Top 10 U.S. Attractions
TripAdvisor’s list of the top 10 attractions in the United States, according to traveler popularity and TripAdvisor editors.
1. Orlando, Fla. Orlando combines such an incredible wealth of great attractions that the entire city made No. 1 on our list. Between Universal Studios, Sea World, Discovery Cove and the home of a particularly famous mouse, Orlando is the mecca of attractions.
2. Cirque du Soleil, Las Vegas, Nev. A contemporary and hip circus sans animals, Cirque du Soleil combines highly skilled contortionists, acrobats and trapeze artists to create a one-of-a-kind experience.
3. Hana Highway, Maui, Hawaii. A 60-mile stretch connecting farflung Hana to Maui, Hana Highway stuns with its spectacular views, including magnificent waterfalls, beaches and the “Seven Sacred Pools” – just make sure to keep your eyes on the road.
4. Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, Ariz. One of the “Seven Natural Wonders of the World,” the Grand Canyon is perhaps the most famous hiking destination in the country, with outstanding hiking trails to the base of the canyon. Theodore Roosevelt summed it up, declaring the Grand Canyon the “one site every American should see.”
5. Central Park, New York City, N.Y. One of the nation’s first landscaped public parks, Central Park covers 843 acres or six percent of Manhattan. Central Park has several interesting attractions and activities, including a zoo, carousel, reservoir, and boathouse, not to mention some of the best people watching in the world.
6. Alcatraz, San Francisco, Calif. Famous for housing some of the country’s most infamous criminals, including Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly, until it was closed in 1963, Alcatraz Island or “The Rock” now exists as an attraction in the middle of San Francisco Bay.
7. Top of the Rock Observation Deck, New York City, N.Y. One of the Big Apple’s newest and coolest attractions, the Top of the Rock Observation Deck in Rockefeller Center offers phenomenal views of New York City. With glass partitions, the observation deck offers unobstructed panoramic views, and an amazing vantage point for gazing at the Empire State Building.
8. Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey Bay, Calif. The largest marine sanctuary in America, Monterey Bay Aquarium is located in a former brewery and sardine cannery. View stunning California Giant Kelp that reside in the first tank in the world to simulate tidal currents on a large scale.
9. Bellagio Fountains, Las Vegas, Nev. For a peaceful attraction on the Strip, head to the Bellagio Fountains and appreciate the synchronization of the music and the water as it changes color to familiar tunes from musicals and movies.
10. San Diego Zoo, San Diego, Calif. Featuring more than 4,000 rare and endangered animals, the San Diego Zoo has the largest collection of Grant Pandas outside of mainland China. To explore the zoo, take a guided bus tour or ride on the overhead gondola, providing an aerial view of the natural and cage-free settings.
