Chicago Locals Say These Are the City’s Absolute Worst Tourist Traps

We all have that moment.

A friend or family member comes to visit, their eyes wide with excitement, and they pull out a list of “must-do” Chicago activities.

You scan the list, smile politely, and think, “Oh, honey, no.”

It’s a tale as old as time in the Windy City.

We love our town, and we love showing it off.

But we also know the difference between an authentic Chicago experience and a wallet-draining, time-sucking trap.

So, we dove into a fiery online debate where hundreds of locals sounded off on the most overrated spots in Chicago.

The results were spicy, hilarious, and painfully accurate.

Here’s what your fellow Chicagoans think are the biggest tourist traps to avoid.

The Rise of the “Instagram Factories”

Topping the list wasn’t an old-school landmark, but a new breed of attraction.

Places like the WNDR Museum, the Museum of Illusions, and the infamous Museum of Ice Cream got absolutely roasted.

The consensus? They’re not really museums; they’re expensive photo-op factories designed for your social media feed.

As one local put it, “I couldn’t believe how uninspiring and underwhelming it was. I have more fun and insightful moments on my couch reading Reddit.”

Another chimed in, saying these spots are “100% not worth the cost of admission.”

The real kicker was the “Museum of Ice Cream,” with one person sharing a story of ending a potential date with someone who genuinely wanted to go there. “I left him on ‘read’. No sir, not today. Uncultured swine.” Ouch!

The Once-Great Taste of Chicago

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

For many longtime residents, the Taste of Chicago is a ghost of its former self.

What might have been a great event 30 years ago has become, in the words of many, “a giant pain in the ass.”

Locals painted a grim picture: “You mean you didn’t enjoy overpaying for lunch by a factor of four, then being forced to eat it standing up, outside in the summer heat, packed sardine style with a literal million other people?”

If you enjoy remortgaging your house for a lukewarm burger while swatting away wasps and soaking in the collective sweat of a thousand strangers, this one’s for you.

Otherwise, most agree: hit up a neighborhood street fest instead.

The Navy Pier Predicament

No topic got people more divided than Navy Pier.

Many immediately labeled it a tourist trap, citing its overpriced Ferris wheel, chain restaurants, and kitschy souvenir shops.

One commenter felt it was a beautiful space that was ultimately wasted, saying, “who that lives here wants to schlep it and fight the crowds and traffic to get there for what…?”

However, even the haters admitted there are bright spots. The Shakespeare Theater, the Children’s Museum, the incredible skyline views, and the boat architecture tours all got a pass.

So, the verdict on Navy Pier is complicated: go for the right reasons, but maybe skip the food court and the giant margarita.

A Tale of Two Towers: The Sky-High Rip-Offs

Everyone wants that stunning skyline photo, but locals warn you to choose your observation deck wisely.

The Willis (Sears) Tower Skydeck was slammed for its long lines and being overrun with “influencers all over the place trying to get the perfect shot of themselves.”

Over at the Hancock Center, the 360 Tilt was called a “complete waste of money.” For about 60 seconds of leaning, many felt it was a ridiculously expensive gimmick.

Dishonorable Mentions

A few other Chicago mainstays got caught in the crossfire:

Portillo’s: This one hurts, but many feel it’s been “straight trash” since the original family sold the company. The quality just isn’t what it used to be.

Immersive Art Shows (like Virtual Van Gogh): Cool for a date night, maybe, but most found them shockingly expensive and underwhelming compared to seeing the real art at our world-class Art Institute.

Giordano’s: The deep-dish debate rages on, but many locals argue that the super-doughy, cheese-heavy pies from the big chains are purely for tourists. Real Chicago pizza, they claim, is the cracker-thin tavern-style cut into squares.

So, what do you think? Did the internet get it right?

What’s YOUR pick for Chicago’s most overrated experience? And more importantly, what’s a touristy spot that you secretly love and think is totally worth it?