20 American tourist traps that are actually worth your time and money

There’s a fine line between must-see attraction and overrated tourist trap. Some of the most iconic landmarks in the world are overrun and overcrowded simply due to their popularity. But that’s just it – they’re popular for a reason.

USA TODAY content partner GoBankingRates.com has rounded up 20 tourist attractions that are well worth visiting, especially if you go in the offseason and research beforehand to avoid getting ripped off.

You can click through the gallery at the top of this story for justifications as to why each is worth your time and money (along with how much you can expect to spend) but here's a quick look at the list:

1. Alcatraz Island (San Francisco)

2. Boot Hill Museum (Dodge City, Kansas)

3. The Breakers (Newport, Rhode Island)

4. Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky)

5. Disney World (Orlando, Florida)

6. Empire State Building Observatory (New York)

7. Fenway Park (Boston)

8. Franklin Barbecue (Austin, Texas)

9. Gateway Arch (St. Louis)

10. Grand Canyon Skywalk (Grand Canyon, Arizona)

11. The House on the Rock (Spring Green, Wisconsin)

12. Luray Caverns (Luray, Virginia)

13. Maid of the Mist (Niagara Falls, New York)

14. Portland Japanese Garden (Portland, Oregon)

15. The Rink at Rockefeller Center (New York)

16. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland)

17. San Diego Zoo 

18 . Space Needle (Seattle)

19.  Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (New York)

20. Universal Studios Hollywood (Universal City, California)