The most visited-states in the U.S. are home to many of America’s most famous attractions, both natural and human-made, enticing travelers from coast to coast and across the globe. Of course, certain places will always stand out due to the sheer number of visitors each year — New York City’s Times Square, for instance. But New York state is more than its main tourist attraction, just like Florida offers much more to visitors than famous theme parks and beaches. Discover the most-visited states in the U.S. and why so many people are drawn to them.
10. Illinois
Annual visitors: 111 million
Given that Chicago is the third-largest city in the U.S., it should come as no surprise that Illinois is one of the top 10 most-visited states in the U.S. In 2022, the Midwest state welcomed over 100 million visitors. Many of them checked out the Windy City’s iconic architecture and world-renowned attractions such as Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago.
But Illinois offers a wealth of other attractions outside of its biggest city. For example, the outdoorsy set flocks to Starved Rock State Park and Shawnee National Forest, while history buffs make sure to trek to President Abraham Lincoln’s onetime home in Springfield.
9. New Jersey
Annual visitors: 114 million
New Jersey is a popular destination for tourists thanks in no small part to its proximity to New York City. But the Garden State’s many visitors are drawn to much more than easy access to the Big Apple. The scenic Jersey Shore — known for its beautiful beaches, boardwalks, and vibrant seaside towns — welcomes around 48 million people a year alone, while Atlantic City’s casinos and resorts attract visitors with enticing nightlife.
New Jersey is also rich in history, with several American Revolutionary War battlefields and charming colonial towns like South Orange and Princeton. The state has its share of beautiful natural landscapes too, such as the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (shared with Pennsylvania) and the vast Pine Barrens ecosystem.
8. Florida
Annual visitors: 140.6 million
In 2022, Florida welcomed a record number of visitors. The draw for many is the state’s warm climate, but world-famous Orlando theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios do some heavy tourism lifting, too. Cities including Miami and Tampa are also major tourist hubs, offering an appealing mix of nightlife, sandy shores, and cultural attractions.
Meanwhile, the state’s natural beauty is on full display in the unique ecosystem of the Everglades and the far-flung tropical Florida Keys. The Sunshine State’s coastline, stretching along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, also boasts some of the best beaches in the world. The bustling shores of Miami’s South Beach, the glimmering sands of Siesta, and the tranquility of Navarre Beach are all worth adding to your travel list.
7. Tennessee
Annual visitors: 141 million
Between the state’s stunning natural beauty and its top-notch musical heritage, it’s no wonder Tennessee welcomes nearly 150 million visitors a year. One of the biggest reasons is Nashville, the state’s capital and largest city, which is aptly known as “Music City.” The city attracts country music fans to iconic venues such as the Grand Ole Opry, institutions like the Country Music Hall of Fame, and nonstop live music on the Broadway Street strip.
Memphis, meanwhile, boasts a rich blues and rock ‘n’ roll history, highlighted by landmarks including Beale Street, Sun Studio, and Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, is another major draw. As the country’s most-visited national park, it offers stunning scenery, including the cascading Laurel Falls and roaring Abrams Falls.
6. Georgia
Annual visitors: 167.7 million
While tree-canopied Atlanta (the so-called “City in a Forest”) and historically charming Savannah are key parts of Georgia’s tourism, many of the Peach State’s visitors came for more than just its big cities.
The state’s natural beauty also drives visitor numbers — look no further than the small northeastern mountain town of Blue Ridge and its healing mineral water attractions, or the beaches of Tybee Island. About 600,000 people also head to the Okefenokee Swamp on the Florida-Georgia border every year. The wildlife refuge is a maze of waterways, wildlife, and breathtaking cypress forests complete with draping Spanish moss.
5. Pennsylvania
Annual visitors: 192 million
Pennsylvania is steeped in American history, as the nearly 200 million people who visited the Keystone State in 2022 can attest. Tourists can take in historical sites such as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the state’s largest city.
Visitors are also drawn to Pennsylvania’s diverse landscapes, from the family-friendly Pocono Mountains to picturesque Lancaster County, which is home to the oldest and largest Amish community in the United States.
4. Ohio
Annual visitors: 234 million
Ohio’s central location and classic Midwestern charm attracted a huge amount of visitors in 2022. The capital, Columbus, is known for the lush and bountiful Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, while Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame welcomes over 500,000 music fans every year. Both Cleveland and Cincinnati have MLB teams (the Guardians and the Reds, respectively), and the state is home to several beautiful parks, such as Hocking Hills and Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
3. California
Annual visitors: 259 million
Of California’s more than 250 million visitors in 2022, almost 50 million of them chose to visit the state’s most populous city, Los Angeles. But it’s not just Hollywood that makes people flock to one of the most famous states in the U.S.
San Francisco landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island remain major draws, while San Diego boasts the beautiful Balboa Park and stunning beaches. Adventurous travelers also head to Yosemite National Park and the scenic Pacific Coast Highway to take in the state’s unforgettable natural beauty.
2. Texas
Annual visitors: 279 million
Texas ranks No. 2 in the country for both population and area. Fittingly, it also ranks as the second-most-visited state, and the Lone Star State’s vast landscapes and lively cities including Houston and Austin are undoubtedly huge draws for tourism.
Two of the state’s most-visited natural attractions — Big Bend National Park, with its dramatic canyons carved by the Rio Grande, and the unspoiled beaches of Padre Island National Seashore — each welcome more than 500,000 people annually. Of course, the state’s famed barbeque cuisine is also a major draw, and fans will find several local excursions based around the best dishes.
1. New York
Annual visitors: 291.5 million
It’s home to the most-visited tourist spot in the U.S., so it should come as no surprise that New York also tops the list of U.S. states ranked by tourism. New York City’s Times Square itself attracts a dizzying 50 million visitors, but it’s far from the only massive attraction in the city. The Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and Broadway theater shows draw millions of curious culture hounds each year.
Beyond the Big Apple, the most visited state in the U.S. also boasts the natural wonder of Niagara Falls, the serene Adirondacks, and the upstate Finger Lakes region, known for its award-winning wines.
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