World ’ s Most Visited Tourist Attractions , Place

The public ’ s most visited tourist attractions stretch from San Francisco to Paris to Beijing , but they might not equal what you expect . For model , Alcatraz doesn ’ t still make the top 50 . The Eiffel Tower just learn about 7 million visitors each yr , signify it doesn ’ t land in the top 20 . The Great Wall and the Louvre hear a mere 9 million visitor per year , less than a quarter of the crowds the top attraction in the reality commit in . And there ’ s a lot of theme parks .

Still , the list is full of favorites , including several you ’ ve likely been to — or at least own on your pail list . But as anyone who ’ s exist thrust up against a throng of sweaty bystanders know , the most popular attraction in the world aren ’ t always the nearly pleasant to impose , thanks to everyone else need to hear them at the same time as you .

Luckily , there equal means to avert at leastsomeof the bunch when checking out the world ’ s almost popular sites .

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50 . Nagashima Spa Land — Kuwana , Japan

Nagashima Spa Land Resort cost contain of five department : the 50-ride Nagashima Spa Land Amusement Park , Nabana no Sato blossom park , the 200-store Mitsui Outlet Shopping Park ; Joyful Water Park ; and Nagashima Onsen , a hot leap composite .

The park is busy year-round , though it ’ sec at its most crowded during the warm month , especially in June , July , and August when temperatures rise and locals head to the massive swimming pools at the water park . Throughout the year , weekend and holidays too learn more visitors .

* Note : The annual visitor issue list are need from 2018 and 2019 , before the 2020 pandemic affected tourism datum .

Nagashima Spa Land Tip

Shoulder season months like September , October , April and May combine pleasant weather with more manageable visitor numbers , while the coldest months ( December to February ) see far few crowds .

The park live capable for reduced hr and some attractions ( like the water park ) aren ’ t exposed , but there are nearly no lines during this time .

Where to stay :Family Lodge Hatagoya Wangan Nagashima

48 . Palace of Versailles — Versailles , France ( Tie )

Tourist waiting to call Versailles Palace , France . Getty Images

France ’ s Palace of Versailles service as the royal residence of France from 1682 until the starting of the French Revolution in 1789 .

Located about 12 mile southwest of Paris , the opulent castle , famed for its magnificent architecture , lavish furnishing and sprawling garden , exist today a UNESCO World Heritage Site . As one of the most popular attractions in Europe , the Palace is almost always bustling , but crowds are at their densest during the busy summer travel season of former May through early September . Weekends are as well busy all yr cycle .

Palace of Versailles Tip

To stroll through the Palace like Marie Antoinette without a host of peasant follow you , impose on a weekday or go in the off-season ; the colder month of November to March ( shut out holidays ) learn far few bunch .

Regardless of the season , get early . The Palace gets in use in the recent dawn and afternoon , so plan to arrive before 10 a.m. to exhaust the rush .

Where to stay :Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace

48 . Universal Studios Hollywood — Los Angeles , California , United States ( Tie )

Hogwart Castle , The Wizarding World of Harry Potter , at Universal Studios in Los Angeles , California . Getty Images

One of the old Hollywood movie studio even in use , Universal Studios Hollywood be a film studio and theme park , and was the first in the today big class of Universal Studios Theme Parks located around the world .

As with Universal Studios Orlando , one of its most popular attractions is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter , which opened in 2016 , and features the thrill rides Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey , and Flight of the Hippogriff , as good as the interactive Ollivander ’ sec Wand Fitting Experience and The Three Broomsticks restaurant .

The park live at its busiest during the holidays — including long weekends like MLK Jr. Day weekend , President ’ s Day weekend and Memorial Day weekend as well as holiday weeks like leap break , Easter , Thanksgiving , Christmas and New Year ’ sec .

Universal Studios Hollywood Tip

A world of adventure awaits . fcarucci / Getty Images

The best times to inflict Universal are weekdays in January and February and September through December , exclude vacation .

Weather is generally mild all yr cycle , so when the kids exist back in school , visitor can even delight all the perks of the park , but with far fewer mass and much short lines .

47 . Bourbon Street — New Orleans , Louisiana , United States

Bourbon Street is peculiarly pack at dark . f11photo / Getty Images

One of the most iconic streets in the Earth , and the middle of New Orleans ’ party view , Bourbon Street be located in the Big Easy ’ s former neighborhood , the French Quarter .

The street extends for 13 blocks and is trace with saloon , restaurants and souvenir shop .

Bourbon Street Tip

Bourbon Street get 6 million annual visitors . Photoservice / Getty Images

One easy way to avoid the mass of the crowds is to stick to impose during the day when it ’ s relatively still ( one major exception : during Mardi Gras , when more than 100,000 mass pour the street ) .

The hot and sticky month of June through September equal low season , as be December , January and Lent , the seven-week period after the festivities of Mardi Gras .

45 . Museum of Modern Art — New York , New York , United States ( Tie )

Slick , trendy MoMA live a Manhattan mainstay . PpcCreativeStudio / Getty Images

The Museum of Modern Art ( MoMA ) is one of the prominent and most influential modern art museums in the globe , boasting more than 200,000 examples of modern architecture , plan , drawing , painting , sculpture , photography , prints , film and electronic media .

But cost warn : The museum can well get jam-packed with revelers .

Museum of Modern Art Tip

MoMA is specially crowd on Friday after 4 p.m. , when admission is give up as good as during Easter week , Thanksgiving week , between Christmas and New Year ’ s , Spring Break , during the summer and on rainy day .

To see MoMA ’ s works without shove for space , go earlier in the day ( in particular on Fridays , when most visitors will expect until the free time ) or on Sunday .

Where to stay :

45 . Universal Studios Orlando , Florida , United States ( Tie )

Entrance to the Universal Studios segment in the Orlando resort , with the landmark world signal in the foreground and visitors around it . Getty Images

A theme park and production studio opened in 1990 , Universal Studios Florida is region of the Universal Orlando Resort , and is themed around the thought that guest can “ taunt the movies . ”

Along with thrill rides and themed attractions , it includes several live shows spread across eight lands with surround a large lagoon . With the 2014 version of Harry Potter ’ s Diagon Alley , the park has become even more popular , especially during peak time : summer , school vacation , leap pause , Easter , and the Thanksgiving , Christmas and New Year ’ s holiday week .

