When visiting a new destination, most travelers will make some choices between visiting the most iconic landmarks their feet can carry them to or choosing an itinerary that is more off the beaten path - usually with the help and tips from locals and connoisseurs. It was with this in mind that the Hawaiian resource website HawaiiIslands conducted a research study: which main attractions in the states of the U.S divides locals and tourists the most?
Comparing TripAdvisor ratings between these two demographics, HawaiiIslands developed a method to calculate the differing opinions on each state’s most popular attractions in the country, and we’re about to go through the top 10 most divisive attractions in the US!
For more information on the methodology, visit the research study here.
10 Grand Canyon Skywalk, Arizona
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a suspended glass bridge overlooking the Grand Canyon, where visitors can get the most amazing views of this natural wonder. Despite the beautiful sight, there’s some disparity between the opinions of locals and tourists regarding it: tourists on average have rated a 3.56 rating as opposed to a 3.27 from locals - who might be less impressed with long lines and the price for photos!
9 Congress Avenue Bridge / Austin Bats, Texas
This next attraction is known both for being an important bridge in Austin, Texas - and also for housing the world’s largest urban bat colony. Both the beautiful arched steel structure crossing Lady Bird lake and Congress Avenue’s status as a bat home attracts tourists and onlookers daily. However, locals might be somewhat less batty about their neighbors, as local ratings of Congress Ave. Bridge average at 4.23, a 0.29 difference to tourists’ 4.52.
8 Preservation Hall, Louisiana
Established in New Orleans in 1961, the Preservation Hall is the home base of Louisiana Jazz. A jazz center, music venue, and non-profit organization, there are performances at about 350 nights a year - and it's locally approved! The tourist ratings for Preservation Hall are at 4.64, whereas local ratings average 4.94, with a .30 point difference. Given the data and the opinion of citizens of this jazz city, it’s safe to say Preservation Hall is the place to go to listen to some traditional New Orleans Jazz.
7 Conway Scenic Railroad, New Hampshire
Who doesn’t love a scenic train ride, or better yet, a train ride on a historical railway? Well, some New Hampshire locals definitely seem to enjoy their Conway Scenic Railroad, a heritage railway route across historical New Hampshire rail routes, in a panoramic, old-fashioned experience. Locals seem to appreciate this historical train experience, at 4.22, more than tourists, whose average rating for Conway Scenic Railroad is 3.91.
6 Toledo Zoo, Ohio
The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium in Ohio is one of the oldest and most prolific zoos in the country, its origins dating back to the 1920s - actually centennial!. Today it is focused on animal conservation and is one of the most popular attractions in Toledo, Ohio. However, that popularity might be higher among local families on weekend pastimes than tourist visits; Local residents of Ohio have rated the Toledo Zoo at an average of 4.77, a 0.32 difference from the tourist ratings at 4.45.
5 Mount Moriah Cemetery, South Dakota
A hotspot among dark or weird tourism, Mount Moriah Cemetery is a graveyard in Deadwood, South Dakota, with a long and twisted history that dates back to the Wild West. Well-maintained and morbidly scenic, Mount Moriah is an interesting place to visit and is the burial place of many notable Wild West figures from South Dakota, like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Potato Creek Johnny, and Seth Bullock. The history of Wild West Deadwood might connect more to the South Dakota natives, with locals' average rating of the Mount Moriah Cemetery being 4.60, whereas tourists might not be so keen on darker tourism, giving it an average rating of 4.28.
4 Venice Beach, California
Known for being an eccentric, oddball beachside resort, Venice Beach, or simply Venice, California, was designed and projected to be an homage to Italy’s Venice with canals and piazzas - and also in its quirky and bohemian culture. In Venice Beach, visitors are likely to see street performers, fortune-tellers, and mimes and are welcome to join an impromptu drumming session or basketball game. Maybe this eccentric culture is a bit much for some unwarned tourists, who rate Venice Beach 3.63 on average; locals, probably more familiar with the vibe of Venice Beach, give it an average rating of 3.95.
3 Wrigley Field, Illinois
Wrigley Field is an iconic spot for baseball lovers and has earned itself a place on many Chicago bucket lists. Home of the Chicago Cubs and with over a century of sports history on its field. Historical tours, museums, concerts, and other events attract visitors to Wrigley Field even off game days, which seems to work rather well, as tourists rate Wrigley Field at an average of 4.69, 0.34 points higher than Chicago locals’ 4.35 ratings.
2 Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, Nebraska
Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge in Nebraska takes a lively stroll to new heights - literally. This 3,000-foot walking and cycling bridge across the Missouri River connects Council Bluffs in Iowa and Omaha in Nebraska. The view of the river, the net of cable lines, and the beautiful lighting make the Bob Kerrey Bridge an interesting place for a walk, with a tourist rating of 4.50 - but locals trying to get to and fro might be considerably less impressed with the crowds, as is reflected in the 4.12 local rating average.
1 Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota
Arguably one of the most recognizable attractions in the country, Mount Rushmore is the landmark that has divided locals and tourists the most. The colossal sculpted faces of US presidents bring in millions of visitors and seem to be as impressive as a landmark can get… but local South Dakota residents seem to have grown considerably less impressed. In the first place in this divisive list, there is a whopping 0.43 difference between tourist and locals ratings, with tourists giving it an average 4.60 rating versus an average 4.17 local rating. Those giant faces apparently get old after a while!