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| travel new york city |
No. 1 Times Square,New York City
Annual Visitors: 39,200,000
Tourists flock to New York’s neon heart for the flashing lights, Broadway shows, megastores, and sheer spectacle. Pedestrian-only areas with café tables introduced in 2009 have only made it easier and more appealing to hang out here. Times Square can even be a convenient, if chaotic, base, thanks to hotels at every price point and easy access to public transportation: subways, rails, buses, and more yellow taxis than you can count. —Joshua Pramis
No. 2 Central Park, New York City
Annual Visitors: 38,000,000
New York has larger green spaces, but none is more famous than Central Park, which stretches across nearly 850 acres of prime Manhattan real estate—an oasis for both tourists and locals. You can ride in one of the famous horse-drawn carriages; check out the modest-size zoo; climb to the top of 19th-century Belvedere Castle; or take a break from pounding the pavement to sprawl on the Great Lawn, gazing at the skyscrapers above. —Joshua Pramis
Source: Central Park Conservancy
iStock
No. 3 Union Station,Washington, D.C.
Annual Visitors: 37,000,000
Opened in 1907, this busy station shuttles some 12,500 passengers daily in and out of the city. But it also handles serious tourist traffic: 37 million who pass through to take in the impeccably mixed architectural styles throughout the colossal building: from Classical to Beaux-Arts to Baroque. More than 70 retail outlets make Union Station a shopping destination, and it’s also a jumping-off point for many D.C. tours. —Joshua Pramis
Source: Union Station
Jon Arnold Images Ltd / Alamy
No. 4 Las Vegas Strip
Annual Visitors: 29,467,000
Sin City was hit hard by the recession, but don’t bet against this legendary destination, which got a boost from the summer 2009 blockbuster The Hangover. Last year, 79 percent of tourists (29,467,000 people) chose to stay at hotels right on the Strip like Caesar’s Palace—the choice of the movie’s zany four-pack. And why not? Roll out of bed and onto the Strip to catch the Bellagio fountains in action, shop, gamble, and, of course, people-watch (which can get especially fun later at night). —Joshua Pramis
Source: Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
Annual Visitors: 22,500,000
Straddling the borders of the U.S. and Canada, this massive waterfall spills about six million cubic feet of water—from a height ranging from 70 to 188 feet—every single minute. While there are about 500 taller waterfalls in the world, Niagara Falls is spectacular for its sheer power. It’s also more accessible than many major falls, a short flight or drive for millions of regional tourists. —Joshua Pramis
Source: Niagara Tourism & Convention Corp./Canadian Tourism Commission
No. 6 Grand Central Terminal, New York City
Annual Visitors: 21,600,000
Unlike harried commuters, visitors take their time in the main concourse of this Beaux-Arts landmark, pausing to view its glittering ceiling painted with a map of the constellations from the night sky. There are shops and events to distract your attention, and, a level below, the historic Oyster Bar—featured on an episode of AMC’s Mad Men—serves two million fresh bivalves a year. —Joshua Pramis
Source: Grand Central Terminal
Annual Visitors: 16,972,000
The Most Magical Place on Earth is high on virtually every family’s to-do list and remains the most-visited theme park on the earth. The Kingdom’s most notable feature, naturally, is Cinderella’s castle—complete with a moat and built at special angles to appear even grander than its actual height of 189 feet. Paths branch out to classic rides (Dumbo, the Mad Tea Party) and newer additions like The Pirates of the Caribbean. —Joshua Pramis
Source: TEA/AECOM Global Attractions Attendance Report
No. 9 Disneyland Park,Anaheim, CA
Annual Visitors: 15,980,000
Though not as massive as its Orlando counterpart, the original Disney park—which occupies about 85 acres of land—welcomes enough thrill-seekers to qualify as the second most-visited* theme park in the world. One of its coolest rides is still Indiana Jones Adventure, careening over lava, past swarms of beetles, and under that 16-foot rolling boulder. —Joshua Pramis
* Admission ticket sales beat out Disney’s California Adventure next door (which had 6,278,000 visitors); since it’s all part of the Disneyland Resort, we’re counting it only once.
