Illinois Landmark Named One of America’s Biggest Tourist Traps

This is the kind of list no one in the tourism industry wants to be on. However, if you’ve ever been to Navy Pier, you shouldn’t be so surprised.

One of the most famous lakefront attractions in America just got roasted and ranked #5 on the list of America’s biggest tourist traps. This isn’t just some website haphazardly ranking places on a whim; it’s based on people who’ve actually been there.

That’s because compiled reviews of Navy Pier from 2025 feature the word “tourist trap” over 600 times, which, in kind of a surprise move, is up from the previous year.

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Navy Pier Ranked Among America’s Biggest Tourist Traps

If you’ve been to Navy Pier, it’s hard to disagree. Food costs too much, the attractions and the price tag don’t make any sense, and the overcrowding, the absolute sea of humanity that is visiting the landmark, makes the whole thing overwhelming and a chore.

Regardless, Navy Pier is always packed with millions of people who come to Chicago for a vacation or sightseeing trip, and I’m guessing most walk away from their visit thinking, “I’ve seen it, I’m good, now let’s move on.”

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Is Navy Pier Overrated or Just Misunderstood?

There are other destinations that were deemed even more tourist trap-y than Navy Pier, like Wall Drug and Fisherman’s Wharf. Fisherman’s Wharf was called the biggest tourist trap in America, and having visited the place, it’s quite literally “Navy Pier in San Francisco,” that’s it.

Is Navy Pier really overrated, or have we not been enjoying it properly all these years?