20 Best US Tourist Attractions Ranked in New Report

DALLAS (KDAF) — A new report by BookRetreats.com reveals which US tourist attractions are worth visiting in 2024, from the Empire State to the Golden State.

The study analyzed 77 popular attractions nationwide, considering key factors such as popularity, visitor experience, affordability, and safety. Analysts then drew from an extensive dataset, including over 7,500 visitor experiences, 380+ hotel price points, and the latest state-level safety rankings.

Unsurprisingly, New York emerged as the best destination for travelers in the US with 8 attractions ranking in the top 20, including No. 1.

Central Park topped the list as the best place to visit in the US, scoring an impressive 4.075 out of 5. The expansive natural park stood out for its popularity, holding a 4.8 rating on Google with over 270,000 reviews — the highest of all attractions.

Recent visitor experiences confirmed the hype, with 91% praising its beauty and abundance of free activities. But it wasn’t the only park to score high. Natural attractions dominated the list overall, with 50% of the top 20 spots being parks or outdoor spaces, including the National Mall in second place and San Diego’s Balboa Park in third.

Unexpectedly, several lesser-known natural attractions outperformed iconic New York landmarks. The High Line and Brooklyn Bridge Park both surpassed the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty, scoring the highest for visitor experience out of all 77 attractions in the report. Rockefeller Center, Niagara Falls, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Brooklyn Bridge also placed in the rankings. 

Top 20 U.S. Tourist Attractions for 2024:

1. Central Park
2. National Mall
3. Balboa Park
4. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
5. Times Square
6. Rockefeller Center
7. Niagara Falls
8. Golden Gate Park
9. Magic Kingdom Park
10. Brooklyn Bridge Park
11. Hoover Dam
12. The High Line
13. Fountains of Bellagio
14. Garden of the Gods
15. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
16. Zion National Park
17. San Antonio River Walk
18. ICON Park
19. Golden Gate Bridge
20. Brooklyn Bridge

Along with the best, the study also revealed the places most likely to disappoint tourists this year, and 70% are theme parks. Popular parks such as SeaWorld, Disneyland, and Six Flags all appeared in the bottom 10. However, it was the Hollywood Walk of Fame that ranked as the worst US attraction. The landmark received the lowest score for experience and popularity, with 20% of visitors describing it as “dirty” and “run down.” 

You can view the full report here.