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Billboards are used to advertise the attractions

Tourist trap is a phrase for any establishment or set of establishments that have been created to attract travelers or tourists and provide products for the tourist to purchase. While the term may have negative connotations for some, such establishments may be viewed by travelers as fun and interesting diversions, with realistic expectations as to their true importance, or lack thereof. There is some ambiguity in the definition of the phrase as it relates to size, activities, cost of products, and legitimacy. Image File history File links Wiki_letter_w. ... From http://foreversummer. ... From http://foreversummer. ... The Establishment is a slang term (chiefly in British and Commonwealth English) for a traditional conservative ruling class and its institutions. ... The St. ... A tourist boat travels the River Seine in Paris, France Tourism can be defined as the act of travel for the purpose of recreation, and the provision of services for this act. ...

Goods and Activities

All Tourist traps provide an opportunity to separate a consumer from their money. All Tourist traps are oriented primarily towards non-native or non-local consumers. An example of Money. ...

Goods

Typically goods available for purchase will include souvenirs and curiosities embossed with the name of the establishment and or local points of interest. Additional products may include the normal range of items found in a Gift shop. A souvenir stall in London, England A souvenir (from the French for memory) is an object that is treasured for the memories associated with it. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A gift shop is a store primarily selling souvenirs relating to a particular topic, often to simply provide evidence that the consumer has visited that location. ...

Activities

Activities at Tourist traps vary greatly based in part on the surrounding economy and infrastructure. In some areas like Ishpeming, Michigan, Flush toilets may be a sufficient draw to entice tourist to stop. In other locations like Anaheim, California more robust activates are required to draw a tourist to a specific activity over a competitors activity. Other activities may include, thematic restaurants, arcade games, wax museums, collections of unique artifacts, and so on. Ishpeming is a city located in Marquette County, Michigan. ... Flag Seal Location Location within Orange County, California Government Country State County United States California Orange Mayor Curt Pringle Geographical characteristics Area     City 50. ... Competition characterises a biochemical, ecologic, economic, political, or sporting activity whereby two or more individuals or groups strive antagonistically against one another for some reward. ... Centipede by Atari is a typical example of a 1980s era arcade game. ... A wax museum or waxworks consists of a collection wax figures representing famous people from history and contemporary personalities exhibited in lifelike poses. ... Look up collection, collect in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Mule Rides

Ralph H. Cameron ^[1] a former resident of Maine, traveled west with his brothers around 1880. Arriving in Flagstaff, Arizona where they took up sheep herding. Ralph visited the nearby Grand Canyon and realizing its potential as a tourist trap began acquiring properties. Before the Grand Canyon became a National Monument in 1906 the Cameron’s and accomplices had secured over 100 claims including some of the most scenic. They improved an old Indian trail that would become Bright Angel Trail and began charging tourists a dollar toll. For an additional fee you could rent a mule to take you to the bottom of the canyon. At the bottom of the Grand Canyon the trapped tourist would have an opportunity to be sheered again as they were given an opportunity to hire a mule to carry them back to the top! Other opportunities to separate tourists from there dollars included charging for comfort stations. ^[2] In 1928 after a legal battle Coconino Country gained ownership of the profitable toll trail. ^[3] It costs more then a dollar now but you can still rent a mule to take you down the canyon. The web site ^[4] does not list the cost for the ride down or back up. Ralph H. Cameron Ralph Henry Cameron (October 21, 1863–February 12, 1953) was an American Republican politician, and a delegate and Senator from the state of Arizona. ... Official language(s) None (English de facto) Capital Augusta Largest city Portland Area  Ranked 39th  - Total 33,414 sq mi (86,542 km²)  - Width 210 miles (338 km)  - Length 320 miles (515 km)  - % water 13. ... 1880 (MDCCCLXXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Nickname: City of Seven Wonders Location in Coconino County the state of Arizona Coordinates: Country United States State Arizona County Coconino County Mayor Joseph C. Donaldson Area    - City 63. ... The Grand Canyon is a very colorful, steep-sided gorge, carved by the Colorado River, in the U.S. state of Arizona. ... The Grand Canyon is a very colorful, steep-sided gorge, carved by the Colorado River, in the U.S. state of Arizona. ... The term national monument can either refer to a specific monument which aims to represent a nation, or to a general concept. ... Bright Angel Trail is a hiking trail inside Grand Canyon National Park in the U.S. state of Arizona. ... A barren of mules. ...

