Top 5 Tourist Destinations in the United States
Are you planning a vacation to the United States but don’t know where to start? The US’s top cities are full of art, culture, and amazing attractions. You really can’t go wrong with any destination you choose! Check out the top tourist destinations in the United States perfect for any traveler.
As a huge country, the United States has so many destinations to choose from. Each region has its own unique attractions, and the culture can differ from coast to coast.
If you’re planning a vacation to the United States and you don’t know where to start, look at where other travelers are going. Here are some of the most visited cities in America to consider.
Top Tourist Destinations in the United States
1. New York City, New York
Year after year, New York City holds the spot of most-visited city in the United States. The Big Apple continues to draw people in with it’s quintessential American-ness. New York truly is the number 1 tourist destination in the US.
NYC is most known for its iconic attractions like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park, and Broadway.
New York City is truly a hub of art and culture. You can spend your days visiting art museums, science and history museums, and theatre productions and never get bored. Beyond that, there are amazing restaurants, local shopping, and a bustling nightlife to keep any type of traveler entertained.
HOT TIP: Save up to 44% at New York City’s top attractions with the New York CityPASS!
Top New York City Tours
- New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour
- All-Access 9/11: Ground Zero Tour, Memorial and Museum, One World Observatory
- Chinatown and Little Italy Food Fest
- Upper East Side Mystery Picnic Date
- East Village Mystery Picnic Date
- Brooklyn Mystery Picnic Date
Where to Stay in New York City
- Top Hotel: Library Hotel by Library Hotel Collection
- Great Value: Hotel Indigo NYC Downtown – Wall Street
- Unique Stay: Lotte New York Palace
2. Miami, Florida
Warm destinations like Miami, Florida draw in visitors for a beach vacation. Miami also attracts visitors with its Latin-American influences and party scene.
Miami’s white sand beaches like Miami Beach and South Beach are popular vacation spots. This coastal metropolis has some of the best beaches in Florida.
Art is big in Miami. Explore the Wynwood Walls for creative street art and art museums like the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, Perez Art Museum Miami, and The Bass. Those interested in the sciences will love a visit to the Miami Seaquarium, the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, and the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
HOT TIP: Save up to 50% on Miami attractions with the Miami Sightseeing Pass or the Go City Miami Pass!
Top Miami Tours
- Little Havana Food and Walking Tour in Miami
- The Official Art Deco Walking Tour by The Miami Design Preservation League
- Speedboat Sightseeing Tour of Miami
- Coconut Grove Mystery Picnic Date
Where to Stay in Miami
- Top Hotel: Hotel AKA Brickell
- Great Value: Tru by Hilton Miami West Brickell
- Unique Stay: The Vagabond Hotel
3. Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles is a great destination for tourist because it has a little bit of everything. Many travelers come for Hollywood and the beaches, but there are plenty of other great attractions to keep you occupied.
Behind-the-scenes tours, the Walk of Fame, a day at the beach, and a trip to Disneyland top many to-do lists when visiting L.A. Paramount Pictures, Universal, and Warner Brothers all offer studio tours. Meanwhile, Santa Monica and Venice Beach make the list of top beaches in Los Angeles.
You won’t want to miss the city’s top sights like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Getty, the Griffith Observatory, or The Broad. L.A. is also an amazing hiking destination; you can even hike to the Hollywood sign to get a closer look.
HOT TIP: Save huge at Los Angeles’ best theme parks and attractions with Southern California CityPASS, the Go City Los Angeles Pass, or the Los Angeles Sightseeing Pass!
Top Los Angeles Tours
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
- Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More
- Shared 3 Hours Los Angeles VIP Tour
- South Bay LA Mystery Picnic Date
- Malibu Mystery Picnic Date
- Santa Monica & Venice Beach Mystery Picnic Date
Where to Stay in Los Angeles
- Top Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
- Great Value: Hollywood Hotel
- Unique Stay: Venice Canals Bungalow
4. Orlando, Florida
When most people visit Orlando, they’re taking that big family trip to Disney World, Universal Studios, Epcot, and Sea World. Orlando certainly earns its status as Theme Park Capital of the World.
Everything from the Magic Kingdom to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter instills both kids and kids-at-heart with a sense of wonder. Other kid-friendly activities abound in this part of Florida: Gatorland, the Crayola Experience Orlando, Madame Tussauds Orlando, and WonderWorks Orlando are just a few.
Away from the thrills, Orlando still has plenty of culture to offer. The Orlando Science Center, the Orlando Museum of Art, the Harry P Leu Gardens, and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art are great attractions in the area.
HOT TIP: Save on tickets to Orlando’s famous theme parks with the Orlando CityPASS! Get discounts to Disney World, Universal, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, and Kennedy Space Center.
