20 Worst Tourist Traps in Pennsylvania

This is a state where someone thought, “Let’s build a 25-foot concrete shoe and charge people to look at it from the parking lot.”

The same creative genius probably decided that half a tornado-damaged bridge makes for a complete tourist experience.

Pennsylvania has turned disappointment into an art form, and frankly, we’re impressed by the commitment.

1. Haines Shoe House, Pennsylvania

The Haines Shoe House sits along Route 30 east of York like a giant boot waiting for a giant foot. Built in 1949 as an advertisement for a local shoe company, this 25-foot-tall concrete shoe has been drawing curious stares for over 70 years.

The shoe was never meant to be more than a temporary residence and marketing gimmick. Tours are no longer available, so you’ll be stuck taking photos from the parking lot.

But here’s the catch – you’ll drive miles out of your way to see what amounts to a concrete shoe you can’t even enter.

2. Big Mac Museum, Pennsylvania

Located in Erwin, this shrine to McDonald’s most famous burger features a 14-foot-tall Big Mac replica and displays about burger wrapper evolution. The museum celebrates the iconic sandwich with exhibits that feel more like a corporate advertisement than a real attraction.

Here’s the real kicker – the Big Mac wasn’t even invented in Erwin. It was actually created at a McDonald’s about 40 miles away in Uniontown.

You’re better off visiting the actual birthplace if you really want to pay homage to this fast food creation.

3. Centralia, Pennsylvania

Centralia is a ghost town with an underground coal fire that’s been burning since 1962. The fire forced most residents to evacuate, leaving behind empty streets and abandoned buildings.

The danger is real – toxic gases seep through cracks in the ground, and the earth can collapse without warning. Only a handful of residents remain in this hazardous area.

But here’s the deal – there’s really nothing safe to see or do here. Most of the town is off-limits, and the health risks aren’t worth the visit.

4. Pennhurst Asylum, Pennsylvania

This former state hospital operated from 1908 to 1987, housing people with intellectual disabilities under often horrific conditions. The facility’s dark history includes documented abuse and neglect that led to landmark legal cases.

Today, Pennhurst operates as a haunted attraction during Halloween season. The ethical concerns are huge – turning a place of real human suffering into entertainment feels wrong to many visitors.

You’re better off learning about this important history through documentaries or books rather than a commercialized haunted house experience.

5. Scranton, Pennsylvania

Scranton gained massive popularity thanks to the TV show “The Office,” with fans traveling from around the world to see Dunder Mifflin locations. The city has about 76,000 residents and a rich industrial history dating back to the 1800s.

But here’s the catch – most of “The Office” wasn’t actually filmed in Scranton. The show was shot in California, so there aren’t many real filming locations to visit.

The city itself is charming with friendly locals, but Office fans often leave disappointed when they can’t find the Scranton they saw on TV.

6. Pithole City, Pennsylvania

Pithole City was once a booming oil town during Pennsylvania’s 1860s oil rush, growing from farmland to 15,000 residents almost overnight. At its peak, the town had hotels, churches, and even its own newspaper.

The boom didn’t last long – within five years, the oil dried up and the town was completely abandoned. Today, it’s a remote ghost town with very little left to see.

You’ll drive down winding country roads to reach basically empty fields with a few historical markers. That’s why most visitors feel the long journey isn’t worth the minimal payoff.

7. Breezewood, Pennsylvania

Breezewood sits at the intersection of Interstate 70 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, earning the nickname “Town of Motels.” This small community exists primarily to serve highway travelers with gas stations, fast food, and budget lodging.

The problem is obvious – beyond the neon signs and promise of a quick rest stop, there’s absolutely nothing else to see or do here. It’s commercialized to its core with zero unique attractions.

Everything feels familiar and forgettable, like a highway rest stop that somehow became a destination. You’re better off just getting gas and moving on.

8. Pioneer Woman and Child Statue, Pennsylvania

This 15-foot-tall statue once stood near Interstate 81 in Frackville, depicting a pioneer mother in period clothing clutching a pie while her daughter clings to her side. The statue was meant to honor Pennsylvania’s early settlers.

The execution was problematic – visitors consistently described the mother’s facial expression as disturbing, and the daughter’s appearance was even more unsettling. The oversized proportions made it more creepy than commemorative.

The statue appears to no longer be standing, which probably saved future travelers from an uncomfortable roadside encounter.

9. Fountain of Youth, Pennsylvania

Built in the 1930s in Allegheny County’s North Park, this roadside attraction features stonework designed to look like a Roman grotto. The name suggests some connection to the legendary fountain that grants eternal youth.

The reality is much less magical – it’s unclear why this particular spot was chosen or given such a grandiose name. The water no longer flows, leaving just an empty stone structure.

You can walk from the road to peek inside, but you’ll find nothing more than old stonework with no water and no real historical significance.

10. Camden, New Jersey (close to Pennsylvania)

While technically not in Pennsylvania, Camden often gets included in Philadelphia-area travel plans since it sits just across the Delaware River.

The city has struggled with high crime rates and urban decay for decades.

The safety concerns are real – Camden consistently ranks among the most dangerous cities in America, with violent crime rates well above national averages. Most attractions that once drew visitors have closed or relocated.

