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.
11. Savannah historic district
For any history lovers out there, Savannah definitely ranks amongst the best tourist destinations. There is so much to see and do packed into the tiny historic district. With 22 beautiful public squares, pretty parks and fountains, beautiful inns, and historic churches, you will want to bring a good camera. It’s easy to explore the city on your own 2 feet due to the easy to navigate grid layout. Highlights include Forsyth Park with its’ iconic centerpiece fountain, the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist (built in 1839), Bonaventure Cemetery (from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil) and Chippewa Square (home to the famous Forrest Gump bench scene).
12. Siesta Key Beach
This Sarasota gem features the whitest and softest sand you will ever set foot upon. In fact, the sand is so spectacular that the beach hosts an international sand sculpting competition every year. Tourists flock from all over the world to enjoy the wide stretch of sand and the clear waters which seem to stretch on forever (8 miles in fact!). After your day at the beach, take a stroll around lovely Siesta Key Village, lined with lush plant life, and beachy restaurants and cafes.
13. Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
With 17 massive Smithsonian museums to explore in the Nation’s Capital, you can easily spend weeks enjoying incredible historical artifacts and beautiful art pieces. The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History draws plenty of crowds thanks to an extensive fossil collection, a brilliant Hall of Geology, and dozens of realistic lifelike dioramas featuring mammals of North America and Africa in their native habitats.
Full guide of the best exhibits at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
14. Rockefeller Center Christmas tree
One of the prime destinations in Midtown Manhattan is Rockefeller Center, home to the Radio City Music Hall, NBC Studios, and the official Lego and Nintendo Store. Tourists line up early in the morning to enjoy their 15 minutes of fame on The Today Show and free tickets can be obtained (submit request in August for the lottery) to see Saturday Night Live. Most famously, the Center is home to the nation’s most stunning Christmas tree. Dating back to 1933, it’s one of the country’s oldest and most famous tree lighting ceremonies. Join the likes of millions of tourists from around the world (and Kevin from Home Alone 2) at the nation’s most iconic tree.
15. La Jolla Cove
San Diego is home to many lovely beaches, some great for beachcombing, others for surfing, sunset viewing, and amusement rides. La Jolla Cove is quite iconic in that you can see dozens of sea lions and seals in their natural habitat. On any given day, you are bound to see them lounging in the sand or on the rocks. Snorkeling, kayaking, and scuba diving are also popular.
