(NEXSTAR) — Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the tourist attractions. But is there anything that’s not worth promoting? We hear from Texans.
Business Insider previously named Amarillo’s The Big Texan restaurant as the most overrated tourist attraction in Texas, calling the food “extremely mediocre” and commenting that the entire event feels like a fake cliché. Business Insider dislikes the attraction so much that a few years ago it named it one of the worst tourist traps in the state, recommending that visitors visit its booth at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo for a better experience.
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Recently, a question was posed on the Texas subreddit: “What are the worst ‘tourist traps’ in the whole of Texas?” Below are some of the most popular and most voted answers.
Downtown Aquarium
Located at 410 Bagby St., this downtown Houston attraction is one of the most mentioned Texas tourist attractions that many say isn’t worth the trouble. Houston’s Downtown Aquarium features a variety of marine exhibits, rides and food, but some Texans say all of its 500,000 gallons of aquatic habitats have washed up.
“The Houston ‘Aquarium’ is just a run-of-the-mill restaurant with a giant fish tank and some sad cats,” one Reddit user wrote. “It’s the worst. Visitors are surprised to find out there’s a real aquarium in Galveston.”
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Another user felt equally strongly: “This is the worst restaurant in Houston and the worst aquarium in North America.”
Some Texans recommended several alternative destinations, including the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi (“amazing,” according to one Reddit user) and the Dallas World Aquarium.
HOUSTON – NOVEMBER 4: Houston Downtown Aquarium on November 4, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
Magnolia Market/The Silo
Sorry, Chip and Joanna lovers.
HGTV power couple Chip and Joanna Gaines have built a home decor/lifestyle empire in the heart of Waco, but not everyone loves Magnolia’s furniture stores, food, shopping and wait times.
“I simply cannot fathom standing in line for two hours in Waco for an overpriced chicken salad sandwich,” one Reddit user opined. “Just incredibly stupid.”
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While many agree that the Gaineses’ presence and investment in the area has been a great boost to local business, people on the Texas subreddit as a whole find it unappealing given the time it would take.
“There’s no way I’d drive to a rebranded Williams & Sonoma with an AstroTurf seating area for my kids to play,” joked one Texan, while another called it an “overpriced general store.”
Other Waco attractions recommended by Reddit users include the Dr. Pepper Museum, Waco Mammoth National Monument, and Mayborn Museum, Baylor University’s natural science museum.
Crowds gather at Magnolia Market at the Silos complex in Waco, Texas. (Ross Haley/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
6th Avenue
Austin’s most iconic party street is known throughout Texas and around the world as a place where college students, spring breakers and bachelorette weekenders hang out. But for many Texans, the party on 6th Street is long gone.
This chaotic and sometimes dangerous area of Austin is always crowded with people walking along closed roads, with live music blaring from nearby, and in years past, locals have probably also noticed a larger police presence in the area.
“It’s dirty, it’s dangerous, it’s expensive and the music isn’t that good,” said one Reddit user.
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In another Reddit thread from a few months ago, many Texans listed alternatives to 6th Avenue, such as the East Austin neighborhood (and East 6th Street) and the East Cesar Chavez neighborhood, plus several bars along Webberville Road were recommended, including the outdoor poolside bar Kitty Cohen’s.
AUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 6: Austin Police officers patrol 6th Street, one of the busiest nightlife districts in Austin, Texas, on Friday, November 6, 2021. Austin Police officers must speak to the public, watch for and break up fights, and respond to calls throughout the night. Bars in Austin must close at 2 AM and 6th Street must clear and reopen by 2:30 AM. (Photo by Spencer Selvidge for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Big Texan
We won’t criticize this Amarillo restaurant too much, since it’s already been covered by Business Insider, but the restaurant, home of the 72-ounce steak challenge, is also one of the restaurants Reddit users named as tourist spots to avoid.
Despite its mention on the subreddit, it had its defenders, or at least some who enjoyed the staple elements.
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One user replied: “I think the appeal of Big Texan is the excitement you get while driving. I think Amarillo has great dining options. Big Texan has the atmosphere we want after an 8 hour drive. And the food…isn’t terrible.”
“So true!” another commenter agreed. “A cold beer and a decent meal is a godsend and so much better than the fast food I had 8 hours ago.”
An alternative to “The Big Texan” is Calico County Restaurant, also in Amarillo, which serves home-style cooking.
Big Texan Steak Ranch Route 66 Amarillo Texas
Back Ease
There are a few things most Texans can agree on, and Texas’ beloved gas station chain, Buc-ee’s, is usually one of them. Whether you’re looking for the company’s famously clean restrooms or a plethora of ready-to-eat snacks, a stop at Buc-ee’s has something for everyone.
But as it turns out, not everyone is crazy about Bieber.
“I used to enjoy Buc-ees over a decade ago, before it became popular on social media,” one Reddit user said. “Now it’s so unbearably crowded, all day, every day, that I no longer think to stop by.”
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Other replies echoed the crowded roadside stops and complained about the behavior of the crowded crowds at stores: “The shopping centre always seems to be full of people who have never been there before. The traffic patterns also work differently than any other mall or retail store I’ve ever been to,” one user quipped.
One of the most highly rated alternatives is Woody’s Smokehouse in Centerville. Other alternatives include Prasek’s Family Smokehouse (one location off U.S. Highway 59 in El Campo and one off SW I-10 in Sealy) and Potter Country Store in Schulenburg.
JOHNSTOWN, Colorado – MARCH 18: A Buc-ees Travel Center opened in Johnstown, Colorado on March 18, 2024. Founded in 1982, Buc-ees has 34 stores in Texas and 14 in other states. The Johnstown store marks Buc-ees’ debut in Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
The Alamo
Last but not least, we remember the Alamo.
It may be one of Texas’ most well-known and world-famous landmarks, but as the site of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo (a War of Independence defeat against Mexico), San Antonio may not live up to your expectations.
“The Alamo was definitely not as impressive as I thought it would be,” one Reddit user pointed out. “It was kind of small, tucked away in a downtown square, with Ripley’s Unbelievable Truth across the street.”
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Another Texan agreed, adding: “San Antonio’s other missions are much more impressive architecturally. They have museums and exhibits reflecting mission life, local Tejano/Indigenous culture and artifacts. [can be] You can freely explore.”
For historical tourism, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is a good choice. The park offers ranger-led educational programs as well as tours of four local Spanish missions: Mission Concepcion, Mission San Juan, Mission San Jose, and Mission Espada. Some Texas Reddit users say the missions included in the national park are “more of a ‘preserved historic’ type experience,” less modern in location and more expansive in surroundings.
San Antonio’s Alamo and bronze statue at night (Photo by PorqueNoStudios/Getty Images)
Famous Texas locations that are considered overrated include the East Texas desert city of Marfa, Fredericksburg, the heart of Hill Country Wine Weekend, and the Texas Renaissance Festival.
What famous tourist attraction in Texas have absolutely no interest for you?
