When researching attractions to visit on your vacation, many of us aim for historic sites, places of cultural significance, and places of natural beauty.
But, there are other must-see destinations with a slightly more unusual draw.
Whether you like morbid, dangerous or downright scary tourism, dark tourism is slowly gaining popularity.
After all, who doesn’t want to experience the weirder parts of human culture.
And, a subset of this type of tourism is the gross, seedy, and creepy.
We took a look at some of the world’s most disgusting tourist attractions – here’s what we found.
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The gum wall
(Image: Getty Images)
For some, chewing gum is not so unpleasant.
Of course, no one likes to be stuck in their shoes on a hot day, but when all is said and done, there are worse things in the world.
What if we told you that there is a wall in the United States that is covered in thousands of chewing gum chewed by hundreds of people?
Imagine how much saliva is stuck to this unusual attraction…. uh.
Based in Seattle, Washington, the Gum Wall sees locals stick their used gum on the brick wall near the city’s iconic Pike Place Market.
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It is said to have been started by people throwing away their chewing gum upon entering a nearby comedy club.
But now it’s covered in multicolored chewing gum that’s stuck in stalactites of spitting wonder.
Disgusting Food Museum
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While the name of this bizarre tourist attraction reveals what you’ll find inside, this museum is home to 80 of the world’s nastiest foods.
So picky eaters are advised to steer clear!
The Disgusting Food Museum, based in Sweden, opens visitors’ eyes to exotic and fascinating foods from around the world.
But, more specifically, it focuses on 80 dishes that incite feelings of revulsion.
The website reads: “Disgust is one of the six basic human emotions. While emotion is universal, the foods we find disgusting are not.
“What is delicious for one person may be revolting for another. The Disgusting Food Museum invites visitors to explore the world of food and challenge their notions of what is and what is not edible. “
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Inside, you’ll find specialties like Casu Marzu – a maggot-infested cheese from Sardinia – Hákarl – a well-aged shark from Iceland – and Cuy – roasted guinea pigs from Peru.
You’ll need a strong stomach to get through this one.
Avanos Hair Museum
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Yet another attraction dedicated to an oddly specific cause, this Turkish diversion was founded by Galip and is one of the most interesting destinations in the country.
The museum contains hair – lots of hair.
In fact, it now displays over 16,000 female hair specimens.
It all started 35 years ago with a French woman’s haircut after visiting a pottery workshop and falling in love with Galip.
When she had to return to her country, she left it with a section of her braids hanging on the studio wall.
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Since then, women who have visited the workshop have been impressed by the story and have left a selection of their own hair – building a museum that adds to each woman who chooses to donate her own locks.
The Hair Museum is cavernous and littered with hair and pottery,
While it’s not disgusting to everyone, anyone bothered by random hairs trailing on the walls may be a little put off.
bellaturca.com/avanos-hair-museum/
Tarantula Trek
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Arachnophobes should avoid this one for fear of wanting to rub their skin.
In Mount Diablo State Park, California, there is a time of year when spider enemies should stay away.
From September to October, mating season for the park’s tarantula begins and the hillsides are covered in a frenzy of male spiders looking for females.
You will need to exercise caution to avoid the furry arachnids and you may get chills.
For people who love spiders, tours and hikes can be booked – but you’ll need to book years in advance as they’ve proven popular with those who love the weird and wonderful side of nature.