You’re better off staying in Philadelphia and enjoying its many safe, world-class attractions instead of venturing across the river into potentially dangerous territory.

11. Bushkill Falls, Pennsylvania

Known as the “Niagara of Pennsylvania,” Bushkill Falls attracts thousands of visitors each year to see its 300-foot cascade in the Pocono Mountains. The main waterfall is genuinely beautiful, especially during peak fall foliage season.

But here’s the catch – you’ll pay steep parking fees just to access trails that lead to overcrowded viewing areas. The most popular trail gets so packed that you’ll spend more time waiting behind other tourists than actually enjoying nature.

The commercialization around the falls includes gift shops and snack bars that feel out of place in what should be a natural setting.

12. Presque Isle State Park, Pennsylvania

This peninsula jutting into Lake Erie covers 3,200 acres and features sandy beaches that draw summer crowds from across the region. The park offers swimming, boating, and hiking opportunities along its shoreline.

The problem becomes obvious in summer – the beaches get absolutely packed with visitors, making it feel more like a crowded resort than a peaceful state park. Parking fills up early, and finding a quiet spot becomes nearly impossible.

You’re better off visiting during off-peak times when you can actually enjoy the natural beauty without fighting crowds for every square foot of sand.

13. Roadside America, Pennsylvania

Located in Shartlesville, this indoor miniature village has been operating since 1953, featuring tiny buildings, trains, and landscapes meant to represent rural America. The display covers 8,000 square feet with thousands of handcrafted details.

The charm feels frozen in time – and not in a good way. The exhibits haven’t been significantly updated in decades, making everything feel dated and dusty rather than nostalgic.

The admission price feels steep for what amounts to looking at model trains and miniature buildings that your grandfather might have found fascinating.

14. Gravity Hill, Pennsylvania

Several locations across Pennsylvania claim to have “gravity hills” where cars supposedly roll uphill when placed in neutral. These optical illusions occur when the surrounding landscape makes a slight downhill slope appear to go uphill.

Here’s the real deal – it’s just an optical illusion caused by the surrounding terrain and reference points. You’re not experiencing anything supernatural or scientifically interesting.

You’ll drive out of your way to experience something that can be explained by basic physics and visual perception. The novelty wears off in about 30 seconds.

15. Concrete City, Pennsylvania

Built in 1911 as company housing for coal miners in Luzerne County, these concrete homes were abandoned when the mining company went out of business. The 20 identical houses were designed to be fireproof and modern for their time.

The safety concerns are serious – the abandoned structures are deteriorating and potentially dangerous to explore. Trespassing laws apply, and the concrete is crumbling in many areas.

Most of what you’ll see are empty concrete shells with graffiti and debris. The historical significance gets lost among the vandalism and decay.

16. Miniature Statue of Liberty

Rising 25 feet from a rocky outcrop in the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg, this quirky replica was originally built as a prank in the 1980s and later rebuilt after storm damage.

But here’s the problem – you can’t get close unless you have a kayak, and the view from the highway is quick and distant.

There’s no museum, no tours, and no deeper story beyond the odd visual. You can snap a photo from the riverbank, but that’s about it.

The novelty wears off fast, making this a classic ‘drive-by’ attraction that rarely lives up to expectations.

17. Fallingwater Gift Shop, Pennsylvania

While Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater house is genuinely worth visiting, many tourists get trapped into expensive gift shop purchases after their tour. The shop sells overpriced books, postcards, and Wright-inspired merchandise.

The markup is astronomical – simple items like coffee mugs and t-shirts cost three times what you’d pay elsewhere. The pressure to buy something as a memento can turn a beautiful architectural experience into buyer’s remorse.

You’re better off enjoying the house tour and buying your souvenirs somewhere else if you really need them.

18. Pennsylvania Dutch Country Tourist Shops, Pennsylvania

The Lancaster County area is filled with shops selling “authentic” Amish goods, quilts, and Pennsylvania Dutch foods. Many of these stores line busy tourist routes and promise genuine cultural experiences.

Most aren’t actually run by Amish families – they’re commercial operations selling mass-produced items with inflated prices for tourists. The “handmade” quilts often come from factories, not local artisans.

You’ll pay premium prices for items you could find cheaper elsewhere, all while thinking you’re supporting local Amish communities that may not see any of your money.

19. Kinzua Bridge Skywalk, Pennsylvania

The Kinzua Bridge was once the world’s highest railroad bridge until a tornado destroyed most of it in 2003. The remaining portion was converted into a skywalk that extends 624 feet into the air.

The experience feels incomplete – you walk out onto what’s essentially half a bridge that ends abruptly where the tornado damage occurred. The views are nice, but the whole thing feels anticlimactic.

The drive to reach this remote location in McKean County takes considerable time for what amounts to a short walk on a partial bridge structure.

20. Gettysburg Ghost Tours, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg’s Civil War history is genuinely fascinating and important, but the town has become overrun with ghost tour companies promising supernatural encounters. These walking tours claim to reveal the battlefield’s haunted secrets.

The historical accuracy suffers – guides often mix legitimate Civil War facts with unsubstantiated ghost stories, making it hard to separate education from entertainment. The tours focus more on spooky theatrics than meaningful history.

You’re better off taking a proper historical tour during daylight hours when you can actually see the battlefield and learn about the real events that happened there.