The Top Tourist Attraction in Every State

If you’re anything like me, you want to try and visit all 50 states. You can call it a bucket list or something else, but seeing all 50 states as a tourist is an absolute must. The best part is that every state has some incredible attractions and exciting things to do. Thankfully, TripAdvisor is here to help us coordinate state visits. 

The good news is that when you’re planning a trip, you can use TripAdvisor to identify the top tourist attractions in every state quickly. With that in mind, let’s look at the top three things to do in each state.

Alabama

• USS Alabama Battleship: The memorial of this once mighty battleship. 
• U.S. Space and Rocket Center: Home to the largest space flight hardware museum in the world. 
• Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum: This museum has over 1,000 motorcycles on display. 

Alaska

• Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center: The best attraction and most photographed place in Alaska. 
• Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum: Over 100 pre-WWII American-made vehicles are on display. 
• Tracy Arm Fjord: A truly majestic location to visit and take photos. 

Arizona

• Grand Canyon’s South Rim: Unsurprisingly, the top attraction in Arizona.  
• Upper Antelope Canyon: One of the most picturesque spots in Arizona. 
• Horseshoe Bend: Home to the Overlook Point, one of the most beautiful spots in the world. 

Arkansas

• Thorncrown Chapel: The number one place to visit in Arkansas according to TripAdvisor. 
• Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art: Home to a showcase of American art. 
• Garvan Woodland Gardens: One of the most beautiful botanical gardens you will ever see. 

California

• Alcatraz Island: It’s believed no one ever successfully escaped this popular prison.  
• Golden Gate Bridge: The second most popular location, but probably the most recognizable. 
• San Diego Zoo: Home to over 4,000 animals and one of the best zoos in the country. 

Colorado

• Garden of the Gods: The premiere location for hiking in Colorado. 
• Denver’s Botanic Gardens: Spans more than 24 acres of beautiful collections. 
• Pikes Peak: One of the most beautiful mountain regions in the country. 

Connecticut

• Mystic Seaport Museum: Home to a beautiful shipyard and plenty of old attractions. 
• Mark Twain’s Home: Where Twain wrote some of his most popular books. 
• Yale’s University Art Gallery: A must-see for both art and non-art lovers. 

Delaware

• Air Mobility Command Museum: Tells the story and history of military aviation. 
• Cape May-Lewes Ferry: Enjoy picturesque lighthouses, harbors, and seabirds on this 85-minute trip. 
• Cape Henlopen State Park: A total of 155 campsites allow you to become one with nature. 

Florida

• Islands of Adventure: The beloved theme park has dozens of rides and attractions. 
• Discovery Cove: This tropical resort includes its own lazy river and reef snorkeling. 
• Wizarding World of Harry Potter: A themed land at Universal Studios for fans of the books. 

Georgia

• Georgia Aquarium: Arguably the best aquarium in the United States. 
• Savannah Historic District: A historic neighborhood with cobblestone streets. 
• Cathedral of St. John the Baptist: A truly historic location for prayer. 

Hawaii

• Diamond Head State Monument: A dormant volcano crater is one of Honolulu’s most photographed sites. 
• USS Arizona Memorial: The location where the USS Arizona sunk during the Pearl Harbor bombing. 
• Pearl Harbor National Monument: TheMonument stands to remember all of those lost on December 7, 1941. 

Idaho

• Boise River Greenbelt: The best activity in Idaho is a hike or bike path down Boise River Greenbelt. 
• Coeur d’Alene Lake: Enjoy every water sports activity you can imagine in this 30-mile lake. 
• Shoshone Falls: One of the most picturesque waterfalls in America. 

Illinois

• The Art Institute of Chicago: The most popular thing to do in Illinois is the top-ranked art museum. 
• Millennium Park: One of Chicago’s most popular and most Instagrammed sites with the “Bean,” Ferris Wheel, and ice skating rink. 
• Chicago Architecture Center: More than 75 different walking tours help you see Chicago’s historical architecture. 

Indiana

• Children’s Museum of Indianapolis: Perfect for kids 4-12 is this interactive museum. 
• Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari: This water park is the perfect place for warmer months.
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum: Take a trip down memory lane with a century of auto racing heritage. 

