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Best Attractions in United States (2026)

Landmarks, museums, historic sites, parks and viewpoints that draw visitors to a city, with practical notes on planning a visit.

100 places · Updated November 12, 2026

Our top 3 attractions in United States

  1. Art Institute of Chicago Art museum, The LoopThe Art Institute of Chicago is a major encyclopaedic art museum on Michigan Avenue, with collections spanning thousands of years and a separate Modern Wing entrance on Monroe Street.
  2. Fountains of Bellagio Musical fountain show, The Strip (Bellagio)Free choreographed water and light show on the 8.5-acre lake in front of Bellagio, with fountains set to music that run from the afternoon until midnight.
  3. Getty Center Art museum and gardens, BrentwoodThe Getty Center is a hilltop art museum in Brentwood with European paintings, photography, sculpture gardens and wide views over Los Angeles, free with a timed reservation.

Attraction

3. Getty Center

Art museum and gardensBrentwood

The Getty Center is a hilltop art museum in Brentwood with European paintings, photography, sculpture gardens and wide views over Los Angeles, free with a timed reservation.

View details — Getty Center

Attraction

7. Space Needle

Observation towerSeattle Center

Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle at Seattle Center has an observation level at 520 feet and The Loupe, a revolving glass floor.

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Attraction

11. Alcatraz Island

Historic prison and national park siteSan Francisco Bay

Alcatraz Island is the former federal penitentiary in San Francisco Bay, now run by the National Park Service and reached only by ferry from Pier 33.

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Attraction

12. Griffith Observatory

Public observatory and science centreGriffith Park

Free-to-enter public observatory on the slopes of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, known for its astronomy exhibits, planetarium and views over Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.

View details — Griffith Observatory

Attraction

14. Jackson Square

Historic squareFrench Quarter

The historic main square of the French Quarter, framed by St Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, the Presbytère and the red-brick Pontalba Buildings, with artists along its railings.

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Attraction

16. Millennium Park

Urban park and public artThe Loop

Millennium Park is a free public park in the Loop, home to Cloud Gate, the Crown Fountain, Frank Gehry's Jay Pritzker Pavilion and the Lurie Garden.

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Attraction

17. Pike Place Market

Historic public marketDowntown

Open since 1907, Pike Place Market is Seattle's historic public market, with produce and fish stalls, craft vendors, small shops and restaurants above Elliott Bay.

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Attraction

19. The Neon Museum

Sign museum and outdoor boneyardDowntown

Outdoor museum of rescued casino and business signs north of Downtown, with daytime and evening admission, guided history tours and the Brilliant! Jackpot light show.

View details — The Neon Museum