A must-visit at least once in your life! Introducing 8 recommended World Heritage sites in the United States by area!

There are many famous World Heritage Sites in the United States that everyone has heard of, and if you're traveling to the United States, you'll want to visit them all.

So in this article, we will introduce some things you should know if you are going to America.Recommended World Heritage Sites in terms of popularity and accessibilityWe will introduce 8 carefully selected items.

We will introduce them by area, so please use this as a reference for your travel destination.

Recommended World Heritage Sites in the Eastern United States

The East Coast of the United States has many historical buildings.new yorkorWashington DC,PhiladelphiaRecommended for those who travel mainly in the area.

1. Statue of Liberty (New York)

The Statue of Liberty was completed in 1886 as a symbol of American freedom and independence, and was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1984. The gigantic 93-meter-tall bronze statue stands tall in New York Harbor and became a beacon of hope for immigrants to America. This statue, a gift from France, is considered the pinnacle of 19th-century sculpture. Even today, it is visited by many tourists, and ferries to Liberty Island and tours to the pedestal observation deck are popular.

Attractions:

• Take a ferry to Liberty Island to see the statue up close.
• Enjoy a spectacular view of New York from the observation deck on the pedestal.

access: About 15 minutes by ferry from Battery Park in Manhattan.

Learn more about the Statue of Liberty

2. Independence Hall, Pennsylvania

Independence Hall is a historic building where the American Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, and was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1979. Located in Philadelphia, it is a place that symbolizes the spirit of the founding of the United States. The United States Constitution was also drafted here, and the foundation of American democracy was laid. It is currently managed by the National Park Service, and many tourists can visit the venue where the Declaration of Independence was adopted.

Attractions:

• Visit the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.
• It is also a popular base for sightseeing in Philadelphia.

access: Approximately 20 minutes by car from Philadelphia International Airport.

Recommended World Heritage Sites in the Central United States

ChicagoorDenver,St. LouisThe American Midwest, which includes these areas, is dotted with indigenous culture and natural heritage sites, and is recommended for those who want to enjoy the great outdoors while experiencing American history.

3. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Mesa Verde National Park is an archaeological site that includes a group of dwellings built by the indigenous Anasazi people (the ancestors of the current Pueblo people), and was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1978. The ruins, which were formed in the 12th and 13th centuries, are characterized by dwellings and storehouses built into the sides of cliffs, demonstrating the advanced architectural techniques of the time. Today, many of the ruins have been excavated and preserved, making them a valuable archaeological cultural heritage.

Attractions:

• Visit ruins such as Cliff Palace and Balcony House.
• You can learn how the houses were built on a local guided tour.

access: About an hour's drive from Durango.

Learn more about Mesa Verde National Park

4. Cahokia Mounds (Illinois)

The Cahokia Mounds are a group of burial mounds built by native Mississippian culture, which flourished between the 9th and 14th centuries, and were registered as a World Heritage Site in 1982. They are the largest Native American ruins in North America, with the largest, Monk's Mound, standing at over 30 meters in height. The ruins are scattered over a vast area, and are considered to be an extremely important cultural heritage site from an archaeological perspective.

Attractions:

• A view from Monk's Mound, the largest burial mound.
• Learn about indigenous cultures at museums.

access: Approximately 30 minutes by car from St. Louis International Airport.

5. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee and North Carolina)

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a magnificent natural heritage site that spreads across the eastern United States and was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1983. This national park is known as the national park with the highest number of annual visitors in the United States, and is attractive for its beautiful scenery and diverse ecosystem in all four seasons. More than 100 types of trees and many wild animals live in the park, and the scenery is particularly vibrant during the autumn foliage season.

Attractions:

• You can enjoy beautiful autumn leaves and seasonal scenery.
• Wildlife and hiking trails abound.

access: Approximately 1 hour drive from Knoxville Airport.

Recommended World Heritage Sites in the American West

Los AngelesorSan Francisco,Las VegasThe American West, famous for tourist destinations such as these, is home to many vast natural heritage sites and is perfect for those seeking spectacular scenery.

6. Yosemite National Park, California

overviewYosemite National Park is a vast national park located in California that was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1984. It is characterized by magnificent valleys and waterfalls carved by glaciers, and some of the world's largest sequoia trees, and is considered one of the places that symbolize the natural beauty of America.

Attractions:

• Magnificent views of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls.
• Mariposa Grove is home to giant sequoia trees.

access: Approximately 4 hours drive from San Francisco.

7. Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)

overviewYellowstone National Park was designated as the world's first national park in 1872, and was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1978. The park, which is home to a diverse range of natural landscapes including geysers, hot springs, and majestic canyons, is a rare place where you can experience the earth's geothermal activity up close.

Attractions:

• Geysers such as "Old Faithful Geyser".
• The colorful hot springs of the Grand Prismatic Spring.

access: About 2 hours drive from the nearest city, Jackson.

8. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most representative natural landscapes in the United States, and was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1979. The magnificent canyon in Arizona exposes geological layers dating back approximately 2 billion years, creating a spectacular sight that tells the history of the earth. The canyon is approximately 446 km long, 29 km wide at its widest point, and 1.6 km deep, and was formed by the erosion of the Colorado River over millions of years.

Attractions:

• Spectacular views from the South Rim.
• The views are particularly spectacular at sunset and sunrise.

access: Approximately 4-5 hours drive from Las Vegas.

Learn more about Grand Canyon National Park

List of World Heritage Sites in the United States

In addition to the heritage sites introduced above, as of February 2025, there are 25 World Heritage Sites registered in the United States.

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When you travel to America, why not be overwhelmed by the sheer scale of its history and nature? It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we hope you enjoy it.