Source: TEA/AECOM Global Attractions Attendance Report
No. 10 Grand Bazaar,Istanbul
Annual Visitors: 15,000,000
Hand-painted ceramics, lanterns, intricately patterned carpets, copperware, gold Byzantine-style jewelry, and more eye-catching products vie for your attention within this 15th-century bazaar’s vaulted walkways. It has since expanded and become increasingly touristy, but locals, too, were among 2010’s 15 million bargain-hunters. If it all gets overwhelming, break for a succulent doner kebab or strong cup of Turkish coffee. —Kate Appleton
Source: Turkish Ministry of Tourism
No. 11 Tokyo Disneyland,Tokyo
Annual Visitors: 14,452,000
At the heels of its sister properties, this family-centric park takes the position of third most-visited theme park in the world. Following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, both Tokyo Disneyland and next-door DisneySea* closed, but reopened within a month, comforting park-goers with scary rides like the Tower of Terror and Indiana Jones Temple of the Crystal Skull. —Joshua Pramis and Ann Shields
* Admission ticket sales beat out Tokyo DisneySea next door (which had 12,663,000 visitors); since it’s all part of the Tokyo Disney Resort, we’re counting it only once.
Source: Themed Entertainment Association/AECO
No. 12 PIER 39, San Francisco
Annual Visitors: 14,000,000
Of course it’s corny (think candy shops, T-shirt emporiums, stuffed animals, and fried food), but this tourist magnet at the edge of Fisherman’s Wharf also offers great views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the pier’s biggest attractions: the noisy community of sea lions that bark and bask on the docks. —Ann Shields
Source: PIER 39
No. 13 Notre Dame Cathedral,Paris
Annual Visitors: 13,650,000
A masterpiece of Gothic architecture—all soaring buttresses, crouching gargoyles, and magnificent rose windows—Notre Dame de Paris has survived attacks of Huguenots, sans-culottes, occupying armies, and questionable renovations since its completion in 1345. In spite of its often violent past, visitors flock to the cathedral for the hushed peace and reflection it provides, even in the midst of Paris. —Ann Shields
Source: Office of Tourism and Congress in Paris
No. 14 Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Annual Visitors: 13,000,000
Cascading three miles from the Panhandle down to the Pacific, Golden Gate Park serves as playground and haven for this diverse city. The park’s offerings include museums (the de Young Museum and the Academy of Sciences), botanical wonders (the Conservatory of Flowers, the Japanese Tea Garden, a rhododendron forest, and more than 75,000 trees, among other), sporting fields and courts, playgrounds, and even a small herd of buffalo. —Ann Shields
Source: Golden Gate Park
No. 15 Forbidden City,Beijing
Annual Visitors: 12,830,000
For nearly 500 years, the emperors living within this 178-acre walled compound of opulent halls, gardens, and winged pavilions dictated who could enter and leave. Well, the gates have opened, and tourists are pouring through Tiananmen Square to see it all for themselves. Attendance is up by almost 6 million since 2007, during which time China’s economy boomed and the Olympics put Beijing in the prime-time spotlight. —Kate Appleton
Source: Forbidden City Palace Museum
No. 16 Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Annual Visitors: 10,825,000
Built to honor the late Walt Disney’s utopian ideal of the innovative future (the name is an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow), Epcot attracts guests who skew a little older than those of its neighbor, the Magic Kingdom. Restaurants aimed at more sophisticated palates and annual celebrations—including a flower and garden show and an international food and wine festival—bring out the adults while perennial favorite rides like Soarin’, Mission: SPACE, and Nemo and Friends keep the kids happy. —Ann Shields
Source: Themed Entertainment Association/AECOM
No. 17 Disneyland Park, Marne-la-Vallée,France
Annual Visitors: 10,500,000
When Disney’s first European park opened in 1992, many French protested the “cultural imperialism” of such an American symbol opening 40 minutes outside of Paris. Today it is the second most-visited attraction* in Europe. —Lyndsey Matthews
* Admission ticket sales beat out Walt Disney Studios next door (which had 4,500,000 visitors); since it’s all part of the Disneyland Paris Resort, we’re counting it only once.
