South Carolina hosts some world-class examples of this phenomenon.
These attractions have mastered the ancient art of transforming reasonable people into walking ATM machines.
They operate on the principle that tourists will pay premium prices for substandard experiences simply because they’re already there.
Fortunately, forewarned is forearmed when it comes to protecting your travel budget from these vacation vampires.
1. South of the Border, South Carolina
This roadside attraction sits right on the North Carolina-South Carolina border along Interstate 95.
For decades, colorful billboards have promised travelers an exciting stop with restaurants, hotels, and attractions.
What was once a bustling tourist destination has become a shadow of its former self.
The amusement park is permanently closed.
The gift shops are filled with overpriced trinkets like $26.99 beach towels.
Many visitors describe empty parking lots and rundown facilities. The theming relies on outdated stereotypes that make modern travelers uncomfortable.
Why It’s On This List: Visitors consistently report feeling disappointed after being lured in by miles of highway advertising only to find a mostly empty, overpriced tourist trap.
2. The Kazoo Museum, Beaufort
Located in historic Beaufort, this small museum houses over 200 different types of kazoos.
The collection showcases the history and variety of this simple musical instrument.
You’re better off spending your time exploring Beaufort’s beautiful historic district instead.
The museum occupies a tiny space and can be viewed in just a few minutes.
Most visitors find the experience underwhelming.
The novelty wears off quickly when you realize you’re looking at room after room of similar-looking kazoos.
Why It’s On This List: Travel experts consistently rank this as one of the most boring tourist attractions in South Carolina, offering little entertainment value for the time invested.
3. Myrtle Beach SkyWheel, Myrtle Beach
This 187-foot tall Ferris wheel dominates the Myrtle Beach skyline.
It’s the largest Ferris wheel on the East Coast and features over 1 million LED lights at night.
A single adult ticket costs nearly $17 for a 10-15 minute ride.
A family of four will spend over $80 for less than 20 minutes of entertainment.
The real trap comes after your ride. You’re forced through an expensive gift shop and pressured to buy overpriced photos of your experience for an additional $25.
Why It’s On This List: The high cost combined with short ride time and aggressive upselling makes this one of Myrtle Beach’s biggest tourist traps despite its iconic status.
4. Generic Myrtle Beach Souvenir Shops, Myrtle Beach
The Myrtle Beach boardwalk and surrounding streets are packed with dozens of nearly identical souvenir shops. They sell the same mass-produced t-shirts, shot glasses, and beach accessories.
These shops prey on tourists looking for quick mementos.
Prices are inflated well above what you’d pay for similar items elsewhere.
The quality is typically poor. That $15 t-shirt will likely fade or shrink after the first wash.
Why It’s On This List: Tourists waste money on overpriced, low-quality souvenirs that can be found at any beach destination, with no unique connection to South Carolina.
5. Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Myrtle Beach
This odditorium features strange artifacts, optical illusions, and bizarre exhibits spread across multiple floors. The Myrtle Beach location is part of a national chain found in many tourist destinations.
The admission price keeps climbing while the exhibits remain largely unchanged year after year. Many displays look dated and poorly maintained.
You’re better off visiting one of South Carolina’s unique museums that actually showcase local history and culture.
Why It’s On This List: High admission costs for recycled exhibits that have little connection to South Carolina make this a classic tourist trap targeting out-of-state visitors.
6. Medieval Times Dinner Theater, Myrtle Beach
This dinner theater combines a four-course meal with a medieval tournament featuring knights on horseback. Guests eat with their hands while cheering for their assigned knight.
The experience costs over $70 per person before taxes and tips.
The food quality is mediocre at best, resembling cafeteria fare more than a restaurant meal.
The show follows the exact same script every night. Local residents quickly tire of the repetitive entertainment and tourist-focused atmosphere.
Why It’s On This List: The high cost combined with poor food quality and generic entertainment makes this feel more like an expensive tourist obligation than genuine fun.
7. Waccatee Zoological Farm, Myrtle Beach
This small private zoo houses various exotic animals including big cats, primates, and reptiles.
The facility markets itself as an educational wildlife experience.
Animal welfare advocates have raised concerns about the conditions. The enclosures appear small and outdated compared to modern zoo standards.
Many visitors report feeling uncomfortable about the animals’ living situations.
The educational value is limited compared to accredited zoos and wildlife sanctuaries.
Why It’s On This List: Questions about animal welfare combined with substandard facilities make this attraction problematic for many conscientious travelers.
8. Alligator Adventure, Myrtle Beach
This reptile park features hundreds of alligators plus snakes, lizards, and other exotic animals. The facility offers feeding demonstrations and educational programs.
The admission price has steadily increased while the facility shows signs of aging. Many exhibits look tired and in need of updates.
You’re better off visiting Brookgreen Gardens or other natural areas where you might spot alligators in their actual habitat.
Why It’s On This List: Rising admission costs for aging facilities make this feel more like a money grab than a genuine wildlife education experience.
9. House of Blues Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach
This music venue and restaurant is part of a national chain known for live music and Southern-inspired cuisine. The Myrtle Beach location features regular concerts and a Sunday gospel brunch.
The problem is the tourist-focused pricing and atmosphere. Drink prices are inflated well above typical restaurant levels.
The food quality doesn’t match the premium prices. Many dishes taste like they came from a corporate kitchen rather than authentic Southern cooking.
Why It’s On This List: Corporate chain pricing with mediocre food quality makes this feel like a tourist trap rather than an authentic music venue experience.
10. Broadway at the Beach Shopping Complex, Myrtle Beach
This large outdoor shopping and entertainment complex features chain restaurants, retail stores, and attractions. It’s designed to keep tourists spending money in one concentrated area.
The shops are mostly national chains you can find anywhere. Prices are inflated compared to regular shopping centers.
