See which cities in Missouri made the list of top US destinations, with St. Louis ranking as the no. 1 city and taking the spotlight for the state. Find out how Missouri compares to other top destinations like Orlando, New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
According to the blog site Alot.com, our Show Me State has two cities ranked in the top US 31 destinations, with St. Louis leading the way at no.1 in Missouri and no. 10 out of 31. Orlando takes the No. 1 spot in the US, beating New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles respectively.
In addition, our city St. Louis, known as the Gateway to the West, welcomes an impressive 26 million visitors each year. The city is brimming with attractions, from the iconic Arch to the unique City Museum, and not forgetting the renowned zoo.
Furthermore, despite its modest population of approximately 11,500, the charming Ozark city of Branson attracts over 7 million visitors annually, as reported by the Branson Tourism Center.
Top 30 U.S. Travel Spots-Alot.com
Americans typically enjoy two weeks of paid vacation annually, excluding additional holidays. Our children benefit from extensive school breaks, leading families to frequent lakes during spring, beaches in summer, and various destinations for fall break, making every season ideal for a getaway.
The beauty of vacationing in America is the vast array of destinations within the 50 states, yet most Americans explore less than half. Considering the picturesque cities, national parks, and amusement parks available, it’s a wonder that we don’t travel more. Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are a testament to our collective wanderlust, with a significant portion of personal finances dedicated to holiday expenses.
For those curious about the most beloved travel spots in the U.S., the search ends here. These locations are not only the most visited in the country but also feature on many bucket lists, with travelers often returning for multiple visits. Whether it’s the urban allure of cities or the natural splendor of parks, America has something for everyone.
Here is the complete story from bottom to top.
“The Big Island” (Hawai’i)
The island of Hawai’i (not the state) is the third most-visited of the chain’s six islands open for tourist visits. Just under 2 million visitors came to the Big Island, as part of the state’s 9.3 million overall visitors.
Maui, Hawaii
People love to visit Hawaii. It’s the most picturesque vacation spot in the nation. Maui has a dormant volcano to explore, national parks galore, and beaches for miles and miles. Why do you think over 2.7 million tourists came to visit?
Image via: Facebook.
Sedona, Arizona
Between 3 and 4 million visitors visit the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, many of those in search of spiritual experiences. Over the past decade, tourism here has increased three fold.
(image via Facebook)
Yellowstone, Wyoming
Yellowstone is one of America’s favorite national parks, and for good reason. It’s great for anybody who wants to visit. For people who aren’t too outdoorsy, there are plenty of sites to see, like Old Faithful. For the wilderness experts, there are miles and miles of untouched wilderness. You won’t be alone out there, though. Over 4 million visitors come each year!
Image via: Facebook.
Yosemite, California
You won’t run out of things to see in Yosemite. The forest is full of massive, green trees that would dominate the landscape if they weren’t nestled in between cliffs thousands of feet tall. There are thousands of miles to explore in this massive park. Over 5.5 million visitors come to the park every year.
Image via: Facebook.
Oahu, Hawai’i
Oahu is the most visited island in the state of Hawai’i. Around 5.7 million visitors soaked up the sun here, accounting for the bulk of Hawai’i’s 9.3 million visitors overall.
(image via Facebook)
Saint Augustine, Florida
Saint Augustine estimates that about 6 million people visit the area each year. As the first (yes, older than Jamestown) European settlement in the U.S., the city has LOTS of history.
(image via Facebook)
Charleston, South Carolina
Around 6 million visitors come to this city of Southern charm every year. It has been consistently named the #1 place in America where people should vacation by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazine year after year.
(image via Facebook)
Grand Canyon, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is probably on more postcards than any other landmark. It’s not so popular without reason, though. At over a mile deep at its lowest point, the canyon lives up to its name. It’s hundreds of miles long and definitely worth the road trip for its 6.25 million visitors each year.
Image via: Facebook.
Branson, Missouri
While it may only have a population of around 11,500 residents, the Ozark city of Branson draws a little over 7 million visitors a year according to the Branson Tourism center.
(image via Facebook)
Portland, Oregon
In recent years, Portland has really grown. It’s one city that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds. There’s a coffee shop on every corner and a food cart on every corner. With over 65 craft breweries, it’s considered one of the best beer cities in the world. Crater Lake is a breathtaking view just outside the city, but if you get the chance, stroll around the streets like the 8.6 million other yearly visitors do.
Image via: Facebook.
Palm Springs, California
13.6 million visitors came to the Palm Springs area while spending $5.5 billion annually. Coachella, anyone?
(image via Facebook)
Savannah, Georgia
The Savannah Chamber estimates that just under 14 million visitors came to explore the city, almost 6 million of whom were daytrippers. They contribute almost $3 billion to the local economy.
