Your flights are booked, your hotel is reserved, your vacation is approved, now all you have to do is decide what to do at your destination – visit the tourist hotspots or travel off the beaten path and discover hidden gems.
Whether you enjoy a destination depends on a variety of factors, including the time of day, the season, and the type of activities you’re in the mood for. That’s why planning a trip is so personal. But while the must-see attractions that others consider to be must-visits might not be your favorite, it can be helpful to know what other travelers thought of the same destination.
Luckily, a new study uses the power of numbers to reveal which attractions have recently received the highest overall ratings from American travelers, including some great free attractions you can visit. Read on to find out which U.S. attractions made it to the top.
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How did the study identify popular tourist spots?
In a new survey, vacation rental and property management company Casago sought to find out how U.S. travelers rate the world’s top tourist attractions — and, specifically, which locations are rated the highest.
It’s hard to draw scientific conclusions about this sort of thing, but to get the most accurate picture of how American travelers rate different attractions, Casago took a multi-step approach, combing through thousands of reviews for dozens of attractions around the world.
To secure the top pick, the team did the following:
We extracted the first five pages of TripAdvisor’s “Things to do” pages by country. For each country with a population of 3 million or more, we focused on the 20 attractions with the most reviews. We collected up to 100 pages of English language reviews for each attraction. We checked the ratings of each review.
This allowed Kasago to understand how American travelers rate the top attractions on each continent. For example, Dublin’s Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum Experience was the highest-rated attraction in the world. Another popular spot in Europe is the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps. But the researchers didn’t stop there: the study also determined the top attractions in the United States, but read on to find out which one came out on top.
What are the most highly rated tourist attractions in the United States?
Kasago’s research helped the team narrow down the top three tourist attractions in the United States as rated by American travelers: Whether you’re on a short trip or a longer stay, make sure you make time to stop by these must-see attractions the next time you visit the cities below.
3. Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC
Photography by Shawn Pavone/Getty Images
One of our nation’s capital’s most famous landmarks, the Lincoln Memorial was rated third highest by Americans among all U.S. tourist attractions included in Kasago’s survey.
Described as a “temple-like” structure by the National Park Service, the Lincoln Memorial tells the story of the 16th president, who led the nation through the Civil War and freed millions of slaves. The structure has been the setting for several iconic historical moments, most memorably Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
For tourists, the Lincoln Memorial, like many of the city’s museums and memorials, is completely free to visit – and it’s really worth a visit.
“I’ve seen it hundreds of times on TV, but that doesn’t begin to do it justice,” wrote one TripAdvisor reviewer. “To be right in front of this statue is incredible. Looking up, looking around… I’m at a loss for words.”
Insider Tips
One of the best ways to enjoy the Lincoln Memorial is to visit after the crowds and heat of the day have subsided. The memorial is open to the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and like many of the other nearby monuments, it is floodlit at night, making it a scenic, well-lit area that’s perfect for exploring (and photographing) in the early evening hours.
“My first visit to the Lincoln Memorial was during the day many years ago, but I definitely recommend visiting at night – it’s amazing to see the memorial lit up at night,” one tourist from New Orleans wrote in a TripAdvisor review, calling the memorial “one of the most impressive monuments you can visit on the National Mall.”
Not only is the memorial close to the National Mall, but it’s also close to must-see attractions like the Washington Monument and the World War II Memorial, so you can spend a few minutes at each memorial before walking to the next one.
If you want to avoid the crowds, visit this place in the spring when the city’s views are at their most beautiful. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom from late March to early April, so keep an eye on the cherry blossom forecast when planning your trip.
2. The National WWII Museum, New Orleans
There’s a clear history-oriented bias in the list: The second-highest rated US tourist attraction by American tourists, according to Casago’s survey, is the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
Located in the city’s Warehouse District, this popular museum is a quick Uber ride or moderate walk from the French Quarter. Open daily from 9AM to 5PM (except Mardi Gras, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), the museum delves into the American experience in World War II. See exhibits focusing on the European Theater, the Pacific Theater and efforts back home.
Depending on your preference, you can take a guided or self-guided tour or participate in the museum’s multimedia shows. Admission is $32.50 for adults, $27.50 for seniors, and $20 for children, military/families, and students. Best of all, admission is free for WWII veterans and their companions.
Insider Tips
Consult the museum’s itinerary to help you plan your visit and which exhibits to see. Half-day, full-day, and two-day itineraries are available, but the museum recommends a full day “to see everything the museum has to offer.”
But some visitors find that one day just isn’t enough. “We were there for six hours, saw a 4D movie, and took a two-hour guided tour, but we only just scratched the surface of this incredible museum,” wrote one TripAdvisor reviewer. “It takes a full day to get the full picture, as there are several different parts, and you’ll need a second day to really see what you want to see.”
Clearly, the National WWII Museum is worth considering when thinking about what to do on your next trip to New Orleans.
1. Central Park, New York City
Matt Burke 2012/Getty Images
Believe it or not, the number one tourist attraction in the country, as rated by Americans, is a park. To be exact, it’s New York City’s Central Park. As the most visited urban park in the US (by far), Central Park sees around 42 million visitors per year. (According to Statista, the second most visited park in the US, Golden Gate Park, sees just 24 million visitors.)
A welcome attraction for budget-conscious tourists visiting the notoriously expensive Big Apple, this 843-acre oasis from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan is a delight. In fact, “you can spend an entire day wandering the grounds and enjoying the tranquil surroundings,” according to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
Visitors to the city will enjoy spending time outdoors in Central Park. Families can enjoy 21 playgrounds spread throughout the park, explore the Central Park Zoo, rent bikes, play sports, go for a jog, see a concert, or attend a free Shakespeare in the Park performance.
Insider Tips
If you want to make this New York spot more than just a quick detour and more of a full-fledged destination, check out the Central Park Conservatory Gardens, the park’s formal garden area made up of three separate gardens. It’s a beautiful place to stroll and enjoy the plants and foliage.
“The park offers gorgeous landscaped gardens, expansive lawns, and a tranquil atmosphere perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city,” one New Yorker wrote in a recent review. “Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll, a picnic on the grass, or a bike ride along the lake, Central Park has something for everyone.”
Plan your perfect trip
Following the recommendations of many has helped me have a truly amazing vacation, but here’s a pro tip: don’t rely solely on research, social media posts, or friends’ insistence that you “must” visit certain tourist spots. Decide what is most important to you and your trip, including venturing off the beaten path to find hidden gems that will give you a more authentic experience of the destination you’re visiting.
At the same time, studies like Kasago’s give us a good baseline to base our trips on, and a little more confidence that most people who visit these particular attractions will enjoy themselves.
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