25 Top Tourist Attractions in the USA Last updated on May 29, 2017 in USA 18 Comments As one of the largest and most diverse countries in the world, The United States boast an amazing amount of tourist destinations ranging from the skyscrapers of New York and Chicago, the natural wonders of Yellowstone and Alaska to the sunny beaches of California, Florida and Hawaii. With so many tourist attractions in the USA it’s tempting to list entire cities or even states, but in this top 25 I have tried to focus on specific attractions.

1. 25 Top Tourist Attractions in the USA
Last updated on May 29, 2017 in USA 18 Comments
As one of the largest and most diverse countries in the world, The United States
boast an amazing amount of tourist destinations ranging from the skyscrapers of
New York and Chicago, the natural wonders of Yellowstone and Alaska to the
sunny beaches of California, Florida and Hawaii. With so many tourist attractions
in the USA it’s tempting to list entire cities or even states, but in this top 25 I have
tried to focus on specific attractions.
25. Mount Rushmore

2. Perhaps the most unmistakably American landmark is Mount Rushmore, a
national memorial located in South Dakota. Constructed in the early 20th century,
Mount Rushmore depicts the faces of four former American presidents, each of
which is carved and blasted from the side of a rock face. Visitors can admire the
larger-than-life faces of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Abraham
Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. The short Presidential Trail at the base of
Mount Rushmore provides better views and an interesting perspective on the
landmark.

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24. Pike Place Market (Seattle)

4. flickr/Mobilus In Mobili
Overlooking the waterfront of Elliott Bay in Seattle, Washington, is the Pike Place
Market. Opened in 1907, the market is now a historic, iconic part of the city. Pike
Place Market is the ultimate place to shop in Seattle, because it is full of the
oldest establishments in the region. There are markets where fresh fish straight
from the Puget Sound gets tossed dramatically, cheesemongers who offer
tastings of locally made brie and camembert and then there is the site of the
original Starbucks coffee shop.

5. 23. Venice Beach (Los Angeles)
flickr/NickiMM
No visit to Los Angeles is complete without a trip to Venice Beach. Its canals and
beaches are spectacular, but the biggest hit is undeniably the Venice Beach
Boardwalk. This is a truly entertaining spot where street performers juggle,
dance, sculpt and sing for passersby. Shop for souvenirs, grab a refreshing drink

6. and bring some small bills for a stroll on the boardwalk. After stopping to admire
a live performer, many visitors tip a dollar or two to show appreciation.
22. Mesa Verde
The Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado is home to the preserved homes of
the Ancestral Pueblo people. Many of these homes, which are carved right from
caves and rock faces, date back to the early 13th century. Today, it is possible to

7. walk beneath the overhanging cliffs and tour these ancient abodes. The Balcony
House is especially well preserved, and it boasts 40 rooms that are accessible
exclusively by ladder. The nearby Cliff Palace is even bigger, and it is believed to
have housed more than 100 people in its 150 original rooms.
21. Faneuil Hall (Boston)
flickr/Allie_Caulfield

8. One of the most historic destinations in Boston, a city already full of heritage, is
Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Also known as the Cradle of Liberty, this early 18th
century structure served as a space where early leaders gathered to fight against
oppression in the years before and during the American Revolutionary War.
Today, touring Faneuil Hall Marketplace means lots of opportunity to shop for
local produce and desserts in the indoor and outdoor marketplace.
20. Kennedy Space Center

9. flickr/nasa hq
Cape Canaveral, located on the coast of Florida, boasts a lot of space-related
attractions. One of the best is the Kennedy Space Center, which has been the
launch site for every US human space flight since 1968 and currently operates as
a launch site for unmanned rockets. Visitors can learn more about the early
pioneers into space, and they can also experience the tension and excitement
over the rush to the moon. There is even the chance to participate in the Shuttle
Launch Experience, which replicates the experience of space travel.

10. 19. Navy Pier (Chicago)
photo/Navy Pier
Extending over the waters of Lake Michigan is Navy Pier, an enormous pier in
the heart of Chicago’s coastal Streeterville neighborhood. Within the pier, there
are countless attractions suited to the whole family. Beautifully manicured
gardens are the ideal place for a scenic stroll, and lots of souvenir shops are a
wonderful way to snag gifts on a vacation to Chicago. The pier is also home to
the Chicago Children’s Museum, two theaters and an abundance of excellent
restaurants.