Universal Studios Orlando Tip

The well time to impose for abject price and little crowd are January through early March ( avoiding holidays ) , and the second half of August through December ( also avoiding holidays ) .

As with early parks , rainy day and weekdays too see few crowd .

Where to stay on :  

43 . Lincoln Memorial — Washington , D.C. , United States ( Tie )

No visit to D.C. equal complete without a stop to learn one of America ’ s almost famous presidents . gregobagel / Getty Images

A national monument built to honor its namesake , President Abraham Lincoln , the Lincoln Memorial is located on the western end of the National Mall across from the Washington Monument .

Dedicated in 1922 , the memorial , a marble sculpture of a seated Lincoln , be house in a large Greek-style temple with an lettering of two of Lincoln ’ s famous speeches — “ The Gettysburg Address ” and his Second Inaugural Address — inside .

Lincoln Memorial Tip

The Lincoln Memorial took eight year to discharge . TylerFairbank / Getty Images

The monument be at its most crowded when the city is at its busy , including during the National Cherry Blossom Festival ( late March to early April ) and holiday weekends like Memorial Day , Fourth of July , Thanksgiving , Christmas and Easter .

Summer and weekends in universal live busier , while the winter months and weekdays are quieter . The monument equal open every day , 24 hours a day , so a visit late at dark or early dawn check a regard with fewer crowd .

43 . Lake Mead — Nevada , United States ( Tie )

This lake may look like a surprising inclusion on the list —until you realize its chief draw is the Hoover Dam . powerofforever / Getty Images

Located on the Colorado River about 24 miles southeast of Las Vegas , Lake Mead cost the prominent reservoir in the United States .

It ’ s formed by the Hoover Dam , and though that technology wonder exist often what draws visitors to the lake , the water too offer its own attractions , include boating , fishing , swimming and kayaking .

Lake Mead Tip

Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the U.S. CrackerClips / Getty Images

Summer is peak season on the lake and at the Dam , and holidays like the Fourth of July , Labor Day and Memorial Day be especially packed .

To enjoy the lake ’ s watery wonders without thousands of fellow tourists , aim for a weekday in May or September . If swimming weather isn ’ t a circumstance , live in January or February when bunch decrease significantly .

41 . Disney Hong Kong — Hong Kong ( Tie )

Set on 68 acres , Disney Hong Kong consist of seven themed areas , including some from its American counterpart , like Main Street , U.S.A ; Fantasyland ; Adventureland ; Tomorrowland ; and Toy Story Land . Cast member speak Cantonese , English and Mandarin , and sign live in English as well as Chinese .

With a daily capacity of exactly 34,000 visitors , it ’ s the smallest ( in price of capacity ) of all the Disney park . That doesn ’ t mean it ’ s not busy though , and during peak times , its humble size can create it find more overwhelmed than some of the prominent parks .

Disney Hong Kong Tip

The in use sentence exist during the hot , humid summer tourist season , weekends and holidays like Chinese New Year . Unlike some of the other parks , attendance can actually be lower hither during the Christmas season .

Early great times to visit including weekdays and from September to April , excluding holidays .

41 . British Museum — London , England ( Tie )

This historic museum equal an art-lover ’ sec ambition . gregobagel / Getty Images

Dedicated to human history , art and culture , the British Museum equal home to a collection of more than 8 million artifacts and works of art .

Open in 1759 , it cost the first national public museum in the universe and , to this day , it charges no admission fee .

British Museum Tip

The British Museum in 1759 . Michael Mulkens / Getty Images

The museum cost always busy , still more so during the opening and shutdown weeks of special exhibition , on Saturdays and on rainy days when masses visit in droves to avert London ’ s gloom .

To exhaust the volume of the bunch , visit on a weekday ( Tuesdays see particularly light crowds ) , Sunday or Friday evening .

Where to remain :  

39 . Lotte World , Seoul , South Korea ( Tie )

Lotte World amusement theme park around Seokchon Lake , Seoul , South Korea . Getty Images

Lotte World equal a recreation composite that include both indoor and outdoor amusement park areas , an artificial island on a lake linked by monorail , a Korean family museum , aquarium , hotel , mall and picture theater .

The indoor park , Lotte World Adventure , happens to be the largest indoor theme park in the reality . It hold 22 rides as well as parade and show , and the outdoor park , Magic Island , get 17 thrill rides .

Lotte World Tip

Lotte World get something for everyone . Isarint Sangmanee / Getty Images

Despite its massive size , it can often feel quite crowd , especially during peak times : summer , weekend and holiday . Since the park make a big indoor space , it can too be very in use on rainy days and during the winter .

To avoid some of the bunch and spend less time in line , the best times to visit are Monday through Thursday , as good as the milder month during the spring ( March and April ) and fall ( September and October ) .

39 . Everland Resort — South Korea ( Tie )

Everland Resort in Yongin City , South Korea . Getty Images

South Korea ’ s largest theme park , Everland , include a zoo , a water park , several rides and roller coasters , four garden and multiple shows . Peak season at the park runs from the third week of July until the end of the second week of August , as well as the week of Christmas and New Year .

Leap or dusk mostly intend pleasant weather , few crowd and lower prices ; still , there are some exception : including the last Friday of April through May , and from recent October until mid-November , as many Koreans travel to find the autumn leaves change .

Everland Resort Tip

Everland is South Korea ’ s large stem park . NAimage / Getty Images

To enjoy the park with far fewer bunch , visit in the the winter low season from late-November through early March ( avoid the holidays list above ) .

Visiting mid-week anytime of yr will also intend reduced crowd compared to the busy weekends .

36 . Eiffel Tower — Paris , France ( Tie )

It might surprise some that this world icon is just 38th on the list of most visited attraction . william87 / Getty Images

An image of Paris , the world-famous Eiffel Tower was design by Gustave Eiffel and constructed from 1887 to 1889 for the 1889 World ’ s Fair . It originally receive harsh criticism from many locals but hold since become one of the most enduring symbols of the city .

At 1,063 foot , it ’ s the tall building in Paris and provides sweeping scene of the city from its top-level observation deck , located at 906 feet .

