In this article, we will take a look at the 25 most famous cities in the US, along with insights on the American tourism industry.
State of Tourism in the United States
Globally speaking, the US is one of the most popular countries to travel to, owing to its abundance of diverse landscapes, along with cultural, social, and historical experiences. According to a report by the US Travel Association, the tourism industry is also a significant driver of economic activity within the country. In 2022, $1.2 trillion was spent on travel in direct spending, which then led the US economy to grow by $2.6 trillion. Nearly eight million American workers were directly employed by the industry, whereas the total support base reached around 15 million workers. The sector also generated around $84 billion in state and local taxes, which contributed to the growth of local communities. You can also check out 25 States With Highest Tourism Revenue in the US.
After COVID-19, domestic leisure travel showed robust growth and recovery, contributing to the industry’s size massively. In 2022, 71% of total travel spending was on domestic leisure. A total of two billion domestic leisure trips were taken, during which travelers spent $837 billion. This was a 99% recovery from pre-pandemic levels, due to which domestic leisure emerged as the first travel segment to recover from the effects of the lockdowns. Currently, the US ranks as the third largest country for domestic tourism. The recoveries for other segments were much slower. By 2022, international travel recovered only 55% (after being adjusted for inflation), whereas business travel recovered 71%. International recovery continues to be slow, reaching only 84% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023.
Positive Outlook for 2024
Despite the slow recovery of international tourism in the US, there are positive elements to look forward to in the upcoming years. According to the 2024 Travel and Tourism Index by the World Economic Forum, the United States emerged as the top tourism country in the world. The index measures countries on tourism-related factors such as safety and security, price competitiveness, transport infrastructure, natural and cultural resources, and environmental sustainability. The country’s top scores (out of seven) were recorded in non-leisure resources (6.63), ICT readiness (6.32), and natural resources (6.23). On the other hand, the US’ lowest score was for price competitiveness, in which it scored only 2.59 points out of 7.
The index serves as a pertinent indicator of the strengths and weaknesses of the tourism industry within the US. Despite lagging behind in certain factors, the US still emerged at the top of the index. Furthermore, comparing pre-pandemic tourism levels also gives us some insight into the economic potential of the US travel industry. In 2019, France was the most visited country in the world and received 90 million visitors, who collectively spent $61 billion. On the other hand, the US received around 79.4 million visitors, who spent a total of $180 billion. In 2022, international visitors in the US spent around $165 billion, with the US Travel Association noting that visitation levels will completely recover by 2025. You can also take a look at the 20 Fastest Growing Tourism Destinations in 2024.
A Hashtag Analysis of the Most Famous Cities in the US
Famous cities like Las Vegas and New York City are among the most significant reasons tourists flock to the US. Not only are these cities heavily marketed to potential travelers, but they have also managed to build unique personas that attract individuals. In this regard, social media can be a valuable tool in gauging the relative popularity of some of the top cities within the US.
We conducted a hashtag analysis on Instagram to discover some of the most talked-about cities in the US. As of July 19, 2024, Miami is one of the most-tagged cities in the US, with 91.3 million tags. Los Angeles has been tagged around 85 million times, whereas Chicago stands at 57 million. Other highly tagged cities include Atlanta (43.7 million), Las Vegas (41.3 million), and New York City (36.5 million). While these metrics don’t speak to each city’s tourism level, they do give some information regarding cities that get talked about the most on social media.
Aiding Travel Through Reviews
Sites like Instagram can be a valuable asset for discovering trending places and travel options, but services like Tripadvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP) can offer a much more comprehensive insight. The platform features reviews from travelers around the globe on everything from restaurants and accommodations to experiences and historical sites. According to its 2023 Transparency Report, Tripadvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP) posted 30.2 million reviews by 17.4 million members in 2022. 25.21% of all reviews originated from North America.
In addition to the reviews, community members shared around 31.6 million photos and videos. The most reviewed categories were accommodations and restaurants, with 40.30% and 38.43% of all reviews, respectively. By the end of 2022, 11 million businesses were listed on the site, 23% of which came from North America. In 2021, Tripadvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP) conducted a survey of 9,000 consumers across five countries, 88% of whom rated its long-form reviews (more than 140 characters) as high or very high quality. Within the US, 79% of respondents rated accommodation reviews as ‘extremely or very important’, whereas 74% and 67% said the same for attractions and restaurants, respectively.
Currently, Tripadvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP) has more than 93 million reviews for restaurants, hotels, and attractions in the United States. The US has also proved to be quite popular in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, which rank locations based on reviews. In 2024, Ka’anapali Beach in Maui, Hawaii, and Siesta Beach in Siesta Key, Florida, were ranked in the top ten beaches worldwide. Furthermore, the top attraction in the world was the Empire State Building, whereas Dollywood in Tennessee was ranked as one of the best amusement parks in the world. Lastly, New Orleans was rated as one of the best food destinations in the world.
Even though international tourism in the US has yet to recover fully, insights from Instagram and Tripadvisor showcase that the country is still famous in tourist circles around the world. With this context, let’s look at the 25 most famous cities in the US.
25 Most Famous Cities in the US
Our Methodology
In order to curate this list of the 25 most famous cities in the US, we consulted the international visitor dashboard from the International Trade Associations, which ranks cities and metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in the US by number of overseas travelers. An MSA refers to a core central area with a large population density, along with smaller adjacent regions that have strong economic ties with the core. The article also lists some metropolitan divisions (MDs), which refer to subgroupings within MSAs whose core has a population of 2.5 million or more. The cities and MSAs are ranked in ascending order of most international visitors.
