Skip to main content

Every state’s highest-rated tourist attraction revealed

Which ones have you been to?

Man running through the desert landscape of The Grand Canyon.
Brian Erickson / Unsplash

Independent cruise agency Iglu Cruise has unveiled the highest-rated tourist attractions in each U.S. state, using data from Tripadvisor. The study identified each state’s most popular tourist destination based on the number of Tripadvisor reviews and then calculated an “excellent score,” the percentage of five-star reviews, per attraction.

Topping the list is the Sugarlands Distilling Company in Tennessee, with an impressive excellent score of 96.35%. Located in downtown Gatlinburg, this award-winning distillery offers guests a behind-the-scenes tour to witness the creation of its renowned spirits.

Recommended Videos

In second place is the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, which garnered a 90.01% excellent score. This memorial honors the victims, survivors, and rescuers of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and has become a place of reflection and remembrance for thousands of visitors each year.

Maine’s Marginal Way, a scenic 1.5-mile cliff walk along the Atlantic Ocean, secured third place with an excellent score of 89.11%. Known for its stunning ocean views, rocky cliffs, and tide pools, this charming seaside attraction is beloved by locals and tourists alike.

The iconic Grand Canyon South Rim in Arizona followed closely behind, boasting an 88.90% excellent score, while Utah’s spectacular Arches National Park rounded out the top five with a score of 87.61%. These natural wonders draw millions of visitors annually, offering unforgettable outdoor experiences.

Every state’s highest-rated tourist attraction

Millennium Park
chapay / Pixabay

Here’s the full list of every state’s highest-rated tourist attraction.

  1. Alabama: USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park
  2. Alaska: Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
  3. Arizona: Grand Canyon South Rim
  4. Arkansas: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
  5. California: Alcatraz Island
  6. Colorado: Garden of the Gods
  7. Connecticut: Mystic Seaport Museum
  8. Delaware: Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk
  9. Florida: Magic Kingdom Park
  10. Georgia: Georgia Aquarium 
  11. Hawaii: USS Arizona Memorial
  12. Idaho: Shoshone Falls
  13. Illinois: Millennium Park
  14. Indiana: Horseshoe Hammond
  15. Iowa: Horseshoe Council Bluffs
  16. Kansas: Sedgwick County Zoo
  17. Kentucky: Louisville Mega Cavern
  18. Louisiana: The National WWII Museum
  19. Maine: Marginal Way
  20. Maryland: Horseshoe Casino
  21. Massachusetts: Freedom Trail
  22. Michigan: Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
  23. Minnesota: Mall of America
  24. Mississippi: Horseshoe Casino
  25. Missouri: Silver Dollar City
  26. Montana: Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center
  27. Nebraska: Henry Doorly Zoo
  28. Nevada: Fountains of Bellagio
  29. New Hampshire: Kancamagus Highway
  30. New Jersey: Atlantic City Boardwalk
  31. New Mexico: Sandia Peak Tramway
  32. New York: Central Park
  33. North Carolina: Biltmore
  34. North Dakota: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
  35. Ohio: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
  36. Oklahoma: Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
  37. Oregon: Portland Japanese Garden
  38. Pennsylvania: Independence Hall
  39. Rhode Island: The Breakers
  40. South Carolina: Broadway at the Beach
  41. South Dakota: Mount Rushmore National Memorial
  42. Tennessee: Sugarlands Distilling Company
  43. Texas: San Antonio RiverWalk
  44. Utah: Arches National Park
  45. Vermont: Church Street Marketplace
  46. Virginia: Colonial Williamsburg
  47. Washington: Chihuly Garden and Glass
  48. West Virginia: Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
  49. Wisconsin: Taliesin Preservation
  50. Wyoming: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Amanda Teague
Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer featured in several online publications, is a dedicated explorer of both the world…
Celebrate love and craft beer with Margaritaville’s new brewery wedding package
Say 'I do' while enjoying refreshing craft beer
Karisma Hotels & Resorts

Margaritaville Island Reserve is offering craft beer lovers a unique way to say “I do” with its new Brewery Wedding Package. Part of Karisma Hotels & Resorts’ W.I.S.E. program, this experience takes place at the award-winning LandShark Brewery & Grill, an oceanfront venue with laid-back island vibes and expertly crafted brews. Couples can enjoy fresh pours and a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process, making their big day as refreshing as a cold pint.
What the package includes

Available at Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya for $2,000, this package offers a wedding like no other. Say "I do" at LandShark Brewery & Grill, with towering beer tanks as your backdrop. Guests will be greeted with freshly brewed beer to set the tone for the celebration of love.

Read more
Experience luxury train travel across England without the hefty price tag
These journeys start at just $1,495
Macs Adventure

Luxury train travel is often associated with high costs, but a new offering from Macs Adventure is making scenic rail journeys across England more accessible. The self-guided tour operator has introduced affordable rail and hike options, allowing travelers to experience the charm of England’s countryside without the hefty price tag.

Combining rail travel with scenic walking routes, the tours provide a balance of comfort and exploration. Travelers can immerse themselves in historic villages, enjoy captivating landscapes, and visit iconic landmarks – all while keeping costs in check.
Discover England: Cotswolds to the Cornwall Coast

Read more
The places that are just as gorgeous as Koh Samui without the White Lotus crowds
These destinations promise White Lotus-level luxury without the overcrowding
Thailand

Like everyone else on the planet, I’m glued to the current season of The White Lotus. And, as always, the setting is pure vacation goals. This time, it’s Koh Samui, an actual Thai paradise of turquoise waters, vast jungles, and ultra-luxurious resorts. Naturally, I found myself daydreaming about booking a trip. But, unfortunately, so is everyone else.

According to Booking.com, searches for Koh Samui have skyrocketed by 111% year over year. That means more crowds, higher prices, and the possibility that your getaway might feel more like an overbooked beach club than a secluded retreat. And here’s the kicker – what you see on TV isn’t always reality. The White Lotus crew stitched together different locations to create that dreamy hotel. As executive producer Mark Kamine told the BBC, “Some scenes in season three are shot at one hotel, and some aspects are filmed elsewhere.” Translation: Even if you snag a room at the hotel, it won’t be exactly what you saw on HBO.

Read more