Maine Attraction Named One of the Worst Tourist Traps in U.S.

With Maine also famously known as ‘Vacationland,’ we’re no stranger to tourists and ‘tourist traps,’ but which ‘trap’ is the worst?

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Mainers are certainly familiar with tourism, as our Pine Tree State is a top vacation spot in the country. While we might joke about tourists, the truth is, we depend on them. Our local economy thrives on the money they bring in, so we're grateful for their visits, even if we sometimes wish they'd leave.

But before we dive any deeper, we should probably establish some groundwork: what exactly is a ‘tourist trap?’

Well, a tourist trap, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is a place that attracts and exploits tourists. These spots often use flashy or exaggerated claims to draw in visitors, who may end up spending more money than they intended.

Maine has its fair share of tourist traps, both inland and along the coast, where we welcome folks ‘from away,’ but also hope they'll spend some money while they're here.

So, how do you even determine what’s considered the ‘worst?’

The publication Cheapism, which is ‘all about saving money, time, and sanity while maintaining a sense of humor,’ recently put together a list warning folks to ‘Watch Out for These Tourist Traps in All 50 States.’

To do so, Cheapism used a combination of expert opinions from travel bloggers and industry professionals, as well as online reviews, to identify tourist traps in every state. Cheapism considered factors such as whether the attractions were overhyped, colorful, quirky, or mystifying, and whether visitors might feel ‘a little swindled’ after visiting.

The definition of a tourist trap was left somewhat open-ended, recognizing that some attractions, like the one we're talking about today, might still be beloved by locals. Cheapism also acknowledged that some attractions, while considered tourist traps, are still popular and draw sightseers nationwide.

Alright, so what is being called the worst ‘tourist trap’ in Maine?

Maine’s pick by Cheapism for the tourist trap that you need to ‘watch out for’ is Land's End Gift Shop in Bailey Island.

Cheapism had the following to say about Land's End Gift Shop,

Geared entirely toward tourists, the Land's End Gift Shop sells everything from lobster-print pants to lobster keychains and bumper stickers. There are also calendars featuring idyllic New England images, plush animals (including, of course, lobsters), mugs, hats, and other miscellaneous gifts to help visitors remember Maine. Save your money for some real lobster.

A little brutal, right? What are your thoughts on tourist traps and Cheapism’s pick for the one that you should ‘watch out for’ in Maine?