Size

Tourist traps range significantly in size, from a single tree ^{[5] [6]} to the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. There may be valid arguments to include traps that are bigger or smaller then these as well. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1402x894, 978 KB) Other versions No File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Tourist trap ... Nickname: The Entertainment Capital of the World; Sin City Location of Las Vegas in Nevada Coordinates: County Clark Mayor Oscar B. Goodman(D) Area    - City 131. ...

Stop and Shop

Picture Comments "Da Yoopers Tourist Trap" Notice the 4x4 1957 chevy sedan and HUGE chain saw, there is also what is probably the worlds largest working rifle (mounted on a truck), it is all about getting you to stop and look, then shop.. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1078x361, 82 KB) Picture Comments Da Yoopers Tourist Trap Notice the 4x4 1957 chevy sedan and HUGE chain saw Gus, there is also what is probably the worlds largest working rifle (mounted on a truck), it is all about getting you... Alternative meaning: Chainsaw (computer program) A chainsaw (also spelled chain saw) is a portable mechanical, motorized saw. ... A rifle is a firearm with a stock and a barrel that has a spiral groove or grooves (rifling) cut into its interior. ...

A few establishments take pride in the term and embody it into their names, such as "Da Yoopers Tourist Trap" ^[7] in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and "The TOURIST TRAP" ^[8] at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. Other establishments like The "Trees of Mystery" ^[9] in Klamath, California avoid the phrase. If the term is embraced or not, regardless of the price of products, the two things that all tourist stops have in common are restrooms and items for sale with the name the establishment or other nearby points of interest. Official language(s) None (English, de-facto) Capital Lansing Largest city Detroit Area  Ranked 11th  - Total 97,990 sq mi (253,793 km²)  - Width 239 miles (385 km)  - Length 491 miles (790 km)  - % water 41. ... The Upper Peninsula of Michigan, also known as The Upper Peninsula, The U.P. (or The UP), and Above the Bridge by Michiganders, refers to the northern peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Deep Creek Lake is a popular vacation area in Garrett County, Maryland, USA. It surrounds a man-made lake that was created in 1923 by an electric company. ... Klamath is an unincorporated rural census-designated place (CDP) located in Del Norte County, California. ... Flush toilet A toilet is a plumbing fixture devised for the disposal of bodily wastes, including urine, feces, menses and vomit. ...

Stops vs. Destinations

Few (and least of all the owner of "Da Yoopers Tourist Trap") would argue that that establishment is not a tourist trap. It is a roadside establishment (with flush toilets) and sells items marketed directly for non-resident use (read, tourists driving through). It would not appear to be a destination location as not even a prolonged examination of the Museum area would be likely to exceed 30 minutes. The National Gallery in London, a famous museum. ...

A Southern California destination Disneyland, might not be the first thing one thinks of as a Tourist Trap, but is it? A Google search for Disneyland with the phrase “tourist trap” brings back 78,800 results that seem to be mostly in blogs and reviews. They do have restrooms and they sell stuff with their name on it. Disneyland Park, formerly referred to simply as Disneyland from 1955-1998, is a theme park at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, USA (28 miles from Downtown Los Angeles). ... Google, Inc. ...

Salem Sue the world’s largest Holstein cow is a free attraction (donations accepted) without restrooms or a gift shop. She is promoted and maintained by a local non-profit organization. A definite non-trap tourist stop in North Dakota. Salem Sue, New Salem, North Dakota. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

Negative Impacts

Current news articles point out that attracting a high volume of tourists can have negative impacts. An article in The Washington Post “The True Meaning of the Tourist Trap” ^[10] discuses the impact of the December 26, 2004 tsunami on the tourist themselves. The New York Times in an article on November 1, 2006 ^[11] discuses the impact of 33 , Million tourists a year on the city of New York. Eco-tourism as outlined in an April 19, 2006 article in the Guardian ^[12] describes the potential to impact fragile environments.

