America’s most historic attractions in their heyday

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Slide 1 of 39: Step back in time for a nostalgic tour around the USA. From bridges to dams, monuments to boardwalks, we've dug around the archives to find historic images of America’s greatest-ever tourist spots.

America’s top tourist attractions then and now

Step back in time for a nostalgic tour around the USA. From bridges to dams, monuments to boardwalks, we’ve dug around the archives to find historic images of America’s greatest-ever tourist spots.
Slide 2 of 39: Thanks to its sandy beach and Atlantic Ocean views, Coney Island became a hot spot for New Yorkers in the early 1900s. And those looking to escape the city's hustle and bustle were helped by the expansion of the railroad to the southern part of Brooklyn. Luna Park was one of the many amusements and rides that sprung up, opening in 1903, with the boardwalk added in the early 1920s.
© Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Coney Island, New York

Thanks to its sandy beach and Atlantic Ocean views, Coney Island became a hot spot for New Yorkers in the early 1900s. And those looking to escape the city’s hustle and bustle were helped by the expansion of the railroad to the southern part of Brooklyn. Luna Park was one of the many amusements and rides that sprung up, opening in 1903, with the boardwalk added in the early 1920s.
Slide 3 of 39: Due to a fire in 1944 Luna Park closed permanently. However other rides and attractions remained, with the New York Aquarium, first opened in the 1950s, remaining a big draw for families. Pictured here are some daring holidaymakers in 1946.

© Keystone/Getty Images

Coney Island, New York

Due to a fire in 1944 Luna Park closed permanently. However other rides and attractions remained, with the New York Aquarium, first opened in the 1950s, remaining a big draw for families. Pictured here are some daring holidaymakers in 1946.
Slide 4 of 39: Today Deno’s Wonder Wheel is still twirling amid the sticky smell of cotton candy and legendary Nathan's hot dogs. Bigger and faster attractions have risen up all around it, but it’s this creakily low-tech family-run Ferris wheel that makes the memories.

© Christian Mueller/Shutterstock

Coney Island, New York

Today Deno’s Wonder Wheel is still twirling amid the sticky smell of cotton candy and legendary Nathan’s hot dogs. Bigger and faster attractions have risen up all around it, but it’s this creakily low-tech family-run Ferris wheel that makes the memories.
Slide 5 of 39: Measuring an impressive 746 feet high (above the water) and 4,200 feet long (the distance between the towers), San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge is one of America’s top-visited attractions, and it’s easy to see why. On top of being an architectural feat, it also defied critics at the time, who believed building a bridge across the windy straight to the Pacific would be impossible.
© Hulton Archive/Stringer/Getty images

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California

Measuring an impressive 746 feet high (above the water) and 4,200 feet long (the distance between the towers), San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge is one of America’s top-visited attractions, and it’s easy to see why. On top of being an architectural feat, it also defied critics at the time, who believed building a bridge across the windy straight to the Pacific would be impossible.

Slide 6 of 39: Golden Gate Bridge opened to the public on 27 May 1937. Celebrations lasted for a week and amassed more than 200,000 foot passengers (some even wore roller skates). At the time, it was the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world. Here the bridge is pictured in the early 1950s.

© AFP/Getty Images

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California

Golden Gate Bridge opened to the public on 27 May 1937. Celebrations lasted for a week and amassed more than 200,000 foot passengers (some even wore roller skates). At the time, it was the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world. Here the bridge is pictured in the early 1950s.
Slide 7 of 39: Today, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most Instagrammed places in San Francisco, and one of the most photographed bridges in the world, attracting more than nine million visitors a year.

© ventdusud/Shutterstock

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

Today, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most Instagrammed places in San Francisco, and one of the most photographed bridges in the world, attracting more than nine million visitors a year.

Slide 8 of 39: Built by local businessman Fred Swanton, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk opened in 1907 and is still every bit as popular today as it was in its heyday. Here, Santa Cruz’s annual Easter Egg Hunt is in full swing in the Eighties, but these events were later canceled as they became too popular.
© facebook.com/SantaCruzBeachBoardwalk

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, California

Built by local businessman Fred Swanton, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk opened in 1907 and is still every bit as popular today as it was in its heyday. Here, Santa Cruz’s annual Easter Egg Hunt is in full swing in the Eighties, but these events were later canceled as they became too popular.