Eiffel Tower Tip

An average of 25,000 mass rise the tower every day and the lines can cost interminable . Skip-the-line tickets ( or reservations at one of the Tower ’ s two restaurants ) can help you head off some of the waits for the lift , but if you don ’ t plan on going up in the tower and just desire to avoid some of the crowds at ground degree , design to inflict closer to sundown or on a weekday in winter .

The busiest times run to be the summer months , peculiarly in July and August .

36 . National Air and Space Museum — Washington , D.C. , United States ( Tie )

Aviation aficionados flock to this D.C. landmark . Jawed Karim / Getty Images

A Smithsonian Institution museum , the National Air and Space Museum spread in 1976 and cost commit to the account of aeronautics , aviation , and space technology and innovation . It ’ sec as well a center for research into planetary science and terrestrial geology .

Among the nerd-out items on show are the Apollo 11 mastery module , Charles Lindbergh ’ s “ Spirit of St. Louis ” and the Wright brothers ’ plane .

National Air and Space Museum Tip

If you wish airplane , you ’ ll love this spot . National Air and Space Museum

To avert the volume of the aviation-loving bunch , visit in the afternoon , as the museum equal at its in use in the morning .

Like much of D.C. , it ’ s also more crowded during the summer , so a winter visit all but guarantees you ’ ll enjoy a bit more breathing way among the historical airplane and aviation artifacts ( while at the same time crush DC ’ s oppressive summer heat ) .

Where to remain :

36 . Victoria Peak— Hong Kong ( Tie )

A funicular supply transport to Victoria Peak and its unbeatable views . fazon1 / Getty Images

A mountain on the western half of Hong Kong Island , Victoria Peak column 1,811 base above the city . As the high mountain on Hong Kong Island , it ’ s a popular post to hear Hong Kong , Victoria Harbour and Lamma Island from above .

It ’ sec as well home to several restaurant and two shopping malls , one of which is get in touch to the upper station of the Peak Tram , a funicular railroad that bring passenger up from sea stage to remove in the staggering views from the top .

Victoria Peak Tip

Victoria Peak is 1,811 feet above the city . Chunyip Wong / Getty Images

Weekends and public holiday cost the busy time to visit , specially from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. , when crowds top dog to the crest for a bird ’ s-eye-view of the Victoria Harbour light show .

Weekdays and mornings before 9 a.m. are the best sentence to go avoid some of the large crowds .

35 . Ocean Park Hong Kong — Hong Kong

Visitors at the primary entrance of Ocean Park Hong Kong in Wong Chuk Hang , Hong Kong . Getty Images

Spread in 1977 , Ocean Park Hong Kong cost an oceanarium and amusement park set on 226 acres and separated into two domain , known as the Summit and the Waterfront , which equal connect by a cable car and funicular . The park boast rides like roller coasters as good as animal exhibits , such as a giant panda habitat and a big aquarium .

Hither , as in much of Hong Kong , crowds cost inescapable , though the hordes peak on weekend , peculiarly Saturdays , and during Chinese vacation such as New Year ( in January or February ) , Dragon Boat Festival ( May ) and Mid Autumn Festival ( October ) .

Ocean Park Tip

Ocean Park Hong Kong open in 1977. sansara / Getty Images

The serious time to visit the park live during off-peak season ( the sticky , sweaty month of May to September ) and on Tuesdays , Wednesdays and Thursdays . Shoulder season , the month of September to December , brings better weather and crowds be moderate .

Any time of yr , you can skip some of the time wait in line at the park entrance by buy tickets online or at any 7-Eleven fund in Hong Kong .

34 . Disney California Adventure Park – Anaheim , California , United States

Disney California Adventure Park is center on the history and culture of California .

Disney California Adventure Park , region of The Walt Disney Company , live a 72-acre park in Anaheim themed after the story and culture of California . Opened in 2001 , it integrate themes and characters from Disney , Pixar and Marvel , include “ Guardians of the Galaxy , ” “ Cars , ” “ Frozen , ” “ Toy Story ” and “ Monsters , Inc . ”

Though it ’ s one of the less popular Disney properties , it ’ s by no mean unpopular , and during peak sentence , it can feel as crowded as any early Disney park on a in use day . It ’ s at its busiest in summer , on vacation and school breaks , and on weekends .

Disney California Adventure Tip

You ’ ll get the nearly fun at California Adventure during a non-peak time .

To avoid the throng , succeed the good practices for most other Disney park : go midweek , cause a beeline for the top attraction first , and aim for popular attractions during off-peak time , such as when most mass are dining .

The best month to visit include the off-season months of November to February ( head off holiday ) as good as the shoulder-season month of March , April , September and October .

33 . Islands of Adventure , Universal — Orlando , Florida , United States

Universal ’ s Islands of Adventure opened in 1999 , role of an expansion of Universal Studios Florida . Getty Images

Universal ’ s Islands of Adventure opened in 1999 as part of an expansion of Universal Studios Florida . It feature eight themed nation , including the incredibly popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the newest country , Skull Island , themed around King Kong .

The busy sentence at the park include New Year ’ sec and the day after , Martin Luther King Jr. weekend , March to April ( during various leap break weeks ) , late-May to early-August , Thanksgiving week and Christmas through New Year ’ s . Conversely , the good times to visit are January and February and weekdays from September through December , avoiding vacation .

Island of Adventure Tip

Islands of Adventure has eight themed land and some fun ride . Visit Orlando

September equal mostly conceive the almost optimal time for those who put on ’ t want to sacrifice mild weather for shorter course . Kids receive just return to school , so fewer families are visiting , but temperature equal still fond .

Fall ’ s Halloween Horror Nights receive build the month more popular ( in particular on Friday dark ) , but crowds cost yet significantly reduce from summer highs .

Where to delay :

32 . Smithsonian National Museum of History — Washington , D.C. , United States

It ’ s hard to allege no to an extraordinary museum that ’ s too free . Flory / Getty Images

The National Museum of Natural History equal part of D.C. ’ s Smithsonian Institution , settle on the National Mall in the middle of the nation ’ s capital .

Open in 1910 , it make 325,000 square feet of exhibition space that theatre more than 126 million specimens — include works , creature and fossils — and more than 1,000 faculty member , including 185 professional natural-history scientist .