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25 Most Famous Cities in the US
25. Buffalo, New York
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY MSA
International Visitors in 2023: 293,000
Overseas visitors to the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area increased by 40.9% in 2023. The region comprises two counties, Erie and Niagara Falls, and is the second-largest metropolitan area in the state of New York.
24. Riverside, California
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA MSA
International Visitors in 2023: 302,000
Overseas visitors to the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario increased 37.3% in 2023. Popular sites in the area include the Riverside Art Museum, Castle Park, and Riverside National Cemetery.
23. Phoenix, Arizona
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ MSA
International Visitors in 2023: 308,000
The Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale MSA, also known as the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, ranks 23rd on our list of the most famous cities in the US. In 2023, it attracted 308,000 international visitors.
22. Key West, Florida
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Key West, FL MSA
International Visitors in 2023: 340,000
Key West, Florida, is one of the most famous cities in the US, ranking 22nd on our list. The island city is highly popular for its beaches and coral reefs, which also serve as popular destinations for water activities like snorkeling, diving, and dolphin watching.
21. San Jose, California
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA MSA
International Visitors in 2023: 387,000
The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA had a population of around 2 million in 2022 and ranks 21st on our list. In 2023, the area received 387,000 visitors, an increase of 107% from 2022. Silicon Valley is one of the most popular locations in the area.
20. Tampa, Florida
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL MSA
International Visitors in 2023: 466,000
In 2024, Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards ranked St. Petersburg as the 2nd most trending destination in the United States. The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater MSA ranks 20th on our list of the most famous cities in the US.
19. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Philadelphia, PA MSA
International Visitors in 2023: 529,000
Philadelphia is one of the most famous cities in the US, ranking 19th on our list. Some of the top sights in the city include the Liberty Bell, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Franklin Insitute, and the Barnes Foundation.
18. Flagstaff, Arizona
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Flagstaff, AZ MSA
International Visitors in 2023: 554,000
Flagstaff is well-known for its desert landscapes and Native American history, but it’s also the first city in the world to be classified as an International Dark City Sky. A Dark Sky City carefully preserves its night skies by controlling the level of artificial light during nighttime. Flagstaff is one of the most famous cities in the US.
17. Seattle, Washington
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA MD
International Visitors in 2023: 579,000
The Seattle-Bellevue-Everett area is a metropolitan division in the state of Washington. In 2023, it received 579,000 international visitors, a 40.5% increase from overseas tourism levels in 2022.
16. Santa Ana, California
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA MD
International Visitors in 2023: 626,000
This metropolitan division is famously home to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, which almost 17 million people visited in 2022. Santa Ana, in particular, is known for its historical landmarks and cultural diversity.
15. San Diego, California
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA MSA
International Visitors in 2023: 655,000
Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards ranked San Diego as a top US destination. It is one of the most famous cities in the US, popular for its Mexican food and surfing opportunities.
14. Dallas, Texas
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX MSA
International Visitors in 2023: 655,000
The Dallas-Plano-Irving metropolitan statistical area in Texas ranks 14th on our list of the most famous cities in the world. The area received 655,000 international visitors in 2023, a 44.6% increase from 2022 levels.
13. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach, FL MD
International Visitors in 2023: 749,000
This metropolitan division is most famous for its beaches and water-related activities, ranking 13th on our list. Apart from its waters, Fort Lauderdale is also popular for its nightlife and art galleries.
12. Atlanta, Georgia
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA MSA
International Visitors in 2023: 765,000
Atlanta is one of the most famous cities in the US. This metropolitan area received 765,000 international visitors in 2023, showcasing a 111.3% increase from 2022 overseas visitation levels.
11. Houston, Texas
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX MSA
International Visitors in 2023: 887,000
Houston is known for its food scene and is also home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The city also features several other science-related sites, such as the Houston Museum of Natural Science, which over a million people visit annually.
10. Boston, Massachusetts
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Boston-Quincy, MA MD
International Visitors in 2023: 1,152,000
The 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards by Tripadvisor recognized Boston as a top travel destination in the US, as well as one of the best food destinations. The city is famous for seafood items like lobster rolls and clam chowder. It ranks tenth on our list of the most famous cities in the US.
9. Honolulu, Hawaii
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Honolulu, HI MSA
International Visitors in 2023: 1,322,000
Overseas visitation levels to Honolulu increased by 85.9% in 2023, ranking it as one of the most famous cities in the US. This is one of the most popular destinations for people looking to enjoy beaches and a tropical climate.
8. Chicago, Illinois
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL MD
International Visitors in 2023: 1,413,000
Chicago has also been recognized by Tripadvisor as one of the top travel destinations in the US, and ranks eighth on our list of the most famous cities in the US. The city is most popular for its food and architecture, with renowned sites such as Millenium Park, the Chicago Theater, and the Lincoln Park Zoo.
7. Washington D.C
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Washington (DC Metro Area), DC-MD-VA
International Visitors in 2023: 1,611,000
Washington D.C. is one of the most famous cities in the US, best known for its museums, memorials, and monuments. It is one of the best places for history buffs who want an in-depth look into the culture of the United States.
6. Las Vegas, Nevada
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA
International Visitors in 2023: 2,077,000
Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards rank Las Vegas as the third-best destination in the US. The city is most popular for its casino experiences, frequented by gambling enthusiasts from all over the world. It is also famous for its entertainment scene and nightlife.
5. San Francisco, California
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA MD
International Visitors in 2023: 2,281,000
San Francisco is one of the most popular cities in the US, and this metropolitan division ranks fifth on our list. Some of the most popular sites in the city include the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, the Palace of Fine Arts, and Union Square.