The Must-Visit Famous Landmarks in the US Worth Building a Trip Around
The United States draws tens of millions of tourists every year, and a handful of landmarks consistently top every must-visit list.
From ancient canyon walls to towering monuments, these are the iconic destinations — both natural and man-made — that deserve a spot on your travel itinerary.
Natural Landmarks That Deliver Awe
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee/North Carolina) claimed the title of most visited national park in 2024 per Smithsonian Magazine, welcoming 12.19 million visitors. It’s free to enter and straddles two states. Visitors in 2024 spent over $2 billion in gateway communities, generating $2.8 billion in cumulative economic impact — the highest of any national park.
Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona) ranked as the third most visited national park in 2024 with over 4.9 million visits. Located along the Colorado River, most people visit the South Rim. Rock layers exposed in the canyon walls record approximately one third of the planet’s history, with the oldest rocks at the canyon floor approaching 2 billion years old.
Niagara Falls (New York) remains one of the most recognizable natural landmarks in the world, offering hiking, walking and boat tours. Over the last 12,000 years, erosion of the resistant rocks that cap Niagara has allowed the falls to migrate about 7 miles upstream — and they still move about a foot upstream per year today.
Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming) recorded 4.74 million visits in 2024. It’s home to geysers, hot springs and diverse wildlife, with activities ranging from biking and hiking to horseback riding.
Yosemite National Park (California) is iconic for its waterfalls and granite cliffs, drawing 4.14 million visits in 2024. The scenic landscape of Yosemite Valley contains world-renowned geologic features such as Half Dome, El Capitan, Sentinel Rock and the cliffs of Yosemite Valley.
Man-Made and Historic Landmarks
The Statue of Liberty (New York) is a symbol of the country recognized worldwide. Visitors take a ferry to reach it. Dedicated by President Grover Cleveland on October 28, 1886, the statue has been cared for by the National Park Service since 1933.
The Lincoln Memorial (Washington, D.C.) drew 8.47 million visits in 2024. It appeared on the back of pennies and the five-dollar bill and has been the site of key moments in American history, such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.
The Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco) is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and was the single most visited NPS-managed site in 2024 with 17.18 million visits. Its striking color originated from the steel beams being coated with a red lead primer. The color was kept because it blended well with the nearby hills while offering a stark contrast to the water and sky.
Mount Rushmore (South Dakota) features four presidents carved into granite: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Each president was chosen deliberately: Washington represents the nation’s birth, Jefferson its westward expansion via the Louisiana Purchase, Roosevelt its economic growth through the Panama Canal and Lincoln the preservation of the union during the Civil War.
Tips for Planning Your Visit
- Book popular national parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite well in advance. Timed entry passes often sell out months ahead.
- Washington, D.C., landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial and National Mall are free to visit.
- June and July are the peak months for national park visits, so shoulder season in spring or fall is ideal for smaller crowds.
Whether you’re drawn to natural wonders or historic monuments, the US has something for every type of traveler.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
This story was originally published March 27, 2026 at 2:36 PM.