Top Orlando Tours
- Florida Everglades Airboat Tour and Wild Florida Admission
- Downtown Orlando 2 HR Interactive Walking Ghost Tour
- Private Helicopter Tour over Orlando’s Theme Parks
- Mount Dora Mystery Picnic Date
- Winter Park Mystery Picnic Date
Where to Stay in Orlando
- Top Hotel: Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
- Great Value: DoubleTree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando
- Unique Stay: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
Read next: 17 Best Places to Travel This Year
5. Las Vegas, Nevada
Casinos, entertainment, and nightlife draw millions to Las Vegas, Nevada each year. This unique city is basically an amusement park for adults.
You have your choice of hotels, with each creating their own little world to entice you for a getaway. These luxury resorts provide and fun in the form of casinos, pools, clubs, dining, shows, rides, and themed attractions. Each hotel on the Las Vegas Strip feels like a completely new destination.
Ride to the top of the STRAT Tower for amazing views and thrill rides; enjoy the Big Apple Coaster at New York New York Hotel; take a gondola ride at the Venetian. Beyond the casinos are unique museums and attractions like the Neon Museum, the Mob Museum, Shark Reef Aquarium, and the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. There are so many fun things to do in Las Vegas besides gamble!
HOT TIP: Save 50% or more on top Las Vegas attractions and tours with the Las Vegas Sightseeing Pass or the Go City Las Vegas Pass!
Top Las Vegas Tours
- Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tour & Hoover Dam Photo Stop
- Half-Day Mojave Desert ATV Tour from Las Vegas
- Las Vegas Helicopter Night Flight with Optional VIP Transportation
- Summerlin Mystery Picnic Date
- Boulder City Mystery Picnic Date
Where to Stay in Las Vegas
- Top Hotel: Wynn Las Vegas
- Great Value: ARIA Resort & Casino
- Unique Stay: Skylofts at MGM Grand
Save Big with the USA Sightseeing Pass
If you’re planning the ultimate USA vacation, then the USA Sightseeing Pass can help you save up to 70% on admission to top attractions across the country!
You have the choice of entry to 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 attractions with the pass, and there are over 300 top attractions to choose from. You can go at your own pace since you’ll have 60 days to use the pass.
The USA Sightseeing Pass is valid for attractions in New York, Miami, Orlando, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Nashville, Philadelphia, Washington DC, the Smoky Mountains, and more! So if you’re planning a road trip across the US, this is the perfect pass to save a ton of money!
Get your USA Sightseeing Pass here.
Tourist Destinations in the US Map
Map out your United States vacation! Use the map below to find each of these top tourist destinations in the United States listed in this post.
I hope you have an incredible time exploring the US!
US Tourist Destinations FAQ
What is the #1 tourist attraction in the USA?
Central Park and Times Square in New York City, and Walt Disney World in Orlando are some of the top tourist attractions in the United States.
What is the #1 place to vacation in the US?
The top places to vacation in the US include Florida and California. Many families head to coastal cities in these states for beach time, plus there are iconic theme parks nearby.
What is the best state to go on vacation?
The best states in the US to go for vacation include California, Florida, Hawai’i, and New York. These destinations have iconic American vibes, beaches, theme parks, and are just all around the quintessential American destination.
What is the least visited state for vacation?
The least-visited state in the US is Alaska, not because it’s the worst state by any means, but because it’s just so darn difficult and expensive to get to. I recommend taking an Alaska cruise to see the most of the state in a short amount of time, and for a good price. Then you can see incredible towns like Ketchikan, Sitka, and Skagway.
More US Itineraries
Plan the perfect United States vacation with these top posts:
- 45+ Best Things to Do in Washington DC
- 14 Best Winter Vacations in the South
- 14 Best Spring Break Destinations in the South
- 14 Best Fall Vacations in the South
- 14 Best Summer Vacation Spots in the South
Ready to visit the United States? Plan your trip with these tips.
- Book your flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
- Find Accommodation: You can find top places to stay in the United States here.
- Start Packing: Check out my packing list resources so you’re prepared for your trip.
Cheers!
Paige
What are your favorite tourist destinations in the United States? Let me know in the comments below!
New York and Los Angeles are definitely on my list! I’d love to visit Sedona and some national parks, as well 🙂
I definitely need to visit some more national parks! I’d love to visit the ones in the northwest, those look stunning!
I enjoy traveling. There are so many beautiful places in the United States, even if many people are obsessed with Europe. My dream is to visit all 50 states before traveling anywhere else. Thanks for sharing.
I have a goal of hitting all 50 states, too! I’m over half-way there!