The restaurants focus on quantity over quality.
You’ll pay tourist prices for chain restaurant food that tastes the same as locations back home.
Why It’s On This List: This manufactured tourist district offers nothing unique to South Carolina while charging premium prices for generic chain experiences.
11. Myrtle Waves Water Park, Myrtle Beach
This 20-acre water park features over 30 rides and attractions including water slides, a lazy river, and wave pool. It’s one of South Carolina’s largest water parks.
Admission costs over $30 per person during peak season. Add parking fees, locker rentals, and overpriced concessions and a family day easily tops $200.
The facilities show their age with outdated slides and worn concrete surfaces. Many visitors complain about long lines and overcrowding during summer months.
Why It’s On This List: High admission costs combined with additional fees and aging facilities make this an expensive disappointment for many families.
12. Gay Dolphin Gift Cove, Myrtle Beach
This massive souvenir shop claims to be the largest gift shop on the East Coast. The multi-story building is packed with thousands of items from t-shirts to seashells.
The sheer size creates a maze-like shopping experience that’s designed to keep you wandering and buying. Prices are tourist-level inflated throughout the store.
Most items are mass-produced imports with no connection to South Carolina. You’re better off finding authentic local crafts at smaller shops away from the tourist strip.
Why It’s On This List: Despite its fame, this is essentially a giant tourist trap selling overpriced generic souvenirs that could be found at any beach destination.
13. Pavilion Nostalgia Park, Myrtle Beach
This small amusement park was created to preserve some rides from the original Myrtle Beach Pavilion that closed in 2006. It features classic carnival rides and games.
The park feels more like a sad reminder of what once was rather than a vibrant attraction. Most rides are showing their age and the atmosphere lacks energy.
Admission and ride prices are steep for what amounts to a few old carnival rides. The nostalgia factor only goes so far when the experience feels hollow.
Why It’s On This List: High prices for a limited selection of aging rides make this feel more like an expensive trip down memory lane than genuine entertainment.
14. Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach
This waterfront shopping and dining complex features boardwalks, restaurants, and retail stores along the Intracoastal Waterway. The setting is undeniably scenic.
It’s another manufactured tourist destination filled with chain restaurants and overpriced shops. The “charm” feels artificial and designed to separate tourists from their money.
Restaurant prices are inflated well above what locals pay elsewhere. The shopping consists mainly of tourist-focused retailers selling marked-up merchandise.
Why It’s On This List: Despite the pretty waterfront setting, this is essentially an outdoor shopping mall with tourist pricing and little authentic local character.
15. Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Amusement Rides, Myrtle Beach
The oceanfront boardwalk features various carnival-style rides including a Ferris wheel, swing ride, and spinning attractions. These rides operate seasonally along the beach.
Individual ride tickets are expensive and add up quickly. A few rides can easily cost $40-50 per person with no package deals available.
The rides are basic carnival equipment that you’d find at any traveling fair. There’s nothing special about the experience beyond the beach location.
Why It’s On This List: Overpriced carnival rides that offer nothing unique beyond their beachfront location make this a costly way to spend vacation time.
16. Huntington Beach State Park Gift Shop, Murrells Inlet
While the state park itself is beautiful, the gift shop has become a tourist trap within this natural gem. It’s packed with overpriced nature-themed souvenirs and snacks.
A simple water bottle costs $4 when you could bring your own. T-shirts and other apparel are marked up 200-300% above retail prices.
The shop preys on unprepared visitors who forgot to bring water or snacks. You’re better off packing everything you need before entering the park.
Why It’s On This List: Extreme markup on basic necessities takes advantage of park visitors who didn’t come prepared for their outdoor adventure.
17. Coastal Grand Mall, Myrtle Beach
This large indoor shopping mall features department stores, specialty retailers, and a food court. It’s designed to capture tourist dollars during bad weather days.
The stores are mostly national chains with tourist-level pricing. You won’t find any unique South Carolina retailers or local businesses.
The mall feels generic and could be located anywhere in America. There’s nothing distinctly Southern or coastal about the shopping experience.
Why It’s On This List: Tourist pricing at generic chain stores makes this an expensive way to shop for items you could find cheaper back home.
18. Pirates Voyage Dinner Show, Myrtle Beach
This dinner theater features acrobatics, live animals, and a pirate-themed storyline while guests eat a four-course meal. The production values are high with elaborate sets and costumes.
Tickets cost over $70 per adult before taxes and gratuity. The food is mass-produced banquet fare that tastes institutional rather than restaurant-quality.
The show follows the same script every performance with no variation. Local entertainment options offer better value and more authentic experiences.
Why It’s On This List: High ticket prices combined with mediocre food and repetitive entertainment make this feel more like an expensive obligation than enjoyable night out.
19. Myrtle Beach Safari, Myrtle Beach
This private facility offers guided tours to see exotic animals including tigers, elephants, and primates. Tours must be booked in advance and cost over $300 per person.
The high price point puts this out of reach for most families. The experience lasts only a few hours despite the premium cost.
Animal welfare concerns have been raised about some of the facility’s practices. Many visitors question whether the experience justifies the extremely high admission price.
Why It’s On This List: Extremely high admission costs combined with ethical concerns make this an expensive and potentially problematic tourist attraction.
20. Generic Putt-Putt Golf Courses, Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach is home to dozens of miniature golf courses with themes ranging from pirates to dinosaurs. Most feature similar obstacles and pricing structures.
Individual games cost $12-15 per person at most locations. The courses are often crowded with long waits between holes during peak season.
The theming is usually cheap and poorly maintained. You’re better off playing at one of the area’s many championship golf courses for better value.
Why It’s On This List: Overpriced miniature golf with poor maintenance and long waits makes this a frustrating way to spend vacation time and money.