Before you arrive at any major tourist destination, event or monument you face the prospect that what you’ll see and experience will, or will not, meet your expectations. However, there are a few places in the world, including the four well-known tourist attractions below, that despite their popularity, massive crowds and commercialization won’t disappoint, irrespective of how high a person’s expectations are for that place.

1. Niagara Falls (North America)


Spanning the international border between Canada and the United States, Niagara Falls is a place that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Comprised of three spectacular waterfalls, it is a true display of beauty that is world renowned as a valuable source of hydroelectric power. To really get the most out of a trip to the Falls, it’s a good idea to spend at least a night or two in one of the nicer hotels in Niagara Falls that ideally have a view of the Falls (as we did a couple years ago). Because the Falls span two different countries, they can be seen from the American and the Canadian side; whichever side you choose to view them from will totally depend on your itinerary and travel preferences.

And while we’re talking about breathtaking waterfalls, here’s a post on our visit to perhaps the less-well know but most stunning of all: Iguazu Falls in South America

2. Angkor Wat (Cambodia)


You’ve most likely heard a lot about the grandeur of Angkor Wat, but visitors to the area say that nothing can quite prepare a person for the feelings of awe that are felt when the sun peeks over one of the world’s most intriguing religious beacons. There are as many as 200 stunningly impressive temples that can be found in and around the area of Angkor Wat, all of which were constructed between the 9th and 15th centuries. To get around the area and really make the most out of the visit you’ll need to have one battery-operated fan and three full days to explore the 1,000 square kilometers of the former Khmer Empire. Although it is one of the most hyped set of ruins in the world, Angkor Wat was not built to disappoint.

3. The Great Barrier Reef (Australia)


Officially named as the largest reef system on earth, the Great Barrier Reef is comprised of almost 3,000 reefs that are encompassed within the 2,600 kilometer area of land that it covers. Visible from space and adored by nature lovers, the Great Barrier Reef is described as one of the most beautiful and magical places on earth. An immense 1,500 types of fish and in excess of 400 types of coral call the area home making an underwater camera the absolute must-have accessory to pack in your suitcase when visiting the reef.

4. Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)


Located along the Zambezi River between the borders of Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is a spectacular waterfall that is a staggering 354 feet high. Even though it is neither the tallest nor the widest waterfall on earth, it is most definitely one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in the world. A tourist attraction that is visited by thousands of people each year, the waterfall is made accessible by both train and bus, and it’s rather cheap to visit considering the amazing spectacle that is witnessed on arrival.

All tourist attractions do not live up to the hype that surrounds them. In fact, there are a large number of popular attractions around the world that regularly leave its visitors feeling severely underwhelmed and unimpressed. The 4 attractions that are outlined above are visited by millions of people each year and given the fact that they’re some of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, they most definitely live up to the hype that surrounds them.