Every traveler has heard it: “It’s overrated.” “Too touristy.” “Not worth the time.” Guides say it with a sigh, seasoned travelers nod along—and yet these experiences keep calling your name. So do it anyway!
Here’s the truth: some places earn their fame not because they’re hidden gems, but because they make you feel something. If curiosity tugs at you, do it anyway. You’re not traveling to impress a tour guide—you’re traveling to collect moments.
Here’s why these famously “not worth it” experiences are absolutely worth it.
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Step Inside King Tut’s Tomb
Deidra and I went to Egypt on our first international trip together. It took us a whole year to pay for this trip, but we also had a year to research the country and look forward to the experience. On our day in the Valley of the Kings, our guide tried to talk us out of going to see King Tut’s Tomb. He said it costs extra (about $14 each) and since King Tut was a young king, his tomb was not as well decorated as those we had seen of Ramses II and other kings.
I usually try to be agreeable and go with the group, but not this day! I, along with just one other traveler on the bus. insisted we wanted to see it anyway. King Tut was an iconic figure growing up in the 70s. Between the traveling collection of his burial pieces and Steve Martin’s Saturday Night Live sketch, Tut was a legend! I knew what the guide said was true, but I also knew everyone at home would ask if I saw King Tut’s Tomb.
Yes, it’s small. Yes, it costs a little extra. Do it anyway. You’re standing inside the resting place of a 3,000-year-old pharaoh whose story reshaped archaeology. The walls whisper history, and no museum display compares to being there. I know – I have seen it! It was totally worth the $14 and 30 minutes it took to see inside King Tut’s Tomb. So, ignore the naysayers and do it anyway!
Climb to the Top of the Eiffel Tower
Parisians may roll their eyes, but Paris from above still steals your breath away. Ride the elevator, feel the sway, and watch the city stretch out beneath you. You don’t climb the Eiffel Tower to be edgy—you climb it to feel Paris pulse. Besides, you don’t even have to actually climb it. The elevator to the summit is fabulous!
The only thing missing from the view at the top of the Eiffel Tower is the Eiffel Tower itself. But that is ok. You can get that view from the Arc de Triomphe or Sacre Coer. But what you can’t get at those sites is the incredible story of how the tower came to life and the amazing feel of being at the “top of Paris.”
Perhaps the most important part of going to the top of the Eiffel Tower is to go with someone special. They say Paris is a city of light and love. And that was absolutely true in my experience. While I did not have my husband with me, I had the honor of accompanying my parents there for their 55th wedding anniversary. Fifteen years later I am even more happy that we took the time to go to the top!
So, if you are considering skipping the tower – or merely going to the second level, think again. Going to the summit is totally worth it, so do it anyway.
Kiss the Blarney Stone
Is it awkward? Absolutely. Is it slippery and slightly ridiculous? Yes. Might it feel gross to kiss a stone that millions have kissed before you? Definitely. But you laugh, you lean back, and you kiss it anyway. Suddenly you’re part of a centuries-old ritual—and that story follows you longer than any pub crawl.
No matter what people – or guides – say, make sure you include Blarney Castle on your Ireland itinerary. And yes, kiss that stone! Everyone back home will ask if you kissed it. It is always more fun to say “yes, I did!”
Run Toward Platform 9¾
You know it’s staged. You know it’s crowded. But what lover of magic and wizardry doesn’t want to run through the wall to Platform 9 3/4 to board the train to Hogwarts. For one playful moment, you’re eleven years old again, waiting for a train to magic. That’s not touristy—that’s joy. And who doesn’t need a little more joy in their life. Some people will say it is silly and not worth your time. But I think those people lack imagination! Run toward that wall anyway.
Snap the Tower of Pisa Photo
You’ve seen them on Facebook. Any time your friends travel toward Pisa, they can’t resist snapping a photo of them trying to hold up the Leaning Tower. Some will say this is a silly tourist trap and not worth doing. But who cares what “some people say”? Do it anyway!
