25 Red-Hot U.S. Tourist Attractions

One of the country’s hottest attractions for travelers is also among its newest: One World Observatory.

The observatory atop One World Trade Center — the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere — opened in late May 2015. Since then, travelers’ interest in the destination has surged about 340 percent, ranking it No. 1 on TripAdvisor’s Attractions Trend Index.

The index, released Wednesday, ranks U.S. attractions that have seen the greatest increase in traveler interest over the past year. It’s based on comparing TripAdvisor search traffic from May through July 2015 against traffic from May through July 2016.

TripAdvisor spokesperson Brooke Ferencsik notes:

“From historic city streets to amazing sights from great heights, the Attractions Trend Index has revealed a wide variety of places that have captured the interest of U.S. travelers.”

U.S. attractions that made the index and their increase in traveler interest since last year include:

1. One World Observatory, One World Trade Center, New York City: 340.7 percent increase in TripAdvisor search traffic
2. The Magnificent Mile, Chicago: 118 percent
3. Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook, Gatlinburg, Tennessee: 112.5 percent
4. The Pearl District, Portland, Oregon: 109.3 percent
5. Mount Bonnell, Austin, Texas: 109.2 percent
6. Newbury Street, Boston: 108.1 percent
7. Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: 107.6 percent
8. The Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, Tennessee: 107.4 percent
9. Watkins Glen State Park, Watkins Glen, New York: 96.4 percent
10. Jackson Square, New Orleans: 89.9 percent
11. La Jolla Shores, La Jolla, California: 88.8 percent
12. 360 Chicago observation deck, Chicago: 87.8 percent
13. Venice Canals Walkway, Los Angeles: 80.4 percent
14. Union Station, Denver: 79.1 percent
15. Pier 39, San Francisco: 68.6 percent
16. Disney Springs, Orlando, Florida: 65.3 percent
17. Broadway, New York City: 63.7 percent
18. The Grotto, National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, Portland, Oregon: 63.3 percent
19. The Gondola at Heavenly, South Lake Tahoe, California: 63.0 percent
20. Central Park, New York City: 62.2 percent
21. Washington Park, Portland, Oregon: 61.3 percent
22. Statue of Liberty, New York City: 59.0 percent
23. Fenway Park, Boston: 58.9 percent
24. Bryant Park, New York City: 58.8 percent
25. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, Burbank, California: 57.7 percent

If you plan to travel soon, be sure to first check out “14 Proven Ways to Save on Travel.”

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