Florida Attraction Named Number One in the United States, And It’s Not Disney or Universal

Results have just dropped, and a Florida location has surprisingly taken the number one spot in the United States of America.

TripAdvisor recently dropped its “Best of” lists, and topping the Best of the U.S. was a destination found in the Sunshine State. While many may flock to Florida for popular attractions like Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort (which just happened to open its third theme park gate, Universal Epic Universe), the number one spot went to another destination.

Crowning the list of Top Attractions in the U.S. was NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island. The space-themed location also placed third on the Top Attractions in the World behind Barcelona’s Basílica de la Sagrada Familia and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

“With such a huge selection of travel activities and excursions available on the platform, Tripadvisor helps travelers find the experiences that turn a trip into a lifelong memory,” Tripadvisor President Kristen Dalton said via ClickOrlando. “Whether you crave adrenaline or prefer to take things slow, ‘The Best of the Best Things to Do’ showcases the world’s top-rated experiences.”

Surprisingly–or maybe not to some–the major theme park resorts in Florida failed to place on the lists, meaning the likes of Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, and Universal’s Islands of Adventure were all not included in this “Best of” roundup.

Tucked along Florida’s Space Coast, the Kennedy Space Center blends awe-inspiring history with cutting-edge innovation, offering visitors a front-row seat to NASA’s past, present, and future. From the towering Saturn V rocket inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center to the immersive Space Shuttle Atlantis experience, every corner of the complex invites guests to step into the shoes of astronauts and engineers who’ve shaped space exploration.

And it’s more than just a museum; it’s an active launch site where guests might even catch a rocket lifting off into the sky. This adds real-time excitement to exhibits filled with lunar modules, astronaut gear, and hands-on simulators. Attractions like the Heroes & Legends exhibit and the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour strike a balance between nostalgia and forward-thinking ambition.

How do you feel about Kennedy Space Center beating out the likes of Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios? Let us know in the comments down below!