Some cities are simply better built for visitors. Whether it’s walkable downtowns, scenic views, or standout local landmarks, certain destinations offer more memorable experiences for out-of-towners. And in some cases, the tourist attractions themselves are the reason to go.
To find the vacation spots with the highest-rated attractions, we analyzed 10 of the best tourist destinations in 50 U.S. cities, reviewing more than 500 attractions in total. We looked at average ratings and the percentage of 5-star reviews to determine which cities offer the best experiences, and which single attraction in each city is rated highest by travelers.
Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or mapping out future trips, this study offers a data-backed look at where to start exploring.
Which U.S. Destinations Have the Best Tourist Attractions?
Across the 500 attractions we observed, 66.7% of reviews received 5 stars out of 5, setting a high bar for any city to stand out. But some did.
Here are the cities that rose to the top based on the highest share of 5-star reviews across their 10 best tourist attractions:
- Lexington, KY – 79.6%
- Louisville, KY – 78.6%
- Tucson, AZ – 77.7%
- Colorado Springs, CO – 76.5%
- Coeur d’Alene, ID – 76%
Lexington tops the list with nearly 80% of its top attractions garnering perfect 5-star ratings, thanks largely to attractions that give tourists a look at the city’s equestrian roots. Louisville’s Conrad-Caldwell House Museum draws visitors with its historic architecture and guided tours through “Conrad’s Castle.” Out West, outdoorsy attractions are the places to be, with scenic drives like Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway in Tucson and the waterfront charm of Coeur d’Alene Lake explaining the strong reviews in those cities.
- Oklahoma City, OK – 74.6%
- Kansas City, MO – 73.9%
- Asheville, NC – 73.2%
- Savannah, GA – 72.6%
- Grand Rapids, MI – 71.6%
Oklahoma City’s National Memorial & Museum is a big draw for travelers in the Sooner State, while Kansas City’s National WWI Museum and Memorial is a cultural anchor downtown. Asheville, known for its craft brews, fares well in the rankings thanks to great reviews at places like New Belgium Brewing Company, and Savannah’s Cathedral of St. John the Baptist remains a highlight for architecture lovers. In Grand Rapids, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Meyer May House draws design and history enthusiasts from across the country.
Taken together, these cities show that standout attractions aren’t limited to large destination cities. Many smaller locales offer well-reviewed experiences that consistently leave travelers impressed. In the next section, we’ll look closer at the highest-rated individual tourist attractions in our study to see what’s really standing out.
Tourist Attractions With the Highest Ratings in the U.S.
Some attractions don’t just live up to expectations. They exceed them. While travelers across the country tend to leave good reviews for the best tourist attractions in an area, a few destinations earn near-universal praise.
As we’ve said, about two-thirds of every review we looked at was 5 stars. That’s a high bar, but these attractions managed to rise above and earn the strongest approval from visitors.
- Cosmo’s Magic Theater – Colorado Springs, CO
- 833 reviews | 99.4% are 5 stars
- Ole Smoky Distillery “6th & Peabody” – Nashville, TN
- 6,927 reviews | 98.1% are 5 stars
- Mill Ridge Farm – Lexington, KY
- 530 reviews | 97.7% are 5 stars
- Faena Theater – Miami Beach, FL
- 224 reviews | 97.3% are 5 stars
- Godolphin – Lexington, KY
- 206 reviews | 96.6% are 5 stars
These top-reviewed attractions offer a mix of entertainment, history, and behind-the-scenes access. Cosmo’s Magic Theater leads the list with nearly perfect ratings—proof that small, intimate experiences can leave a big impression. Ole Smoky Distillery draws huge crowds in Nashville, offering visitors a taste of Tennessee culture, music, and moonshine in one stop. Lexington appears twice for its thoroughbred attractions, demonstrating why it took the top spot in our city ranking.
- Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center – Scottsdale, AZ
- 1,762 reviews | 96.5% are 5 stars
- Sea Turtle Camp – Wilmington, NC
- 108 reviews | 96.3% are 5 stars
- Breakout Games – Virginia Beach, VA
- 611 reviews | 95.6% are 5 stars
- James E. Pepper Distillery – Lexington, KY
- 1,460 reviews | 94.3% are 5 stars
- National Museum of World War II Aviation – Colorado Springs, CO
- 2,064 reviews | 93.9% are 5 stars
Several of these attractions offer immersive, hands-on experiences. Visitors to Scottsdale’s Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center rave about its animal rescues and guided tours. Wilmington’s Sea Turtle Camp combines education and conservation in a way that resonates with families and solo travelers alike. This is North Carolina’s second appearance in the top 10, solidifying it as a go-to state for sight-seers from the mountains to the coast.
These highly rated spots show that what travelers value most isn’t always scale. It’s authenticity, depth, and connection. To wrap things up, we’ll highlight the single highest-rated tourist attraction in each of the 50 cities we analyzed.
The Best Tourist Attractions in U.S. Vacation Cities
Travelers have no shortage of things to see and do, but when time is limited, it helps to know which attractions consistently leave visitors satisfied. These destinations stood out as the top-rated spots in their cities, based on the share of 5-star reviews from real travelers.
Use the interactive table below to explore the top-rated tourist attraction in each of the 50 cities we analyzed. You can sort the table to see how the attractions compare, or search by city or state to quickly find the best-reviewed option in a specific location.
Closing Thoughts
Great tourist attractions don’t just draw crowds; they shape how people experience a city. Whether it’s a historic landmark, a family-friendly tour, or a hidden gem with local charm, these standout spots help travelers make the most of their time away from home.
For anyone planning a trip, starting with the highest-rated attractions can offer a reliable path to a memorable visit. These destinations consistently deliver, according to thousands of travelers who’ve been there before.
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Methodology
To find the cities with the highest-rated tourist attractions, we analyzed Tripadvisor data on the 10 best attractions in 50 vacation destination cities across the U.S.
Each attraction was evaluated based on its average rating and the percentage of reviews that were 5 stars. From there, we identified which cities had the most consistently well-reviewed attractions overall, and which single spot stood out as the best in each city.
Our list of vacation destinations was curated using recommendations from leading travel websites, focusing on cities known for tourism and falling within a set population range to ensure broad regional representation.
