These Popular Tourist Attractions In The United States Are Worth The Visit This Summer
Planning out a summer vacation takes time and effort. But, taking a cross-country road trip to the most popular attractions in the United States? Say no more.
There's a bunch of spots across the country that should be added to anyone's bucket list. From National parks, tourist spots, and other wonderful sites, these attractions will make you start looking at plane tickets and hotels ASAP.
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory
The 30 minute guided factory tour will show you how ice cream is made. Located in Waterbury, VT, it's great for all ages, with fun activities for the family.
You can indulge in your favorite flavor or try a new one. Plus, Ben and Jerry's has all the swag you need, from t-shirts and hats, to flavored lip balm.
L.L. Bean Flagship Store
If you can't get enough of the great outdoors, then this is the place for you. The company was founded in 1912 by its namesake, Leon Leonwood Bean in Freeport, Maine.
Since then, the retail company has emerged as one of the most popular places for clothing and outdoor recreation equipment.
Klondike Gold Rush National Park
This national historic park commemorates the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s. The park comprises of staging areas for the trek there and the routes leading in its direction.
There are four units, including three in the Municipality of Skagway Borough, Alaska, and a fourth in the Pioneer National Historic District in Seattle, WA.
Temple Square
This 10-acre complex is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The usage of the name has changed over the years.
There are now several other church facilities adjacent to Temple Square. The square was designated a National Historic Landmark district in 1964.
Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park is the home to its layered bands of red rock, revealing millions of years of geological history to tourists.
Viewpoints include Mather Point, Yavapai Observation Station, and architect Mary Colter's Look Studio. With wide views, the canyon is popular at sunrise and sunset.
Rocky Mountain National Park
The park is between the towns of Estes Park to the east and Grand Lake to the west. The eastern and western slopes of the Continental Divide run through the center of the park.
The main features of the park include mountains, alpine lakes, and a wide variety of wildlife within various climates and environments.
Cedar Point
The amusement park in Sandusky, OH is the second-oldest operating amusement park in the United States.
Known as "America's Roller Coast," the park features a world-record 72 rides, including 17 roller coasters. That's the second-most in the world behind Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Faneuil Hall has been a marketplace and meeting hall since 1743. It was the sight of several speeches from the likes of Samuel Adams and James Otis.
Now, this is apart of Boston's National Historic Park, and a well-known stop on the Freedom Trail. Sometimes, it's referred to as "the Cradle of Liberty."
Natchez Trace Parkway
The National Parkway in the southern United States commemorates the historic Old Natchez Trace. Its main feature is a two-lane parkway road that extends 444 miles from Natchez, MI, to Nashville, TN.
Access to the parkway is limited with more than fifty access points in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee.
Mount Rushmore
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum created the sculpture design and oversaw the project from 1927 to 1941.
Mount Rushmore is the home of the heads of for United States Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
Navy Pier
The Navy Pier holds more than fifty acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants, family attractions and exhibit facilities.
Drawing nearly nine million visitors annually, it's one of the top leisure destinations in the Midwest. It also happens to be Chicago's number one tourist attraction.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
One of the most visited parks in the United States, the park was charted by the United States Congress in 1934.
It was the first national park whose land and other costs were paid for in part with federal funds — previous parks were funded with state money or private funds.
French Quarter
Founded in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, it's the oldest section of the City of New Orleans. It's been developed into the city's central square.
Today, the district is commonly referred to as "the Quarter", a reflection of the diminished French influence after the Louisiana Purchase.
Independence National Historic Park
The National Park in Philadelphia is associated with the American Revolution and the nation's founding history.
The park compromises much of Philadelphia's most-visited historic district. It's been nicknamed "America's most historic square mile" due to its historic landmarks.
Pike Place Market
One of the oldest operated public farmer markets in the United Staes is in Seattle, WA. With more than 10 million visitors annually, Pike Place Market is Seattle's most popular tourist destination.
The Market Theater Gum Wall is covered several inches thick, and is 15 feet high, extending 50 feet.
Waikiki Beach
The name Waikiki means spouting fresh water in the Hawaiian language. This is just one of six beaches on the south shore of the island of O'ahu.
The others are Queen's Beach, Kuhio Beach, Gray's Beach, Fort DeRussy Beach and Kahanamoku Beach.
San Antonio River Walk
Lined by shops, restaurants, bars, and public artwork, the River Walk is an important part of San Antonio. The city's River Walk is a successful special-case pedestrian street.
It also winds and loops under bridges as two parallel sidewalks are lined up to take any tourist to Arneson River Theater or Marriage Island.
Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
The zoo's mission is conservation, research, recreation, and education. In 2014, TripAdvisor proclaimed Henry Doorly Zoo as the "world's best zoo."
The zoo in Omaha is renowned for its leadership in animal conservation and research. It also features the largest glazed geodesic dome in the world.
Times Square
The Center of the Universe is in the neighborhood of Midtown Manhattan. It's one of the world's most visited tourist attractions, drawing an estimated 50 million visitors annually.
The site is the home of the New Year's Eve ball drop which began on December 31, 1907.
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World is the most visited vacation resort in the world. The resort is the flagship destination of Disney's worldwide corporate enterprise.
It's become a popular staple in American culture. The property covers over 27,000 acres with four theme parks, two water parks, and twenty-seven themed resort hotels.