Iowa

• Field of Dreams Movie Site: A great place to visit and snap a shot for the gram. 
• National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium: Celebrates the history of the Mississippi River with riverboats and wildlife. 
• Fenelon Place Elevator Co.: Take a cable car ride with historic views of the Mississippi River and three states. 

Kansas

• Safari Zoological Park: Take a guided tour through this privately owned animal adventure. 
• Strataca: Go 650 feet underground and see what an active salt mine looks like. 
• Sedgwick County Zoo: Go during the summer months and see more than 3,000 animals. 

Kentucky

• Louisville Mega Cavern: Take two hours and go on a historical guided tour, on zip lines! 
• Maker’s Mark: Bourbon lovers cannot say no to this distillery tour. 
• Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory: Baseball fans will love the location where the famous bats are made. 

Louisiana

• The National WWII Museum: Experience WWII in a way you haven’t seen before. 
• French Quarter: Home to some of the best parties and live atmosphere in the entire country. 
• Jackson Square: A historic landmark at the heart of New Orleans’ unique culture.

Maine

• Marginal Way: A great way to get your day started with a stroll and fun places to shop. 
• Cadillac Mountain: Visit this coastal national park with the best sunrises in the country. 
• Portland Head Light: A picturesque lighthouse surrounded by cliffs and incredible walking trails. 

Maryland

• National Aquarium: Visit the National Aquarium and see over 750 different species. 
• Oriole Park: Enjoy a game of baseball at the historic park, home of the Baltimore Orioles. 
• U.S. Naval Academy: Take a guided tour through the historical naval academy. 

Massachusetts

• Fenway Park: Catch a baseball game at historical Fenway Park, home of the Green Monster. 
• Freedom Trail: Take a historic walk through many of the area’s most important historical sites. 
• Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum: Undergo a re-enactment of the historical event. 

Michigan

• Saugatuck Dune Rides: Learn about the lost town of Singapore and check out local wildlife. 
• Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation: See the story of America through invention and a can-do spirit. 
• Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Take a tranquil stroll through a diverse Japanese garden. 

Minnesota

• Mall of America: Visit the world’s largest shopping mall, complete with an indoor theme park. 
• North Shore Scenic Drive: Between scenic waterfalls and historic lighthouses, this is a breathtaking experience. 
• Minneapolis Institute of Art: Spend a day looking at a world-class art collection. 

Mississippi

• Vicksburg National Military Park: Take a trip down memory lane at the Civil War-inspired national park. 
• Natchez Trace Parkway: Drive through this incredible landscape and enjoy a picnic. 
• Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum: See the birthplace of one of America’s biggest stars. 

Missouri

• The Haygoods: Family-friendly show includes fun special effects, comedy, and dancing. 
• Sight & Sound Theatres: Biblical stories come to life at this renowned theater. 
• National WWI Museum & Memorial: One of the most comprehensive WWI sites in the country. 

Montana

• Going-to-the-Sun Road: Take a scenic drive through beautiful alpine landscapes. 
• Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center: An adventurous location with wolves and bears galore. 
• Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument: Visit the location of the Battle of Little Bighorn.

Nebraska

• Henry Doorly Zoo: Rated TripAdvisor’s “World’s Best Zoo.” 
• Museum of American Speed: There’s plenty to see here with a racing car exhibit. 
• The Durham Museum: An art deco museum that showcases the golden age of travel. 

Nevada

• Fountains of Bellagio: Visit the choreographed fountain show combining water, music, and light. 
• Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area: One of the best hiking trails in all of Nevada. 
• Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden: A botanical garden unlike anywhere else. 

New Hampshire

• Kancamagus Highway: A beautiful highway filled with historical bridges and waterfalls. 
• Flume Gorge: Beautiful woodland trail with lots of wildlife. 
• Santa’s Village: A Christmas-themed village open all year long. 

New Jersey

• Grounds for Sculpture: A 40-acre site with over 270 contemporary sculptures. 
• Atlantic City Boardwalk: First opened in 1870, the boardwalk is filled with entertainment. 
• Cape May County Park & Zoo: Over 85 acres of space for approximately 500 different animals.

New Mexico

• White Sands National Park: This desert landscape offers incredible white dunes. 
• Sandia Peak Tramway: Go over 4,000 feet in height for breathtaking panoramic views. 
• Bandelier National Monument: Climb ancient ladders to see historical Pueblo homes. 

