The 14 Biggest Tourist Traps In New England (& Where To Visit Instead), According To Travelers

New England has earned renown for its beautiful coastlines, rich history, and quaint country towns surrounded by mountains and forests. A year-round destination, it offers fun activities every season. The warmer months center on soaking up the sun on the beaches. Autumn presents the perfect opportunity to take road trips to see fall foliage, and winter opens up the option of hitting the ski slopes. Thanks to this versatility, the region attracts tourists in droves, so the presence of more than a few tourist traps scattered throughout the six states should come as no surprise.

Like any popular travel destination, New England has many attractions that can be ultra crowded, overpriced, mediocre, or just plain bad. While some may merit waiting in line or going out of your way to see, others are straight-up tourist traps to avoid at all costs. To help you get the most out of your trip to this beautiful region, we scoured traveler reviews and local recommendations on online forums to uncover the overrated and disappointing New England tourist attractions. We've also provided alternative destinations for each tourist trap that many believe offer much better experiences. You can find a more in-depth explanation of how we made our selections at the end of this article.

There's no doubt that people love the lobster rolls at Red's Eats, as indicated by the lengthy lines alone. The Gagnon family has owned the small shack off of Wiscasset's Main Street since 1977, and they catapulted it to fame with their simple but delectable lobster roll (above on the left) recipe. Each sandwich contains a hefty amount of steamed lobster tail, claw, and knuckle meat in a buttery roll with butter and mayo on the side. People come from far and wide to sample the sandwich. But is it really worth standing in line for over an hour?

Sprague's Lobster sits across the street, and many locals swear that its lobster rolls (on the right) are just as good as Red's and served much faster. The slightly bigger Sprague's shack has a waterfront deck with tables. This results in much shorter queues, so you don't have to wait as long to get your lobster fix. The recipe also strongly resembles Red's — huge portions of steamed lobster meat on a butter-fried bun. In addition, you'll find the costs comparable, as both Red's and Sprague's charge based on the market price. Other spots that travelers and locals recommend nearby include Taste of Maine in Woolwich and Sea Basket in Wiscasset.

Quincy Market is one of the largest and oldest food halls in the United States. However, it's also one of Boston's biggest tourist traps. Yes, it has tons of restaurants, but you'll probably pay more than you would elsewhere and have to share space with hordes of other tourists. Plus, according to many locals, the food quality is seriously subpar. When Eater magazine asked readers to give their opinions on why the food at Quincy Market was so bad, many commented on the lack of independent, local businesses and the fact that vendors rely on tourists to make money, so they have no incentive to aim for repeat customers. Others commented on the high rent and limited prep and storage space, which drives some vendors to cut corners.

If you want to experience a true local market in Boston and support local producers and creators in a less chaotic environment, head to Boston Public Market. It's about a five-minute walk north of Quincy Market near the corner of Hanover Street and Congress Street. Inside, you'll find about 30 vendors selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to pastrami sandwiches, smoked salmon, and handmade gnocchi. Most of the vendors offer products that were sourced or produced in New England. The market also hosts regular events like tours, trivia nights, and magic shows.

New Hampshire's capital city of Concord is home to a 92-foot replica of a Mercury-Redstone rocket erected in honor of Alan Shepard, the first American to travel to space. The rocket was modeled after the spacecraft that launched Shepard into the stratosphere in 1961. The replica is part of the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, a science museum where visitors can learn about astronomy, space science, and aviation. You'll have to buy a ticket to enter the museum, but you can see the rocket outside for free. Then again, you could take a trip to Warren to see a real Redstone missile.

In 1971, Warren native Ted Asselin was stationed at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, and he noted several decommissioned Redstone missiles in the field. He thought a rocket would inspire the children in his hometown to learn more about space, so he got permission from the army to take one and hauled it back to Warren on a 60-foot trailer at his own expense. The rocket (pictured above) has been standing tall on the side of Water Street ever since. The town is pretty remote, but if you're fascinated by missiles and the history of space exploration, the real Redstone missile is worth a visit.

