Any list of top U.S. destinations is bound to have plenty of subjectivity. You could make a list of the top cities based on hotel bookings or commercial airline landings, but those stats would be inaccurate from the average tourist's standpoint because of the number of business travelers and trade conventions involved. True vacationers aren't traveling on business; they want to see the sights. In terms of number of visitors and tourism appeal, certain U.S. destinations always seem to land at or near the top whatever kind of list you consult.
Times Square
- If you come to New York City and don't see Times Square, you haven't really seen New York City. Seeing Times Square on TV isn't the same as seeing it in person. The advertising frenzy of this multi-block long mecca of giant, skyscraper-like illuminated billboards may not be your cup of tea, but you'll still be gawking at it in amazement. Times Square is in the heart of the Theater District, with the Great White Way -- Broadway -- cutting right through it. Pick up day-of discounted show tickets from the red TKTS booth in the center of the square. And be sure to use the crosswalks on the signal. Any temptation to jaywalk in NYC, especially in Times Square, presents a dangerous proposition.
Golden Gate Bridge
- You can drive across it or admire it from afar, but you should do both. Better yet, you could walk, jog or bike across it. The size and beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge is breathtaking, its orange towers soaring through a cloudbank of fog or gleaming in the sun, sometimes both at the same time. This feat of engineering connects San Francisco to Marin County to the north by spanning 1.7 miles across the bay, with towers 746 feet tall. Completed in 1937, the suspension bridge still delights and amazes tourists from around the globe. Get a gander of the entire span, with the city and bay serving as a scenic backdrop, from Hawk Hill on the north side of the bridge inside the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Magic Kingdom
- The beating heart of Walt Disney World in central Florida has always been the Magic Kingdom. It's almost a rite of passage for families to visit the original section of America's most-visited theme park outside of Orlando. Take a walk down Main Street, U.S.A. toward Cinderella's castle and catch the daily parades, especially the nighttime parade with lighted floats. The themed sections of the Magic Kingdom include Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, each featuring many rides and attractions. Summer is, unsurprisingly, the busiest time, but expect crowds no matter what time of year you visit. And prepare to see the faces of your kids light up with excitement amid the throngs of other families making a similar journey through the land of Mickey.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
- Faneuil Hall may not have the name recognition of other iconic American tourist destinations, but it receives roughly the same number of visitors as some of them. It's also more historic. This circa-1742 marketplace and meeting hall in downtown Boston is known as "The Cradle of Liberty," where speeches by such early American luminaries as Sam Adams helped to spark the movement towards independence for the colonies. It's also where George Washington raised a toast to the newfound republic on its first birthday. Today, as then, Faneuil Hall remains a vital marketplace. Walking its centuries-old promenades, you'll discover an array of shops and eateries and feel a sense of history emanating up through the cobblestones.
Las Vegas Strip
- Once upon a time, Las Vegas and its famous Strip was, for the most part, an adults-only destination. Then the city had a successful family-friendly makeover that managed to keep the original glitzy charm intact while leaving much of the seediness behind. That glitz is now over the top with the massive development that has occurred. The result is best seen at night driving or strolling down the Strip -- officially Las Vegas Boulevard -- for the dazzling display of flashing lights from the assorted large hotel resort properties, casinos and attractions lining it. At the southernmost end of the Strip you'll find the iconic circa-1950s welcome sign in the median of the boulevard ripe for a Vegas-style photo-op.