Slide 9 of 39: Boasting more than 40 attractions including restaurants, bars, roller coasters, and even a pier, this Boardwalk receives its fair share of visitors. As the oldest theme park in California, it’s loved by locals and tourists alike.

© facebook.com/SantaCruzBeachBoardwalk

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, California

Boasting more than 40 attractions including restaurants, bars, roller coasters, and even a pier, this Boardwalk receives its fair share of visitors. As the oldest theme park in California, it’s loved by locals and tourists alike.

Slide 10 of 39: Today, the Boardwalk employs over 1,600 staff and hosts a number of yearly events including the annual Clam Chowder Cook Off every February – not to be missed.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, California

Today, the Boardwalk employs over 1,600 staff and hosts a number of yearly events including the annual Clam Chowder Cook Off every February – not to be missed.

Slide 11 of 39: New York’s iconic 103-story Art Deco skyscraper is one of the city's most-visited landmarks. Construction was completed in 1931, taking just one year and 45 days to build. It was the world’s tallest building up until the 1970s.

© Everett Historical/Shutterstock

Empire State Building, New York

New York’s iconic 103-story Art Deco skyscraper is one of the city’s most-visited landmarks. Construction was completed in 1931, taking just one year and 45 days to build. It was the world’s tallest building up until the 1970s.

Slide 12 of 39: While its construction garnered much publicity and fanfare at the time, it remained relatively empty and unvisited until the 1950s. By 1976, the Empire State Building Observatory had welcomed its 50 millionth visitor.

Empire State Building, New York

While its construction garnered much publicity and fanfare at the time, it remained relatively empty and unvisited until the 1950s. By 1976, the Empire State Building Observatory had welcomed its 50 millionth visitor.

Slide 13 of 39: Today, more than four million visitors from around the world visit the Empire State Building’s 86th and 102nd floor observatories each year. Soaring more than a quarter of a mile above Manhattan, it’s easy to see why.
© andersphoto/Shutterstock

Empire State Building, New York

Today, more than four million visitors from around the world visit the Empire State Building’s 86th and 102nd floor observatories each year. Soaring more than a quarter of a mile above Manhattan, it’s easy to see why.

Slide 14 of 39: Located on the border of Nevada and Arizona to the southeast of Las Vegas, the Boulder Dam was constructed between 1931 and 1936, during the Great Depression. It was officially renamed the Hoover Dam by the then-president, Herbert Hoover, in 1947.

© Everett Historical/Shutterstock

Hoover Dam, Nevada/Arizona

Located on the border of Nevada and Arizona to the southeast of Las Vegas, the Boulder Dam was constructed between 1931 and 1936, during the Great Depression. It was officially renamed the Hoover Dam by the then-president, Herbert Hoover, in 1947.

Slide 15 of 39: The Hoover Dam opened for tours in 1937, but this was suspended during the Second World War. It consequently reopened after the war (pictured here in 1948) with tourism hitting 448,000 by 1953. In 1995, a new visitors center was built and the annual number of tourists hit a peak.

© Everett Historical/Shutterstock

Hoover Dam, Nevada/Arizona

The Hoover Dam opened for tours in 1937, but this was suspended during the Second World War. It consequently reopened after the war (pictured here in 1948) with tourism hitting 448,000 by 1953. In 1995, a new visitors center was built and the annual number of tourists hit a peak.

Slide 16 of 39: While the Hoover Dam still attracts thousands of visitors a year, it’s reported that numbers are beginning to dwindle, perhaps due to the Hoover Dam bypass bridge, which opened in 2010.
© superjoseph/Shutterstock

Space Needle, Seattle, Washington

Seattle’s striking Space Needle officially opened to the public on 21 April 1962 as part of the Century 21 Exhibition, a space-aged themed World Fair. This futuristic landmark, measuring more than 600 feet tall, has since become one of the world’s most recognized landmarks. Here you can see visitors enjoying the views in 1962.