Bar Harbor (above on the left) sits on the border of Acadia National Park and is a pretty seaside town, which makes it a magnet for out-of-state tourists. Like many tourist hotspots in Maine, it has its fair share of traffic jams, tacky souvenir shops, and overpriced seafood restaurants. On a Reddit thread about the most overrated towns in Maine, one user wrote, "Bar Harbor for sure. So crowded in the summer you have to wait to eat anywhere and every store is basically the same kind of tourist shop." Another echoed the sentiment, saying, "Bar Harbor in the summer is like Disneyland except instead of rides you're just overpaying for lobster."

For a more low key locale on Mount Desert Island, try Southwest Harbor (on the right) on what locals call the "Quiet Side" of the island. The waterfront town is much more peaceful and offers a more authentic Maine experience than what you'll get in Bar Harbor. There are several art galleries, shops, restaurants, and inviting inns and cottages in town. It is also an excellent base for hiking trips into Acadia National Park and along coastal trails. You can set off on sailing and fishing excursions from the harbor, do a sea kayaking tour, or take a lobster cruise on a vintage boat with a traditional full lobster dinner.

The Conway Scenic Railroad (pictured above on the left) looks like it would be a fantastic way to experience the natural beauty of eastern New Hampshire. The company offers several train excursions, setting off from the North Conway railroad station and heading into the Mount Washington Valley and Crawford Notch. However, many reviewers have said it's not worth the money. Several commented on the poor condition of the trains, the disappointing food options, and the lack of scenery on some routes. Tickets range from $23 to $79, but you may be better off renting a car (or driving your own) to take in the scenery.

A road trip is the perfect way to explore eastern New Hampshire on your own steam. You'll be able to play your own music, stop wherever you please, and venture off on side adventures if you feel so inclined. North Conway is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, with gorgeous forests, lakes, and mountains to discover. You can stop at beautiful parks like Echo Lake State Park, where you can hike and swim, or see Diana's Baths Waterfalls in Bartlett. The area also has several covered bridges over rivers, like Swift River Bridge (on the right), that make for great photo opportunities.

It's hard to visit Newport without spending some time on Thames Street (above on the left). This city's main drag is jam-packed with shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes. It can also be packed with tourists, especially in the busy summer months. If you're considering grabbing a bite to eat on Thames Street, make sure you have a reservation. If not, you could wait a long time for a table. Many popular dining spots suggest booking a few weeks in advance because wait times for walk-ins can be more than an hour in the high season. If you want to avoid the long lines and crowds, do like the locals do and head to Broadway Street.

Broadway Street (right) is just a bit north of Thames Street, but it's not as busy and has more local flavor than the city's main artery. Here, you'll find a great selection of restaurants serving up everything from barbecue to ramen, craft beers, and cocktails. Start your day with a cappuccino and avocado toast at Empire Tea & Coffee. Swing by Root for a healthy lunch that could include the kale salad with coconut bacon or the chickpea salad sandwich. Caleb & Broad and Fifth Element are both popular spots for cocktails, beers, and international-inspired eats.

Fans of the TV show "Cheers" can visit the actual bar that inspired the series at Cheers Boston (pictured above) on 84 Beacon Street. But if you expect the same easy-going atmosphere where "everyone knows your name," you might be disappointed. The exterior appears pretty much the same as it was portrayed on TV, but inside the bar, it looks very little like the set. The bar is much smaller, with tables lining the walls, and there are two gift shops where tourists are encouraged to buy "Cheers" merchandise. The prices on the menu may also surprise you. For example, an order of mozzarella sticks costs $17.00, and the fish and chips will set you back $28.99.

Why down a beer at a pricey tourist attraction when you can visit one of Boston's many craft breweries for a much more authentic experience? Night Shift Brewing was founded by a trio of friends passionate about brewing innovative craft beers. Its Lovejoy Wharf location is a sweet spot to sample a wide array of beers while overlooking the Boston Harbor. A whole Detroit-style pizza here will only set you back $18. If you're in the Seaport area, head to Harpoon Brewery to try interesting IPAs, wheat beers, and ciders. It's been brewing since 1986, so it knows a thing or two about beer. If you're hungry, you can grab a salted pretzel for $7 or a Sicilian-style slice of pizza starting at $7.