The Most Serene Tourist Destinations in Each U.S. State

When your vacation finally arrives, it’s tempting to drop everything and spend the week lounging at home. However, squandering those valuable days off often leads to regret, whereas exploring a new destination can make your holiday seem more extended. Plus, there’s a good chance your loved ones are eager to hit the road with you as soon as your out-of-office message goes live. Don’t be too quick to settle into relaxation mode.

Sadly, the expectation to stay active and efficient doesn’t fade once you step out of the office and begin your travels. Shaking off the notion that your time away must be packed with nonstop excitement—whether at amusement parks, cultural sites, crowded shores, or fast-paced sightseeing—is no easy task. Around 21% of employed Americans admit to feeling anxious or overwhelmed during their breaks, and the irony is that taking a trip can begin to feel like just another task on your to-do list.

When your body signals a need for calm and stillness, it’s important to pay attention. To simplify the search for serenity, Casago has identified the most tranquil U.S. locations, as highlighted by Americans themselves.

Casago examined the “Things to Do” sections on TripAdvisor’s public pages for every U.S. state and 20 large U.S. cities. The attractions in each location were ranked based on how frequently “peaceful” appeared per 1,000 reviews written in English.

The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, located at Mission Nombre de Dios in St. Augustine, Florida, stands as the most serene tourist destination in America, with 41% of visitor reviews describing it as “peaceful.”
The Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage & Meditation Gardens in Encinitas ranks as California’s most serene tourist destination, with a tranquility rating of 35.4%.
Forest Lawn in Buffalo ranks as the most tranquil location in New York State, with a serenity rating of 14.7%.
Roosevelt Island stands out as the most tranquil tourist destination in New York City, accounting for 12.5% of visitors.

Sanctuaries of Serenity: The Most Tranquil Destinations in America

When travelers imagine the U.S., serenity and stillness are rarely the first thoughts that come to mind. Even the country’s vast natural landscapes evoke dramatic scenes from Wild West tales or extraterrestrial encounters. Yet, amid America’s meticulously designed gardens, sacred spaces, and tranquil public art installations, there’s no shortage of opportunities to soothe the spirit and find moments of tranquility during a getaway in any region.

The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, a Catholic sanctuary located at the Nombre de Dios Mission in Florida, stands out as the most tranquil spot. Over 40% of visitors describe it as “peaceful.” While the chapel itself exudes calm, it’s the gardens surrounding the historic structure that evoke the deepest sense of quiet joy.

Gardens, churches, and temples rank among the most serene tourist destinations in many states. Anderson Japanese Gardens in Illinois stands out as the highest-rated garden. “A stunning, expansive garden filled with tranquil water elements and picturesque trails,” notes one reviewer. “Impeccably maintained, offering plenty of spots to unwind amid the vibrant greenery.”

Florida boasts two of the most serene tourist destinations in the United States, along with four ranked among the top 20. Sholom Park in Ocala secures the second position. The name “Sholom” derives from Hebrew, meaning peace, and the park was created as “a space where the quest for inner tranquility and knowledge can be nurtured and appreciated.”

The owners of Sholom Park express, “During your visit, we invite you to discover personal meaning in the natural surroundings. Pay attention to the emotions and sights that resonate deeply. You might encounter inspiration—whether striking and vivid or quiet and holy—that brings peace to your spirit.”

California’s Canals Provide the State’s Most Serene Strolls

During a city getaway—or when you’re stuck in the urban environment where you live and work—a tranquil tourist destination becomes a true sanctuary. We’ve pinpointed the top options across 20 U.S. cities. The Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas is particularly unique, offering an escape that’s neither natural nor religious. Founded in 2003, the Nasher showcases more than 300 renowned works by artists such as Calder, de Kooning, Hepworth, Picasso, and Rodin, all housed in a serene 55,000-square-foot structure designed by Renzo Piano. Additionally, it features a 1.5-acre sculpture garden crafted by Peter Walker.

California’s two major cities, LA and San Francisco, offer distinct serene locations. San Francisco invites visitors to the Mormon Oakland California Temple, whereas Los Angeles features the picturesque Venice Canals Walkway—a tranquil spot to wander without losing your way. “The canals, bordered by homes priced at $2 million and above, provide a delightful way to spend an hour meandering calmly and admiring the quirky architecture, yards, and decorations,” notes one reviewer. “It’s an ideal place for a leisurely stroll.”

New York, known as The City That Never Sleeps, still offers spaces for rest and imagination.

New York, known as the city that never sleeps, is the most densely populated urban area in the United States and often hailed as “one of the most exhilarating destinations on the planet.” As such, it isn’t typically associated with tranquility. However, perceptions of calm are always subjective.

Nestled in the East River between Manhattan and Queens, beneath the span of the Queensboro Bridge, Roosevelt Island stands as the city’s most tranquil retreat, described by one reviewer as “a delightful surprise.” The island offers “a perfect escape from the bustle,” notes another visitor: “It’s a sanctuary free of cars, bikes, and skateboards. A parking area leads to a short bridge, which takes you to the wooded island. Stroll among the trees until you reach a clearing, where Roosevelt welcomes you with a wave… It’s serene and an ideal spot for quiet contemplation.”

Strawberry Fields, a five-acre area in Central Park featuring the Imagine mosaic at its center, was created as a tribute to The Beatles’ John Lennon. It is located in a spot where Lennon and his wife, artist Yoko Ono, often walked together in the years preceding his passing. “There’s something enchanting about this place,” notes a devoted Beatles enthusiast. “The tranquility and calm here are truly special.”

Peacefulness is partly a mental state—yet discovering it becomes simpler when you have the space and tranquility to seek it out.

Setting realistic expectations is essential for creating a memorable holiday experience. Focus on what you and your group genuinely wish to achieve—rather than adhering to external pressures—and tailor your plans accordingly. If you encounter moments of inactivity, embrace them as opportunities to relax. Accept that not everything will go as intended, and stress may arise: adopt an attitude of appreciating what you accomplish, rather than dwelling on what you don’t.

Stroll, stroll, stroll. Wander to a tranquil spot to embrace serenity; amble through nature to ease tension. Even a brief ten-minute walk amid greenery can lower your heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol levels, and the sensation of mental strain.

Discover more than 1,500 suggestions for serene spots across the U.S. by browsing our complete dataset in the interactive table provided.

To identify the most tranquil travel destinations in the U.S. using publicly accessible Tripadvisor reviews, we began by compiling a foundational list of all 50 states and the 20 most renowned cities nationwide.

Next, we tallied the count of peaceful references for attractions in every state and the 20 cities listed under TripAdvisor’s “things to do” category.

After compiling the list of attractions with “peaceful” referenced in reviews, we visited each location’s dedicated page to gather a set of metrics:
– Place
– Classification of attractions
– Quantity of English reviews

We omitted certain types, including spas, 4WD, horseback riding excursions, and others.

Ultimately, we evaluated and ordered the attractions for each state, city, and the leading 10 U.S. destinations in total, considering the frequency of “peaceful” references per 1000 English-language reviews.

The data analysis remains accurate as of September 2023.