11. 18. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
flickr/MiguelVieira

12. Straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina is the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park. The park is the most visited in the entire
country, thanks in large part to its enormous size and its incredible scenery.
Visitors can hike through old growth forest, spot hundreds of species of birds and
check out the two visitor centers. Hikes can also wind through trails that lead to
the waterfalls of Laurel Falls and the vistas of Clingman’s Dome.
17. River Walk (San Antonio) (Where to Stay)

13. In the city of San Antonio, Texas, there are few attractions more appealing than
the River Walk. Also known as the Paseo del Rio, the River Walk is a network of
walkways lining the San Antonio River. Reserved for pedestrians, the revitalized
area is packed with fascinating architecture, lush greenery and water views. The
River Walk is a hub for dining and culinary exploration in this Texan city. It is
possible to dig into Tex-Mex cuisine, upscale French fare and everything in
between in this one easily navigable destination.

14. 16. Carlsbad Caverns
flickr/SamuraiCatJB
As the name suggests, Carlsbad Caverns is a collection of over 115 caves.
Located in southern New Mexico, these caverns are carved from limestone, and
it is possible for visitors to descend more than 900 feet (275 meters) below the
surface of the earth on a guided tour. The largest single cave chamber in all of
North America is found here and is known as the Big Room. Within the room

15. itself, visitors can set off on a 90-minute walk exploring the incredible
underground environment.
15. Bryce Canyon National Park
Located in Southern Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park is a breathtaking display
of rock formations. Technically, Bryce Canyon isn’t a canyon, but a series of
natural amphitheaters. Mormon settlers once called the canyon home, but now

16. most visitors come for the awe-inspiring views and the magnificent hiking
opportunities. Sunset Point is one of the most popular vantage points, offering
panoramic views of the red, yellow and orange rock formations. Queen’s Garden
Trail is another favorite, because it offers green trees amongst the red rocks for a
brilliant juxtaposition.
14. French Quarter (New Orleans) (Where to Stay)

17. New Orleans, Louisiana, is made up of several unique districts, but none is so
famous as the French Quarter. Also known as the Vieux Carre, the French
Quarter truly explores the rich French colonial influences on the city of New
Orleans. Incredible architecture abounds, with the St. Louis Cathedral being the
main attraction. The French Quarter boasts the Moon Walk, a paved walkway
next to the Mississippi River, as well as Bourbon Street, the undeniable hub of
nightlife, drinking and entertainment in the city.
13. Sedona Red Rock Country (Where to Stay)

18. A two-hour drive north of Phoenix is Sedona, Arizona. Sedona isn’t a big city, but
it is a major tourist attraction in the USA thanks to its gorgeous red rock
landscape. Known as Red Rock Country, this region is an outdoor lover’s dream.
Countless canyons, creeks and paths encourage outdoor activity, with Cathedral
Rock Trail being one of the local favorite hiking spots. One of the most interesting
spots in Sedona combines the new with the old, with the contemporary Chapel of
the Holy Cross built right into the side of the red rocks themselves.

19. 12. Walt Disney World (Orlando) (Where to Stay)
flickr/Etrusia UK
Orlando, Florida, is a hub of amusement parks, but none is so popular as Walt
Disney World. Many travelers don’t realize that Walt Disney World is actually
made up of several distinct theme parks, including the Magic Kingdom, Epcot,
Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and the Blizzard Beach Water Park. Visitors

20. will be able to enjoy thrill rides, watch Broadway-quality shows and explore the
nightlife, cuisine, shopping and entertainment at Disney Springs.
11. Yosemite National Park (Where to Stay)
flickr/*~Dawn~*
In the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, there is Yosemite National Park.
This extraordinary destination is known the world over for its amazing scenery.
Within this single park, visitors can peer off spectacular granite cliffs, admire

21. clear waterfalls and see sequoia trees that are hundreds of years old. Yosemite
Valley is a top spot to explore in the park, because it boasts the enormous
Yosemite Falls as well as the granite monolith called Half Dome.
10. White House (Washington D.C.) (Where to Stay)

22. wikipedia/Wikipedia
The White House in Washington DC is the official residence and office of the
President of the United States. It was built between 1792 and 1800 and first used
by President John Adams. After the 9/11 attacks it has become more difficult to
visit the White House and today tours are available only for groups of 10 or more