You didn’t travel all that way to pretend you’re above the cliché. Join the crowd, push or grab the tower, laugh at the attempts, and keep the photo. Future-you will thank present-you for not being “too cool.”
Walk the Santorini Donkey Path
Locals may warn you off, but the winding descent of the Santorini Donkey Path delivers views that postcards can’t capture. Walk it slowly, respect the animals, and let the Aegean shimmer below you. Some paths feel earned—and this is one of them.
So why not ride a donkey instead of walk? Well, two reasons. The first being that it is difficult to stop and take photos on a donkey tour. But the main one is due to the conflicting reviews about animal cruelty and the quality of pre-arranged tours. If you get there and see the opportunity to hitch a ride with a solid vendor, then go for it.
But also consider walking. It isn’t like you are trying to haul yourself and your luggage up the path – unless, of course, you are. But today there are better ways to transfer your luggage to most accommodations. So hire that job done and take time to leisurely walk the path.
Touch the Charles Bridge Statues in Prague
This is a really easy one to do and I am not sure why people say not to bother. To really get the “feel” of Prague, you must take the time to walk across Charles Bridge. You may see it from a boat or from the shore, but you cannot really see it without walking across it. And how hard is it to rub a statue’s foot along the way?
Yes, everyone does it. That’s the point. You place your hand where millions before you have, make a quiet wish. Superstition becomes shared humanity whether you believe in it or not. That said, you might want to use a bit of sanitizer afterwards.
Float in the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea’s extreme salinity (34%) makes it easy to float, but dangerous to swim in. This is roughly 10 times the salt of the ocean making it nearly impossible to stand up easily. The intense density can flip you over to your stomach if you are not careful. Also, it is VERY painful if you get it in your eyes or open wounds.
I know, this sounds scary. But for every possible danger, there is a precaution that can be taken to mitigate the risk. And what adventures will you ever have without a little risk. Just float, keep your head above water, wear goggles, don’t get in with open sores (because that would hurt), and don’t drink the water (because that could kill you)!
It’s salty. It’s surreal. You don’t swim—you hover. Let your body bob effortlessly while the desert stretches around you. Few places on Earth feel this strange, and fewer still feel this unforgettable. So, float!
Stand in the Middle of Shibuya Crossing
Shibuya Crossing is the busiest intersection on earth! When the lights change, the world surges. People flow past from every direction, and for a heartbeat, you’re inside Tokyo’s electric core. Guides may say “five minutes viewing from the curb is enough.” They’re wrong. Walk across yourself. Stop for a moment. Watch the throngs of people passing by. And yes, cross the street not just once, but twice, or more times. Every crossing will offer a new view and new people to experience it with.
Walk – or Climb – the Harbor Bridge in Sydney
The Sydney Harbor Bridge spans from the city center to the North Shore. This steel arch bridge erected in 1932 services cars, trains, bikes, and pedestrians alike. Most people don’t travel across the globe to walk across a bridge, but the walk is free and offers magnificent views. Yes, you can easily drive or ride across it, but pace of a walk offers greater opportunities to appreciate the beauty of Sydney Harbor.
Those seeking something a bit more adventurous can actually do a BridgeClimb. It’s pricey. It’s structured. It’s incredible. It also seems absolutely terrifying to me. You strap in, rise above the harbor, and see Sydney unfold beneath your feet.
I haven’t actually done either of these yet. The climb is a bit above my ability at this stage of life, but I hope to walk the bridge in 2027! People have said not to bother, but I think I will do it anyway!
Why You Should Ignore the “Not Worth It” Label
Travel guides optimize for efficiency. You travel for memory. The most famous experiences endure because they deliver emotion—wonder, laughter, awe, or the simple thrill of saying I did that.
So next time someone shrugs and says, “You can skip it,” ask yourself a better question: Will I regret doing it—or regret not doing it? Then, do it anyway. It is always worth it!
What things would you add to this list and do it anyway?
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