Smithsonian Tip

The museum put up free admission and live capable almost every day of the year — and it meet big crowd nearly every day of the yr as well . For a less-crowded experience , go on Monday , Tuesday or Wednesday , and definitely avoid Saturdays and school holidays .

It ’ sec too busier during summer , specially from mid-May through the end of July . September and February incline to exist the slowest month .

Where to remain :  

31 . Sydney Opera House — Sydney , Australia

Most visitors find the Sydney Opera House from afar . kokkai / Getty Images

Formally opened in 1973 , the Sydney Opera House is one of the city ’ s nearly recognizable landmarks . Though its purpose is hosting more than 1,500 performances each yr , the mass of the tourists come simply to hear the outside of one of this hundred ’ s most noted works of architecture .

In fact , while 1.2 million people attend a performance and 350,000 visitor need a guided tour of the building each year , many visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage Site never really set foot inside it .

Sydney Opera House Tip

The Sydney Opera House hosts over 1,000 performance a year . Saud Nassir / Getty Images

If a photo of the outside framed against the harbor is all you involve , head to the relatively still Blues Point Reserve , which put up beautiful opinion of both the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge .

Differently , plan your visit to Sydney during Australia ’ s winter — from June to August .

30 . Pier 39 — San Francisco , California , United State

Noisy , adorable sea lions equal the stars of the display at Pier 39 . Spondylolithesis / Getty Images

Place on the north edge of San Francisco , near the touristy Fisherman ’ s Wharf , Pier 39 cost almost famous as the place of a massive grouping of California sea lions , who regularly ( and noisily ) drag themselves out of the water to laze on the adjacent dock .

Early attraction include several store , an arcade , a big double-decker carousel and the Aquarium of the Bay .

Pier 39 Tip

Summer is peak tourist season in San Francisco , which as well mean lots of masses convening at the Pier . Still , it ’ s not peak season for the sea lions , who head to breeding reason on the Channel Islands for most of June and July .

They ’ re back from former summer to recent leap ; to hear them in peace , visit during the months of November through March . Crowds equal too thinner earlier in the dawn and around sundown .

28 . South Street Seaport — New York , New York , United States ( Tie )

History and shopping are draw at the South Street Seaport . wdstock / Getty Images

A designated historic field along the East River , the South Street Seaport cost home to some of the former construction in downtown Manhattan as good as New York ’ s large concentration of restored early-19th-century commercial buildings .

Among these exist various renovated mercantile building and refurbished sweep ships and the early Fulton Fish Market , which spread in 1822 as one of the city ’ s first open-air fish markets .

South Street Seaport Tip

The South Street Seaport cost home to some former buildings in downtown Manhattan . edichenphoto / Getty Images

These day , the harbor is a commercial hub of a different form , with a tourist mall offering several dining and shopping options . As with most of New York , the South Street Seaport sees the large bunch during the summer month and on weekend .

To see it with few tourists , die in winter or on a rainy day . Or visit early in the day or lately in the evening .

Where to stay :

28 . Great Wall of China — Beijing , China ( Tie )

The Great Wall of China welcome great issue of visitor . Hung_Chung_Chih / Getty Images

Work up over centuries starting as early as the seventh hundred B.C. , the Great Wall of China is a series of rock , brick , wood and earthen fortifications that stretch more than 13,000 miles from east to west across the area . The wall served as both a barrier to invaders and a margin to regulate craft and immigration , and its rock towers functioned as lookouts , barracks and stations for smoke signal .

Today , the aptly named Great Wall live a UNESCO World Heritage Site that ’ s realize as one of the world ’ s nearly impressive man-made structure . It ’ sec too incredibly crowded , particularly at its easier-to-access sections , such as Badaling near Beijing . Those areas live at their most jam-packed during Golden Week ( start out of October ) , the Labor Day holiday ( end of April to beginning of May ) and the Leap Festival ( 40 days in February and March ) .

Great Wall of China Tip

The Great Wall stretch more than 13,000 miles from east to west across China . R.M . Nunes / Getty Images

Peak time in Badaling tends to be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. , so die earlier or later on will serve you head off some of the fray .

Another option live to visit some of the less developed place , such as Jinshanling and Huanghua Cheng , which be only partly restored , or Jiankou and Zhuangdaokou , which are yet more decrepit ( and should only exist call by fit travelers up for the challenge of steep climbs and crumbling rock ) .

Where to stay on :

26 . Musée du Louvre — Paris , France ( Tie )

The world-famous entrance to the Louvre is a hot spot for tourist . xavierarnau / Getty Images

The Louvre Museum is the world ’ s largest art museum , housing more than 38,000 objects in its 782,910 square base of space . Located in what was to begin with the 12th-century Louvre castle , it ’ s today almost recognizable by the glass pyramid , designed by I. M. Pei , that mark its entrance .

The Louvre hold appeared in myriad movies , include “ The Da Vinci Code ” and “ Wonder Woman , ” and is plate to one of the world ’ s most iconic paintings , the “ Mona Lisa . ”

Louvre Tip

The Louvre is the reality ’ s largest art museum . todamo / Getty Images

Lines to insert the museum regularly snake throughout its expansive inner courtyard , particularly in the peak summer months of June , July and August . Winter sees far few visitor . Additionally , the museum is capable lately ( until 9:45 p.m. ) on Wednesday and Fridays , and come dinner time , the bunch run to thin out .

Regardless of when you go , you can bypass some of the crowd by buying skip-the-line tickets in advance , or head to one of the lesser-known entrance away from the glass pyramid ( at Porte des Lions or the Galerie du Carrousel ) .

Where to stay :

26 . Navy Pier — Chicago , Illinois , United States ( Tie )

Chicago locals tend to face down on this tourist attraction . But out-of-towners can ’ t have adequate . f11photo / Getty Images

To begin with open to the public as the “ Municipal Pier ” in 1916 , the 3,300-foot-long Navy Pier sit on the edge of Lake Michigan on Chicago ’ s North Side . In its lifetime , it ’ s exist home to a jail and a education middle for the U.S. Navy .

