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- Start Your 2023 Domestic Travel From These Most Visited Cities In The US
International travel is exciting, but sometimes it is a lot cheaper and even more exciting to travel within the country. It is a great way to begin the travel year, as one does not have to go through the hassle that comes with visiting a different country. With plenty of exciting destinations in the US, it might be confusing to know where to begin, but one can take clues from the most visited US cities. These cities were the most visited for many reasons, and it is great to visit and check out what makes them so appealing.
UPDATE: 2023/07/11 12:17 EST BY REENA JAIN
Start Your 2023 Domestic Travel From These Most Visited Cities In The US
This article has been updated to include two more of the most visited cities in the US, as well as information regarding the best times and places to visit the cities previously included on this list, to help travelers decide their next vacation destination.
In order to accurately reveal each city’s tourism potential, the tourism statistics of 2019 (before the pandemic) have been used for this list.
16 St. Louis, Missouri
Renowned as "The Gateway to the West," St. Louis certainly deserves to be on this list because of the footfall it receives every year. Its modern attractions, serene natural beauty, and friendly atmosphere entice travelers to this charming city, generating revenue for the locals and the government. The Gateway Arch is the nation's tallest freestanding monument and the major draw, along with the town's culinary scene and a range of exciting things for all ages.
- Best Time To Visit: May through October
- Attractions: Gateway Arch, Saint Louis Zoo, Forest Park, City Museum, Missouri Botanical Garden
15 Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is another good vacation destination that deserves to be among the most visited cities in the US in 2023. A resort city nestled in the Coachella Valley desert, it draws tourists because of its modern architecture, thriving art and cultural scene, and lovely surroundings. The city is home to many luxury hotels, golf courses, and lovely spas, allowing visitors to indulge in many exciting activities and stop for days.
- Best Time To Visit: Between January and April
- Attractions: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs Art Museum, Indian Canyons, Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium
14 Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii's Honolulu welcomed more than 10 million visitors in 2019 due to its picturesque landscape, pleasant climate, opulent resorts, and stunning beaches. The most populated island is Hawaii's capital, which also acts as a point of entry to the remainder of the state. The temperature, maritime flora, volcanoes, beaches, and wildlife of the islands draw a lot of tourists. However, Honolulu residents also enjoy visiting other historic sites like Pearl Harbor.
- Best Time To Visit: March to June
- Attractions: Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head State Monument, Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Iolani Palace
13 Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is one of the most picturesque and storied cities in the US. The seaside city has a long and illustrious past. Visitors may see Fort Sumter, which is where the Civil War started. However, Charleston is not about history only; it also has a lot to offer. As a result of its stunning architecture, delicious cuisine, and welcoming residents, Conde Nast Traveler named it the best American city. For the same reasons, it attracts millions of tourists each year.
- Best Time To Visit: March to May and September to November
- Attractions: The Battery and White Point Garden, Historic Charleston City Market, Rainbow Row, Fort Sumter National Monument, Middleton Place Plantation
12 Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville has a reputation for being a popular party city. Therefore, the Music City moniker belongs to Nashville. The longest-running live radio show in the world, the Grand Ole Opry, is where visitors may enjoy some time after learning about the music industry at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Here, some of the most well-known musicians—including Elvis Presley and Jon Bon Jovi—recorded their top-charting tracks. Nashville welcomed 14.4 million visitors in 2021.
- Best Time To Visit: May, June, and October
- Attractions: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, The Parthenon, Broadway (Honky Tonk Highway)
11 New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a place of music, delicious food, and exciting festivals. The city also has museums and plenty of centers where one can witness the melodious jazz music it is known for. All these have led to the city’s huge tourism numbers, which reached its peak in 2019 with approximately 19 million visitors. When visiting New Orleans, tourists should not miss tasting the city’s best foods at the best restaurants, check out the city’s live jazz spots, and also explore its magnificent park, New Orleans City Park..
- Best Time To Visit: February to May
- Attractions: French Quarter, Garden District, Jackson Square, National WWII Museum, St. Louis Cathedral
10 San Francisco, California
The city of San Francisco, California, has long been a favorite destination for travelers. San Francisco is among the most visited cities in the US, with more than 20 million local and international visitors yearly. Both inhabitants and tourists will find the city to be warm and inviting, and the region is regarded as one of the nation's top cultural centers. For visitors looking to have some fun in the sun, the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge, crowded Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz Island, and cable cars are all well-liked attractions.
- Best Time To Visit: September to November
- Attractions: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, Golden Gate Park
9 Boston, Massachusetts
Visitors from all over the US and the world come to Boston to witness its rich history and culture. The city is where the historic freedom trail is located, where one can walk and see plenty of stunning monuments. Approximately 22.7 million visitors visited the city in 2019 to walk the iconic freedom trail and also explore its several historic and art museums, natural areas, and entertainment centers.
