Tourist Attractions in the USA: Best Places to Visit

Explore the best tourist attractions in the USA, from the bustling city of New York to the natural beauty of Yellowstone National Park. As an international student, take the time to explore this vast and diverse country during your semester breaks or weekends.

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Tourist Attractions in the USA: Best Places to Visit
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Apr 17, 2023 04:44 AM
If you are an international student pursuing your degree program in the US, chances are that you will go crazy at the number of tourist attractions the country offers. Not only is it famous for the Hollywood and the Disneyland, USA has a lot more to offer in terms of natural geography and its fauna too. With places like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Washington D.C, Grand Canyon National Park, Miami, Chicago, Seattle, Disneyland Park, Niagara Falls, Joshua Tree National Park, and more you would have to spend months to completely cover the vast stretch of the USA. However, we understand that your studies will not really allow you enough time for this. So, depending upon where your university is located, we are listing out the city-wise tourist attractions in the USA. Some specific must-see attractions are being mentioned too. Thus, have fun whenever you get time and go about exploring this beautiful country.

New York

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Source : Forbes
New York, known as NYC, is the most popular city in the USA and for all the possible reasons. New York was named after King James, The Arch Duke of York and is situated on one of the world’s largest natural harbors.
New York is a favourite place for foodies, as it is one of the top culinary destinations in the world. Countless number of food joints, plazas, parks, museums, etc., attracts millions of tourists to this city that never sleeps. The energy of New Yorkers and the tourists on Times Square is infectious, making it the most fun and unforgettable place to visit!
New York has five boroughs: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Islands. The major tourist attractions in the USA situated in and around New York are The Times Square, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Centre, Empire State Building, and many more, which will leave you mesmerized.

Los Angeles

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Source : The Smart Local
This city is most commonly known as the City of Angels and is always in news for its bustling life, thanks to the Hollywood movies and celebrities. A metropolis with a Mediterranean climate and diversified ethnicity, this place lies in Southern California. Los Angeles has hiking trails, beaches, scenic drives, theme parks, some amazing multi-cultural cuisines to indulge in.
Some major tourist attractions in the USA situated in and around Los Angeles include Downtown LA, Disney Land, Universal Studios, Santa Monica, Griffith Observatory, City Hall, Venice Beach, Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport, Vincent Thomas Bridge, and last but not the last the most famous Hollywood Sign. A tour up the Beverly Hills which is home to top Hollywood stars gives you a glimpse of their expansive homes, upscale life and high-end shopping street on Rodeo Drive.
Los Angeles has fascinating and versatile attractions that entice tourists of all ages, from toddlers to senior citizens.

San Francisco

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Source : Brunswick Group
San Francisco is the cultural and commercial hub of California and is known for its booming tech industry. San Francisco is a perfect getaway destination for those students who have a taste for luxury and refinery. The climate of this place is so soothing that if you are just done with your semester exams or finally landed the dream job, this place is where you would want to come for sure. Surrounded by the Bay and hilly square, this city has rich culture and is known for its educational institutions, rich companies, and some great tourist destinations like the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, etc.
Bay Area as it is popularly called, is one of the most expensive cities in the USA to live. With a stunning skyline and narrow streets, beautiful architecture, picturesque views, this city satiates the travel quench of everyone who loves to travel.

Las Vegas

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Source : The Telegraph
The neon-lit city known for its 24/7-nightlife, stunning casinos, swanky restaurants, and shows and concerts, makes Las Vegas one of the best party destinations. Places you can roam around in Las Vegas are the grand casinos, Stratosphere Tower, Clark Country Government Centre, World Market Center, Las Vegas Springs Preserve. Not so surprisingly, Las Vegas ranks as one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world almost every year!
If you are looking for entertainment, nightlife scenes and various cuisines for the foodie in you, this colourful and vibrant city will leave you enthralled for sure.

Washington D.C.

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Source : AL.COM
Established by the Constitution of the United States of America to serve as the capital of the USA, Washington DC is known as the international city which is home to the President of the US and other important political figures. This city houses 175 embassies and umpteen number of international cultural centres, public offices, making it the political hub for all practical purposes.
Washington DC has a lot to offer for tourists in terms of museums, monuments and memorials, American history, cherry blossoms, Georgetown, African-American heritage, parks and gardens, and Neoclassical architectures. Needless to say, one must visit The White House that houses the President of America to have the complete DC-visitor experience.

