# What are your least favorite places that you've traveled to? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 17, 2018, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740 "2018-03-17T17:46:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/1 "2018-03-17T17:46:35Z")
Let’s do the opposite of this thread: [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=851040](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=851040) Discuss places that you’ve gone to on vacation for a leisure trip that you were disappointed in or even hated. Business trips, weddings, funerals, and other such trips don’t count. I’m referring to places where you actively planned a vacation to. I’ll nominate Indianapolis, Indiana. OK, I know it’s not a tourist hotbed, but it is close to Chicago and there seemed to be enough to do there for a pleasant weekend. And, indeed, the weather was excellent, first 70 degrees F of the year. But the city, wow. They don’t roll up the sidewalks at night, they’ve never been out at all. Talk about a car centric city! There was no one out and about. I know Indiana is a conservative state but the bar scene certainly didn’t seem very lively. I also didn’t really notice any neighborhoods. It seemed like there was a downtown and then endless suburbs. And, what is it with Midwestern cities and these freeways that circle the city? I probably should have looked harder, but it appeared that every restaurant was a chain. I will say that the Benjamin Harrison house didn’t disappoint. So many US Presidents came from the Midwest, so I’ve been trying to visit as many of them as possible. > **[Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site | Visit the home of the 23rd President](https://bhpsite.org/)** > > Take a tour of the beautiful Italianate Victorian family home of President Benjamin Harrison – located in Indianapolis, IN. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/2 "2018-03-17T17:53:36Z")
New York City. Been there twice on vacations. Never again. What an armpit. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/3 "2018-03-17T18:06:54Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > New York City. Been there twice on vacations. Never again. What an armpit. Anything in particular you didn’t like? It is one of my favorite places, I’d go more often if it wasn’t such a pain in the butt to get from LaGuardia to the city and if hotel rates weren’t so eyewateringly expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/4 "2018-03-17T18:39:58Z")
Florida Nebraska North Dakota Dallas and most all of west Texas Las Vegas Phoenix Guam Vietnam (okay, there was a war going on) Pretoria/Jo’burg Tunis (mainly because of the heat) Some god-forsaken Greek island I don’t recall the name of (rocks, heat, bad food and bugs) Bucharest, during the Cold War Sofia, during the Cold War; one step above Bucharest, but not by much. East Berlin, when it existed Seems like a lot, but a small percentage of all the places I’ve been. ---
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/5 "2018-03-17T19:39:51Z")
New Jersey. Six Flags is great but from what I saw the rest of the state was filthy and disgusting and you can’t pump your own gasoline. I didn’t care for New York either, but my entire experience was the airport and the mean lady at the car rental counter and a some of the urban highways where you have to mortgage your house to pay the tolls. Maine was kind of blah relative to the hype, but then my experience was limited there to to driving through between Boston and the Maritmes and the L.L Bean store. Florida was a mix. I absolutely hated Miami, in part due to the traffic and it struck me as kind of New York with palm trees, but I loved the Keys. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/6 "2018-03-17T19:46:59Z")
Orlando. It’s a cesspool. I didn’t like the locals or the tourists. Other than that, I think most places I’ve been have \*something \*interesting going on. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/7 "2018-03-17T20:12:14Z")
Cannes, France. I spent 4 days there, and after one day I spent the other 3 on day trips to other towns. Aside from their film festival, it looked like nothing else ever happened there. They have a pretty harbor and a pretty beach, nice weather and about two blocks of “culture”. Other towns along the Riviera have a lot more. Most of Cannes is just endless trendy cafes, trendy boutiques and trendy hotels. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/8 "2018-03-17T20:30:19Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Orlando. It’s a cesspool. I didn’t like the locals or the tourists. > > Other than that, I think most places I’ve been have \*something \*interesting going on. uh oh sir t-cups is in trouble :p:D I went by bus to Harlingen texas …that area by the border could only be described as 3rd world …and del rio texas is the last stop before hell … ---