- Best Time To Visit: May through October
- Attractions: Fenway Park, Freedom Trail, Boston Common, New England Aquarium, Museum of Fine Arts Boston
8 Miami, Florida
There are many cities of interest in Florida, and Miami is one of them. This city enchants visitors from all over the world with its beautiful white sand beaches, delicious seafood, and exciting shopping. Up to 24 million tourists visited Miami in 2019, and that number would have continued to rise if not for the halt brought by the pandemic. Miami has mild weather and plenty of attractions, and it is overall a great place to enjoy a vibrant atmosphere with lots of particles.
- Best Time To Visit: mid-Feb through May
- Attractions: South Beach, Art Deco Historic District, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Wynwood Walls, Everglades National Park
7 Denver, Colorado
Colorado is a place that appeals to all kinds of travelers as it features a stunning landscape and is home to the vibrant and historic city of Denver. In 2019, this city received approximately 31.9 million visitors, and despite the pandemic, tourism in the city recovered so quickly as the city received 31.7 million visitors in 2021. This goes on to reveal how much potential the city has. Many visitors to Denver visit for business, but the city also has plenty of exciting things to enjoy, from nature parks to art centers and museums. Denver is also close to world-famous attractions like Rocky Mountain National Park and Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
- Best Time To Visit: September and October
- Attractions: Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Union Station, Colorado State Capitol
6 Las Vegas, Nevada
The vibrant atmosphere and the entertainment scene of Las Vegas have made it one of the most visited cities USA. In 2019, approximately 35 million visitors came to Las Vegas to enjoy the city’s luxury hotels, casinos, otherworldly landscapes, and adventure parks. Although the pandemic reduced the number, In 2022, the visitor number in Las Vegas had already reached approximately 39 million.
- Best Time To Visit: March, April, and November
- Attractions: The Strip, Bellagio Fountains, Fremont Street Experience, High Roller Observation Wheel, The Venetian Resort and Grand Canal
5 Seattle, Washington
The long list of natural and man-made attractions in Seattle has made it appealing to both local and international travelers. In the year before the pandemic, the city and its surroundings welcomed approximately 42 million visitors who came and spent more than 8 billion dollars in the city. Like the tourism industry of many other cities across the country, the city still hopes to regain its previous tourism momentum, and travelers can make that possible by visiting in the new year.
- Best Time To Visit: June to September
- Attractions: Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle Waterfront, Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
4 Los Angeles, California
There are numerous places in California that appeal to travelers, but the city of Los Angeles remains at the top of the list. In 2018, the city recorded a whopping 50 million visitors and that number even grew to about 51 million in 2019. Even though the pandemic may have reduced the city’s tourism number, one can still expect the city to reach its previous peak. Los Angeles is a place to find some of the best entertainment in the country, as it hosts Hollywood and plenty of entertainment centers. Los Angeles also has beaches, museums, nature parks, and historical spots.
- Best Time To Visit: March to May and September to November
- Attractions: Hollywood Walk of Fame, Universal Studios Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, The Getty Center, Santa Monica Pier
3 Chicago, Illinois
Being one of the most beloved destinations in the country, Chicago receives plenty of visitors annually. Of the state’s 120 million yearly visitors in 2019, Chicago received approximately 60 million or about 50% of the entire visitors to the state. Many things can be said to be the driver of tourism to this city, but the most popular include the city’s interesting art and historical museums, nature parks, delicious food, entertaining spots, and sports.
- Best Time To Visit: late April through June and September through early November
- Attractions: Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Art Institute of Chicago, Willis Tower Skydeck, Magnificent Mile
2 New York City, New York
New York City is one of the top visited cities in the US due to the opportunities and pleasure it offers. Besides hosting some of the most sought-after attractions in the world, such as the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and Central Park, this city also has plenty of museums, entertainment centers, nature parks, and many more. In 2019, the visitor number of the city reached a whopping 66 million, and with all that the city has to offer, one can say it has not reached its potential yet.
- Best Time To Visit: December
- Attractions: Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, Empire State Building, Metropolitan Museum of Art
1 Orlando, Florida
Being one of the biggest tourist cities in the US is no surprise for Orlando. This city has what people of all ages love. It has exciting theme parks with thrilling rides, vibrant entertainment centers, interesting zoos, and an abundance of natural areas. In 2021, the city recorded approximately 59 million visitors, and this is not even up to its potential because it received up to 75 million visitors in 2019 before the pandemic struck.
- Best Time To Visit: March to May
- Attractions: Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, SeaWorld Orlando, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex