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Tourists roast White House, Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty and more

Tourists roast White House, Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty and more

Miami Herald13-06-2025

By Ben Barry
Some of the US's most famous tourist spots have been slammed in online reviews, with the Statue of Liberty dismissed as a "poor man's Redeemer" and the White House dubbed a "dump for Trump".
Millions flock to the States' top attractions every year - but it appears not all are impressed.
Sites like the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore have all come in for criticism on the online review site TripAdvisor.
For example, a recent visitor to the Washington Monument said it was "shorter than expected" - and a "boring gray color".
They suggested that "they should add lighting, make it more interesting."
Another reviewer said the Monument was "too tall, I hurt my neck looking at it" and rated it 0/10 - warning other people it was a "horrible place to go".
Meanwhile, another tourist seemed annoyed that the Statue of Liberty - one of the most recognizable sights in the world - had been gifted to the USA.
They said, "I am not going that far to see a French building."
Another tourist described the iconic statue as a "poor man's Christ the Redeemer" - comparing the Statue of Liberty to the 38-meter-tall statue of Jesus that stands on top of the Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The sightseer added: "Long queue just to get through the security, and then queue again to get on the boat.
"Usual tourists just stopped everywhere to take selfies and walk really slowly.
"The statue is not as impressive compared to Christ the Redeemer."
The White House, currently occupied by Donald Trump, was also not a fan favorite.
Tourists hit out and its heavy-handed security and perimeter fences keeping people away.
One tourist compared the White House to former wrestler John Cena, who is known for the trademark line "you can't see me".
They said: "The White House is like John Cena… You just can't see it.
"Between the crowds and the fencing, it's very challenging to see the White House at all.
"It was probably one of the least impressive things I saw while in DC."
Another tourist said it was "heavily guarded" and "too small".
Adding: "This heavily guarded house for Trump is a dump - don't waste your time."
The Grand Canyon National Park attracts around six million visitors a year, making it the second most visited national park in the US.
Despite its high tourist numbers, some visitors are less than impressed, with one calling it "the big hole in the ground".
One person said, "Honestly, the desert is all just dirt, so that was no surprise, but the way everybody talks about the Grand Canyon.
"I thought there'd be some stuff to do there, or at least something to do.
"Oh yeah, that's right…You can walk around on the dirt and look at the giant gaping hole in the ground, and take pictures of the dirt.
"Big whoop. Not even worth the drive."
One tourist said it was "pretty cool," - but there was too much canyon.
"They said: "A bit much though, maybe less canyon next time would be better if you guys can fix that."
Finally, Mount Rushmore depicts the faces of former presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
The site attracts more than two million visitors a year - but one said rock face wasn't "diverse enough", adding: "It might as well be a cast of Friends."
Another tourist was shocked to find that a "perfectly good mountain was ruined to create this."
They said: "The Barbie version my niece showed me was miles better, and did not ruin the environment by creating the absolute eyesore that is the real Mount Rushmore."
The post Tourists roast White House, Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty and more appeared first on Talker.
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