Americans Are Warning Foreigners About What Places And Situations In America They Should Avoid, And It's A Mix Of Terrifying And Funny
"I visited Montana. There was a coffee shop in a little town by the entrance to Yellowstone that had a death pool for when the next tourist would die by either going off the trail to be boiled alive in the hot springs or trying to pet a bear/buffalo. You gave a dollar and predicted the day. If someone died on your day you won the pot."
America is a big ol' (sometimes scary) place. So, when Reddit user AMGBOI69420 posed the question, "Americans of Reddit, what places in America should foreigners avoid at all cost?" to the fine people of the AskReddit community, they were swift to respond with some very interesting answers. Check it out:
1."Death Valley in the summer especially if you consider yourself a strong hiker, and live in a cooler climate. It has that name for a reason."
2."Don’t hike into the wilderness of Colorado (especially 14ers) without knowing wilderness survival and responsibilities. Tourists die on our mountains and in Rocky Mountain National Park all the time. Do your research! Altitude is no joke."
3."The hot springs in Yellowstone are not hot tubs do not swim in them."
4."If you go to a national park and you disregard the signs you're going to die. It's not a joke."
5."Anywhere with a Rainforest Cafe and a Wax Museum on the same street is a tourist trap."
6."San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf has entered the chat."
7."Navy Pier in Chicago, too. Very similar concept. Literally only for tourists. It’s not bad, per se. Just not really an 'authentic' Chicago experience."
8."Pueblo, Colorado. Mass Tarantula migration."
9."The deserts of the southwest, unless you're prepared for it and understand the dangers of that environment. It isn't uncommon for us to get folks from Europe who decide to go hiking at the worst times of the day without enough water. Some of them die. It's really easy to get dehydrated and possibly die even in 'safe' areas, and the danger can sneak up on you."
10."Anywhere in the South in the summer time. It's too fuckin' hot."
11."Avoid large chain restaurants. The best food in America comes from small owner-operated businesses."
12."Hollywood. It has like a single block of its area that’s actually worth a visit — the one with the Chinese Theater. But the rest of the city is the complete opposite of the rose-tinted glass view it shows itself as. There are also a lot of 'entrepreneurs' trying to sell their businesses, and they aren’t afraid to be in your face about it. Don’t expect any decent eating either. Overall, it’s just not worth the visit."
13."Most of Downtown Los Angeles at night. When the streets get quiet and the locals go home, that's your cue to go back to your hotel or a more popular hotspot."
14."In Alaska, please don't go close to the wildlife. The bears will kill you along with the moose. Just no period. I've seen so many tourists get attacked by bears and moose, it ain't pretty..."
15."Nashville. It's nothing but bachelorette parties these days. Everywhere. Nonstop. They never end."
16."Trenton, New Jersey. It’s the state capital, there is a good museum. But it looks bombed-out and I won’t even stop at red lights while in Trenton."
17."New Orleans during Mardi Gras and Manhattan, New Tork during New Year's Eve. If you like the smell of p*ss, sh*t, and vomit, ignore my advice."
18."Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Too many people, and it’s a huge tourist trap. While the Smoky Mountains are beautiful you can enjoy less crowded scenery by staying in North Carolina and visiting the park around that side. Also, the Cherokee National Forest is magnificent."
19."Don't stay in any hotels with an exterior entrance that leads directly into your room."
20."If you want to see American Southern culture...Don't. Go. To. Cracker. Barrel. It is the worst, fakest possible version of what you're interested in. It is to rural America what Olive Garden is to Italy."
21.Finally, "Avoid going to one location thinking another location across the country is a short trip."