Slide 17 of 39: Seattle’s striking Space Needle officially opened to the public on 21 April 1962 as part of the Century 21 Exhibition, a space-aged themed World Fair. This futuristic landmark, measuring more than 600 feet tall, has since become one of the world’s most recognized landmarks. Here you can see visitors enjoying the views in 1962.Now test your knowledge: Can you guess these world-famous landmarks from their close-ups?
© Seattle Municipal Archives/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 2.0

Space Needle, Seattle, Washington

Seattle’s striking Space Needle officially opened to the public on 21 April 1962 as part of the Century 21 Exhibition, a space-aged themed World Fair. This futuristic landmark, measuring more than 600 feet tall, has since become one of the world’s most recognized landmarks. Here you can see visitors enjoying the views in 1962.

Slide 18 of 39: During the 1962 World Fair, more than 20,000 people used the lift to reach its summit each day, drawing over 2.3 million visitors overall. Approximately 1.3 million people now visit the Space Needle each year, and it has amassed nearly 60 million visitors since its opening 57 years ago.

Space Needle, Seattle, Washington

During the 1962 World Fair, more than 20,000 people used the lift to reach its summit each day, drawing over 2.3 million visitors overall. Approximately 1.3 million people now visit the Space Needle each year, and it has amassed nearly 60 million visitors since its opening 57 years ago.

Slide 19 of 39: The Space Needle offers panoramic views from three main viewing areas, including the world’s first revolving glass floor, which was installed in 2018. The summit, which measures 520 feet, takes just 43 seconds to access by lift. Visiting soon? See our guide on what to do and where to stay in Seattle
19/39 SLIDES © Nadia Borisevich/Shutterstock

Space Needle, Seattle, Washington

The Space Needle offers panoramic views from three main viewing areas, including the world’s first revolving glass floor, which was installed in 2018. The summit, which measures 520 feet, takes just 43 seconds to access by lift.

Slide 20 of 39: Running from 59th street to 110th street, Central Park is an oasis in the heart of buzzing Manhattan. Originally opened in 1858, the park saw a series of improvements and expansion in the following 15 years. It was the first landscaped public park in America. This postcard, from circa 1910, reveals people enjoying one of its many green spaces.

20/39 SLIDES © Patricia Hofmeester/Shutterstock

Central Park, New York

Running from 59th street to 110th street, Central Park is an oasis in the heart of buzzing Manhattan. Originally opened in 1858, the park saw a series of improvements and expansion in the following 15 years. It was the first landscaped public park in America. This postcard, from circa 1910, reveals people enjoying one of its many green spaces.

Slide 21 of 39: By 1865, Central Park was receiving more than seven million visitors a year. Popular attractions included summer afternoon concerts and ice skating in the winter on the lakes – both remain popular activities today. In 1871, Central Park opened its doors to a zoo, which quickly became one of its most popular features. Pictured are children near the elephant enclosure in the late 1800s. 
21/39 SLIDES © Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Central Park, New York

By 1865, Central Park was receiving more than seven million visitors a year. Popular attractions included summer afternoon concerts and ice skating in the winter on the lakes – both remain popular activities today. In 1871, Central Park opened its doors to a zoo, which quickly became one of its most popular features. Pictured are children near the elephant enclosure in the late 1800s.

Slide 22 of 39: While Central Park is man-made, it’s still a haven for wildlife and nature and boasts more than 26,000 trees. It’s also home to 9,000 benches and, unsurprisingly, happens to be the most filmed public park in the world.
22/39 SLIDES © Gagliardilmages/Shutterstock

Central Park, New York

While Central Park is man-made, it’s still a haven for wildlife and nature and boasts more than 26,000 trees. It’s also home to 9,000 benches and, unsurprisingly, happens to be the most filmed public park in the world.

Slide 23 of 39: Nowadays, Central Park receives more than 42 million visitors annually. Gondola rides are still available (pictured here in 1894) from the Central Park Lake. Heading to New York? Read our guide here
23/39 SLIDES © Everett Historical/Shutterstock

Central Park, New York

Nowadays, Central Park receives more than 42 million visitors annually. Gondola rides are still available (pictured here in 1894) from the Central Park Lake.

