too expensive, the queues were too long and the museum was "filled with screaming children".
Several users said tourists should check out the "vastly superior" London Dungeons for its gory history and thrilling gallows ride instead.
Waikiki Beach, US
Waikiki Beach isn't even as beautiful as Hawaii gets. Photo / Grant Bradley
If you asked any traveller to Hawaii where they would be lapping up the sun, sand and surf, their answer would be the world-famous Waikiki Beach, right?
But locals said there were much prettier beaches elsewhere on Oahu island.
"It's the ugliest part of the island," user tootles wrote.
"Almost impossible to get a seat in a Festzelt without waiting very long ... only to get that overpriced beer which is mostly foam."
But it's not all bad news for people wanting to get into the spirit of the Bavarian folk festival.
"Seriously, drive a bit out of Munich, go to a beer garden and enjoy good beer for a good price at a nice place that doesn't smell like the vomit of five continents," they added.
