Move over, beaches and theme parks. This Florida attraction ranks No. 1 in US
A Florida tourist attraction ranks as the nation’s best place to visit — and no, it’s not a beach or a theme park.
The NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex ranks No. 1 on a list of top attractions in the United States.
But the honors for Florida destinations didn’t stop there. The Stetson Mansion in DeLand was No. 5 and the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo landed at No. 6 in the rankings published Tuesday, July 22.
“From natural wonders to man-made marvels, these are the most-loved attractions in the world — according to the travelers who ‘ooh-ed’ and ‘ahh-ed’ at them,” the travel review website Tripadvisor wrote in its report.
To create the list, Tripadvisor studied feedback that visitors left on its platform in the year leading up to March 31. The website studied several factors, including the “quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings.”
The resulting list — called “Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things To Do” — honors places across the country that received “a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community over a 12-month period. Out of our 8 million listings, fewer than 1% achieve this milestone,” the website wrote.
Why the Florida tourist spot ranks No. 1
In addition to being crowned the nation’s favorite tourist attraction, the Kennedy Space Center ranks No. 3 in the world. The destination on Merritt Island, a roughly 55-mile drive southeast from Orlando, gives visitors a glimpse into space missions, according to its website.
“You’ll see the space shuttle Atlantis, walk among rockets in the Rocket Garden, and possibly meet an astronaut,” Tripadvisor wrote in its report. “Interactive exhibits and an IMAX theater bring space exploration to life.”
On its Tripadvisor page, fans said they loved going into a space shuttle simulator and touching a moon rock. More than 15,000 visitors have given 5 stars to the complex, where people can see rocket launches.
Also ranking among the nation’s best tourist attractions was the Stetson Mansion, a Central Florida home that Tripadvisor praised for its “grand architecture and serene gardens.”
Rounding out the list of fan-favorite attractions in the Sunshine State was John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The destination in the Florida Keys boasts clear water and “colorful coral reefs,” Tripadvisor wrote.
In addition to ranking the nation’s favorite tourist attractions, the travel website named top-notch experiences — defined as tours and activities that enhance vacations. Here are the Florida winners on that list:
- Boat tour in Miami at No. 6
- Kayak tour in St. Pete Beach at No. 8
Tripadvisor also considered how U.S. destinations fared in subcategories. Florida locations landed in the top 10 for the best amusement and water parks, family-friendly activities, nature tours, water sports, day cruises and food and drink experiences.
This story was originally published July 25, 2025 at 9:04 AM with the headline "Move over, beaches and theme parks. This Florida attraction ranks No. 1 in US."
