USA Attractions - Top 10 Most Popular Sights

The United States of America is the land of unlimited possibilities. Here, dreams come true - especially vacation dreams. After all, the incredible diversity of the USA allows for a contrasting holiday program, with impressive buildings, unique landscapes, and exciting entertainment.

We have summarized the 10 most beautiful attractions in the USA in our list of the 10 most popular sights for you.

It is said that you haven't seen New York until you've viewed it from the top of the Empire State Building - which, by the way, is a full 443 m tall. So don't miss this sight!

The commission for the construction of the Empire State Building came from General Motors founder Jacob Raskob. His goal: to build a skyscraper taller than his direct competitor Chrysler! After just a year and 45 days of construction, this was accomplished: when it opened in 1931, the Empire State Building was the tallest building in the city.

The famous skyscraper on Fifth Avenue can naturally also be ascended. From the observation deck on the 102nd floor, you can not only see all of New York but, on clear days, up to 130 km into the surrounding area.

Address: 350 5th Ave New York, NY 10118

Our second sight takes us from the East to the West Coast of the USA. The world-famous bridge in striking orange-red spans the Golden Gate Strait, which connects the Atlantic Ocean with San Francisco Bay.

You should not only admire the Golden Gate Bridge from a distance but also cross it yourself. The best way is by bicycle or on foot to peacefully enjoy the view over the bay of San Francisco - assuming the bridge isn't, as is often the case, shrouded in fog.

The red color of the Golden Gate Bridge was not originally planned. The striking color tone was merely a rust preventative, which was later supposed to be painted over in a regular gray. Fortunately, the residents of San Francisco liked the red so much that they kept it.

The 450 km long and 1.6 km deep gorge, which the Colorado River has carved out over millions of years, runs through the Colorado Plateau in Arizona. Today, it is one of the most popular national parks in the USA.

Numerous viewpoints offer visitors a spectacular view into the canyon and of the river. One of the best panoramas can be seen from the South Rim, near the Grand Canyon Village. In the Hualapai Indian Reservation, especially daring visitors have access to the Skywalk since 2007, a glass bridge 1,200 m above the abyss.

There are hiking trails leading down to the river from both sides of the Grand Canyon. However, you should bring some hiking experience, as the path to the Colorado River is not easy and takes at least a full day.

Tip: The viewpoints at the North Rim are often less crowded and offer equally wonderful views!

Las Vegas, the entertainment center in the middle of the Nevada desert, is unique in many ways. The most spectacular part of the city is undoubtedly the Las Vegas Strip, home to magnificent themed hotels and casinos.

In the 1940s, gangster Bugsy Siegel opened the first casino with an integrated hotel in Las Vegas. Since then, the city has grown into a colorful gaming paradise. Most of the casinos clustered along the Strip.

Today, a casino hotel stands next to each other along the Las Vegas Strip. They are each designed with different themes, including spewing volcanoes, a 30 m high pyramid, and a replica of Venice complete with canals and singing gondoliers.

Address: S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89109

The third oldest national park in the USA has retained none of its attractiveness. This is primarily due to its diverse landscape and unique flora and fauna.

Yosemite National Park extends over 3,000 km² on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada. This area includes diverse natural attractions such as granite rocks, waterfalls, and the gigantic coastal redwoods. Some of its highlights include:

Yosemite National Park is well developed with numerous beautiful hiking trails. In some of the crystal-clear rivers, swimming is possible. Climbers can also scale granite cliffs, such as El Capitan. In winter, skiing and snowboarding at Badger Pass are also possible.

The capital of the USA must not be missed when discussing the country's attractions. After all, this is the center of political power, making Washington D.C. a very special destination.

The most famous building in Washington D.C. is undoubtedly the White House, the official residence of the sitting President of the USA. To take a guided tour of the building, it must be requested at the consulate months in advance. But even just the outside of this pompous building is quite worth seeing.

Next to the White House are the Capitol, home of the Senate, and the House of Representatives. Visiting these is much easier. In the visitor galleries, you can even watch sessions of the politicians with the right timing.

Hollywood is the symbol of stars and glamour, of the American Dream and its unlimited possibilities. And nothing in Hollywood represents the film industry as well as the world-renowned Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard.

The biggest names in the American film industry all have a star on the Walk of Fame. This ritual began in 1958 by the local Chamber of Commerce, which wanted to give Hollywood a new shine. It succeeded: currently, over 2,300 stars adorn the city's most famous street.

Next to the actual Walk of Fame, there are numerous other attractions on Hollywood Boulevard, such as the Chinese Theatre with its handprints of famous actors or the Kodak Theatre, home of the Oscars. In between, many impersonators entertain tourists on the street.

Did you know? The only star that is not embedded in the ground belongs to boxing legend Mohammad Ali. He didn't want everyone trampling on it, so his star was instead placed against the wall of the Kodak Theatre.

Address: N Highland Ave & Hollywood Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90028

One of the most visited theme parks in the world is located in Central Florida. Walt Disney himself bought huge tracts of swamp land there to open his amusement park in 1971 - the second after Disneyland Anaheim in California.

In addition to the thrilling rides, Disney World is especially popular because of its lovingly crafted design. The entire park's layout is based on well-known Disney movies. This extends to the individual roller coasters and water rides, which are perfectly integrated into their respective themed areas.

Throughout Disney World, you can personally meet heroes from the films, from Disney princesses to Jack Sparrow. Numerous shows and events also offer diverse entertainment for visitors of all ages.

The oldest national park in the world dates back to 1872. The then American President Ulysses Simpson Grant founded the national park over an area of nearly 9,000 km², stretching across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.

One of the biggest attractions of Yellowstone National Park is its many geysers. About 300 of these hot springs are found in Yellowstone, which is half of all geysers in the world. The most famous of them is named Old Faithful, which erupts a fountain of water up to 60 m high every 60 to 90 minutes.

Besides the geysers, Yellowstone National Park offers many other natural beauties. Primeval forests alternate with canyons, mountain lakes and waterfalls can be found amid various tree species. Some of the animals that roam in Yellowstone National Park include:

Did you know? The first mention of the geysers goes back to John Colter, who, in 1807, was the first white person to travel through what is now Yellowstone. His contemporaries believed the stories of boiling mud pits were an overflowing fantasy!

Nearly 18 m high are the portraits of the four US Presidents carved into the stone of Mount Rushmore. They belong to the significant statesmen George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

When Doane Robinson, the historian of South Dakota, commissioned sculptor Gutzon Borglum in 1923 for the monumental artwork, he actually had the depiction of historical figures like Western heroes in mind. However, Borglum convinced him to immortalize four of the most significant American presidents instead.

The work on Mount Rushmore began in 1927, involving over 400 workers. It took until 14 years later for the artwork to be finished. Borglum himself did not live to see this; he died a few months before its completion. His son Lincoln took over the leadership of the work and completed the portraits in his father's spirit.

Did you know? Mount Rushmore is also well-known due to its various film appearances, such as in Hitchcock's 'North by Northwest.'

The incredible size of the USA makes it impossible to visit all of its sights at once. However, based on our selection, you have a good starting point on where to begin your journey in America. Whether you're more interested in a city trip or an active vacation in one of the national parks, the USA offers you all possibilities.