Examples

• Clifton Hill at Niagara Falls, Ontario
• Da Yoopers Tourist Trap
• Corn Palace at Mitchell, South Dakota
• Harold Warp's Pioneer Village near Minden, Nebraska [1]
• House on the Rock near Spring Green, Wisconsin
• International Drive in Orlando, Florida
• Marsh's Free Museum,[2] home of Jake the Alligator Man, in Long Beach, Washington
• Meramec Caverns near Stanton, Missouri, "Jesse James' Hideout"
• Mijas in Costa del Sol or Gibraltar
• Mystery Hill and Prehistoric Forest in Marblehead, Ohio
• Mystery Hill near Salem, New Hampshire, recently redubbed the even-more ostentatious "America's Stonehenge"
• Mystery Hole in Ansted, West Virginia [3]
• Oregon Vortex in Gold Hill, Oregon
• Rock City near Lookout Mountain and Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Silver Dollar City near Branson, Missouri
• South of the Border near Dillon, South Carolina
• The Thing in Dragoon, Arizona
• The TOURIST TRAP at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland
• Trees of Mystery in the redwood region of Northern California [4]
• Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota

Clifton Hill is the major tourist attraction in Niagara Falls, Ontario. ... Niagara Falls, Ontario from Niagara Falls State Park in winter Location of Niagara Falls in the Niagara Region Niagara Falls, Ontario (2001 population 78,815) is a city on the Niagara River, in the Golden Horseshoe region. ... Street view of the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. ... Mitchell is a city in Davison County, South Dakota, USA. The population was 14,558 at the 2000 census. ... Pioneer Village is a museum and tourist attraction along U.S. Highway 6 in Minden, Nebraska. ... Minden is a city located in Kearney County, Nebraska. ... The House on the Rock is a complex of architecturally unique rooms, streets, and gardens built mostly by Alex Jordan, Jr. ... Spring Green is a village located in Sauk County, Wisconsin. ... International Drive (often abbreviated I-Drive) is Orlando, Floridas main tourist strip, located southwest of downtown. ... Nickname: The City Beautiful, O-Town Location in Orange County and the state of Florida. ... Jake the Alligator Man is an alleged half-man, half-alligator on display in apparently mummified condition at Marshs Free Museum, a tourist trap in Long Beach, Washington. ... Long Beach is a city located in Pacific County, Washington. ... Meramec Caverns is a 26 mile cavern system in the Ozarks of Missouri, USA. It was formed from large limestone deposits over millions of years. ... Stanton, Missouri is a small town on Interstate 44 at the junction with Missouri Supplemental Route W. Prior to Interstate 44, it was an important town on U.S. Highway 66 due to the nearby Meramec Caverns very prominently advertised up and down the highway on barns. ... Jesse Woodson James (September 5, 1847–April 3, 1882) was an American outlaw, the most famous member of the James-Younger gang. ... Mijas Golf, one of the many golf courses in Mijas Mijas is a town and municipality in the province of Málaga, in Andalusia, southern Spain. ... The Costa del Sol is a region which comprises the coastal towns and communities in the Málaga province, along the Mediterranean coastline. ... Some of the rocks at Americas Stonehenge Americas Stonehenge, once known as Mystery Hill, is the site of a number of large rocks and stone formations scattered around roughly 30 acres (120,000 m²) in the town of Salem, New Hampshire, in the northeast United States. ... Marblehead is a village located in Ottawa County, Ohio. ... Some of the rocks at Americas Stonehenge Americas Stonehenge, once known as Mystery Hill, is the site of a number of large rocks and stone formations scattered around roughly 30 acres (120,000 m²) in the town of Salem, New Hampshire, in the northeast United States. ... Salem is a town located in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. ... Stonehenge in 2004 For other meanings of Stonehenge, see: Stonehenge (disambiguation) Stonehenge is a Neolithic and Bronze Age megalithic monument located near Amesbury in the English county of Wiltshire, about 8 miles (13 km) north of Salisbury. ... Mystery Hole is located in Ansted, West Virginia, near Hawks Nest State Park and Cathedral Falls in West Vriginia. ... A scenic view of the New River Valley from Lovers Leap in Hawks Nest State Park, Ansted, West Virginia Ansted is a town located in Fayette County in the U.S. state of West Virginia. ... The Oregon Vortex is a roadside attraction in Gold Hill, Oregon, notable for its presumed paranormal properties, which are caused by a fascinating and convincing optical illusion of the gravity hill type. ... Gold Hill is a city located in Jackson County, Oregon. ... A view from Rock City. ... View from the top of Lookout Mountain, February, 1864, by George N Barnard Lookout Mountain, actually a plateau, is located at the northwest corner of Georgia, the northeast corner of Alabama, and along the southern border of Tennessee near Chattanooga. ... Nickname: Scenic City (official), Chatt-Town, River City, Chatty, Chattavegas, The Noo Location within the U.S. State of Tennessee Cities in Tennessee Tennessee Mayor Ron Littlefield Area    - City 370. ... Silver Dollar City is a theme park in the state of Missouri. ... The Titanic Museum is shaped to look like the real Titanic and is a popular tourist attraction in Branson The Duttons performing their famous song where they all play each others violins at their theater in Branson Missouri Herkimer and Cecil are performing at the Presleys Country Jublee Branson is... South of the Borders Sombrero Tower is one of its trademark attractions. ... Dillon is a city located in Dillon County, South Carolina. ... The Thing? is a tourist trap hyped by billboards along Interstate 10 between El Paso, Texas, and Tucson, Arizona. ... Deep Creek Lake is a popular vacation area in Garrett County, Maryland, USA. It surrounds a man-made lake that was created in 1923 by an electric company. ... Babe the Blue Ox, Trees of Mystery, Klamath, California. ... Redwood is a name used for several species of trees with red or reddish coloured wood; see each species for individual details. ... Northern California, sometimes abbreviated NorCal, refers to the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. ... Wall Drug - Free Ice Water Wall Drug is a drug store and gift shop that is perhaps one of the greatest self-designated tourist attractions in the United States. ... Something there is that doesnt love a Wall, that wants it down -Robert Frost Wall is a town in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States. ...