Alaska

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Alaska is famous for not just glaciers but also its lakes, rivers, and waterways with whale watching cruises and outdoor activities. Alaska is the largest state in the US which is home to more than 3,000,000 lakes, 3000 rivers, and 20 mountain peaks.
Some of the major tourist attractions in the USA which lie in and around Alaska are the Denali National Park and Reserve, Inside Passage, Katmai National Park and Preserve, and Exit Glacier. Alaska is the perfect destination for adventurous souls who love to explore.

Seattle

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Source : IEEE Spectrum
Popularly known as the Emerald City, Seattle is the largest city in the state of Washington, located in the north-west coast of the USA. Surrounded by lush evergreen forests, this city is famous for housing the first Starbucks and is a hub for high technology and e-commerce trade.
Puget Sound, parks and gardens, coffee culture, craft breweries, Asian cuisines, glass art, and the LGBTQ+ Capitol Hill yes, this is Seattle for you. The Space Needle, Pike Place Market’s original Starbucks, Seattle Center, The Gum Wall, Seattle Art Museum, Sports and other attractions will surely leave you mesmerized.

Miami

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Source : Channel Vision Magazine
This stylish Florida city is known for South Beach, historical architecture, Art Decors and frescos, Nightlife, water activities, street arts, high-end shopping, and some breathtaking local parks. A trip to the Everglades National Park from Miami will give you a wonderful opportunity to see alligators, one-of-a-kind birds and turtles too.
Now, having mentioned all the major cities that are full of some of the best tourist attractions in the USA, let us talk about the best tourist destinations which lie in areas outside the ones mentioned above.

Grand Canyon National Park

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Source : CN Traveler
Put this in your must-see bucket list no matter where your university is. Layered in red rock, the Grand Canyon in the state of Arizona is one of the seven wonders of the natural world. Bundled with some of the most beautiful views, such as the Colorado River flowing through the Canyon, Desert view watchtower, Havasu Falls, Rim Trail, and Mather Points, this place is a lot more that you could even imagine!

Disneyland Park

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Source : Disney Parks
For all those who have grown up watching Mickey, Mini and Goofy, the Disneyland Park is a place you would love to visit. The amusement park has eight themed parts to it and has lots to offer for people of all ages. From cars land to sleeping beauty castle, Grizzly River Run, and the Incredicoaster, you will never be tired of enjoying yourself here. However, the park is huge and hence you will definitely need some rest after visiting it.
There are two Disneyland parks in the USA, one in California and the other in Florida.

Niagara Falls

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Source : Wikipedia
The Niagara Falls are situated along the US-Canada border. They are essentially a set of three falls. The largest section is the horseshoe falls, the second section or the section which lies on the American side is the American falls and the third section, the thinnest of them all is called the Bridal Veil Falls. A natural wonder, Niagara falls will leave the tourists breathless with its splendor and beauty.

Yellowstone National Park

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Source : Kidtripster
Home to a huge ancient volcano, the Yellowstone National Park is a site which you simply cannot and should not miss. In addition to the now dormant volcano, the Yellowstone National Park is also known for its geysers and naturally hot springs. The oldest national park in the US, it houses a variety of wildlife such as bison, bighorn sheep, bears, grizzly bears and antelope.

Times Square

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Source : Agoda
The place which has been shown in movies since forever as an example of New York’s beautiful night life, the Times Square is a place where people throng in abundance. This place is full of hustle-bustle of tourists as well as locals at all times and is a must visit for those who appreciate night life. The Times Square is the main centre of world’s entertainment industry and home to the Broadway Theater District. The Times Square never sleeps, and is one of the most visited tourist places in the world, annually drawing more than 50 million tourists!

St Louis Arch

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Source : Chicago Tribune
Known as the “Gateway to the West”, the St Louis arch can be seen from miles away. This arch was built in the 1960s and stands tall in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park in the state of Missouri. One can visit the top of the arch as well through dedicated elevators to see the breathtaking views of the country.

Conclusion

The United States of America is one of the largest and most beautiful countries in the world. The 50 states in the US are each unique in their own way and home to some of the natural wonders of the world. In this blog, we have tried to cover as many popular destinations as possible, but the list is not comprehensive, considering the vast expanse of this country. There are a lot of hidden gems which make for some great tourist attractions in the USA. As an international student, you will find some time to explore this country during your semester breaks or weekends. Hope this blog helps you in giving an outline of the most popular attractions in the USA.
If you are an international student studying in the US, or a tourist visiting US, check out this article to learn about the transportation options to get around in the USA.