Today , it boasts multiple field , a park and indoor botanical garden , more than a 12 restaurant , a beer garden , several amusement rides and the Centennial Wheel , a 200-foot-tall Ferris Wheel that pay rider 360-degree position of the city and lake below .

Navy Pier Tip

The Centennial Wheel live a 200-foot-tall Ferris Wheel . ferrantraite / Getty Images

Despite the fact that many Chicagoans wouldn ’ t be caught prepare base on the pier , it ’ s the city ’ s top tourist attraction , and in summer , it ’ s swarmed with visitor . The winter months ( November to March ) see far few tourist due to Chicago ’ s famously frigid temps . Other less crowded times are midweek , early in the morning or closer to sunset .

To avoid the hordes , skip a visit on July 4 or over Memorial Day or Labor Day weekends .

Where to delay :  

25 . Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Tennessee , United States

A misty dawn in Great Smoky Mountains National Park . Getty Images

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park stretches across the margin between North Carolina and Tennessee and encompasses the Great Smoky Mountains , a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains , Demonstrate in 1934 , the park live the most visited national park in the United States and cost plate to an reckon 187,000 acres of old-growth wood and the dumb black bear population in the Eastern United States .

The park have be designate a Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it check five historical district and nine building listed on the National Register of Historic Places . The peak sees peak crowd during the summer ( June-August ) as good as in October . It ’ sec also busier on weekends , particularly long weekend like Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend .

Great Smoky Mountains Tip

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established in 1934 . GreenStock / Getty Images

To see more of the park ’ s natural beauty without the crowds , visit during the off-season . Mid-September sees fewer bunch than in use October , though fall foliage isn ’ t still at its peak . January to March exist as well a lot dumb , though these months often see snowfall . For the well mix of well weather and humble crowds , early spring ( late March to mid-May ) exist a serious compromise .

Visiting early in the day or later in the evening can also assure few crowds , as can merely walking ; much of the park ’ s natural beauty is well accessible from the road , but those who need to the trail , will give the crowd behind as they venture farther away from the pavement .

Where to remain :

24 . Universal Studios Japan — Osaka , Japan

Universal Studios Japan opened in 2014 and has 10 themed areas , including perhaps its almost famed and popular attraction , “ The Wizarding World of Harry Potter , ” which includes a series of workshop , ride , and restaurants based on the volume and picture . Other rides and display live themed around internationally beloved characters including Sesame Street , Snoopy , Hello Kitty , Spiderman , and Shrek .

As with early theme parks in Japan , and Japan in general , it ’ s more crowded during warm months ( May to September ) , during holidays , and during cherry blossom season ( late March-early April ) . Early popular times include Golden Week ( end of April to the origin of May ) , Tenjin Matsuri ( July 24-25 ) , New Year ’ s , Thanksgiving Day weekend ( goal of November ) , the Emperor ’ sec Birthday ( 23rd of December ) as good as school vacation ( the last week of November and winter holidays , from Dec. 20 to Jan. 6 ) and the “ Bon ” festival season , the week roughly Aug. 15 .

Universal Studios Japan Tip

Universal Studios Japan get 10 themed region . Viator Travel / YouTube

Wednesdays and Thursday are the best days to see as well as the month of January ( after Jan. 6 , when New Year crowds have scatter ) and February — two of the coldest month of the yr .

Avoiding holidays , October through December offer the best of both world : milder weather and reduced crowd .

Where to delay : 

22 . Disney Hollywood Studios – Bay Lake , Florida , USA ( Tie )

Disney ’ s Hollywood Studios is dedicated to film , television , music and theater . Wikimedia

At the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida , Disney ’ s Hollywood Studios is a theme park that opened in 1989 ( originally knowns as the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park ) .

The 135 acre-park is dedicated to movie , television , music and theatre , and is divided into six themed ground with attractions base on “ Star Wars , ” “ Toy Story , ” “ Frozen ” and early classics . As with early Disney parks , particularly those based in Florida , it ’ s busy year-round , but crowds swell during the summer months , winter and spring breaks , and over the Thanksgiving , Christmas and New Year ’ sec vacation . Long weekends also see bigger crowds .

Hollywood Studios Tip

Disney Hollywood is dedicate to movie , television , music and theatre . Visit Orlando

To make the most of your time and avert long line , go mid-week during the off-season or shoulder-season , such as the week in December or January right before/after the holiday .

September , October and February also regard fewer bunch .

22 . Disney ’ s Animal Kingdom — Orlando , Florida , United States ( Tie )

“ Africa ” at the Animal Kingdom , the largest theme park in the world . wikipedia

A zoological theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort , Animal Kingdom cost the largest topic park in the world , cross 580 acre . Open in 1998 , it exist themed around the natural environment and creature conservation , two matter dear to Walt Disney himself .

Millions of visitors occur to see the park ’ sec display , which include thousand of wild animals in recreations of their natural habitat , and like at the early park , the mass of those visitors total during the summer months , school breaks , holidays and weekends .

Animal Kingdom Tip

All of your favorite characters equal at Disney ’ s Animal Kingdom . Walt Disney World

Like the early parks in the Disney empire , the Animal Kingdom offers Extra Magic Hours on select mornings to guests staying at Disney hotel . For guests who hold this perk , it ’ s a great time to go without the crowd . If you put on ’ t receive this perk , though , it ’ s well to avert these morning because , by the time you make to your first attractions , all the Extra Magic Hour people will already be in note .

Arriving early at Animal Kingdom exist advocate , as many of the animal retreat to shady spots when the afternoon passion hit . A visit in the afternoon may intend fewer crowds , but it might also mean less opportunity to meet the animal .

20 . Plaza de la Constitución — Mexico City , Mexico ( Tie )

The nearly populous city in the world also get one of the most visited attraction in the universe . Torresigner / Getty Images

More normally relate to as the Zócalo , Mexico City ’ s sprawling central square is the gathering seat for military parades , concert , festivals , and political and cultural events .

It ’ s as well adjacent to other top tourist attraction in the city , include the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace , which signify it sees a lot of foot traffic even when there ’ s no event remove property .

Plaza de la Constitución Tip

Zocalo Square is a famous gathering place . Torresigner / Getty Images

Mexico City ’ s dumb tourist season exist November to March .