23. and must be requested up to six months in advance through your member of
Congress or your country’s US Ambassador.
9. Denali National Park (Where to Stay)
flickr/Denali NPS
The Denali National Park and Preserve is located in Interior Alaska and contains
Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in North America. The word “Denali”

24. means “the high one” in the native Athabaskan language and refers to Mount
McKinley. In addition, the park protects an incredible wilderness area that
contains grizzly bears, caribou, moose, wolves, and numerous other creatures.
8. Las Vegas Strip (Where to Stay)
flickr/Thomas Hawk

25. The gambling mecca of the world, Las Vegas is situated in the midst of the
southern Nevada desert landscape. Casinos can be found throughout Las
Vegas, but the strip, a stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard South, contains the most
of them. It features giant mega-casino hotels, decorated with lavish care and
attention to detail to create a fantasy-like atmosphere. The casinos often have
names and themes that evoke romance, mystery, and far-away destination.
7. Florida Keys

26. flickr/Wonderful_World
The Florida Keys are a 120 mile long chain of tropical islands curving around the
base of the Floridapeninsula, connected to the mainland by a series of bridges.
The most spectacular bridge, the Seven Mile Bridge in the Lower Keys, has been
frequently used as a location for films including True Lies and Fast 2 Furious. US
Highway 1, the “Overseas Highway” runs from Key Largo, Islamadora, Marathon,
Lower Keys and finally to Key West, the most distant and most famous island.

27. 6. Kilauea
flickr/Birchster
Kilauea is the most recent of a series of volcanoes that have created the
Hawaiian Archipelago. It is a very low, flat shield volcano, vastly different in
profile from the high, sharply sloping peaks of stratovolcanoes. Kilauea is one of
the most active volcano on the Earth, an invaluable resource for volcanologists.

28. Thirty-three eruptions have taken place since 1952, not including the current
eruption which started on January 3, 1983 and is still ongoing.
5. Niagara Falls (Where to Stay)
Situated between the state of New York and the province of Ontario, Niagara
Falls is one of the most spectacular natural wonders on the North American
continent. Niagara Falls is actually three different falls, the American Falls, Bridal
Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls. Horseshoe Falls is located on the Canadian side

29. while the other are located in New York. With more than 14 million visitors each
year it is one of the most visited tourist attraction in the world.
4. Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco) (Where to Stay)
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the
strait between San Francisco and Marin County to the north. The Golden Gate
Bridge was the longest suspension bridge span in the world when it was

30. completed in 1937, and has become an internationally recognized symbol of San
Francisco and California. The famous red-orange color of the bridge was
specifically chosen to make the bridge more easily visible through the thick fog
that frequently shrouds the bridge.
3. Yellowstone (Where to Stay)
flickr/Jim Trodel
Yellowstone National Park was the world’s first national park, set aside in 1872 to
preserve the vast number of geysers, hot springs, and other thermal areas, as
well as to protect the incredible wildlife and rugged beauty of the

31. area. Yellowstone lies on top of a gigantic hotspot where light, hot, molten mantle
rock rises towards the surface. Subsequently, the park contains half of all the
world’s known geothermal features, with more than 10,000 examples of geysers
and hot springs. In addition, black bears, grizzly bears, deer, elk, bison and
wolves can all be found within the park borders.
Read More: Top Attractions in Yellowstone
2. Manhattan
flickr/nosha
Manhattan is one of New York’s five boroughs and is what people most often
think of when they picture New York City. It’s familiar skyline and sights have
been featured a thousand times on screen. Walk in the shadow of the
skyscrapers, picture the Statue of Liberty, see a Broadway show , climb the

32. Empire State building, stroll Central Park, window shop on 5th Avenue or stagger
around a museum.
1. Grand Canyon (Where to Stay)
The Grand Canyon is located in northern Arizona and is one of the great tourist
attractions in the United States. Carved over several million years by the
Colorado River, the canyon attains a depth of over 1.6 km (1 mile) and 446 km

33. (277 miles) long. The Grand Canyon is not the deepest or the longest canyon in
the world but the overwhelming size and its intricate and colorful landscape offers
visitor spectacular vistas that are unmatched throughout the world.