Top 7 Best Tourist Attractions In The US, Per Travel Experts

Gearing up and planning for your summer road trip is a great feeling of anticipation and excitement. America is filled with great vacation spots and tourist attractions. From coast to coast, every state has at least one great tourist destination. Whether it’s the beaches, the mountains, or the plains, you’re sure to find a beautiful place around America worthy of your vacation time. As you search for fun places to visit and exciting activities to plan, we’re here to give you some ideas with the best tourist attractions in the U.S.

So, where do we begin? StudyFinds did the digging, consulting 10 travel and tourism websites to bring you a consensus list of the best tourist attractions in the U.S. Our list comprises the seven most frequently listed attractions across these sites. Do you think we missed a hidden gem of an attraction? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!

1. Grand Canyon

Topping the list of the best tourist attractions in the United States is none other than the Grand Canyon. It’s one of the most spectacular sights on Earth, so it stands to reason that people flock from all over the globe to take in its majestic beauty. The Grand Canyon is truly one of America’s greatest natural wonders, says U.S. News and World Report.

The Grand Canyon has been carved out by the Colorado River and the forces of nature, over millions of years. TourScanner calls the Grand Canyon “nature’s magnum opus” for a reason. The first time you lay eyes on the Grand Canyon, expect to have your breath taken away by its size and magnificence. One thing you’ll immediately notice is the layers of red rock which reveal millions of years of geologic history.

The canyon is roughly one mile deep and over 277 miles long, explains Touropia. However, the best place to take in the majestic sight is at Grand Canyon National Park. Although the Grand Canyon is not the world’s deepest or largest canyon, the rock layers combined with the stunning views and the Colorado River make it one of the most spectacular attractions in America.

2. Yellowstone

Following the Grand Canyon is Yellowstone National Park. As Attractions of America describes, Yellowstone is the most famous and popular of all the national parks for a reason. From hiking to snowmobiling, Yellowstone is one of the premier family vacation destinations in the country.

World Atlas calls Yellowstone “a spectacular sight to behold.” The majority of the park is located in Wyoming and sits on a dormant volcano, which helps it offer one of the largest collections of hot springs and natural geysers in the entire world. The park also features Yellowstone Lake and more than 900 miles of hiking trails. For bicycle enthusiasts, Yellowstone has you covered as well. Enjoy a scenic bike ride up Fountain Freight Road which leads through a section of the Midway Geyser Basin. Undoubtedly, Yellowstone offers recreational activities for all types of nature enthusiasts.

Yellowstone spans more than 3,000 square miles, notes Private Tour. The park has remained untouched for centuries and those preservation efforts mean everyone can enjoy the park as if you’re seeing it for the first time. From wildlife such as elks, buffaloes, wolves, and grizzly bears to more than 3,000 square miles of waterfalls, canyons, geysers, and mountains, Yellowstone is truly one of the can’t-miss tourist attractions in the United States.

3. Walt Disney World

If all these nature parks have you pining for a rollercoaster or a fun park, you’ll love the next attraction – Walt Disney World. Walt Disney World is located in Orlando, Florida and it draws millions upon millions of visitors from all over the globe, every year. It is the top family attraction in America, notes Planet Ware. Although this amusement park officially opened in 1971, Walt Disney World has been able to maintain its allure for family members of all ages.

As Explore explains, Walt Disney World is comprised of water parks, hotels, resorts, golf courses, camping grounds, and four theme parks – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. To go with all of these attractions, Walt Disney World also features a downtown shopping center known as Disney Springs where you can find a range of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. Walt Disney World attracts an estimated 52 million visitors every year with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

As TourScanner explains, Walt Disney World was originally designed to be the “happiest place on earth” and for the most part, this attraction lives up to its billing. Disney movies have been entertaining families for generations, so it’s no surprise that even the most sophisticated adults instantly transform into 10-year-old kids again as soon as they enter one of the many theme parks or attractions at the park.

4. Golden Gate Bridge

Let’s hop over to the West Coast to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. The nearly 2-mile-long bridge connects San Francisco with Marin County in California, and it’s one of America’s most iconic landmarks, notes U.S. News and World Report. The infamous Golden Gate Bridge has been featured in movies, TV shows, and across pop culture, but nothing beats seeing this magnificent piece of infrastructure in person.

As Touropia explains, the Golden Gate Bridge was designed with a red-orange color to make the bridge visible through San Francisco’s thick fog. The bridge was completed in 1937 and for years it stood as the world’s longest suspension bridge. Today, tourists can enjoy driving over the bridge or visiting Golden Gate Park where you can walk, hike, or bike to explore the natural areas surrounding the bridge.