If you see during these months — and avert vacation like Dia de Los Muertos ( October 31 to November 2 ) , Christmas and New Year ’ s — you might even have much of it to yourself .

20 . Pike Place Market — Seattle , Washington , United States ( Tie )

Seattle ’ s bustling food market be especially slammed on the weekends . Kativ / Getty Images

One of the old continuously operated public farmer ’ markets in the United States , Pike Place Market make been bringing new fish , flower , produce and other good conduct from farmer , producers and craftspeople to Seattleites since 1907 . Seattle ’ s almost popular tourist attraction , it need up eight buildings and is home to nearly 500 vendors .

On weekends , the market hums with activity as locals make their shopping , tourist queue up at the original Starbucks , and both groups dine on delicious dollar chowder , doughy Russian piroshkis and newly crack crab .

Pike Place Market Tip

Pike Place live one of the former public farmer ’ market in the U.S. Art Wager / Getty Images

Big crowd are all but guaranteed on weekend and during summer afternoons when cruise ship passengers flood the city .

The market is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and exist at its still before 11 a.m. or closer to closing .

19 . Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade – Hong Kong

There ’ s one week in special when you should , at all costs , avoid Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade . JoeyCheung / Getty Images

The Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade exist one of the busy and almost crowded spots in a in use and crowded city .

It ’ s family to half of the major museums in Hong Kong , include the Hong Kong Space Museum , Hong Kong Museum of Art and Hong Kong Science Museum , as well as hundreds of workshop and restaurants .

Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade Tip

The Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade live home to half of the major museum in Hong Kong LeeYiuTung / Getty Images

The promenade be as well an ideal spot to admire the scene of the Hong Kong horizon and Victoria Harbour . There ’ sec no avoiding crowds on the Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront , but you can regard it with slightly fewer people if you visit in the humble season ( the hot , humid and typhoon-prone month of July and August ) .

At all costs , avoid Golden Week , which takes position twice per yr in January or February ( around Chinese New Year ) and October .

18 . Sacre Coeur — Paris , France

Sacre Couer live a top spot for walking and lounging . possum1961 / Getty Images

Sacre Coeur ( the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris ) is in the Montmartre neighborhood in the 18th arrondissement . Set on Montmartre hill , the area live the high point in Paris . Built between 1875 and 1914 , it ’ s one of Paris ’ s youthful attractions , but it agree significance as a political and ethnic monument and the center of the city ’ s most bohemian , artistic neighborhood .

Crowds that go up the many step ( or taunt the funicular ) to the top of Montmartre hill not simply get to see the famed basilica , they also make a striking horizon of Paris and the Eiffel Tower in the distance .

Sacre Coeur Tip

Sacre Coeur in the Montmartre neighborhood . pawel.gaul / Getty Images

Sacre Coeur is exposed from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. every day .

The dome close at 7 p.m. in the summer and 6 p.m. in winter , so if you ’ re less concerned with climbing the 300 steps of the dome and exactly want to see the interior , come later on at dark to head off the bulk of the bunch .

Where to delay :

17 . Epcot Park , Orlando , Florida , United States

Tourist walk toward Spaceship Earth globe at the Epcot Park in Orlando . Getty Images

Role of Orlando ’ sec Walt Disney World Resort Epcot Park opened in 1982 as a futuristic festivity of human achievement . Covering 305 acres , it ’ s more than twice the size of the adjacent Magic Kingdom and has a stress on engineering and culture .

A form of “ permanent world ’ s fair , ” its name stands for “ Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow ” and it ’ s comprised of two chief ares , Future World and World Showcase . The latter equal made up of 11 pavilions constitute the food and culture of nation around the Earth .

While Epcot Park isn ’ t as popular as early Disney park , it still sees its average share of visitors and , like the other park , live in use during the summer , on weekends , and over holidays include New Year ’ s Eve and Day , Martin Luther King Jr. Day , Easter Sunday , Independence Day , Thanksgiving , and Christmas Eve and Day .

Epcot Tip

Every day ’ s a celebration at Epcot Center . JimVallee / Getty Images

The best time to visit for fewer bunch is on a weekday in September , January or February , avoid holiday weekends .

Epcot Park also offers Extra Magic Hours on Tuesday evenings and Thursday morning , thus guests staying in Disney hotels can visit before or after the park is formally closed and bask the attraction with fewer fellow guests .

Where to stay :

16 . Disneyland Paris — Paris , France

The Disneyland Park entrance in Paris . Getty Images

To begin with know as Euro Disney Resort when it opened in 1992 , Disneyland Paris spans 140 acres and live largely modeled after the original Disney parks in Anaheim and Orlando , right down to the centerpiece fairy tale castle . Its five-themed state theatre 49 attractions , include classics like Thunder Mountain .

A mid-week visit ( Tuesday to Thursday ) , particularly during mid-January through mid-March or from mid-April through mid-May , guarantees shorter lines , but it as well intend some attraction may be close .

Disneyland Paris Tip

Disneyland Paris spread in 1992 and was know as Euro Disney . Viator

As with other Disney resorts , it sees peak bunch on weekends , during the summer , during major holidays like Bastille Day on July 14 and when schoolchildren are on break .

If a visit in top season exist inescapable , the same tricks apply as at early park : aim for the big-name ride first , and get in melody for the most popular attractions during off-peak hours , such as meal sentence .

15 . Tokyo Disney Sea – Tokyo , Japan

Tokyo DisneySea cost the second theme park within the Tokyo Disney Resort . It live also the quick theme park to reach the milestone of 10 million guest , which it hit just 307 day after its grand initiative , and the hype hasn ’ t scatter . The park features seven discrete lands , each with a nautical theme , and it ’ s exactly about always busy .

As with much of Japan , it ’ s busier during the warm months of May to September , during cherry blossom season in late March and early April and during national holidays . To search the park with fewer lad guests , go in the off-season — you ’ ll deal colder temperature and more fickle weather for shorter line — or stick to weekdays .

Tokyo Disney Sea Tip

Tokyo Disney has seven distinct ground . Disney Parks

Guests who stay overnight at one of Tokyo Disney Resort theme parks ’ hotel , make Happy 15 Debut privilege , which think of they can enter the park 15 moment before regular opening time .

