The U.S. Has Four of the Fakest Cities in the World

According to a new study, America might be leading the world in more than just fast food and reality TV—we’re now officially home to four of the fakest cities on the planet.

A ranking from travel insurance provider InsureAndGo analyzed over 1.3 million Google Maps reviews across 144 global cities, looking for mentions of “authentic,” “local,” or “traditional” experiences—and trying to avoid words like “tourist trap” and “overpriced.” The result? A list of the 10 least authentic cities in the world. And taking the top (or bottom?) spot: Chicago, Illinois.

Yep, Chicago was crowned the world’s #1 least authentic city, edging out famously over-touristed places like Venice, Italy, and Las Vegas, Nevada, which landed at #2 and #3, respectively. In total, four U.S. cities made the list, with Nashville (at #4) and Boston (at #6) also getting called out for being more “for show” than substance.

Here’s the full list of the world’s fakest destinations:

1. Chicago, Illinois
2. Venice, Italy
3. Las Vegas, Nevada
4. Nashville, Tennessee
5. Hobart, Australia
6. Boston, Massachusetts
7. London, England
8. Singapore
9. Sydney, Australia
10. Brussels, Belgium

If you’re surprised that Los Angeles didn’t make the cut, you’re not alone. The report jokingly nods to that irony—L.A. might be so inauthentic, it’s actually authentic at this point.

Meanwhile, cities topping the most authentic list include Bogotá, Colombia; Lima, Peru; and Taipei, Taiwan. Not a single American city cracked the top 20 for authenticity. Ouch.

So what makes a city feel fake to travelers? According to the study’s metrics, it’s all about the vibe: is your experience shaped by overpriced souvenir shops, gimmicky attractions, and cookie-cutter tours? Or are you getting something that feels real and rooted in local culture?

Either way, maybe this is a sign that it’s time to venture a little farther off the beaten path. Or at the very least, skip the $20 tourist trap hot dog and try something the locals actually eat.