**Author:** ![Art\_Rock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/art_rock/32/525_2.png) [@Art\_Rock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Art_Rock)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/9 "2018-03-17T20:32:54Z")
For business, I’ve been to Houston dozens of times. Did not like it. For pleasure, the biggest letdown was Barcelona. Did not like it. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/10 "2018-03-17T20:33:57Z")
> [@Art\_Rock](#): > > For pleasure, the biggest letdown was Barcelona. Did not like it. Oh no. Headed there for a few days next month. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/11 "2018-03-17T20:54:51Z")
I was very unimpressed by San Diego. I was there for a conference, but when I explored the city, I couldn’t find much interesting (no, I didn’t go to the zoo, but I don’t think that would have changed my general impression). It had less personality than any city I’ve ever visited. I also don’t care much for Florida. It’s really a ugly state; about all it has going for it is the view from a beach, and I much prefer a lake view to an ocean one. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/12 "2018-03-17T21:17:23Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > I was very unimpressed by San Diego. I was there for a conference, but when I explored the city, I couldn’t find much interesting (no, I didn’t go to the zoo, but I don’t think that would have changed my general impression). It had less personality than any city I’ve ever visited… I dig. I lived in San Diego for two years, and I always describe it as “a beautiful woman with no personality whatsoever.” It’s pleasant enough for a little while, until you get bored with the complete lack of anything of interest. And don’t worry, **Procrustus**. I’ve been to Barcelona, and loved it. Be sure to check out Las Ramblas, Parc Guell, and La Sagrada Familia. As for the OP, no, I’ve never done significant travel to get to a place that I didn’t care for. I’m too much of a cheapskate to leave things to chance, and always do extensive research before booking a trip. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/13 "2018-03-17T21:23:21Z")
Alice Springs held no charm for me whatsoever, sort of the Yuma of Oz. The Crown Plaza just outside of Alice near the Todd was pretty nice though. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/14 "2018-03-17T21:34:56Z")
Page, Arizona: very near Antelope Canyon, which is one of the more amazing places to visit. But the town has nothing to offer. As you enter on the south side, there are probably eight churches in a row. It gets worse from there. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/15 "2018-03-17T22:07:22Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Oh no. Headed there for a few days next month. Don’t worry, Barcelona is superb. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/16 "2018-03-17T23:01:17Z")
San Antonio. Maybe it was timing but I used to go there for business 4 or 5 times a year (before AT&T bought SBC) and the boarded-up, deserted downtown was one of the most depressing things I’ve ever seen. The river walk was a slight reprieve but how many times in a week can you walk up and down the thing before it gets old. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/17 "2018-03-17T23:25:00Z")
I dislike Florida. Not been there much. Spent a day in Fort Lauderdale and a week in Miami. I haven’t seen many of the tourist traps and so my opinion is a naive one. But it seemed to have humid weather and I was somehow left with a tawdry impression. I liked San Francisco somewhat more. I haven’t travelled much in the US but my favourite places are Chicago and New Hampshire, FWIW. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/18 "2018-03-17T23:41:43Z")
Jakarta. I had to pass through there on a trip to elsewhere in Indonesia, and decided to spend about four days to see the sights. What a drab and characterless city. No real downtown with modern buildings, and few tall buildings at all. Considering its long colonial history under the Dutch, there was very little of that visible, and no real “old town.” The best section of the National Museum was closed, and the part that was open had interesting objects but displayed and explained extremely poorly. There weren’t even any handicraft stores to buy local textiles or such, at least near the main tourist attractions I went to. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/19 "2018-03-17T23:42:48Z")
Paris, France: OK, the city itself is quite beautiful but it’s horribly over-priced and full of French people…and especially French drivers. And my least favorite airport to visit is Charles DeGaulle outside of Paris, which I refuse to fly though again unless no other option exists (I can’t say it’s my least favorite airport to visit because LaGuardia still is in operation). ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740/20 "2018-03-18T00:09:04Z")
**Singapore**. I couldn’t wait to get the hell out of there. For the life of me I cannot understand what people like about the place. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-least-favorite-places-that-youve-traveled-to/810740.md?page=2)