Last week we shared the first half of the list compiled by TripAdvisor of the most popular attractions in every state based on the data they collected from their site’s attraction, tour and activities bookings from 2017. This week we’ll continue with the second half.
Note: The asterisk (*) denotes the seven states that did not have enough data for TripAdvisor to analyze, so TripAdvisor’s highest-rated “Thing to Do” is listed instead.
If website is not listed it means it can be found on the TripAdvisor website directly.
Missouri
The Haygoods Show—The most popular show in Branson, Mo. is put on by a team of six siblings who perform country, rock and pop music covers. The venue is in the 1880s-themed amusement park, Silver Dollar City, which sits in one of Missouri’s deepest caves. Tickets start at $42. https://thehaygoods.com
Montana
Yellowstone River Whitewater Rafting—This half-day, eight-mile rafting trip along Yellowstone River allows you to ride the waves at Man-Eater Hole, Boonie’s Revenge and Sleeping Giant. It also makes stops in the flat stretches for swimming and relaxing. Boats accommodate eight to 12 people, and the price includes wet suit, river shoes and splash gear. Tickets start at $43. https://www.montanawhitewater.com/
Nebraska*
Museum of American Speed—A collection of vintage Indy Cars, NASCAR championship vehicles and even luxury rides. Tickets start at $15. https://www.museumofamericanspeed.com
Nevada
The High Roller—With sweeping, 360-degree views of the Las Vegas Valley and The Strip, the world’s largest observation wheel is by far the best view of the City of Sin. The wheel takes 30 minutes to complete one revolution. Tickets start at $25. https://www.caesars.com/linq/high-roller
New Hampshire
White Mountain Tour on an Aerial Tram—See the White Mountains from an aerial tram on 4,100-foot-high Cannon Mountain. This summertime, minivan tour stops along streams and valleys on the Kencamagus Highway before visiting the tram. Tickets start at $149.
New Jersey
Whale & Dolphin Watching on the Delaware Bay—The Delaware Bay Estuary, a confluence of freshwater and saltwater, is a sanctuary for many species of marine life including humpback whales, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, seals and bottlenose dolphins. Tickets start at $50. http://capemaywhalewatcher.com/whale-dolphin-watching.php
New Mexico
Albuquerque Sunrise Balloon Rides—This one-hour, hot-air-balloon flight is the most popular way to see New Mexico’s Rio Grande Valley and Sandia Mountains. Guests are put up in the air just in time to see daylight illuminate the mountain range below. A continental breakfast and sparkling-wine toast are included after the hot-air-balloon ride. Tickets start at $159.
New York
Empire State Building—A must-see for anyone visiting NYC for the first time, this iconic building has the highest open-air observatory in the city, offering views of the New York skyline, the Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty and more. Tickets start at $37. https://www.nycgo.com/tours/empire-state-building-tickets-observatory-and-optional-skip-the-line-ticket
North Carolina
Comedy Tour of Charlotte—This 90-minute tour combines an informative city bus tour with a comedy show! The jokes are explicit and the bus is BYOBB so it’s for adults only. Tickets start at $25. https://funnybus.net
North Dakota*
Theodore Roosevelt National Park—Explore the 70,000+ acres of Theodore Roosevelt National Park by hiking, camping, fishing and horseback riding. Admission is $25 per vehicle, or $12 per person if entering by foot or bike. https://www.nps.gov/
Ohio
The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden—The second-oldest zoo in the country is home to rhinoceroses, gorillas, hippos, giraffes, elephants, several big cats and even a giant salamander. Adult tickets start at $19. http://cincinnatizoo.org/
Oklahoma*
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum—The Memorial Museum will take you on a chronological, self-guided interactive tour through the story of April 19, 1995, and the days, weeks, months and years that followed the bombing of Oklahoma City’s Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Adult admission is $15. https://oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/
Oregon
Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls—This tour offers the opportunity to see Oregon’s waterfalls, including one that is more than 600 feet tall. Tickets start at $60.
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Bus Tour—Stops on the bus tour include landmarks like the Liberty Bell, the LOVE sculpture and the “Rocky Steps” outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Tickets start at $28. https://www.bigbustours.com/en/philadelphia/
Rhode Island
Newport Gilded Age Mansions—A trolley tour of extravagant mansions that lie along Newport’s coast in the Bellevue Avenue Historic District. Tickets are $39. https://www.viator.com/tours/Newport/Gilded-Age-Mansion-Tour
South Carolina
Charleston History Tour—This one-hour carriage tour is basically a crash course in southern history along cobblestone roads that were around longer than the tales themselves. Tickets start at $26. https://www.oldsouthcarriage.com/
South Dakota
Mount Rushmore & More tour—Experience the iconic presidential sculpture at Mount Rushmore, as well as other parts of South Dakota’s Black Hills region. Adult tickets start at $80. https://mountrushmorebustours.com/
Tennessee
Nashville Walking Tour—This tour travels a mile-and-a-half around the city showing everything from why Nashville is known as the Music City to how the Civil Rights Movement unfolded in those iconic locations. $20 per adult ticket. http://www.echoesofnashville.com
Texas
Best of Austin Tour—A two-hour, crash course led by a local, highlighting Austin’s best sites, including Graffiti Park and the state capitol. Tickets are just under $38.
Utah
Monument Valley Safari—Discover the untouched, Navajo land in the restricted region of Lower Monument Valley with an informative Navajo guide. Tickets start at $75. https://monumentvalleysafari.com/monument-valley-guided-tours/
Vermont
Burlington Brewery Tour—Tour Burlington’s growing craft-brewery scene through four local craft breweries. Tickets are $90 each. https://www.citybrewtours.com/burlington/tours/
Virginia
Colonial Williamsburg—Travel back in time through hands-on activities, guided tours and live demonstrations. Tickets start at $40.99 https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com
Washington
Chihuly, Garden and Glass + Space Needle—This two-for-one package includes admission to Seattle’s most popular sites: the namesake museum of Washington native and world-renowned artist, Dale Chihuly; and the Space Needle’s 520-foot observation deck. Tickets are $38. https://web.ticket.chihulygardenandglass.com
West Virginia
Greenbrier Beginner Falconry Experience—The most popular attraction in West Virginia takes place at the historic Greenbrier Resort and allows tourists to interact with large, trained raptors. Tickets are $125 each.
Wisconsin
Milwaukee City Tour—See the city’s most popular sites such as, the Harley-Davidson Museum, Lakefront Brewery and the Milwaukee Public Market in the historic Third Ward. Tickets are $30. https://www.milwaukeecitytours.com
Wyoming
Grand Teton Wildlife Safari—Take a dusk or dawn, four-hour tour around Grand Teton National Park viewing animals such as elk, moose, bison, grizzly bears and wolves. Tickets are $125. https://brushbucktours.com/grand-teton-tours/
Megan Pinckney (@shadesofpinck) is a retired beauty queen turned lifestyle blogger who loves exploring the world and writing about it.