Visit 4 Most Popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites In The USA

The USA has rejoined United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), an organization that promotes education, science and culture in the world. Meanwhile, UNESCO is best known for designating iconic world heritage sites in the world. Basically, a world heritage site is a natural or cultural attraction that is considered of “outstanding universal value” and worthy of protection. This makes the sites of interest to travelers around the world.

Currently, there are 1,092 UNESCO World Heritage Sites around the world, of which 24 are located in the US. For Americans, this means they can visit a valuable and significant site without the need for a passport. Read on to find out more about four of the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites in America, worthy of a visit right now.

Independence Hall, Philadelphia

One of the most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Americans is Independence Hall in Philadelphia. This is where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed, making it a hugely important site for Americans. Due to its importance, around 5 million people visit Independence Hall each year, meaning it can become crowded during the summer. Meanwhile, the best time of year to visit Independence Hall and Philadelphia, in general, is in the spring or fall. Visitors can enjoy a 20-minute tour of the building, learning more about its history and the history of the USA. The building was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Read more about Independence Hall here.

The Grand Canyon National Park

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, the Grand Canyon National Park is said to be the most spectacular gorge on the planet. This incredibly scenic site attracts around 6.2 million visitors annually due to its spectacular views. Besides the views, the canyon is important for its great biological diversity, with the presence of five of the seven life zones and three of the four desert types in North America. Those life zones that can be seen here are Lower Sonoran, Upper Sonoran, Canadian, Transition and Hudsonian.

Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite National Park in California sees around 4.3 million visitors each year and is popular with outdoor adventurers. Meanwhile, the park is considered an icon of the majestic natural beauty of the USA. Around 95 percent of its 747,956 acres is classified as wilderness and includes waterfalls, granite cliffs and a seven-mile-wide canyon in its valley. Moreover, Yosemite Falls is the largest of its kind in North America and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptional natural beauty in 1984.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana

The nearly 3,500-square- miles Yellowstone National Park is a wilderness recreation area sitting on a volcano hot spot. The park is mostly in Wyoming but also spreads into Idaho and Montana. Moreover, the park features alpine rivers, hot springs, dramatic canyons, lush forests and gushing geysers including the famous Old Faithful. Here, visitors can spot many animal species including wolves, bears, elk, bison and antelope. Yellowstone attracts around 4.1 million visitors each year and was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.

Visit these and more UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the USA by browsing the official website.