(image via Facebook)
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is known throughout the nation as Music City, and it lives up to its name. There are over 150 venues that play music for free, and the music scene is so competitive that you can guarantee that you’ll be hearing something quality. 14.5 million visitors heard some swanky toons, an increase of nearly 50% over the past 10 years.
Miami, Floria
Miami tourism numbers set records in the past couple of years. Just under 16 million visitors came to the city, and they spent around $30 billion. All of that growth did crowd the main airport, however. Traffic there was down 1% year-over-year.
(image via Facebook)
New Orleans, Louisiana
The lowest metro city in the nation has bourbon street, drive-through liquor stores, amazing Jambalaya and Cajun food. The French Quarter is one of the most stand-out places in the nation. The food here is amazing, and you won’t want to do much else than restaurant hop while you visit. Just under 18 million tourists make it to the Big Easy each year.
Image via: Facebook.
Washington, D.C.
Every year, 20.8 million people flock to our nation’s capital. The city has some great food and plenty of opportunities to learn from and honor the past. The Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum and research complex, so big that you won’t be able to see it all. The Air and Space Museum is also one of the world’s most popular museums.
Image via: Facebook.
St. Louis, Missouri
This Gateway to the West city hosts an estimated 26 million visitors a year. Between the arch, the City Museum, and the famed zoo, there’s lots to do.
(image via Unsplash)
San Francisco, California
San Francisco holds two of America’s most iconic sights: The Golden Gate Bridge and the city’s steep heels adorned with cable cars. The Redwood forest is right next door, Alcatraz is on an island in the bar, and San Fran’s Chinatown is unparalleled in the states. A little over 26 million visitors came to San Francisco’s side of the Bay Area.
Image via: Facebook.
Austin, Texas
Austin is often called a hipster city, but that just means that there’s a lot of people doing a lot of cool, trendy, and unique things. There are a million outdoorsy things to do, from kayaking to ziplines. 27.4 million visitors come to the city annually, a nearly 40% increase in only 10 years.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston was founded almost 400 years ago, and it’s built quite a lot of character in that time. That’s why 27.7 million visitors come to Bean Town each year. If you’re a history buff, the Freedom Trail will take you along the city’s historic sites. The Boston Red Sox are sure to put on a good game in front of their home crowd.
Image via: Facebook.
San Antonio, Texas
Visit San Antonio estimates around 31 million people visit the city every year. Six million of those visitors are there for business trips.
(image via Facebook)
Denver, Colorado
Colorado is the new California, and Denver is the place to go. The city is packed with amazing things to do, places to eat, and sites to see. The Rockies frame the western edge at all times. Art lovers will adore the city. Not only is there an amazing art museum in Denver, but there’s also a mural on pretty much every building. A record 31.7 million visitors came to the Mile High City.
San Diego, California
San Diego is probably best-known for its beaches, as it should be. The city claims more than 70 miles of white, sandy shores that no one can pass up. In addition to having some of the best American beaches, it also has one of the best zoos in the nation. That’s why its 35 million visitors last year was another all-time record.
Image via: Facebook.
Seattle, Washington
Just barely under 40 million visitors toured the city of Seattle, an eighth consecutive record-setting year.
(image via Facebook)
Las Vegas, Nevada
Tourism is in Las Vegas’s DNA. That’s why the city welcomed 43 million visitors, a record. Also a record, the amount of money those visitors spent while in the city—an estimated $35.5 billion.
(image via Unsplash)
Los Angeles, California
The sunny weather of LA keeps drawing record numbers of tourists. The LA Tourism & Convention Board estimated that over 48 million people visited the city setting another annual record.
(image via Pexels)
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is the biggest cultural hub America has that isn’t sitting on a coast. The Midwestern city is full of breathtaking architecture, world-class museums, and Michelin-star restaurants. Live entertainment is huge, with everything from the Cubs, Bears, and Bulls to live music venues and comedy clubs. We could go on and on, but 55.3 million visitors can’t be wrong!
NYC, New York
It should come as no surprise that the Big Apple is one of America’s most popular destinations. It’s seen as a cultural icon around the world. High-end entertainment paves the way on Broadway. The Empire State building literally brought the world to new heights. There’s a park in the middle of the city. It welcomes 62.8 million visitors a year!
Image via: Facebook.
Orlando, Florida
People don’t really visit Orlando for the city, although it’s a great city. They visit it for the parks. Disney World is here with its plethora of parks, including Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Universal is across the street with its Magical World of Harry Potter. And don’t forget about SeaWorld! That’s why it was the first U.S. city to ever pass the 70 million visitor threshold (72 million to be exact)!
Image via: Facebook
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