Not only are you visiting one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States, but you’re witnessing one of the Wonders of the World, notes Attractions of America. The bridge is one of the most photographed bridges in the world and it’s a true testament to the power of human engineering. If you ever find yourself on the West Coast during vacation, do yourself a favor and visit the Golden Gate Bridge.

5. Niagara Falls

Misting into the fifth spot can only be Niagara Falls. The falls are a combination of three waterfalls – Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridalveil Falls, explains TimeOut. The natural beauty of Niagara Falls makes it a top attraction for tourists from all over the globe, not just the United States. Part of the falls are located in Canada and the other in the U.S., but it’s truly a must-see sight regardless of which side you’re on.

Horseshoe Falls is situated in Canada while the other two, Bridalveil and American Falls, are located in the U.S., explains Touropia. Niagara Falls sees more than 14 million visitors each year, making it one of the most visited tourist attractions in the entire world. Of course, Niagara Falls is also a popular wedding destination as well as a notorious honeymoon destination. Love, and mist, are certainly in the air in upstate New York.

The falls are part of the Niagara River which flows from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. You can’t go wrong visiting Niagara Falls, day or night, explains Explore. Floodlights situated along the base of the falls allow for a nighttime view while the Maid of the Mist boat cruise makes for a perfect daytime activity. The boat cruise is one of the most popular things to do at Niagara Falls as it takes you into the basin of Horseshoe Falls which is one of the most powerful waterfalls in North America. If you’re anywhere near upstate New York on your next trip, be sure to witness the mighty Niagara Falls.

6. Yosemite

Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of central California, Yosemite is one of the best places to visit for nature lovers, explains Planet Ware. The incredible granite domes of sights such as El Capitan and Half Dome must be seen in person to fully appreciate the natural beauty and grandeur of these epic natural monuments.

Yosemite is full of fun family activities that everyone will enjoy. From hiking to climbing to horseback riding to river rafting, Yosemite offers something for everyone in your family, explains World Atlas. You’ll also bear witness to giant sequoia trees and gorgeous waterfalls tumbling off the granite cliffs in Yosemite. The infamous Horsetail Fall is a great spot to take in a sunset and witness the beauty of nature as the sun illuminates the water. From there, drive through the tunnel carved into a giant fallen Sequoia in Tuolumne Grove.

Yosemite offers more than 800 miles of hiking trails for explorers and hikers of all ages and skill levels. Hiking up one of the many trails is a great way to escape the crowds at various lookout points and enjoy the peace and serenity of the park. As Private Tour notes, Yosemite is 1,200 square miles of gorgeous granite monoliths, waterfalls, cliffs, and giant Sequoia trees that are hundreds of years old. Your family will never forget a trip to Yosemite.

7. National Mall, Washington D.C.

Rounding out the list is none other than the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This is one of the premier destinations for 8th-grade field trips from around the country, but Washington D.C. is also one of the top tourist spots in America, and for good reason. As TimeOut notes, the National Mall in D.C. is immaculately maintained by the National Parks Service and features more than 1,000 acres of monuments, sights, and green space. You’ll first notice that the Washington Monument towers above everything else, which is because the area isn’t zoned for buildings taller than the Washington.

Still, the National Mall includes the Capitol Building, the Lincoln Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial Wall, the World War II Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, and many more. The heartbeat of our government and hundreds of years of American history resonates throughout the National Mall, writes TourScanner. A trip to the nation’s capitol isn’t just reserved for field trips and kids. There is plenty to see and do here as an independent tourist. From museums to monuments, the National Mall will not disappoint anyone looking to learn more about democracy and our great nation’s history. You could easily spend a day or a week taking in all the National Mall offers.

As Explore notes, the National Mall spans a two-mile area between the Capitol Building and the Lincoln Memorial. The National Mall sees a staggering 24 million visitors per year as tourists from across the world flock to the infamous Smithsonian museums, historic monuments, and beautifully manicured green spaces. The area is busy at all times of year with the busiest probably being the spring or the summer months. Either way, you can’t go wrong visiting the National Mall any time of year. It’s a bucket-list destination with plenty to offer the whole family.

Sources:

• U.S. News and World Report
• TimeOut
• TourScanner
• Touropia
• Explore
• Best Diplomats
• Planet Ware
• Attractions of America
• World Atlas
• Private Tour

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.