People share the 10 American cities they never want to go to again

Some American cities look great in photos, but still, they’re bad enough to make some people think that one visit is enough, and they’re never going to go back. 

Los Angeles, California

The thing about Los Angeles is that, yes, there are so many things to see and do there. But traveling around is a lot more work than it should be. Trying to visit places like Santa Monica and Downtown means traveling across a city that stretches over 460 square miles.

All that, for one city. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though, because traffic can swallow an afternoon, and parking is extremely expensive, too. So, it’s no surprise that some visitors leave feeling like they saw more brake lights than landmarks. It’s not what traveling should be.

New Orleans, Louisiana

There’s no denying that New Orleans has character, and plenty of it. That’s part of the problem. All that energy hits visitors at the same time, and many visitors are tired of walking down Bourbon Street in the morning when it still smells like last night.

Then there’s the heat. Even the slightest bit of New Orleans’ humidity makes short walks feel longer, and more tiring, than anyone wants to deal with. It’s not like the streets make it easy, anyway, since they’re usually full of potholes. It’s a lot, honestly.

Orlando, Florida

Going to Orlando sounds like a lot of fun. Then your trip starts running on alarms and reservations, along with parking apps and line estimates. Some visitors say they dislike how full all the tourist areas feel, and how they have to keep paying for expensive tickets, too.

It’s not like you’ll escape all that once you’re inside the venues. No, you’ll have another long wait, and the summer heat only makes all of that heavier. The truth is, a lot of visitors return home from Orlando needing a vacation from the vacation.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

It’s not like Myrtle Beach is shy about being commercial. It has a main strip packed with souvenir stores and hotels, after all. That’s okay in small doses, but for travelers expecting quiet dunes and a relaxed coastal town, it’s a major issue. 

Practically everywhere is crowded. Elevators, restaurants, roads, parking lots, you name it, it’s full of people. It only gets worse when there’s a holiday or some kind of festival on because they make a simple beach feel like anything but relaxing.

Portland, Oregon

It starts off well. Yes, some people say their visit to Portland began well, thanks to the good food and nice scenery, but then it all changed once they went downtown. That’s where they lost their enthusiasm. The city’s been hit hard by economic issues.

These have left blocks with empty storefronts and buildings that only look half-used. Once you factor in all the public drug use and visible homelessness, it’s not hard to see why some visitors don’t want to come back. They don’t want to deal with all that on vacation.

Detroit, Michigan

Detroit is a city that surprises people. Not in a good way, though. Downtown has impressive architecture and major museums, sure, along with plenty of sports venues. But just drive a little farther out, and everything changes, since all you’ll get is emptiness.

Vacant lots and damaged houses are the norm. So are nearly empty blocks, they’re a regular part of some neighborhoods, and one study estimated around 45% of city parcels were empty. That’s not exactly the kind of stuff you want to see when you’re traveling.

Phoenix, Arizona

By far the worst part of Phoenix is the weather. It’s the kind of city where the air temperature reaches 106 degrees, and some roads can get to 160 degrees. That’s not an exaggeration. It’s pretty difficult, if not impossible, to feel relaxed in that sort of heat.

Then there’s the fact that the city’s wide roads and spread-out neighborhoods make walking between attractions impractical. Places might look close, sure, but they’ll still require a drive. It’s no wonder people swear off visiting again.

Baltimore, Maryland

You’d be forgiven for thinking Baltimore looks good. It’s how the Inner Harbor makes the whole place seem, at least during your first impression. But drive a little farther. Many visitors have complained about how much rougher the outside looks, thanks to the boarded-up rowhouses.

The empty lots and broken pavement don’t exactly help, either. Visitors say they’re never quite sure which direction feels comfortable, and they’re not willing to deal with driving through such wastelands again and again.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

You go to Gatlinburg for the mountains, you swear you’ll never return because of other visitors. Yes, Gatlinburg is as commercial as it gets, thanks to all those candy shops and arcades. The sheer number of chain restaurants and giant attraction signs isn’t relaxing, either.

Sidewalks fill up way too quickly, and before you know it, you’re fighting for the last space in the parking lot. How annoying. For a lot of visitors, the peaceful mountain town they imagined has been replaced by a theme park.

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City does still have the right ingredients. It has casinos and ocean views, along with a famous Boardwalk, and plenty of lights after dark. But the trouble here is that the pieces don’t always fit together very well, as a busy resort may sit beside an empty storefront.

The liveliest parts of the Boardwalk don’t excuse the parts that seem excessively tired. Some visitors go there, expecting nonstop Las Vegas energy. They leave because they keep asking themselves, ‘Is that it?’

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.

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