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The one 'tourist trap' that's actually worth visiting in every state

Many tourist traps in the US get a bad rap, but these 50 attractions are worth the time, money, and crowds you'll have to face to see them.

  • Famous tourist attractions
  • The Spud Drive-In Theater in Idaho is gimmicky, but delightful.
  • You won't find a more whimsical stretch of road than the Enchanted Highway in North Dakota.
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Nothing kills the holiday-high quite like squandering your precious time — and cash — waiting to see a hyped-up tourist attraction that ends up being an unmitigated let-down.

However, sites across the US have undeservedly been called tourists traps for becoming too crowded or too expensive, though many of them remain must-sees.

From the natural wonder of the Grand Canyon in Arizona to the admittedly tacky neon lights illuminating the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada, these are the tourist attractions actually worth visiting in every state.

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ALABAMA: US Space and Rocket Center

Occasionally billed as Earth's largest space museum, the US Space and Rocket Center boasts a slew of notable artifacts, including a national historic landmark Saturn V moon rocket, an Apollo 16 command module, a Skylab orbital workshop, and an Apollo 12 moon rock.

ALASKA: Iditarod Trail Headquarters

Each year, a uniquely Alaskan tradition called the Iditarod, an annual long-distance sled dog race that spansover 1150 miles,takes place. The race's headquarters, located in Wasilla, Alaska, have long drawn both fans and critics of the race.

Many — especially animal activists — take issue with the race's use of dogs, so a visit to the headquarters offers activists a rare opportunity to actuallymeet membersof the Iditarod founder's family, and converse with them in person. The HQ also features trophies, displays, photos, and videos.

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ARIZONA: The Grand Canyon

ARKANSAS: Whitaker Point

Whitaker Point is one of the most easily recognizable landscapes in Arkansas, and what's more, it's easily accessible. While you may need to wait your turn for that perfect Instagram shot on its ledge, you'll get instantly rewarded with scenic vistas, prismatic wildflowers, and glimmering waterfalls.

Here are some of the best waterfalls to visit in the US.

CALIFORNIA: Alcatraz Island

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Al Capone, Whitey Bulger, and a slew of other criminals were once imprisoned in Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, which is located on an island in the San Francisco Bay. Sure, tours are around $50, but checking out the infamous penitentiary and its stunning views is worth it.

COLORADO: Great Sand Dunes

More than 4.5 million people visited Colorado National Parks in 2016 alone, and those visitors spent nearly $300 million in and around the park. Considering that the Great Sand Dunes have a reputation of being consistently too hot, windy, or dangerous to comfortably explore, that's a lot of cash to drop.

But when the weather is just right, the dunes are worth it.

After you get over the sheer size and wonder of the Great Sand Dunes — they can span up to 750 feet tall — go sand sledding or sandboarding through them for an unforgettable experience.

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CONNECTICUT: The PEZ Candy Factory

We all have a soft-spot for PEZ; the candy is interactive, it's fun, and a visit to the factory gives you a

DELAWARE: Dogfish Head Brewery

FLORIDA: St. Augustine Alligator Farm

GEORGIA: Ponce City Market

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As long as you don't mind rubbing shoulders with hordes of other hungry tourists, a trip to the Ponce City Market will no doubt satiate foodies in search of the most creative fare Atlanta has to offer. Even Zagat gives the market its seal of approval, noting that the PCM's new amusement park makes battling the crowds a worthwhile venture.

HAWAII: Punaluu Black Sand Beach

Punaluu Black Sand Beach has been noted for being crowded and noisy, which means that tourists hoping to relax and catch some peaceful rays will likely hate it.

But for those of you in the mood to witness a truly unique location (and catch sight of some endangered turtles), Punaluu is a must-see spot.

The sand on Punaluu Black Sand Beach gets its inky hue from crushed lava rock, but that's not the only reason to visit the famous beach; .

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IDAHO: The Spud Drive-In

There's something delightfully kitsch about how this

ILLINOIS: Wrigley Field

Baseball fans will jump at the chance to visit Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs and

INDIANA: Marengo Cave

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Marengo Cave is one of Indiana's most-visited natural and National Landmarks, likely because a pit stop there offers something for everyone. History buffs can explore the five-mile long cave, which allegedly started to form

IOWA: Grotto of the Redemption

KANSAS: Dorothy’s House

"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

If you were wondering where in Kansas Dorothy was referring to when she uttered those iconic words in the movie "The Wizard of Oz," here's your answer. You can take a tour through the Land of Oz and chat with costumed guides at Dorothy's House, which resides on the same land as Kansas'

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KENTUCKY: Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Back when Kentucky was still a part of Virginia, one of the region's original counties was called "

LOUISIANA: Gardens of the American Rose Center

MAINE: Lobster Shack at Two Lights

Yes, you'll have to wait in line forever — especially since the Lobster Shack at Two Lights has been featured in some prestigious guides, including Serious Eats, Bon Appetit, and The Food Network — but the views, the BYOB policy, and the to-the-point, no-frills menu, make the stop worth it.

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MARYLAND: American Visionary Art Museum

MASSACHUSETTS: USS Constitution

MICHIGAN: Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island harkens back to a simpler time, before the automotive industry underwent its massive boom in the US, and has been a tourism hotspot since the late 19th century.

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The sweet seaside town, known for its fudge, takes the whole old timey-ness to a new level, and visitors can explore the island in horse-drawn carriages (although drive-your-own-buggies for vacationers who prefer to self-direct).

MINNESOTA: The Jolly Green Giant

He's jolly, he's green, he's a giant. What more could you ask of a tourist attraction?

MISSISSIPPI: Vicksburg National Military Park

Vicksburg National Military Park is the fifth national military park created by Congress; the park, which was established in 1899, commemorates

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MISSOURI: Gateway Arch

The tallest man-made monument in the US, the Gateway Arch is a 630-foot structure which you can access via a tram-ride, allowing you to drink in the views of Missouri from up high.

MONTANA: Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is losing its namesake glaciers due to climate change, which has driven a huge spike in traffic and tourism to the park, rendering it much more crowded than usual.

However, between Glacier's 700 miles of trails through rugged mountains and its immaculate lakes, the natural wonder remains worth a visit.

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NEBRASKA: Chimney Rock

NEVADA: The Las Vegas Strip

The strip is a classic for a reason, and if you're going to make the trek to Sin City, you might as well take advantage of the casinos, nightclubs, upscale eateries, bars, and nightlife available to you.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: The Cathedral of the Pines

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Every US President since Truman has left a stone to commemorate Cathedral of the Pines

NEW JERSEY: Atlantic City Boardwalk

When

NEW MEXICO: Roswell

While it may seem like an unusual choice to designate an entire city as a tourist trap worth visiting, Roswell isn't just any city — it's the so-called "land to the aliens." Legend has it that an alleged UFO crashed near the city, and in honor of the myth, most everything in Roswell is alien-themed, to an exultantly ostentatious degree.

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The street-lamps lighting the roads at night? Alien-shaped. If you buy a game of "Operation" in Roswell, you'll find yourself "operating" on an alien, rather than a human. Roswell is the ideal destination for folks with both a sense of humor, and a penchant for the zany.

NEW YORK: Times Square

New York is brimming with popular and historically significant tourist attractions: there's the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and Central Park, to name a few. And then, of course, there's Times Square.

Locals will avoid Times Square like the plague, but if you're just passing through the city, a visit to the bustling, bright hub is akin to a rite of passage — if you can make it through those streets unscathed, you can make it anywhere.

NORTH CAROLINA: The Biltmore estate

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With 33 bedrooms and 43 bathrooms spread over 175,000 square feet, the Biltmore is billed as America's largest home, so if you want to feel bad about your living situation while marveling at a palatial estate, this is the place to go.

NORTH DAKOTA: The Enchanted Highway

The Enchanted Highway, lives up to its name.

OHIO: Cedar Point

The 364-acre Cedar Point is known as the roller coaster capital of the world, and boasts world-record 72 rides, and is the only amusement park in the world with six roller coasters taller than 200 feet.

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OKLAHOMA: Route 66

Route 66 was one of the original highways within the US highway system, running from ChicagoIllinoisMissouriKansasOklahomaTexasNew MexicoArizona,Santa MonicaCalifornia.

It has been mentioned in countless novels, movies, lyrics, and other works of art, so you'll feel the weight of US history around you while traveling upon its hallowed gravel.

OREGON: Crater Lake

Yes, visitation rates to Crater Lake have been skyrocketing over the past few years, but don't let the threat of long crowds deter you from visiting, mostly because you'd be hard-pressed to find a more intensely blue body of water in such a unique location. Nestledcaldera, it is

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PENNSYLVANIA: Reading Terminal Market

RHODE ISLAND: WaterFire Providence

SOUTH CAROLINA: Fort Sumter

The bombardment on Fort Sumter was the result of an ongoing tension between the existing US government and the Confederate government over ownership of the South. Seven states had seceded from the Union, and when then-President Abraham Lincoln declared his intentions to resupply Union forces at South Carolina's Fort Sumter, Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard decided to bombard it on April 12, 1861.

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Nobody was killed in the fight, but the battle is said to mark the beginning of the Civil War.

SOUTH DAKOTA: Mount Rushmore

Opened in 1941, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a massive granite sculpture which depicts the stone visages of past US presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

Some claim it's underwhelming, others complain about crowds, but this piece of US history is worth a visit.

TENNESSEE: Dollywood

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The US is home to a profuse number of theme parks worth visiting, but Dollywood, named after entertainer Dolly Parton, is in a league of its own: not only can you enjoy classic Southern-style dining, but there are more than 40 rides and 15 shows to choose from while there.

TEXAS: The San Antonio River Walk

One of the most visited places in San Antonio, the Riverwalk attracts tourists of all walks of life because it embodies the spirit of Texas excess: it just keeps getting bigger and better.

You'll have to wait in line, but tickets are relatively affordable, and once you hop aboard a water taxi, you can explore all the restaurants, shops, museums, and sights San Antonio has to offer.

UTAH: Bryce Canyon National Park

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VERMONT: Ben and Jerry's Factory

Not only will you learn all about the ice-cream making process during your 30-minute tour at the Ben & Jerry's Factory in

VIRGINIA: Virginia Beach

Skip the grossly overpriced attractions in Colonial Williamsburg, and head over to Virginia Beach, which was dubbed one of the top 25 beaches in the US this year by TripAdvisor. The boardwalk, while sometimes crowded, has something for everyone.

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WASHINGTON: The Ape Cave

Formed over 2,000 years ago, the Ape Cave is the longest continuous lava tube in the continental US; legend has it that some people have claimed to have spotted Bigfoot on their way to the cave.

WEST VIRGINIA: Archive of the Afterlife: The National Museum of the Paranormal

All things witchy and paranormal are currently in vogue, and there's no shortage of haunted attractions all over the US.

But for travelers who are nonetheless still drawn to otherworldly paraphernalia — and for fans of spooky ghost stories — West Virginia's Archive of the Afterlife: The National Museum of the Paranormal is a destination worth scoping out.

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Full of eerie oddities you won't find elsewhere, travelers have praised the museum's owner for his authenticity and energy.

WISCONSIN: The House on the Rock

The mad and bizarre vision of recluse Alex Jordan Jr., the House on the Rock in Wisconsin is a dark, 14-room home perched on — you guessed it — a rock. The interior is dark, and will make you feel as though you're wandering through a fever dream, which is probably why the location makes a cameo in the television series, "American Gods," based on a Neil Gaiman novel.

WYOMING: Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park — the first national park in the , let alone the US — was officially established by

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