Source: Themed Entertainment Association/AECOM
No. 17 Sacré Coeur Basilica,Paris
Annual Visitors: 10,500,000
Sacré Coeur lures visitors to the summit of Montmartre for a litany of reasons—while some come to pray and meditate, most come for the remarkable 360-degree views of the City of Light from its highest vantage point. The construction of the Basilica, which started in 1871, was intended to restore peace to a site stained by violence during the Revolution and Paris Commune. —Ann Shields
Source: Office of Tourism and Congress in Paris
No. 19 Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront, Hong Kong
Annual Visitors: 10,088,493
The Avenue of the Stars—Hong Kong’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame (No. 42)—runs along part of the Tsim Tsa Tsui waterfront and commemorates Hong Kong stars from silent film all the way up to modern film giants like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and John Woo. Visitors often pose with a life-size statue of Bruce Lee. Many likely also stop at the waterfront Clock Tower (which saw 7,206,066 visitors) and walk the entire length of the promenade. It’s the best vantage point for the nightly Symphony of Lights multimedia show over Victoria Harbour. —Ann Shields Source: Hong Kong Tourism Board
No. 19 Victoria Peak,Hong Kong
Annual Visitors: 10,088,493
There are 7,650 skyscrapers crowding Hong Kong’s skyline right to the harbor’s edge. So tourists in this very vertical city often search out a little sky and a little nature by taking the funicular up to the top of Victoria Peak. The tram carries 10-plus million to the peak to enjoy the 360-degree views of the city and the outlying islands from its observation deck and to shop at the boutiques of Peak Tower. —Ann Shields
Source: Hong Kong Tourism Board
No. 21 Pike Place Market, Seattle
Annual Visitors: 10,000,000
One of the oldest continually operating farmers’ markets in the U.S. (est. 1907), this nine-acre National Historic District is perhaps better known today for kitschy Seattle souvenirs, seafood restaurants, salmon-throwing fishmongers, and its “gum wall” installation art. Don’t miss a chance to stop into one of the original Starbucks—complete with an early-edition logo featuring a more, er, risqué mermaid—next door. —Adrien Glover
Source: Pike Place Market
No. 21 The Zócalo,Mexico City
Annual Visitors: 10,000,000
This main plaza in Mexico City’s historic center receives 10 million national and international tourists each year. But they only make up a fraction of the crowds. Some 35 million Mexico City residents also annually pass through the Zócalo, which hosts military parades and public art installations and is flanked by the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace. —Lyndsey Matthews
Source: Mexico Tourism Board
No. 23 Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Annual Visitors: 9,686,000
Since 1998, this animal-themed park has successfully marketed Mickey Mouse and silverback gorillas under one all-inclusive “roof.” If it has four legs or wings or a tail, chances are you’ll find it at this zoo/museum school theme park. Don’t miss the Kilimanjaro safaris or the 14-story Tree of Life sculpture carved with some 325 animals. Fun fact: At one point park creators also wanted to include a section for mythological creatures called “Beastly Kingdom.” —Adrien Glover
Source: Themed Entertainment Association/AECOM
No. 24 Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Annual Visitors: 9,603,000
Disney describes this park (est. 1989) as “the Hollywood that never was and always will be.” Laid out much like a real-life motion picture studio, with a 154-acre network of streets and buildings and miniature replicas of famous landmarks, it highlights the Golden Age of film, but most kids make a beeline to Toy Story Midway Mania! at Pixar Place and theAmerican Idol Experience. —Adrien Glover
Source: Themed Entertainment Association/AECOM
No. 25 Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Annual Visitors: 9,463,538
Originally Cherokee homeland, America’s most visited national park first opened in 1940 and covers some 520,000 acres of protected Tennessee and North Carolina forestland that’s bisected by the Appalachian Trail. Whether hiking Chimney Tops (or any of the 800 miles of trails) or driving the super-scenic U.S. Highway 441, visitors are sure to get an eyeful of the mystical haze that inspired the park’s name. —Adrien Glover
Source: National Park Service
