The 50 Best Free Tourist Attractions in the United States
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
They say the best things in life are free. In terms of fantastic travel destinations, this timeless phrase rings true. From the awe-inspiring ancient million year old rock formations of Sedona, to the Saguaro studded Sonoran desert, to the white sand beaches of Florida’s Gulf Coast, to man-made marvels like the Golden Gate Bridge and the monuments of Washington D.C., free natural and architectural wonders are all around us waiting to be explored. I have been traveling the US for over a decade, seeking out the best free tourist sites worth adding to your travel bucket list. This list will prove that you do not necessarily need to spend a lot of money to enjoy a great vacation.
With waterfalls, scenic drives, historical points of interest, art and history museums, beautiful hiking trails, and more, you can easily find somewhere free and fabulous to base your next travel adventure around!
In no particular order…
1. Bellagio Fountain show
The most marvelous thing to do on the Vegas Strip is not gambling, dining at an award-winning restaurant, or seeing a grand show. The top thing to do in all of Vegas is watching the spectacular Bellagio Fountain show, a choreographed dancing music show on the resort’s 8.5 acre man-made lake. More than 1000 fountains dance to all types of tunes (from classical to rock) as water shoots up to 460 feet in the air. Each show is truly unique, so you can enjoy this wonderful free attraction no matter how many times you visit Vegas.
2. The Freedom Trail
Explore some of the most prominent historical sites in one of the country’s most beautiful and historically significant cities. A 2.5 mile walk along a brick trail will take you to 16 points of interest including Boston Common, the country’s oldest park, the Old State House (built in 1837 – the oldest surviving building in Boston), Faneuil Hall (built in 1742 – America’s first town meeting site), and The Paul Revere house (built in 1680 – Revere’s home during The American Revolution). The architecture along the trail is mesmerizing and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy fresh seafood and authentic Italian food.
Tour through the Freedom Trail sights
3. Golden Gate Bridge
Take a thrilling walk across the country’s most iconic suspension bridge. Bridge construction began in 1933 and ended in 1937. The now iconic bridge opened up transportation from San Francisco to Marin County. Today, the trademark orange color and art deco appeal draws over 10 million tourists per year. The 1.7 mile long pedestrian path can be enjoyed via walking, biking or a free tour (advance sign up required). Plan on 30-45 min. Additionally, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area offers a number of trails featuring beautiful viewpoints of the bridge.
4. Central Park
The country’s most beautiful (and first landscaped) urban park is located right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of America’s most exciting city. No trip to New York City would be complete without a stroll through this iconic park. From summer lilies and peonies, to spring cherry blossoms, to autumn foliage, to ice skating in the winter, there is a picture-perfect scene no matter the season. Besides enjoying the beautiful cityscapes, there are plenty of free attractions to enjoy including the Strawberry Fields John Lennon tribute. My favorite time to visit is during the gorgeous fall foliage season!
5. Cloud Gate sculpture at Millennium park
“The Bean,” as it is referred to by Chicago locals, is an amazing work of art by British artist Anish Kapoor. Do take advantage of seeing one of the world’s largest permanent art displays while visiting The Windy City. It is located in Millennium Park, a popular destination for free summer concerts and winter ice skating (free if you have your own skates!). The reflective nature of the shiny sculpture (with the beautiful skyline in the backdrop) makes for a fun picture taking destination.
