Times Square, Manhattan, New York
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| Times Square, Manhattan, New York |
Located smack dab in the center of New York City's midtown, Times Square is what many automatically think of when they think "Manhattan." But the overcrowded tourist destination, in reality, can be congested and overpriced -- and it just doesn't capture the true energy and culture of New York City. Take a walk through Times Square at night to check out the lights and see a Broadway show, and beyond that, steer clear -- you'll get a more authentic Big Apple experience wandering through Chelsea Market and the High Line, cafe-hopping the West Village, or discovering the many beautiful hidden corners of Central Park.
Disneyland, Anaheim, California
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| Disneyland, Anaheim, California |
"Hurry up and wait" might be the best way to describe a visit to Disneyland in Southern California. Even if you get up early and rush to the park right when it opens, you're likely to spend the better part of your day waiting in line after line for foods, rides, shows and even souvenirs. Instead, try getting your amusement park fix by hitting Knott's Berry Farm, Magic Mountain or Disney's California Adventure. If you or your kids are dead-set on Disney, consider planning your trip in October, early December, or late April, when the park is less crowded.
Central Tokyo, Japan
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| Central Tokyo, Japan |
Tokyo may be one of the world's largest and most distinctive cities, but it can be a nightmare for tourists -- particularly those with no familiarity with the Japanese language. The city can be crowded, expensive and difficult to navigate, so plan to do plenty of research in advance to minimize headaches. Travelers to Japan would be well-advised to spend a day or two hitting the destinations they'd like to hit in Tokyo, and using their rest of their time exploring Kyoto or Osaka, and touring the beautiful Japanese countryside.
Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
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| Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy |
Perhaps one of the most overrated destinations in all of Europe, the Leaning Tower of Pisa offers tourists an opportunity to wait in long lines to walk up a slanted tower and take photos that make it look as if they are holding up the tower with their hands. TripAdvisor reviewers call the tower "Beautiful but crowded": If you want to make the trip, be prepared to spend at least 15 Euros getting up the tower and fight for good photo spots with other tourists. Visitors to Pisa can head to the beautiful Piazza dei Miracoli (the "Square of Miracles") for an equally memorable -- and less crowded -- experience.
Taj Mahal, Agra, India
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| Taj Mahal, Agra, India |
The Taj Mahal is certainly an impressive sight -- it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, after all -- but visiting the architectural feat may not necessarily be a pleasant travel experience. The Indian landmark is known to get extremely crowded and hot during the day. To avoid excessive crowds and experience the monument with its most beautiful coloring (it changes throughout the day with the light), get up early and try to make it there for sunrise.
Cancun, Mexico
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| Cancun, Mexico |
The Mexican resort destination of Cancun draws in hundreds of thousands of tourists and spring breakers each year, who crowd its poolside bars and white-sand beaches. If you're looking to avoid crowds of college students and enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the Gulf Coast in peace, head to nearby Riviera Maya instead. Yahoo! Travel contributor Marcia Frost recommends heading to smaller cities like Playa del Carmen for great beaches and rich Mayan culture.
"With many of the large hotels spread apart, you're bound to find more sand to stretch out on in Riviera Maya than Cancun," she writes.
Alcatraz, San Francisco, California
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| Alcatraz, San Francisco, California |
Amid the beauty of the San Francisco bay lies the foreboding island of Alcatraz, a "must-see" Bay Area attraction and arguably the most famous prison in the world. "The Rock" attracts legions of tourists daily for crowded tours , and has been called "grossly overrated" by some TripAdvisor reviewers. Lines to get on the boat are long, and tours don't come cheap. Skip Alcatraz (or if you're a history buff, just opt for a night tour) and instead take the ferry out to neighboring Angel Island for biking, hiking and gorgeous views of the Bay.
Tower of London, London, UK
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| Tower of London, London, UK |
A world-famous attraction and nursey-rhyme subject, The Tower of London is one of the UK's biggest tourist traps, and of course, the most crowded. It's hard to experience the landmark's deep history and cultural significance when you're packed in with other tourists and have to commit the better part of a day to making your way around the place. Not only are there lines to get in, but you'll have to wait in line again to see the Crown Jewels and to actually go up the Tower. Bear in mind that the attraction is frequently so crowded that you can't get up close to the exhibits. For a more low-key visit, walk across the Tower Bridge for beautiful views of the city -- and skip the rest.
The Louvre Museum, Paris, France
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| The Louvre Museum, Paris, France |
Home to some of the world's most famous works of art, The Louvre museum can be an overwhelming experience for travelers to Paris (travelers frequently complain of long lines and crowds). Although it's worth making a stop at the historical landmark when you're in Paris, be strategic in how you go about it -- and don't expect to catch more than a distant glimpse of the "Mona Lisa." Create an itinerary before you go so that you can make sure to hit all the major works and galleries you'd like to see, and try to come right when it opens or towards closing time. After a quick visit, your time may be better spent at some of Paris's other art museums -- the Musee D'Orsay, Picasso Museum, and the Petit Palais-- for a quieter experience.
Colosseum, Rome, Italy
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| Colosseum, Rome, Italy |
Rome's Colosseum, the iconic and well-preserved piece of the ancient Roman empire, is one of the most highly-trafficked tourist destinations in all of Europe. If the former sight of the great gladiatorial games is on your to-do list, at least buy tickets in advance to avoid long lines -- your best bet is to purchase a package at the Roman Forum or Palatine Hill, which gets you into all three attractions.
source:huffingtonpost
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