No. 26 Great Wall of China, China
Annual Visitors: 9,000,000
The 2,000-plus-year-old structure—once used as a wartime defense—is rumored to be the only man-made landmark visible from space. Made from stone, wood, rammed earth, and bricks, the wall winds “like a dragon tail” from eastern China to western, spanning some 5,500 miles. The Badaling section is the closest to Beijing—and the most beautiful. —Adrien Glover
Source: National Tourism Administration of the People’s Republic of China
No. 26 South Street Seaport, New York City
Annual Visitors: 9,000,000
This historic East River site in lower Manhattan dates back to the 1600s and spans some 11 blocks packed with shops, restaurants, and piers, including the popular Pier 17, a barge-turned-mall. Commercialism aside, the history runs deep here and is perhaps best experienced on one of the two 1800s tall-masted schooners the South Street Seaport Maritime Museum maintains. Go for a sunset sail with Gotham as a backdrop. —Adrien Glover
Source: South Street Seaport
Annual Visitors: 8,690,000
While the USS Chicago—docked at the end of the pier—is a reminder of its World War I military past, this bustling Lake Michigan promenade now caters to civilians with a mix of carnival rides, dancing fountains, trinket stalls, an IMAX theater, local food favorites Garrett Popcorn and Billy Goat Tavern, and an exceptional stained-glass museum featuring colorful works by Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Comfort Tiffany. Future plans for the pier include a monorail and a spokeless Ferris wheel. —Adrien Glover
Source: Crain’s Chicago Business
No. 29 Musée du Louvre, Paris
Annual Visitors: 8,500,000
The world’s largest museum is both the subject of ongoing architectural controversy—not everyone agrees with the 1989 addition of I. M. Pei’s 69-foot-high glass pyramid entrance—and an art-lover’s wonderland of some 35,000 masterworks. Throngs parade through the former 12th-century palace annually to see such famous highlights as Leonardo da Vinci’s smiling La Gioconda, a.k.a. Mona Lisa—a painting that was originally commissioned by François I to hang above his bathtub. —Adrien Glover
Source: The Art Newspaper
No. 30 National Air and Space Museum(Smithsonian),Washington, D.C.
Annual Visitors: 8,300,000
The largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world (50,000 original artifacts) has aviation buffs flying through the doors in record numbers to learn about flight in all its forms. Opened in 1976 on the National Mall, this family-friendly museum wins extra points with kids for its cool “How Things Fly” exhibit, flight simulators, and 3-D blasts into the cosmos at the Albert Einstein Planetarium. —Adrien Glover
Source: Smithsonian Institution
No. 31 Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Japan
Annual Visitors: 8,160,000
Opened in 2001 and a near twin to its Orlando sibling—albeit one with more sushi—this popular American movie theme park is one of four operated by Universal in Japan. Highlights include a Jaws-like shark encounter, Jurassic Park roller-coaster ride, andSesame Street in 4-D. Interesting fact: investment bank Goldman Sachs is the park’s largest shareholder. —Adrien Glover
Source: Themed Entertainment Association/AECOM
No. 32 Sydney Opera House,Sydney
Annual Visitors: 7,400,000
With its dramatic cantilevered roof and harbor setting, Sydney’s Opera House is easily Australia’s most recognizable landmark—and its most visited. Few tourists leave Sydney without at least stopping here for a photo-op. But you can do much more: go backstage for a tour; attend one of the 40-plus weekly performances; and watch the sun set over the city and Sydney Harbour Bridge from the alfresco Opera Bar. Make your grand exit on theManly Ferry, which passes right by. —Kate Appleton
Source: Sydney Opera House
No. 33 Everland, Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea
Annual Visitors: 6,884,000
Everland amusement park has been thrilling kids since 1973 and knows how to keep them coming; visitorship is up 11.6 percent year-over-year. The park is divided into themed sections that range from American Adventure (a rodeo experience, a wildly swinging Columbus ship) to Zoo-topia (Amazon River ride, wildlife safari). It holds the record for the world’s steepest wooden roller coaster. —Kate Appleton
Source: Themed Entertainment Association/AECOM
No. 34 Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History,Washington, D.C.
