Many of America’s most outstanding attractions are bucket-list locations that attract people from all over the world. However, considering the breadth of the United States, most people plan their visits to a specific region, whether it’s the East Coast, Southwest, Florida or California beaches, or distant places like Hawaii and Alaska.
As a result, you’ll have plenty of options, with fantastic entertainment spread over the country. These are the top attractions to add to your schedule if you are in the enviable position of having unlimited time and resources. Here you will find anything from theme parks to historic concert venues where only the most famous know how to play at an established venue.
- Disney World – This massive amusement park in Orlando is America’s most significant family destination, catering to all for decades. Walt Disney World, which first opened its doors in 1971, has managed to keep its relevance and fascination through the years. The Walt Disney World Resort comprises not only the theme parks but also water parks, Downtown Disney with shops and theater, and a variety of other attractions ranging from gourmet dining to golf.
- Kennedy Space Center – A visit to the Kennedy Space Center is a must-do for everyone who has ever fantasized about blasting off into space. NASA’s spacecraft and the history of space exploration provide a fun and enlightening experience. This is a popular attraction for people of all ages and one of Florida’s top things to do.
- Pike Place Market – The Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, overlooks Elliott Bay’s waterfront. The market, which first opened its doors in 1907, is today a historic and iconic component of the city. Pike Place Market is the best place to shop in Seattle because it houses some of the city’s oldest businesses. There are markets where fresh fish from the Puget Sound is tossed theatrically, cheesemongers who provide a sampling of locally made brie and camembert, and the original Starbucks coffee establishment.
- Navy Pier – Navy Pier, a massive pier in the middle of Chicago’s coastal Streeterville neighborhood, stretches out over the waters of Lake Michigan. There are numerous attractions for the entire family on the pier. Beautifully kept gardens make for a lovely stroll. An abundance of souvenir shops provide a great option to pick up souvenirs while on vacation in Chicago. In addition, the Chicago Children’s Museum, two theaters, and a plethora of superb eateries are all located on the pier.
- Fort Sumter – The Civil War began on April 12, 1861, when the north and south clashed at Fort Sumter. Today, the place serves as a memorial to all who fought there and symbolizes the conflict. The fort, which is still standing today on an island off Charleston, South Carolina, is only accessible by boat. Visitors can visit a museum that tells the stories of the Civil War and the events that led up to the first bullets being fired.
- Mall of America – The Mall of America is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the United States, with over 520 stores, 60 restaurants, an amusement park, an aquarium, and numerous entertainment, family activities, and nightlife experiences. Approximately 40 million people visit the mall to buy, eat, and play in this retail mecca every year. The mall, which is only 15 minutes from Minneapolis, is easy to find and has a variety of parking and public transportation choices.
- Alcatraz – Famous criminal Al Capone was imprisoned in cell 181 on this tiny island off the coast of San Francisco. From 1934 to 1963, Alcatraz was a federal prison. The Warden’s House, Main Cellhouse, and the Lighthouse, the West Coast’s oldest working lighthouse, are all located on the island. Although the jail claimed no one had escaped in its 29 years of operation, 36 inmates attempted 14 escapes.
- Grand Ole Opry – The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville hosts a weekly country music stage concert, except during the winter months when it shifts to the Ryman Auditorium. The Opry is dedicated to honoring country music and musicians from historical luminaries to modern acts.
- Graceland – Elvis Presley’s former mansion, Graceland, is the second most-visited house in the United States, after only the White House. It is currently a museum in Memphis that attracts over 650,000 visitors each year. Elvis Presley purchased Graceland in 1957, and he lived there until he died in 1977.
- Hearst Castle – Hearst Castle is located on California’s central coast. It was built for newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst, who died in 1951, and designed by Julia Morgan. Formerly home to the world’s largest private zoo, the castle has 56 bedrooms and 61 baths. There’s also the Neptune Pool, which has a beautiful perspective of the mountains and the sea.
- Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site – You can study Martin Luther King Jr’s life and then walk in his footsteps at the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site in Atlanta.