New York

• Central Park: The country’s most recognizable and historic park. 
• The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum: A reflective memorial honoring the victims. 
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Home to one of the best art collections in the world. 

North Carolina

• Biltmore Estate: Take a tour through the largest private home in the country. 
• Blue Ridge Parkway: A beautiful drive through incredible mountain landscapes. 
• Elijah Mountain Gem Mine: A family-friendly gem mining adventure. 

North Dakota

• Theodore Roosevelt National Park: A national park with wildlife including bison and badlands. 
• Red River Market: The best farmers market in all of North Dakota. 
• Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center: Featuring famous sites from the movie Fargo.

Ohio

• National Museum of the U.S. Air Force: Largest and oldest military aviation museum in the world. 
• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: A 150,000-square-foot museum featuring the history of rock and roll. 
• Cleveland Museum of Art: Over 61,000 objects adorn this museum. 

Oklahoma

• Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum: Site that honors 168 victims of national tragedy. 
• National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum: Western heritage museum with an old west town replica. 
• Bricktown: A lively area full of history and diverse dining options. 

Oregon

• Portland Japanese Garden: A traditional Japanese garden. 
• International Rose Test Garden: A vibrant rose garden with a gift shop. 
• Multnomah Falls: Picturesque waterfall and hiking trail. 

Pennsylvania

• Gettysburg National Military Park: Historical location alive with Civil War history. 
• Eastern State Penitentiary: A historic prison tour. 
• Independence Hall: One of America’s most important and historical sites. 

Rhode Island

• The Breakers: One of the Vanderbilt family’s summer homes. 
• Cliff Walk: Coastal trail with beautiful ocean views. 
• Newport Mansions: Gilded Age luxury comes to life. 

South Carolina

• Broadway at the Beach: Family-friendly park full of carnival rides. 
• Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum: Self-guided tour features WWII aircraft. 
• Falls Park on the Reedy: Headlined by a 28-foot waterfall with suspension bridges. 

South Dakota

• Mount Rushmore National Memorial: Historical landmark featuring four presidential sculptures. 
• Custer State Park: Take a scenic drive through rolling hills and granite peaks. 
• Falls Park: Historic park with multiple waterfall views and walking trails. 

Tennessee

• Sugarlands Distilling Company: This well-known site has over a dozen moonshine flavors. 
• Grand Ole Opry: One of the most popular locations for country music acts. 
• Ole Smoky: A popular distillery with live bluegrass music. 

Texas

• San Antonio River Walk: A riverfront promenade featuring a lot of shopping and dining. 
• The Alamo: One of the most historical landmarks in all of Texas. 
• The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza: Site of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.

Utah

• Bryce Canyon National Park: A favorite hiking area for all skill levels. 
• Arches National Park: Family-friendly hikes and different routes for more experienced hikers. 
• Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park: This rugged area offers plenty of scenery for SUV owners. 

Vermont

• The Lincoln Family Home: Former home of Robert Todd Lincoln, eldest son of President Lincoln. 
• Burlington Bike Path: Eight-mile path for bikers and walkers alike. 
• Shelburne Museum: An outdoor museum full of American history. 

Virginia

• Arlington National Cemetery: Famous military cemetery featuring the “eternal flame.” 
• Colonial Williamsburg: Historical site full of colonial buildings and carriage rides. 
• Monticello: Historic plantation home of Thomas Jefferson. 

Washington

• Chihuly Garden and Glass: Incredible art gallery featuring iconic sculptures. 
• Pike Place Market: The world-famous fish market. 
• Space Needle: One of the most famous landmarks in Seattle. 

West Virginia

• Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum: Multiple building tour focusing on mental health history. 
• Harpers Ferry National Historical Park: Multiple Civil War era landmarks and hiking trails. 
• West Virginia Penitentiary: See the difficulties of historic prison life. 

Wisconsin

• Taliesin Preservation: Tour the work of famous architects. 
• Lambeau Field: Football home of the Green Bay Packers. 
• Rick Wilcox Magic Theater: Popular magic show in an intimate venue. 

Wyoming

• Buffalo Bill Center of the West: Showcasing Western Art and Plains Indian Culture. 
• Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: A sweeping landscape of canyons and geysers. 
• Devils Tower National Monument: Featuring a 1.3-mile trail and picturesque views.