Annual Visitors: 6,800,000
Dinosaur fossils, a huge stuffed elephant, and an insect zoo have been wowing kids for generations (and for free). The 126-million-item collection even includes the notorious Hope Diamond. But this National Mall favorite continues to innovate, opening the Ocean Hall in late 2008 and, in 2010, the ambitious Hall of Human Origins, where visitors come literally face-to-face with specimens and models of their ancestors. —Kate Appleton
Source: Smithsonian Institution
No. 35 Eiffel Tower, Paris
Annual Visitors: 6,700,000
This iron-lattice structure looms large in the collective imagination—and literally towers over Paris’s historic heart, never out of sight for long. Last year, 6.7 million paid to ascend the Eiffel Tower, and the savviest beat the crowds by purchasing tickets online in advance. Admire the Champs de Mars and surrounding streets spreading out below as you ride a glass elevator to the highest viewing level at 540 feet. —Kate Appleton
Source: Office of Tourism and Congress in Paris
No. 36 Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.
Annual Visitors: 6,042,315
Getting advice from Honest Abe has been a popular pastime since this memorial’s dedication in 1922. These days, the Civil War president competes for visitors with FDR and Martin Luther King, Jr. (as well as Jefferson and Washington). But the appeal of standing beside Abraham Lincoln and gazing out at the National Mall across the reflecting pool remains as popular as ever. —Rich Beattie
Source: National Park Service
No. 37 Bourbon Street,New Orleans
Annual Visitors: 6,017,500
You’d have to be a pretty big curmudgeon for Bourbon Street not to put you in a good mood. Free-flowing music and booze might have something to do with it. Of course, if you really like crowds, grab your mask and join the Mardi Gras circus. —Rich Beattie
Source: New Orleans CVB
No. 38 Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando
Annual Visitors: 5,949,000
Hogwarts went hog wild when this park opened “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” in 2010, and the attendance numbers* reflect Harry’s magic touch. Shops, restaurants (The Three Broomsticks), and rides are all branded with the boy wizard; nonbelievers can find rides themed with other trademarked characters including Marvel superheroes. —Rich Beattie
* Admission ticket sales for Islands of Adventure beat out next-door-neighbor Universal Studios (which had 5,925,000 visitors); since it’s all part of Universal Orlando Resort, we’re counting it only once. Source: Themed Entertainment Association/AECOM
No. 39 Palace of Versailles, Versailles,France
Number of Visitors: 5,900,000
King Louis XIV did a pretty nice job redoing a place that started out as a mere hunting lodge. So nice, in fact, that people trade Paris cafés just for the experience of wandering its hallways, like the gilded Hall of Mirrors—the best place to channel your inner Sun King. —Rich Beattie
Source: Palace of Versailles
No. 40 British Museum,London
Annual Visitors: 5,842,138
With its 2.5 miles of galleries and 7 million objects, it would be understated to call this must-see museum overwhelming. And the crush of visitors won’t let you easily breeze through the ambitious collections. Still, considering the admission fee—nothing—it’s surprising the attendance isn’t higher. —Rich Beattie
Source: The Art Newspaper
No. 41 Lotte World,Seoul
Number of Visitors: 5,551,000
The world’s largest indoor theme park is just the beginning of a complex that seems as big as Seoul itself. An outdoor amusement park, a folk museum, theaters, malls, and other venues round it out, along with—of course—plenty of karaoke machines. —Rich Beattie
Source: Themed Entertainment Association/AECOM
No. 42 Grauman’s Chinese Theatre/Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood
Annual Visitors: 5,475,000
