Immaculately maintained by the National Park Service, the National Mall and Memorial Parks feature more than 1,000 acres of must-see monuments, sites and green space. While the Washington Monument towers above all else—quite literally, the city doesn’t zone for buildings taller than the marble icon—the Lincoln Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial are just as magnificent. Though it will take a full day (or two) to see the National Mall, set aside some time to peruse through some of Washington, D.C.’s top museums.
Visiting popular tourist attractions can often mean navigating long lines and crowds—essentially, a lot of work for an experience that sometimes doesn't live up to the hype. While some attractions may be a bust, specific landmarks across the United States are well worth the effort.
The top tourist attractions in the USA span from coast to coast, including iconic buildings like the national monuments in Washington DC, must-stroll neighborhoods like the French Quarter in New Orleans, unique landmarks like the Space Needle in Seattle, or sights within breathtaking national parks.
We have rounded up the top U.S. tourist attractions you should add to your bucket list. In your quest to check them off your list, make a trip out of it and book one of the best hotels in America. And if you’re looking for a bit more travel inspiration, check out the best places to visit in the USA right now.