The United States is home to some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. One of the unique aspects of the US is that its size means there are a variety of locations, destinations, and sites to visit on a trip to America.
Plenty of tourist destinations await you on a trip to the US. If you are looking for the most popular, busiest tourist destinations in the US, then look no further than the locations on our list below.
The 50 states have some of the most recognisable and iconic travel destinations on the planet. Due to their popularity, the US also has some of the busiest tourist destinations around. From national parks to legendary fun parks to amazing cities, the US has something for every traveller.
Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US. It is a natural marvel that combines a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, and more. The Grand Canyon is carved out by the Colorado River, which snakes through the area. In 2019, nearly 6 million tourists visited the Grand Canyon, making it one of the busiest tourist destinations in the US.
The Grand Canyon has a depth of more than 1.6 km (1 mile) and length of 446 km (277 miles). It isn’t the longest nor deepest canyon in the world, but its sheer size attracts travellers from around the globe.
Manhattan
It doesn’t get much busier in the US than New York City’s most illustrious borough, Manhattan. The glitz, glamour, and skyscrapers of Manhattan are what most people think of when planning a trip to New York City.
Manhattan is home to the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and Central Park, making it an area that locals and travellers go for fun. The Statue of Liberty alone attracts millions of visitors a year and in 2019, welcomed over 4 million people. It is the world’s largest statue.
Broadway is also located in Manhattan, attracting people seeking fun and entertainment. In 2019, New York City and its five boroughs hosted around 67 million tourists. Many of those individuals descended on Manhattan for its brilliant tourist destinations.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is located on the US-Canada border. It attracts people from both countries throughout the year. Niagara Falls is especially busy in summer as schools let out in both the US and Canada, allowing families to see the incredible waterfalls.
The town of Niagara Falls is home to fewer than 50,000 people. The number of tourists that visit each year transform the town.
In 2019, around 7.6 million tourists visited the US side of the falls. Many visitors prefer the Canadian side of the falls due to the views on offer. You can cross over the border and enjoy a different perspective than on the US side.
Yellow Stone National Park
In 1872, Yellowstone National Park was created and became the world’s first national park. The park lies in three states: Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho – although most of it is found in Wyoming. Yellowstone National Park is approximately 5,633-square kilometres (3,500-square miles) of geysers, forests, rivers, lakes, and wild animals.
The park saw over 4 million visitors in 2019. Even in a COVID-19 hit travel year of 2020, Yellowstone National Park welcomed 3.81 million travellers. Although it is one of the United States’ busiest tourist destinations, its wide-open spaces make it possible to avoid many travellers. Those travellers enjoyed over 10,000 geysers and hot springs.
Walt Disney World Resort
In 2019, Walt Disney World was the world’s most-visited fun park with nearly 21 million tourists. The Orlando, Florida-based theme park has been popular with families since 1971, when it opened. The resort combines a variety of elements into one amazing travel package. There are theme parks, water parks, theaters and entertainment, shopping, dining, and golf. There is something for everyone seeking a great holiday.
Not only can you explore the resort and everything it has to offer, but you can spend your days at the beach. Florida’s Atlantic beach coast is right on your doorstep. Just an hour away, you can get away from the tourists at Walt Disney World Resort and enjoy sometime at the beach.
The United States' busiest tourist destinations: Conclusion
America’s incredible size offers up a variety of incredible tourist destinations. Your choice for a vacation in the US is unmatched by any other country. From national parks to major cities to theme parks, you will be able to find an unforgettable holiday and one of these busy tourist destinations.