33 Tourist Traps Locals Love

Living in a top tourist destination can be as irritating as it is magical. Some places are so overrun with visitors that they've restricted or encouraged them to stay away entirely as tourists flocking to see a city's world-famous attractions can often become an inconvenience to locals if not an outright threat to those very attractions.

While many locals have come to hate some famous landmarks, there are those that truly do hold enough charm that even the locals can't stay away for too long. There is a reason certain buildings, structures, markets, amusement parks, and restaurants have become so popular; locals are often the first to discover their charm and, often, locals are the ones who have the most pride in them. Despite being considered "tourist traps" by many, these 33 attractions are still a hit with the locals.

Open since 1843, Tivoli Gardens is the second oldest amusement park in the world and also serves as a pleasure garden, hosting events, carnivals, food vendors, and shows enjoyed by both tourists and locals alike. Wintertime is especially magical here, which is just one reason why Copenhagen is one of the best Christmas cities in the world.

San Diego Zoo is one of the most famous zoos in the world, home to more than 3,700 animals from over 650 species and subspecies. One of the first zoos to have an open-air exhibit in which animals live in more natural habitats rather than cages, it's also one of the few places in the world where you can actually see a giant panda.

Probably the best spot for classic New York-style pizza, John's of Bleecker Street is one of America's top pizzerias. Founded by an Italian immigrant in 1929, it continues to bake its pizzas in a coal-fired brick oven to this day with all sorts of toppings available — pepperoni, ground sausage, sliced meatball, anchovies, mushrooms, onions, peppers, basil, ricotta, black olives, garlic, and sliced or roasted tomatoes. You won't be able to order a slice here, however; the iconic New York institution only serves whole pies.

Take a summer trip to this island located on Lake Huron between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan, known for its automobile ban and famous fudge. Mackinac (pronounced MAK-i-naw) is a great place to go biking, hiking, paddling, or horse-riding, and both fishing and golfing are popular endeavors as well.

The first Disney theme park, Disneyland in California is one of the happiest places on Earth no matter where you're from. Discover the park's many "lands" such as Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Mickey's Toon Town, and the amazing new attraction Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. A Disney vacation can get quite expensive, so locals tend to purchase annual passes, whereas visitors can always get discounted multi-day admission.

The beautiful town of Newport is known for its mansions and gorgeous coastline, making it a popular weekend getaway. Its famous cliff walk — a public walkway that's 3.5 miles long and runs along that coastline and past the town's mansions — has some of the most scenic views on the Eastern Seaboard, which can be great for a calming stroll or a romantic date.

The Grand Canyon is undeniably beautiful and one of the greatest natural landmarks in the country. Beautiful natural scenery, stunning rock formations, and interesting critters make for fantastic hiking, and the Grand Canyon National Park has plenty of tours and events throughout the year.

Founded by the son of Rudy Malnati, known for helping develop the recipe for Chicago's deep-dish pizza, Lou Malnati's Pizzeria is one of the absolute best pizzerias in the country — and probably the top spot for deep-dish. The most popular order is the Malnati Chicago Classic, which has lean sausage, vine-ripened tomato sauce, and extra mozzarella.

Located on the South Bank of the River Thames, the London Eye gives a wonderful view of the city. This top London attraction has won more than 85 awards in national and international tourism, making it an absolute must for everyone.

A top California attraction, not only is the Griffith Observatory an iconic part of Los Angeles, but it gives you great views of other equally famous local spots such as the Hollywood sign, the Capitol Records Tower, and downtown L.A. Not only is the observatory free but it's a great spot to relax, and it also has scientific exhibits for guests to enjoy.

This legendary D.C. food establishment is known for having some of the best hot dogs, as well as the best chili in the country. People from around the country make sure to stop at Ben's Chili Bowl when in the nation's capital, as can be seen from the long lines trailing out the door, but locals haven't stopped eating here either. Famous faces spotted at Ben's include Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton, Denzel Washington, and Bruno Mars.

An indoor public market in the city center of Philadelphia, Reading Terminal Market has been open since 1893 and has over 100 merchants to choose from. Its culinary options are particularly notable, with some of the best food and drink in Pennsylvania having a presence here, and if you come on a Thursday, you can even get free samples.

The Celestial Seasonings tea plant offers free 45-minute guided tours that go through the entire process of how their tea is made, and visitors tend to enjoy their free samples of different types of teas as well as their art gallery consisting of artwork made from Celestial Seasonings tea boxes. In addition to the factory tour and its free goodies, locals also enjoy coming here for the tea shop.

The largest open-air food market in America, Smorgasburg is located in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, offering up cuisine from around the world with 100 local vendors. Setting up shop on the Williamsburg waterfront on Saturdays and in Prospect Park on the Sundays when it's nice out, Smorgasburg goes indoors with just 25 vendors for the winter.

This Los Angeles neighborhood is known for its canals, as well as its colorful beach and boardwalk. A 2.5-mile stretch full of quirky street performers, interesting shops, and colorful murals, the Ocean Front Walk is a hotspot for locals, tourists, and even celebrities.

Navy Pier is an iconic Chicago landmark that attracts nearly 9 million visitors every year, as there's quite a bit to do here. In addition to its famous Ferris wheel and rides such as the carousel and Pepsi Wave Swinger, the pier also has attractions such as an indoor botanical garden and Chicago Children's Museum.