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.
36. Mt Lemmon Scenic Byway
This stunning drive begins just a few miles outside of Tucson at an elevation around 2000 feet. Over the span of 27 miles, the scenery changes from exotic cacti to green pine trees as you reach the base community of Summerhaven. At 9157 feet, Mt. Lemmon is a cool escape come summer and a fun snowy destination come winter (it’s home to the southernmost ski resort in the US). It’s also one of the only places to see fall foliage near Tucson. Start your adventure with a vigorous 4 mile hike along the Aspen and Marshall Gulch loop trail.
37. Independence Hall tours
Every history buff should plan a visit to “the birthplace of America.” Old City Philadelphia is home to “America’s most historic square mile” with more than 60 National Historic Landmarks comprising the area. Most notably, the iconic Liberty Bell and Independence Hall draw millions of tourists per year. Free tours of Independence Hall, where the nation’s most important founding documents were signed, is a must-do on any first timer’s trip to the historic city. Tours are 15-20 minutes long and will take you to the Assembly Room where the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution were signed.
38. Waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge
If you love waterfalls, then you will definitely want to plan a trip to Portland, Oregon. From here, you will have easy access to more than 90 waterfalls in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. This spectacular canyon is 80 miles long, up to 4000 feet deep, and separates the states of Washington and Oregon. Here are a few of the top waterfalls to see:
- Multnomah Falls – 620 foot beauty is the tallest in the state and the most visited natural site in the Pacific Northwest.
- Latourell Falls – This 294 ft beauty is the closest to Portland.
- Horsetail – 176 foot beauty featuring a most unique shape.
Waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge
39. Redwood National and State Parks
The stately redwood trees are amongst the most majestic trees on earth. The California coastal redwoods are the tallest trees on Earth, growing to a height of 300 to 350 feet. One of the most beautiful places in California is Redwood National and State Parks, a protected area of beaches, forests, and grasslands along the Northern California coast. There are numerous means to take in these natural beauties including scenic drives, hiking trails, and bike paths. On the 1st Saturday of each month, you can enjoy a scenic bike ride on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway (during this time, the road is closed to vehicles).
More ways to take in the beauty of the Redwoods
40. The world’s largest bicycle museum
Bicycle Heaven is one of the most eclectic attractions in Pittsburgh. This small free museum is jam packed with vintage bicycles. From rare Bowen Spacelanders (worth up to a whopping $40,000 today in mint condition) to famous movie bikes (from Pee-Wee Herman’s iconic red ride to Beatles and Happy Days themed bikes), there is so much retro to take in here. With funky nostalgic memorabilia, a Neon sprock room, and more classic rides that you could possibly imagine, a visit to Bicycle Heaven is a true blast to the past.
