20 Worst Tourist Traps in Nevada

This desert wonderland has more ways to empty your wallet than a teenager with a credit card at the mall.

Between the legitimate attractions lie countless traps designed to exploit your vacation excitement and geographical confusion.

The house edge isn’t just for blackjack anymore. It applies to everything from parking meters to gift shop postcards.

1. The Strip, Las Vegas

Las Vegas Boulevard South is the most famous street in Nevada. But here’s the catch – everything costs three times more than it should.

You’re better off exploring downtown Las Vegas instead. The historic Fremont Street offers the same neon excitement without the wallet-draining prices.

That’s why locals avoid the Strip entirely.

The crowds, overpriced drinks, and pushy street performers make it exhausting rather than entertaining.

2. Fremont Street Experience, Las Vegas

The covered pedestrian mall was voted the worst place to take visitors from 1999-2003. The LED canopy shows are impressive, but the area underneath tells a different story.

Street crime was so bad that Metro Police had to increase patrols significantly. Pickpockets and aggressive panhandlers made tourists uncomfortable for years.

I made a classic mistake thinking the light shows would make up for everything else. The reality is much grittier than the marketing suggests.

3. Stratosphere Tower, Las Vegas

The Strat won “Worst Casino Theme” in 1997 and “Worst Attraction” in 2001. The tower itself is impressive, but the rides are half-hearted attempts at thrills.

The High Roller roller coaster operated from 1996 to 2005 before being removed. Even the Big Shot ride that launches you 160 feet up feels underwhelming.

You’re better off spending your money on shows or restaurants. The surrounding area is more fear-inducing than the actual rides.

4. Dragon Battle at Excalibur, Las Vegas

This medieval-themed show in the Excalibur’s moat won “worst attraction” two years running in 2002 and 2003. The dragon and Merlin battle was supposed to be family entertainment.

But here’s the deal – even kids found it boring and poorly executed. The special effects looked cheap and the storyline made no sense.

The show was discontinued in 2004, probably because nobody wanted to watch it twice. That’s why it earned its place on every “worst of” list.

5. Sirens of TI, Las Vegas

Treasure Island’s pirate show replacement became the “lamest, most embarrassing thing on the Strip” according to visitors. The original Buccaneer Bay show was actually popular.

The switch to Sirens featured scantily clad women instead of swashbuckling pirates. It felt more like a cheap nightclub act than family entertainment.

The show closed permanently in 2013 after a 10-year run of disappointing reviews. You’re better off catching a real Vegas production show.

6. Circus Circus Buffet, Las Vegas

This buffet earned the title of “Las Vegas’ worst buffet” for seven straight years from 2001-2007. The category was eventually discontinued because it was a lost cause.

The food quality was consistently terrible and the selection was limited compared to other casino buffets. Even at budget prices, diners felt ripped off.

I made a classic mistake thinking all Vegas buffets were created equal. The circus theme doesn’t make up for cold, stale food.

7. Clown Motel, Tonopah

This roadside motel boasts one of the largest private collections of clown memorabilia. But here’s the catch – it’s genuinely creepy rather than fun.

The cemetery next door adds to the unsettling atmosphere. Guests report strange noises and unexplained occurrences throughout the night.

You’re better off staying in Reno or Las Vegas and making Tonopah a quick photo stop. The novelty wears off when you’re trying to sleep surrounded by hundreds of clown faces.

8. International Car Forest, Goldfield

This sculpture garden features dozens of painted cars stacked and balanced in unusual positions. The artwork changes constantly, which sounds interesting in theory.

But here’s the deal – it’s basically a junkyard with paint. The remote location means a long drive for what amounts to a 15-minute photo opportunity.

The desert heat makes walking around the installation uncomfortable most of the year. That’s why many visitors feel like they wasted gas money getting there.

9. Seven Magic Mountains, Las Vegas

These neon-colored boulder stacks are visible from Interstate 15 and heavily promoted on social media. The installation is 35 feet high and definitely eye-catching.

The reality is much smaller than photos suggest. Most visitors spend 10 minutes taking selfies and wonder why they made the detour.

You’re better off viewing it from the highway while driving to more substantial attractions. The desert location offers no shade or amenities for visitors.

10. E.T. Fresh Jerky, Hiko

This alien-themed jerky shop sits along the Extraterrestrial Highway near Area 51. The kitschy alien decorations and murals draw curious road trippers.

But here’s the catch – it’s overpriced gas station snacks with a gimmicky theme. The jerky quality doesn’t justify the tourist markup prices.

