The best travel experiences happen when you get off the beaten track, but that doesn't mean all so-called tourist traps are no-nos. While many are overcrowded and underwhelming, a choice few are worth their inherent hassles.
So here are 10 that we love in spite of ourselves, crowds and all.
Niagara Falls, New York And Ontario
Say what you will about the casinos and restaurants built up around the Niagara River, but there's no dampening our enthusiasm for the natural spectacle of North America's mightiest waterfall.
We love Niagara Falls for its views, its accessibility, and for the Maid of the Mist, which gets you as close to the falls as possible (short of an ill-advised barrel ride).
We think Niagara is especially enchanting at night when the sky is lit with fireworks or rainbow-colored lights.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Best experienced after days of walking the fabled Inca Trail, the sudden appearance of the Lost City of the Incas through the mountain mist is a once-in-a-lifetime thrill.
And while it feels great to earn your visit with sore muscles and fresh blisters, you're unlikely to regret the trip no matter how you get there.
(The train from nearby Cusco will do the trick just fine.) Don't sweat the crowds, either; the Peruvian government limits visitors to just 2,500 per day.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
The Grand Canyon swells with visitors in the summer months, but you don't have to venture very far to leave the maddening crowds behind.
Park rangers say an average visit to the South Rim lasts about 15 minutes, and most people never leave the rim. We think the park is best explored on foot or by pack animal.
Even if you only have a few hours, take one of the well-marked trails from the South Rim to see this geological phenomenon up close.
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