Slide 24 of 39: One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon is thought to have been inhabited since the Ice Age. It achieved National Park status and officially opened to the public in 1919, where it’s thought to have attracted 44,000 visitors.

24/39 SLIDES © Getty Images/Russell Lee/Stringer

Grand Canyon, Arizona

One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon is thought to have been inhabited since the Ice Age. It achieved National Park status and officially opened to the public in 1919, where it’s thought to have attracted 44,000 visitors.

Slide 25 of 39: Measuring over 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and a mile deep, the Grand Canyon is one of the largest canyons in the world. It’s also home to all manner of wildlife, including 373 species of bird. Located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Hopi House (pictured) was built in 1905 to sell artisan arts and crafts and still functions today as a museum and gift shop.
25/39 SLIDES © Daniel Korzeniewski/Shutterstock

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Measuring over 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and a mile deep, the Grand Canyon is one of the largest canyons in the world. It’s also home to all manner of wildlife, including 373 species of bird. Located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Hopi House (pictured) was built in 1905 to sell artisan arts and crafts and still functions today as a museum and gift shop.

Slide 26 of 39: Today, the Grand Canyon is visited by more than six million people each year. With a year-round on-site shuttle service available, plus day-long and even helicopter trips from Las Vegas, tourism is certainly still going strong.

26/39 SLIDES © Victor Maschek/Shutterstock

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Today, the Grand Canyon is visited by more than six million people each year. With a year-round on-site shuttle service available, plus day-long and even helicopter trips from Las Vegas, tourism is certainly still going strong.

Slide 27 of 39: Unveiled to the public in 1941, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the faces of presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln carved into Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

27/39 SLIDES © PA/PA Archive/PA Images

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota

Unveiled to the public in 1941, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the faces of presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln carved into Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Slide 28 of 39: The idea for Mount Rushmore was conceived by historian Doane Robinson, who was looking for a way to attract more tourism to the state. It certainly worked: close to half a million people visited in the first year alone.
28/39 SLIDES © Jefferson National Expansion Memorial/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 2.0

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota

The idea for Mount Rushmore was conceived by historian Doane Robinson, who was looking for a way to attract more tourism to the state. It certainly worked: close to half a million people visited in the first year alone.

Slide 29 of 39: Today, Mount Rushmore is South Dakota’s top tourist attraction, luring more than two million visitors from around the world each year. Facilities include a visitors center, the Lincoln Borglum Museum, the President Trail, and the Grand View Terrace.

29/39 SLIDES © Sharon Day/Shutterstock

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota

Today, Mount Rushmore is South Dakota’s top tourist attraction, luring more than two million visitors from around the world each year. Facilities include a visitors center, the Lincoln Borglum Museum, the President Trail, and the Grand View Terrace.

Slide 30 of 39: Located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite Valley National Park features all manner of impressive waterfalls, rock formations, and sequoia trees. It started attracting tourists in the early 1850s, with its first hotel being built in 1879.

Yosemite Valley, California

Located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite Valley National Park features all manner of impressive waterfalls, rock formations, and sequoia trees. It started attracting tourists in the early 1850s, with its first hotel being built in 1879.

Slide 31 of 39: After officially becoming a national park in 1890, tourism increased at the turn of the 20th century. Notable visitors included President Theodore Roosevelt, pictured here at Glacier Point in 1903.
31/39 SLIDES © Everett Historical/Shutterstock

Yosemite Valley, California

After officially becoming a national park in 1890, tourism increased at the turn of the 20th century. Notable visitors included President Theodore Roosevelt, pictured here at Glacier Point in 1903.

Slide 32 of 39: Nowadays, Yosemite National Park attracts more than four million visitors a year. In 2016, the park even broke its own visitation records, recording more than five million visits. Popular activities, in addition to the sensational hiking, include nature walks, stargazing and rock climbing.
32/39 SLIDES © Sopotnicki/Shutterstock

Yosemite Valley, California

Nowadays, Yosemite National Park attracts more than four million visitors a year. In 2016, the park even broke its own visitation records, recording more than five million visits. Popular activities, in addition to the sensational hiking, include nature walks, stargazing and rock climbing.