Popular culture references

These kinds of attractions find their way into popular culture. A few examples, in addition to the Charles Ogden book and the horror film mentioned elsewhere on this page: Charles Ogden is the author for the Edgar & Ellen book series for children and young adults. ... Billboards are used to advertise the attractions Tourist trap is a phrase for any establishment or set of establishments that have been created to attract travelers or tourists and provide products for the tourist to purchase. ...

• In an episode of I Love Lucy, in which the four main players are driving to California, they see a sign advertising a Praline Pecans shop hundreds of miles away. As they approach its location, the signs appear with greater frequency, and their interest grows, only to learn that the store is out of business.
• In his 1978 novelty song, King Tut, comedian Steve Martin referenced the traveling exhibit of ancient Egyptian artifacts, and mourned the loss of the Egyptian king who, he said, "gave his life for tourism."
• In the 1983 film National Lampoon's Vacation, Ellen Griswold ridicules her husband, Clark, for being distracted trying to find attractions such as "the world's largest ball of twine" on their way to their actual destination, the fictional amusement park called "Wally World".
• The Adventure Game Sam and Max Hit the Road largely takes place at a series of tourist traps accross the United States.

I Love Lucy, a CBS television sitcom that aired in the 1950s, was the most popular American sitcom of its generation and is still considered by viewers and experts alike to be one of the greatest television series of all time. ... King Tut is a 1978 novelty song performed by Steve Martin and the Toot Uncommons (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band). ... Steve Martin (right) with Scooter, on The Muppet Show Stephen Glenn Martin (born August 14, 1945) is an American comedian, writer, producer, actor, musician, and composer. ... National Lampoons Vacation is a 1983 comedy film directed by Harold Ramis and starring Chevy Chase and Beverly DAngelo. ... Adventure is a genre of video game typified by exploration, puzzle-solving, interaction with game characters, and a focus on narrative rather than reflex-based challenges. ... Sam and Max Hit the Road screenshot Sam and Max Hit the Road is a graphical adventure game, originally released in 1993, published by LucasArts. ...

See also

• Roadside attraction

A roadside attraction is a feature along the side of a road, that is frequently advertised with billboards to attract tourists. ...

References

1. ^ Cameron, Ralph Henry, (1863 -1953); Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
2. ^ Horace M. Albright and Marian Albright Schenck: “Creating the National Park Service: The Missing Years, Page 265, University of Oklahoma Press, 1999, ISBN: 0-8061-3155-1 http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/albright2/
3. ^ Cameron, Ralph on Grand Canyon Explorer.
4. ^ Canyon Trail Rides “The Only Ride in the National Parks”.
5. ^ The Eternal Tree House in Redcrest on the Redwood Highway.
6. ^ Drive thru "The Stump" at the Redwood Shop near Pepperwood, Calif.
7. ^ Da Yoopers Tourist Trap.
8. ^ The TOURIST TRAP.
9. ^ Trees of Mystery.
10. ^ Article in The Washington Post “The True Meaning of the Tourist Trap”.
11. ^ New York Times in an article Nov 1, 2006, Impacts of 33 million tourist.
12. ^ Guardian April 19, 2006, Article on Eco-Toursim.