I made a classic mistake thinking the alien theme would make ordinary beef jerky special. The novelty wears off when you realize you paid $20 for $5 worth of snacks.

11. Bonnie and Clyde Death Car, Primm

The bullet-riddled 1934 Ford V8 sits in Whiskey Pete’s Casino near the California border. This is supposedly the actual car where the famous outlaws met their end in 1934.

But here’s the deal – multiple “authentic” Bonnie and Clyde cars exist across America. The authenticity is questionable at best, and you’re paying casino prices to see it.

You’re better off reading about the real story online. The car sits in a cramped display area with poor lighting and minimal historical context.

12. Valley of Fire Visitor Center Gift Shop, Overton

The park itself is stunning, but the visitor center gift shop is a classic tourist trap. Everything costs double what you’d pay elsewhere for the same items.

The “authentic” Native American jewelry is often mass-produced overseas. The postcards cost $3 each when you can get better photos online for free.

That’s why smart visitors skip the gift shop entirely. The natural beauty outside is free and infinitely more memorable than overpriced souvenirs.

13. Hoover Dam Gift Shop, Boulder City

The dam tour is educational and worthwhile, but the gift shop is pure tourist exploitation. T-shirts cost $35 and coffee mugs are $25 for basic quality items.

I made a classic mistake thinking dam-themed merchandise would be unique. Most items are generic souvenirs with “Hoover Dam” slapped on them.

The parking fees and tour costs are already expensive enough. You’re better off taking photos and buying souvenirs elsewhere for a fraction of the price.

14. Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive, Las Vegas

The $15 per vehicle fee seems reasonable until you realize it’s just a 13-mile loop road. The scenery is beautiful, but you can see similar views for free elsewhere.

But here’s the catch – the drive takes less than an hour and there’s limited parking at viewpoints. Most visitors feel rushed and crowded.

You’re better off hiking the free trails around Las Vegas for better views and exercise. The scenic drive is more about collecting fees than providing value.

15. Lake Tahoe Gondola, Incline Village

The gondola ride costs $65 per adult for an 8-minute trip to the top of Diamond Peak. The views are nice, but not $65-per-person nice.

The summit activities are limited and feel like afterthoughts. Most visitors take a few photos and wonder why they spent so much money.

That’s why locals recommend hiking trails with equally stunning views for free. The gondola is convenient but ridiculously overpriced for what you get.

16. Ethel M Chocolates Factory, Henderson

This Mars candy factory tour promises behind-the-scenes chocolate making. But here’s the deal – you mostly watch machines through windows for 15 minutes.

The “free” samples are tiny pieces that leave you wanting more. The real goal is getting you into their overpriced gift shop afterward.

I made a classic mistake thinking a factory tour would be educational. It’s really just a marketing ploy to sell expensive chocolates to tourists.

17. Mob Museum Gift Shop, Las Vegas

The museum itself is fascinating, but the gift shop is where they really get you. “Authentic” mob memorabilia costs hundreds of dollars with questionable provenance.

The Tommy gun replicas and fedoras are mass-produced novelties marked up 500%. You can find identical items online for a fraction of the price.

You’re better off enjoying the museum exhibits and skipping the merchandise entirely. The educational value ends when you enter the gift shop.

18. Neon Museum Boneyard Tours, Las Vegas

The $25 daytime tour feels rushed and overcrowded with limited photo opportunities. The guides hurry groups through without time to appreciate the vintage signs.

But here’s the catch – the best signs are roped off and you can’t get close enough for good photos. Most visitors leave feeling unsatisfied.

The night tours cost $65 and book up months in advance. You’re better off driving around Las Vegas to see working neon signs for free.

19. Pinball Hall of Fame, Las Vegas

This sounds like nostalgic fun until you realize most machines are broken or poorly maintained. The quarters add up quickly when games malfunction constantly.

The “rare” vintage machines often eat your money without starting. Staff seem indifferent to complaints about broken equipment.

That’s why many visitors leave frustrated after spending $20-30 on games that don’t work properly. Modern arcade centers offer better value and working machines.

20. Container Park, Las Vegas

This downtown shopping center made from shipping containers charges $10 admission just to enter. The shops inside sell overpriced crafts and generic souvenirs.

The playground equipment is basic and not worth the entrance fee. Most activities cost extra money on top of admission.

You’re better off visiting free outdoor malls with better shopping and dining options. The container gimmick doesn’t justify paying to enter a shopping center.