Slide 33 of 39: Based on Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany, the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, California is surely one of the USA's most recognizable tourist attractions. Disneyland (renamed Disneyland Park in the 1990s) opened on 17 July 1955. Walt Disney was inspired by his family to open the amusement park, saying: “It came about when my daughters were very young and Saturday was always daddy’s day with the two daughters.”

33/39 SLIDES © Getty Images/Keystone/Stringer

Disneyland, Anaheim, California

Based on Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany, the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, California is surely one of the USA’s most recognizable tourist attractions. Disneyland (renamed Disneyland Park in the 1990s) opened on 17 July 1955. Walt Disney was inspired by his family to open the amusement park, saying: “It came about when my daughters were very young and Saturday was always daddy’s day with the two daughters.”
Slide 34 of 39: Disney's vision wasn't without its critics but the concept proved the doubters wrong, despite some teething problems. On opening day 28,000 people visited, some jumped the fence without paying and a heatwave apparently caused the new tarmac to melt. Here tourists are pictured enjoying Frontierland, a recreation of the Old West, in 1955.
34/39 SLIDES © Keystone Features/Getty Images

Disneyland, Anaheim, California

Disney’s vision wasn’t without its critics but the concept proved the doubters wrong, despite some teething problems. On opening day 28,000 people visited, some jumped the fence without paying and a heatwave apparently caused the new tarmac to melt. Here tourists are pictured enjoying Frontierland, a recreation of the Old West, in 1955.
Slide 35 of 39: Clean, spacious and filled with wholesome fun, Disney's park was also packed with innovations that competitors would struggle to match. For example the Monorail transport system, pictured here in the 1960s, was the first one of its kind in America.
35/39 SLIDES © Keystone Features/Getty Images

Disneyland, Anaheim, California

Clean, spacious and filled with wholesome fun, Disney’s park was also packed with innovations that competitors would struggle to match. For example the Monorail transport system, pictured here in the 1960s, was the first one of its kind in America.
Slide 36 of 39: These days Disneyland employs 30,000 'cast' members and sees around 18 million visitors pass through the gates. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the latest addition to the park, set to open towards the end of 2019.  Don't plan a visit without reading our 25 Disney hacks. 

36/39 SLIDES © Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland Resort via Getty Images

Disneyland, Anaheim, California

These days Disneyland employs 30,000 ‘cast’ members and sees around 18 million visitors pass through the gates. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the latest addition to the park, set to open towards the end of 2019.

Slide 37 of 39: In a moment that revolutionized Florida’s tourism industry, the gates to Walt Disney World were finally opened on 1 October 1971, bringing in 10,000 eager fans. Initially, the resort consisted of six individually-themed lands: Main Street USA, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square and Tomorrowland.

37/39 SLIDES © Public Domain/State Archives of Florida

Walt Disney World Resort, Florida

In a moment that revolutionized Florida’s tourism industry, the gates to Walt Disney World were finally opened on 1 October 1971, bringing in 10,000 eager fans. Initially, the resort consisted of six individually-themed lands: Main Street USA, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square and Tomorrowland.

Slide 38 of 39: While its creator, Walt Disney, didn’t live to see its creation, the park has since expanded to include the Magic Kingdom, Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Epcot, pictured here in a plan from 1978 and opened in 1982, was always part of Walt's original vision for the resort.  Now read all about the secrets inside the world's famous buildings
38/39 SLIDES © Central Press/Getty Images

Walt Disney World Resort, Florida

While its creator, Walt Disney, didn’t live to see its creation, the park has since expanded to include the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Epcot, pictured here in a plan from 1978 and opened in 1982, was always part of Walt’s original vision for the resort.

Slide 39 of 39: Walt Disney World now attracts more than 52 million people a year, making it the most visited vacation resort in the world. And there’s plenty to explore: its surface area is twice the size of Manhattan. Read more: 34 of America's most important landmarks

Walt Disney World Resort, Florida

Walt Disney World now attracts more than 52 million people a year, making it the most visited vacation resort in the world. And there’s plenty to explore: its surface area is twice the size of Manhattan.

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