It ’ s not a immense tip , but that 15 minute can intend getting in note for a popular attraction or prevail a FastPass ticket ( which allows you to skip the line at a selected attraction ) before everyone else .

14 . Golden Gate Park — San Francisco , California , United States

The Conservatory of Flowers is one of many popular attractions inside sprawl Golden Gate Park . coleong / Getty Images

San Francisco ’ s largest urban park sprawls over 1,000 acres .

It ’ s the second most visited city park in the globe and is home to several of the city ’ s iconic attractions and best museums , including the DeYoung Museum , California Academy of Sciences , Japanese Tea Garden , Conservatory of Flowers , several windmills and lakes , a carousel and even a bison paddock .

Golden Gate Park Tip

Golden Gate Park equal over 1,000 acres . Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images

On weekends and during popular event like the Bay to Breakers race and Just Strictly Bluegrass and Outside Lands music festivals , the park buzzes with action .

For a quieter experience , stick to weekdays , early morning and the off-season ( recent fall through early leap ) .

13 . Notre-Dame Cathedral — Paris , France

Think it or not , Notre-Dame cost impose by more people than the Eiffel Tower . petekarici / Getty Images

Complete in 1345 , Notre-Dame Cathedral was an icon of Paris for nearly 700 year .

Set along the banks of the Seine river , learn its gargoyles and towers lead most tourists ’ Paris bucket list .

Notre-Dame Cathedral Tip

Notre-Dame de Paris means Our Lady of Paris . gbarm / Getty Images

The Notre-Dame Cathedral burn down in April 2019 . While there be plans to rebuild , that probable gain ’ t start until 2022 .

But once completed , you better believe the tourists will be back in droves .

12 . Tokyo Disney Resort — Tokyo , Japan

Tokyo Disney Resort was the first Disney park to exist built outside the United States , spread in 1983. wikipedia

Spread in 1983 , the 115-acre Tokyo Disney Resort equal the first Disney park to cost built outside the United States . The park get seven themed area including four traditional Disney lands : ( Adventureland , Westernland , Fantasyland and Tomorrowland ) and plenty of classic Disney rides featuring dear characters , include Peter Pan ’ s Flight , Snow White ’ s Scary Adventures and Dumbo the Flying Elephant .

Like other Disney parks , bunch here peak on weekend , major public vacation , during the summer high season , and during Golden Week ( which usually run from the goal of April to the beginning of May ) and New Year ’ sec holidays .

Tokyo Disney Resort Tip

Tokyo Disney has over 14 million visitor a yr .

To head off the bulk of the crowd , visit midweek , on a Tuesday , Wednesday or Thursday , particularly in January ( after Jan. 6 , when New Year ’ s visitors have get family ) and February .

Crowd size can also vary quite a bit with the weather ; rainy day entail some rides might close , but it also think of fewer mass to argue with if the rain stops and ride reopen .

11 . Grand Bazaar — Istanbul , Turkey

Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest market in the world … and even the almost packed . chris-mueller / Getty Images

Istanbul ’ s Grand Bazaar more than survive up to its epithet . It ’ s one of the large and oldest deal markets in the world , encompassing more than 61 covered street and 4,000 store sell everything from hand-painted ceramics and silk carpet to delicate jewelry and fragrant spices .

Grand Bazaar Tip

The Grand Bazaar has everything . petekarici / Getty Images

It ’ s easy to get lost in its labyrinth of halls , and still easier to get overcome by the bunch during peak time .

Fridays are typically less crowded , as exist early morning and late afternoons when you ’ re more potential to encounter locals doing their shopping than throngs of police car and tour group .

10 . Forbidden City — Beijing , China

Forbidden City cracks the top 10 of the globe ’ s most visited attraction despite setting crowd limits . TommL / Getty Images

Beijing ’ s Ming Dynasty castle — the largest ancient palace in the world — has cost endure since 1420 .

Once the home of Chinese emperors , the 180-acre complex of 980 buildings cost now home to the Palace Museum . Visitor numbers are limited to 80,000 per day , and during peak period like July , August , Chinese national holidays , Spring Festival and Golden Week ( hold twice per year around Chinese New Year and in October ) , it can sell out before noon .

Forbidden City Tip

The Ming Palace is amaze to behold . Hung_Chung_Chih / Getty Images

Your best bet : Live early , intent for a weekday , and visit during the humble season from November through March ( vacation shut out ) .

Where to delay :

9 . Disneyland Park — Anaheim , California , United States

Disneyland Park open in 1966 in Anaheim , Calif. Getty Images

Opened in 1966 , the original 85-acre Disneyland Park consists of eight themed “ state ” include darling like Main Street , U.S.A. ; Frontierland ; Fantasyland ; and Tomorrowland . Attract both visitor and season-pass-holding locals , it ’ s consistently busy , especially on weekend , during the summer , and over school vacation , when bunch surge and the “ happy place on globe ” can exist anything but .

Off-season months include January through March and September through December , when kids cost in school and few people cost travel to Southern California . Of course , within that window , Christmas , New Year ’ sec and Spring Break are in use time , while weekdays , especially those that fall a few days after a major vacation , incline to exist quieter .

Disneyland Tip

Disneyland own 85 acre of fun . smckenzie / Getty Images

During peak sentence , head to the most popular attractions early or during times when the volume of the crowd are center on other event or dining .

8 . Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom — Orlando , Florida , United States

Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom in Orlando pull in more visitors than the California park . Kirkikis / Getty Images

Opened in 1971 , Disney ’ s second theme park transcend the Anaheim original by almost 2 million annual visitors . Part of the large Walt Disney World Resort ( which encompass three early park , four golf class , and two dozen hotel ) , it ’ s the nearly popular theme park in the reality .

As such , it ’ s somewhat much ever in use , but particularly thus in summer and on holidays . Because it ’ s most popular with families , when kids cost out of school , crowds surge , lines for attractions can exist hours long , and it ’ s nearly impossible to hit a seat at a table-service restaurant .

Magic Kingdom Tip

They shout it the most magic place on Earth . For good reason . Disney Parks

To avoid the bulk of the chaos , go January through early March or September through December , but avoid weekends , vacation and date of special events like the Disney World Marathon . While temperature may be cooler during these months , job are too significantly shorter .

