Most Visited Places In The United States

With over 66 million international tourists visiting each year, the United States is packed with iconic attractions found in legendary cities like New York, Las Vegas, and Chicago. Spots like Times Square and the Las Vegas Strip, often featured in Hollywood films, add to their fame. Among the country's top destinations are Times Square, Central Park, the Las Vegas Strip, Union Station, and the Mall of America, each drawing tens of millions of visitors annually.

Top 10 Most Visited Tourist Attractions in the United States

Times Square - 50 Million Visitors

Times Square, situated in the vibrant heart of Manhattan, New York City, is the most popular destination in the United States, attracting approximately 50 million visitors annually—more than the entire population of Argentina. The renowned square features giant, illuminated signs and massive television screens that light up the area both day and night, along with hosting the world-famous New Year’s Eve ball drop each year. The advertisements that flash on the screens in Times Square have their origin in 1916 when the New York City Council endorsed and approved the installation of ads in this bustling part of the city.

Central Park - 42 Million Visitors

Central Park, situated in the heart of Manhattan, draws approximately 42 million visitors annually—about the same as the entire population of Canada. Contrary to popular belief, Central Park is not the largest park in New York but rather the sixth largest, spanning 843 acres. It is also one of the world’s most filmed locations, with hundreds of movies having scenes in the park. Some of the park’s main features include the Ramble and Lake, the Hallet Nature Sanctuary, the Central Park Zoo, the Wollman Rink, and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.

Las Vegas Strip - 42 Million Visitors

The Las Vegas Strip, located on Las Vegas Boulevard in Las Vegas, Nevada, trails just behind Central Park in terms of visitor counts, receiving around 42 million visitors as well. It is home to some of the world’s most famous casinos and resorts, including The Venetian, Bellagio, and Caesar’s Palace. Due to its concentration of light, NASA has determined it to be one of the brightest places on Earth. In total, it stretches about 4.2 miles (6.8 kilometers). The first full-service casino to be built on the strip was the El Rancho Vegas in 1941.

Union Station - 40 Million Visitors

Union Station, in Washington D.C., receives approximately 40 million visitors per year, making it the fourth most visited place in the country. Established in 1907, Union Station is a major transportation hub and train station. It is also the headquarters of Amtrak, the country’s national passenger railroad company. The train station connects to several nearby cities, including New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, and Baltimore. It also plays a key role as a commuter rail hub and is part of the Washington D.C. metro system. It contains 18 platforms and 22 tracks.

Mall of America - 40 Million Visitors

The Mall of America, located in the city of Bloomington, Minnesota, similarly attracts about 40 million visitors each year. Opened in 1992, it is the country’s largest shopping and entertainment complex, spanning 129 acres. Within the facility, there are 520 stores, 60 restaurants, a 13-screen movie theater, an amusement park, Minnesota’s biggest aquarium, mini-golf, and arcade, and more. It also hosts more than 400 events annually, ranging from fashion shows to celebrity appearances. Annually, the Mall of America generates $2 billion in revenue for the state of Minnesota.

National Mall - 32 Million Visitors

Nicknamed “America’s Front Yard,” the National Mall, located in Washington D.C., brings in around 32 million visitors annually, comparable to the population size of Ghana. Featuring more than 1,000 acres of green space, the National Mall is home to over 100 monuments and memorials that honor and celebrate the country’s history. It stretches from the US Capitol Building down to the Potomac River, with some of the most prominent landmarks, including the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and a variety of Smithsonian Institution Museums.

Millennium Park - 25 Million Visitors

Millennium Park, located in downtown Chicago along Lake Michigan, receives around 25 million visitors each year, comparable to the entire population of Niger. It is home to the renowned Cloud Gate, also known as “The Bean,” as well as a number of interactive fountains, gardens, public art, free events, skating rinks, and rock climbing. The City began planning the development of the park in 1997 and completed it in 2004, officially opening during an opening ceremony in July of the same year. It spans a total of 24.5 acres.

Golden Gate Park - 24 Million Visitors

Golden Gate Park, in San Francisco, California, attracts approximately 24 million visitors each year, making it the eighth most visited landmark in the US. It is also the city’s largest park, and it spans 1,017 acres. It runs between the Richmond and Sunset districts and is 154 years old. It was originally opened in 1870. Some of the most popular attractions in the park include the Japanese Tea Garden, the San Francisco Botanical Garden, the De Young Museum, and the Conservatory of Flowers. It also includes the Music Concourse Area, which is an oval-shaped outdoor plaza where various musical performances have taken place.

Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World - 20.4 Million Visitors

The Magic Kingdom, part of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, receives roughly 20.4 million visitors each year, which is roughly equal to the population size of Chile. Open since 1971, the Magic Kingdom is the most populous theme park within Disney World and currently has 24 rides, 33 shops, and 39 dining options to enjoy. The most iconic landmark in the park is Cinderella Castle, based on the 1950 animated Cinderella film, while some of the most popular rides include TRON Lightcycle / Run, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and the Pirates of the Caribbean Ride.

Lincoln Park - 20 Million Visitors

Lincoln Park, located in Chicago, welcomes 20 million visitors each year, ranking it just below the Magic Kingdom’s visitor count. It is the city’s largest public park, covering 1,214 acres and home to roughly 15,000 trees. Within the park, visitors can find dog parks, public art installations, a nine-hole golf course, numerous athletic fields, a bird sanctuary, a lily pool, three boat harbors, five beaches, and the Lincoln Park Conservatory, which houses many species of tropical flowers. It is also home to the Lincoln Park Zoo, housing nearly 200 species of animals.

Final Thoughts

These 10 destinations in the United States not only bring in millions of visitors each year, but also contribute greatly to the country’s economy, rich in attractions such as restaurants, museums, theme parks, retail options, and more. They also play a major role in attracting international tourists, with people from all over the world eager to see these globally recognized icons. In many ways, these famous sites reflect the diversity and vibrancy that define the U.S. as a whole.

The 25 Most Visited Places In The United States