The Most Popular US Tourist Attractions

The United States is loaded with sensational sites and attractions boasting significant natural, historical and cultural meaning. From its otherworldly national parks and natural wonders to its unmistakable monuments, the U.S. wows travelers from coast to coast. A recent study conducted by the team at Airport Parking Reservations analyzed various tourist attractions across each of the 50 U.S. states, examining their total number of annual Google searches and overall TripAdvisor ratings as well as their number of Instagram hashtags and TikTok views to reveal the most popular attractions across the country. Here's a look at how the top 10 shakes out in 2022.

New York is home to three of the top 10 most popular tourist attractions in the nation. The Statue of Liberty rounds out the list with a popularity rating of 6.43 out of 10. The towering copper statue gifted from the people of France in the late 19th century has been a symbol of freedom for decades and generates more than 12 million Google searches annually, plus over 2 million Instagram hashtags in addition to receiving a 4.5 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor.

Southern California has a ton to offer first-time visitors but Universal Studios Hollywood is making the most noise, based on some of the latest research. Like every attraction in the top 10, this film studio and theme park rates at least a 4.5 on TripAdvisor and is a hit on TikTok with more than 926 million views. Universal Studios Hollywood also boasts an annual Google search volume of over 10.5 million.

Spanning a pair of states in California and Nevada, the Sierra Nevada Mountains' massive Lake Tahoe is a favorite among travelers visiting the western U.S. The popular vacation destination, both in winter and summer, prompts more than 9 million annual searches on Google and has secured some 2.8 million hashtags on Instagram.

Like Lake Tahoe, it's worth mentioning that Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is more of a destination than a single attraction as there's much to see and do throughout this resort city, including exploring dozens of miles of beach, world-class golf and no shortage of quintessential summer amusements. Nonetheless, Myrtle Beach's overall popularity score of 6.79 out of 10 makes it one of the trendiest places to visit right now.

A can't-miss place for families with young children, Florida's Walt Disney World Resort is a destination for many as it boasts a slew of attractions within, including the iconic Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom, among others. The attraction's 1.8 billion views on TikTok are tied for the most among any in the top 10 and eager travelers have searched for Walt Disney World on Google on more than 7.1 million occasions over the past year.

A handful of national parks make up the top 10, including the nation's first national park, Yellowstone. This American icon spans three different states, including Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. The region's unique geothermal features like Old Faithful as well as its spectacular wildlife have propelled it to a perfect five-star rating on TripAdvisor and have inspired more than 10 million annual Google searches.

Staying in Montana, Glacier National Park may lack a bit of status compared to Yellowstone-its 6.357 million annual Google searches are the lowest among top 10 attractions-but it still manages to score a flawless 5 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor and narrowly edges its aforementioned rival with a total popularity score of 7.04 out of 10, aided by nearly 150 million additional TikTok views.

Located at the U.S.-Canada border, Niagara Falls is a majestic sight to behold and the feedback from travelers throughout the years confirms that. Its 15 million-plus annual searches on Google are by far the most of any attraction in the top 10 and Instagram users have hashtagged it some 3.4 million different times.

New York City's iconic Times Square plaza is undoubtedly a hit with tourists-this is easily one of the most congested but lively parts of a city that never sleeps-generating more than 10 million annual Google searches, inspiring some 4.7 million hashtags on Instagram and drawing an incredible 1.8 billion views on TikTok.

The most popular tourist attraction in the U.S., without question, is Arizona's famous Grand Canyon, which received an astounding popularity score of 8.22 out of 10. This sprawling national park has been searched for more than 14 million times in the past year on Google and has received a perfect five-star rating on Tripadvisor. The consensus is clear and the Grand Canyon is a worthwhile trip.