The oldest tourist attractions in all 50 states
Tourist attractions – those hallowed halls of history and nature where we flock to gawk, often forgetting why we came in the first place. They’re the spots on the map where we pretend to be cultured while secretly checking how many likes our photos get. From the grandiose and breathtaking to the ‘why is this even a thing?’, these attractions are a testament to human curiosity, boredom, or perhaps just our relentless pursuit of the perfect selfie backdrop. Whether it’s a giant rock that’s disappointingly smaller in real life, or a historical site where the most exciting event was a 200-year-old tea party, these destinations keep us coming back. Maybe it’s for the love of history, or maybe it’s just to say we’ve been there, done that, and got the overpriced souvenir to prove it.
Let’s dive into some of the oldest tourist attractions in the United States, listed alphabetically:
Alabama: Fort Morgan (1834)
Fort Morgan has been standing since 1834, which is impressive, considering some people can’t even commit to a Netflix series for more than a season.
Alaska: Sitka National Historical Park (1910)
Established in 1910, this park is younger than some of the sourdough starters in hipster kitchens.
Arizona: Grand Canyon (1919)
The Grand Canyon is proof that even Mother Nature thought, “You know what this place needs? A really big ditch.” And it still draws more crowds than most modern art.
Arkansas: Hot Springs National Park (1832)
Hot Springs: where you can relax in water that’s been around longer than the concept of ‘weekends’.
California: San Diego Mission (1769)
The San Diego Mission is so old, it’s practically the historical equivalent of “I walked uphill both ways to school.”
Colorado: Mesa Verde National Park (1906)
Mesa Verde, proving since 1906 that people have always liked cliffside views, even before Instagram made it cool.
Connecticut: Mystic Seaport (1929)
Mystic Seaport, where you can experience life in the 1800s, including the lack of Wi-Fi.
Delaware: New Castle Historic District (1651)
New Castle is so old, it’s seen more history than most textbooks.
Florida: Castillo de San Marcos (1695)
Castillo de San Marcos: older than the concept of Florida being the go-to place for retirement.
Georgia: Savannah Historic District (1733)
Savannah, where the buildings are older than the idea of ‘southern hospitality’ but still nail it.
Hawaii: Iolani Palace (1882)
Iolani Palace, where the royalty was ahead of its time, much like people who start wearing shorts in March.
Idaho: Cataldo Mission (1853)
The Cataldo Mission is so old, it probably considers “modern technology” to be a newfangled butter churn.
Illinois: Fort de Chartres (1720)
Fort de Chartres, standing strong since 1720, which is more than can be said for most people’s commitment to their New Year’s resolutions.
Indiana: Angel Mounds State Historic Site (1100 AD)
Angel Mounds, proving that Indiana was cool way before the Indy 500 was even a thought.
Iowa: Amana Colonies (1855)
The Amana Colonies, where ‘living simply’ has been in style since before it was a hashtag.
Kansas: Fort Leavenworth (1827)
Fort Leavenworth is so old, it’s practically a senior citizen in military years.
Kentucky: Fort Harrod (1774)
Fort Harrod, where people have been reenacting the 18th century before it was cool on TikTok.
Louisiana: French Quarter (1718)
The French Quarter: older than Mardi Gras beads and just as colorful.
Maine: Portland Head Light (1791)
Portland Head Light has been guiding ships since 1791, which is more than can be said for most GPS apps.
Maryland: Historic St. Mary’s City (1634)
St. Mary’s City, where ‘old school’ actually means something.
Massachusetts: Plymouth Rock (1620)
Plymouth Rock is famed for being the landing site of the Mayflower Pilgrims, but it’s actually quite small and unimpressive in person. Proof that size doesn’t matter when it comes to historical significance… or so it keeps telling itself.
Michigan: Fort Mackinac (1780)
Fort Mackinac is one of the few Revolutionary War-era forts that still has its original buildings. Fort Mackinac, where the buildings are holding up better than most people’s attempts at a “digital detox.”
Minnesota: Fort Snelling (1820)
Fort Snelling is located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers and was once the furthest outpost of the U.S. military. Strategically placed to oversee the rivers, or maybe just to get the best fishing spots.
Mississippi: Natchez Trace (1801)
The Natchez Trace is a historic forest trail that extends roughly 440 miles and was a key trade route in the early 1800s. Where people walked hundreds of miles before Fitbits made it cool.
Missouri: Gateway Arch in St. Louis (1965)
The Gateway Arch is the world’s tallest arch and the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere. Because America decided what the West really needed was a giant metal rainbow.
Montana: Yellowstone National Park (1872)
Yellowstone was the first national park in the U.S. and is known for its wildlife and geothermal features. Where the geysers are more reliable than your morning alarm clock.
Nebraska: Chimney Rock (Designated 1956)
Chimney Rock was a famous landmark for pioneers traveling westward and is still visible for miles. Chimney Rock: Essentially the ‘You Are Here’ map pin for 19th-century travelers.