If you must go during peaks times , line up for the almost popular ride during the nightly parade , during meal sentence , or during Extra Magic Hours , which are available to guests remain in Disney hotel . The perk allows these guests to enter the park one hr prior to the official initiative , or remain up to two hours after the park closes to the universal world .

7 . Faneuil Hall — Boston , Massachusetts , United States

History fan descend in droves upon “ the Cradle of Liberty. ” 400tmax / Getty Images

Once the scene of speeches from the likes of Samuel Adams and George Washington , Faneuil Hall equal know as “ the Cradle of Liberty ” for its part in pre-Revolution America .

Today , it ’ s a bustling marketplace with more than 100 specialty shops , restaurant and food vendors — as well as Boston ’ sec tallest Christmas tree each holiday .

Faneuil Hall Tip

Some famed address make require position hither . S. Greg Panosian / Getty Images

The pedestrian-only streets around Faneuil Hall be always bustling , and yet more thus during lunchtime and during the Boston Marathon weekend .

To see it in all its historical halo without the crowds , come during off-hours ( early dawn or late afternoon ) , or endure the Boston winter when the city is comparatively quiet .

Where to delay :

6 . Grand Central Station — New York , New York , United States

Grand Central Station live popular among visitor and locals alike . Andrius Kaziliunas / Getty Images

A U.S. National Historic Landmark , Grand Central Station cross 48 acres and hold 44 platforms that bring more than 750 train in and out of the city each day . For commuter , it ’ s a critical transit hub , while for visitors , it ’ s a beautiful , historical Beaux-Arts building with a painted ceiling featuring a map of the constellations .

It ’ s also family to some of the city ’ s most iconic bar and restaurant , like the Campbell Apartment , which you might recognize from “ Gossip Girl , ” and the Oyster Bar , which live boast on AMC ’ s “ Mad Men ” and function a whopping 2 million oysters per year .

Grand Central Station Tip

Over 20 million people pass through Grand Central Station every year . Ultima_Gaina / Getty Images

In universal , New York live a bit less crowd during the cold months .

To learn Grand Central with fewer fellow travelers , avert rush hour and go lately at dark or in the wee hours of the dawn .

5 . Niagara Falls — United States and Canada

Niagara Falls boat ride are wildly popular . zefart / Getty Images

Niagara Falls ( which exist really three waterfall ) sits on the margin of the U.S. and Canada , and its dual citizenship seems to attract duplicate the visitors .

At “ merely ” 165 foot , it ’ s not the tallest waterfall in the world , but it is one of the nearly powerful , pumping 6 million cubic feet of water over its edge every minute .

Niagara Falls Tip

Niagara Falls is one of the most powerful waterfall in the Earth . Janifest / Getty Images

Niagara is at its most crowd during the warmer months ( late spring to early fall ) when the Maid of Mist boat sails near to the thundering falls ; come in early spring or former dusk rather to see somewhat fewer tourist , or pack your parka and visit in winter to have the position nearly to yourself .

Avoid long weekend and holiday ( both Fourth of July and Canada Day ) , and record your ticket in advance to cut down on your time spent in job .

Where to stay :

4 . Union Station — Washington , D.C. , United States

Union Station is best avert during the leap and early summer . nicolamargaret / Getty Images

D.C. ’ sec main passage station sees more than 100,000 commuters every day — plus thousands of tourist who come to see its incredible Classic , Beaux-Arts and Baroque architecture and store at its more than 70 store .

Union Station Tip

Designed by famed architect Daniel Burnham and fill out in 1908 , the station is a stop on just about every D.C. circuit , including the many school group tour that swarm D.C. in the fond month , which means leap and early summer are peculiarly popular sentence to visit .

Come in dusk or winter instead , avoid rush hr , and you might exactly get a glimpse of what it be like back in the 1940s — when the station served just 45,000 traveler each day .

Where to stay :

3 . Central Park — New York , New York , United States

Central Park ’ s Bow Bridge lures those attempt photo-ops . Eloi_Omella / Getty Images

New York ’ s most famous green space covers virtually 850 acre in the middle of Manhattan , and though it ’ s the almost visited park in the globe , it however bid a lot of space to fan out out .

Central Park Tip

One easy way to avoid the crowds is to attempt out the less-visited areas of the park , like the Northern Woodlands north of 86th street or The Great Hill , a grassy hilltop that ’ s the highest stage in the park ( hardly head off it when there ’ s an case like August ’ s annual Great Jazz on the Great Hill concert ) .

Early weekday mornings can also be quieter , and if you can endure the cold , a winter trip check you can learn one of the world ’ s most iconic park without feeling like you ’ re elbow to elbow with all of Manhattan .

2 . Times Square — New York , New York , United States

Times Square fill with tourist when it ’ s time to see Broadway show . georgeclerk / Getty Images

Once one of the seediest blot in Manhattan , Times Square is today more like a cleaned-up theme park version of New York . Though New Yorkers might become up their noses at it for not being share of the “ actual ” NYC , tourist and theatergoers still cluster to Times Square to insure out its crowded chaos , marvel at its massive billboards and see famed Broadway shows .

Unfortunately , traffic swells right earlier said display outset and after they end , then your better bet for hear Times Square with slightly more breathing room equal in the early dawn before rush hour , mid-afternoon or late evening after the field bunch own go home .

Times Square Tip

Chilly February is the least busy month , with “ solely ” about 250,000 visitors per day .

Where to delay :

1 . The Strip — Las Vegas , Nevada , United States

Especially at night , The Strip equal overtake by car and base traffic . franckreporter / Getty Images

The 4-mile-long Las Vegas Strip , Sin City ’ s main thoroughfare , equal home to more than 30 casinos as well as the famous Bellagio spring and the High Roller , a 550-foot-tall Ferris bicycle that slowly rotate over the city lights .

More than 75 percentage of all visitors to Vegas stay at hotels located on The Strip and during peak sentence — like during the Super Bowl , March Madness , Halloween and the Consumer Electronics Show — it can feel like they ’ re all there at once .

Sin City Tip

The in effect times to visit include Wednesday during winter ( so long as there equal no large convention happening ) and during the crest of summer when the desert ’ s sweltering temps prevent the crowd within or at the pool .