What to do in Central United States

Activities, attractions and tours

the old abandoned "gingerbread house" in carter county, ky.
the old abandoned "gingerbread house" in carter county, ky.
Every time I pass by this place I say I need to stop. The last time I did the gate was closed and locked, so I couldn't get inside, but this time the gate was open. You can see it from the expressway. It used to be a gas station and fireworks store, but now it is just an empty lot with a couple old ferris wheels and other carnival equipment. It is very eerie and beautiful though, if you see it I'd stop and walk around a minute.
Amazing waterfall with a blue hole for swimming located near Stone Door in Gulf Savage State Park. Nice hike but was a little tricky after a recent ice storm. Hike a little further up and there's another set of falls and a swinging bridge. All this found in the Cumberland Gap in TN, believed to be created from a meteor a bazillion years or so ago!
The Gateway Arch, or the St. Luis arch to the West. Part of the Jefferson National Memorial. The observation deck is 630 feet up and is the tallest manmade monument in the United States. It opened in 1967 and you could either walk to the top or take a very interesting elevator to the top, small capsules that fit five people and zig zag their way to the top in four minutes. As I drove into St. Luis it can be seen above the horizon and because it is stainless steel shines bright as you come in. To anyone who can, I would say go, Seeing it in person it is immense! When seeing it form a distance it doesn't really look that big, but up close, looking straight up to the top it is incredible!

Central United States Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Central United States has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Central United States is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Central United States to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Central United States Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Central United States.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Central United States attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Top places to visit

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The beauty and diversity of Great Smoky Mountains National Park explain why it is the most visited of the U.S. national parks. Enjoy nature, wildlife and the quiet peace of endless forests.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park featuring a waterfall, mountains and forest scenes

2. Wrigley Field

Fans of baseball know Wrigley Field as the long-time home of the Chicago Cubs. Built in 1914, this is one of the oldest and best-known ballparks in the US. Some of the most memorable moments in baseball history have been played out here, including Babe Ruth’s now famous “called shot” in 1932 during the World Series. He allegedly pointed to the bleachers, predicting that he’d hit a home run, and then did. Legendary Cubs player Ernie Banks nicknamed the stadium "The Friendly Confines" because fans were wild about their team and ballpark. Catch a game and mingle with the passionate locals if you’re in town March through September.
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Wrigley Field showing a city and landscape views

3. Dollywood

From adrenalin-pumping roller coasters to kiddie rides, seasonal festivals to live music , museums and historic buildings, find boundless fun for the entire family at the Dollywood theme park. Opened in 1986 by legendary country singer Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the highlight of the trip to Pigeon Forge for many people. It attracts over 2 million visitors per year.
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Dollywood showing signage and rides

4. AT&T Stadium

Take your seat in the viewing stands with 80,000 others to cheer on the NFL Dallas Cowboys at the magnificent AT&T Stadium. Come here to watch a concert, monster truck event, motocross competition or other activity and enjoy action replays on one of the largest high-definition screens in the world.
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AT&T Stadium

5. Bourbon Street

Located in the middle of the French Quarter, the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans, Bourbon Street saw the growth of jazz as a new and individual music genre. It was here in the early 1900s that local musicians such as Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver experimented and developed a sound now known as jazz. Off-beat and full of energy, Bourbon Street has come to embody the qualities this music is famous for the world over.
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Colorful neon signs illuminate Bourbon Street's vibrant nightlife in New Orleans during twilight hours

Recommended things to do in Central United States

Number of things to do
2
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Baton Rouge Bar Hunt: Baton Rouge Goes Rogue: CA $17
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Central United States

Discover the most popular places to visit in Central United States

River Walk featuring night scenes and a river or creek

River Walk

5/5(167 reviews)

River Walk is just one of the places to see in San Antonio, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the acclaimed theater scene and shops in this walkable area.

River Walk
The twisted maze of roller coaster track inside the massive Mall Of America unintentionally symbolizes the crazy American "buy an spend" zeitgeist.

Mall of America

4.5/5(317 reviews)

You can browse for souvenirs when you visit Mall of America, a favorite shopping spot in Bloomington. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Mall of America
Wrigley Field featuring central business district, a city and a sporting event

Wrigley Field

4.5/5(158 reviews)

Tour the iconic grounds and catch a game March through September at Chicago’s beloved baseball stadium.

Wrigley Field
Dollywood showing signage and rides

Dollywood

4.5/5(23 reviews)

This amusement park owned by country singer Dolly Parton lures fans with its roller coasters and children’s rides, museums and live music and theater shows.

Dollywood
Scene of Chicago street bridge with traffic among modern buildings of Downtown Chicago at Michigan avenue in Chicago, Illinois, United States, Business and Modern Transportation concept

Michigan Avenue

4.5/5(19 reviews)

You can enjoy some retail therapy when you visit Michigan Avenue, a popular shopping spot in Chicago. Amble around this vibrant area's riverfront and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Michigan Avenue
Roller Coaster

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

3.5/5(11 reviews)

Enjoy the rides and games at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and see why this is a favorite theme park in San Antonio. Experience the acclaimed theater scene and entertainment choices in this family-friendly area.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas
AT&T Stadium

AT&T Stadium

5/5(63 reviews)

Relax and enjoy the atmosphere as you watch the Dallas Cowboys in their stunning stadium, one of the largest in the NFL.

AT&T Stadium
Bourbon Street which includes street scenes and a city

Bourbon Street

4/5(527 reviews)

The birthplace of jazz is a vibrant city boulevard where the history and music of New Orleans comes to life.

Bourbon Street
Air Force Security Forces K-9 handler, and her military working dog, seek out drugs inside a training house.

Lackland Air Force Base

4/5(10 reviews)

Lackland Air Force Base is just one of the places to see in San Antonio, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the entertainment venues and shops in this family-friendly area.

Lackland Air Force Base

Explore areas of Central United States

Downtown Chicago showing a city

Downtown Chicago

The heart of the Midwest’s glittering metropolis has many offerings, from shopping and dining to parks, museums and exciting contemporary public art.

Downtown Chicago
Downtown Nashville which includes a city, a sunset and boating

Downtown Nashville

4/5(517 area reviews)

Sounds of country and honky-tonk resonate around the streets of Music City. Watch a show, attend a hockey match and walk in the footsteps of U.S. presidents.

Downtown Nashville
French Quarter showing street scenes, heritage architecture and a city

French Quarter

4.5/5(557 area reviews)

Historic buildings and lively atmosphere entice tourists and locals alike, offering live music, street performances, and vibrant nightlife. Must-see spots include Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, and Café du Monde.

French Quarter
Discovery Green which includes city views, a square or plaza and a skyscraper

Downtown Houston

4/5(79 area reviews)

Largest central business district in Texas, this area boasts major league sports venues, a vibrant Theater District, and shopping options like GreenStreet. Easily navigate with public transportation options like METRORail and bus lines.

Downtown Houston
Downtown Austin showing an administrative building and street scenes

Downtown Austin

4/5(86 area reviews)

Central business district with high-rise buildings, Downtown Austin offers shopping at Second Street District and Sixth Street, art at Contemporary Austin Jones Center, and sights like Texas State Capitol. Accessible via Capital MetroRail.

Downtown Austin
United States of America featuring a bay or harbor, landscape views and a city

Downtown Detroit

4/5(247 area reviews)

Central business district meets residential area, Downtown Detroit boasts historic architecture, skyscrapers, and parks. Explore attractions like Campus Martius Park, Fox Theatre, and Detroit Riverwalk, with convenient transport options nearby.

Downtown Detroit

 

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