Tourist trap
Encyclopedia
While the term may have negative connotations for some, such establishments may be viewed by tourists as fun and interesting diversions.
Activities
In some areas like Ishpeming, MichiganIshpeming, Michigan
Ishpeming is a city in Marquette County in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,686 at the 2000 census. This is down from a higher population in the 1950s and 1960s when the economically supportive iron ore mines had a much higher employment level...
, Flush toilet
Flush toilet
A flush toilet is a toilet that disposes of human waste by using water to flush it through a drainpipe to another location. Flushing mechanisms are found more often on western toilets , but many squat toilets also are made for automated flushing...
s may be a sufficient draw to entice tourist to stop as they are not readily available at many tourist facilities in Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Upper Peninsula of Michigan
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is the northern of the two major land masses that make up the U.S. state of Michigan. It is commonly referred to as the Upper Peninsula, the U.P., or Upper Michigan. It is also known as the land "above the Bridge" linking the two peninsulas. The peninsula is bounded...
. Wall Drug
Wall Drug
Wall Drug Store, often referred to simply as "Wall Drug", is a tourist attraction located in the town of Wall, South Dakota, United States. It is a shopping mall consisting of a drug store, gift shop, restaurants and various other stores. Unlike a traditional shopping mall, all the stores at Wall...
, in South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
, began its tourist trade simply by offering ice water.
Size
Tourist traps range significantly in size, from a single tree to the city of Las Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
.
Term "tourist trap"
A few establishments take pride in the term and embody it into their names, such as "Da Yoopers Tourist Trap" in MichiganMichigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
’s Upper Peninsula, and "The TOURIST TRAP" at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland
Deep Creek Lake, Maryland
Deep Creek Lake State Park is a popular vacation area in Garrett County, Maryland, USA. It surrounds a reservoir that was created by the construction of the Deep Creek Dam in 1923 by the Pennsylvania Electric Company on a tributary of the Youghiogheny River. The lake was purchased by the state of...
. Other establishments like The "Trees of Mystery
Trees of Mystery
Trees of Mystery is a roadside attraction and tourist trap in Klamath, California. This private enterprise is located adjacent to US Highway 101 on private land surrounded by Redwood National and State Parks...
" in Klamath, California
Klamath, California
Klamath is an unincorporated, rural, census-designated place in Del Norte County, California, situated on US Route 101 inland from the mouth of the Klamath River. The population was 779 at the 2010 census, up from 651 at the 2000 census...
avoid the phrase.
See also
- Gift shopGift shopA gift shop is a store primarily selling souvenirs relating to a particular topic or theme. The items sold often include coffee mugs, stuffed animals, t-shirts, postcards, handmade collections and other souvenirs....
- List of tourist attractions worldwide
- Roadside attractionRoadside attractionA roadside attraction is a feature along the side of a road, that is frequently advertised with billboards to attract tourists. In general, these are places one might stop on the way to somewhere else, rather than being a final or primary destination in and of themselves. The modern...
- Tourist attractionTourist attractionA tourist attraction is a place of interest where tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, or amusement opportunities....