Nothing says Hollywood like the (literally) star-studded Walk of Fame, each with the name of a celebrity with enough cachet to be immortalized on the street. That means early stars from James Dean and Marilyn Monroe to, more recently, Tina Fey and Neil Patrick Harris. On that same street, the palatial Grauman’s Chinese Theatre attracts both architecture and film fans—and hosts movie premieres. —Joshua Pramis
Source: Grauman’s Chinese Theatre
No. 43 French Market,New Orleans
Annual Visitors: 5,370,100
America’s oldest public market—parts of it have been around for more than 200 years—has something for everyone. So you’ll see visitors poking around the stands, listening to the inevitable jazz musicians, taking in the views along the banks of the Mississippi, and indulging in a hot, fried beignet at nearby famed Café du Monde. —Joshua Pramis
Source: New Orleans CVB
No. 44 Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
Annual Visitors: 5,216,988
With a permanent collection of more than 2 million pieces—plus works on loan from renowned museums worldwide—and a rooftop bar with a new installation each summer, it’s no wonder the Met is a huge tourist magnet. Expect even higher visitation numbers in 2011 thanks to the buzzed-about Alexander McQueen fashion exhibit. —Joshua Pramis
Source:The Art Newspaper
No. 45 Hong Kong Disneyland
Annual Visitors: 5,200,000
Disney’s newest outpost has tried-and-true crowd-pleasing features like Sleeping Beauty’s castle and Space Mountain. What sets this park apart from the others? It was designed according to the Chinese rules of feng shui in a nod to local culture. —Joshua Pramis
Source: Themed Entertainment Association/AECOM
No. 46 The Colosseum,Rome
Annual Visitors: 5,113,920
The Colosseum has been synonymous with Rome since it was completed in A.D. 80. In partial ruins today, the amphitheater has recently been getting spruced up. In 2010, the below-ground tunnels, where gladiators once prepared for combat, were opened to the public for the first time in modern history. Descending into the deep, visitors can imagine the days when some 50,000 rowdy spectators would fill the stadium, just waiting for the competitors to be unleashed from below. —Joshua Pramis
Source: Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage
No. 47 Ocean Park, Hong Kong
Annual Visitors: 5,100,000
Sure, there are roller coasters, but this 40-acre theme park stands out for its attractions that are more down to earth. There’s Panda Village, where, despite the name, visitors actually come to see playful otters; Pacific Pier, where you can feed seals and sea lions; or the Sea Jelly Spectacular, where you can marvel at some 1,000 jellyfish, including many phosphorescent species. A large mountain divides the park, which you can navigate by bus, train, even cable car. —Joshua Pramis
Source: Themed Entertainment Association/AECOM
No. 48 SeaWorld,Orlando
Annual Visitors: 5,100,000
People—especially children—love animals. And they love seeing animals performing stunts, circus-style. The rides (such as the high-speed Kraken roller coaster), up-close exhibits (like the Penguin Encounter), and great dining made this a no-brainer for 5.1 million visitors last year. —Joshua Pramis
Source: Themed Entertainment Association/AECOM
No. 49 Tate Modern,London
Annual Visitors: 5,061,172
Four wings and three floors make up the world’s most popular modern art museum, which consists solely of works of art created from 1900 until today. Tate also offers an array of hands-on games and interactive features, including allowing visitors to sketch any of the works on display. —Joshua Pramis
Source: The Art Newspaper
No. 50 Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City, CA
Annual Visitors: 5,040,000
Not only is this a theme park, but it’s also a fully functioning movie studio—and just so happens to be the oldest Hollywood studio that is still actively filming new releases. Here, you can learn how special effects are created; take backstage studio tours; and hop aboard one of the many rides. (The Simpsons virtual roller coaster, anyone?) —Joshua Pramis
Source: Themed Entertainment Association/AECOM
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