Nevada: Virginia City (1859)
Virginia City sprang up as a boomtown with the 1859 discovery of the Comstock Lode, leading to a major silver rush. Virginia City, where people rushed for silver before rushing for likes on Instagram was a thing.
New Hampshire: Portsmouth Historic District (Settled 1623)
Portsmouth is one of the oldest cities in the U.S., featuring preserved buildings from the early colonial period. Where ‘throwback Thursday’ could mean any day from the last 400 years.
New Jersey: Atlantic City Boardwalk (1870)
The Atlantic City Boardwalk was the first boardwalk in the United States and inspired the game Monopoly. The original ‘walk of fame’ for anyone who’s ever bankrupted their friends in Monopoly.
New Mexico: Taos Pueblo (1000+ years old)
Taos Pueblo has been continuously inhabited for over a thousand years and is one of the oldest communities in the United States. Making it clear that ‘vintage’ really means something more than last season’s fashion trends.
New York: Statue of Liberty (1886)
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France and is recognized as a symbol of freedom and democracy. France’s way of saying, “Here’s a giant lady holding a torch; now please stop asking for wine.”
North Carolina: Biltmore Estate (1895)
The Biltmore Estate is the largest privately-owned house in the United States, with 250 rooms. Because when you have 250 rooms, why choose between a game room, a library, or a bowling alley?
North Dakota: Fort Abraham Lincoln (1872)
Fort Abraham Lincoln was an important infantry and cavalry post, and it’s where Custer embarked on his last ill-fated campaign. Reminding us that sometimes leaving for work can really be a bad idea.
Ohio: Serpent Mound (1070 AD)
The Serpent Mound is a prehistoric effigy mound that represents a snake with a curled tail, and its purpose remains a mystery. Proof that people have been making questionable art choices since 1070 AD.
Oklahoma: Spiro Mounds (800 AD)
Spiro Mounds is one of the most important Native American archaeological sites in the United States, with artifacts linked to the Spiro people. Where history buffs go to geek out way before comic cons made it cool.
Oregon: Oregon Trail (1843)
The Oregon Trail was a 2,170-mile historic East-West wagon route that brought settlers to the western United States in the 19th century. The original cross-country road trip, but with more dysentery and less roadside diners.
Pennsylvania: Independence Hall (1753)
Independence Hall is where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted. Where a bunch of men in wigs basically unfriended Britain.
Rhode Island: White Horse Tavern (1673)
The White Horse Tavern, established in 1673, is one of the oldest taverns in the U.S. and was a meeting place for the colonial assembly. Serving up cold brews since before it was cool to Instagram your pint.
South Carolina: Charleston Historic District (1670)
Charleston is known for its well-preserved architecture, cobblestone streets, and rich history dating back to the colonial period. Where every cobblestone is a trip hazard with a history lesson.
South Dakota: Mount Rushmore (1927)
Mount Rushmore features the 60-foot heads of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt, carved into the granite face of the mountain. Because nothing says ‘America’ like giant presidential heads on a mountain.
Tennessee: Graceland (1939)
Graceland was the home of Elvis Presley and is one of the most-visited private homes in America, with over 650,000 visitors a year. Where you can walk in Elvis’s footsteps and leave feeling just a little less rock ‘n’ roll than you’d hoped.
Texas: The Alamo (1718)
The Alamo, originally a mission, was the site of the famous 1836 battle during the Texas Revolution and has become a symbol of Texan independence. Remembered for the battle where everyone remembers they forgot to bring reinforcements.
Utah: This is the Place Heritage Park (1847)
This park marks the end of the 1,300-mile Mormon trail and the spot where Brigham Young declared, “This is the place,” upon entering the Salt Lake Valley. Because after traveling 1,300 miles, ‘This is the place’ is about as creative as you’re going to get.
Vermont: Shelburne Farms (1886)
Shelburne Farms is a working farm, education center, and National Historic Landmark on the shores of Lake Champlain. Teaching kids where food comes from since 1886, and adults that no, cheese doesn’t grow on trees.
Virginia: Historic Jamestowne (1607)
Historic Jamestowne is the site of the first permanent English settlement in North America and offers a wealth of archaeological findings. Where settlers made questionable decisions so future generations could make field trips.
Washington: Fort Vancouver (1825)
Fort Vancouver was a 19th-century fur trading post and served as the headquarters of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s Columbia Department. The original trading post where beaver pelts were the Bitcoin of their day.
West Virginia: Harpers Ferry (1747)
Harpers Ferry is known for its scenic beauty and as the site of John Brown’s raid, an event that escalated tensions leading up to the Civil War. Combining stunning views with a side of historical national tension.
Wisconsin: Circus World Museum (1959)
The Circus World Museum in Baraboo celebrates the history of the American circus, including the Ringling Brothers. Because who doesn’t want to relive the fear of clowns in a historical setting?
Wyoming: Fort Laramie (1834)
Fort Laramie was a significant 19th-century trading post and diplomatic site located at the confluence of the Laramie and North Platte rivers. Where traders and trappers met to exchange goods and probably some pretty questionable frontier gossip.
