This Iconic Park Was Just Named America’s Top Tourist Attraction

Beginner | October 17, 2025

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Central Park Top Attraction America: Taking the Crown

On October 8, 2025, The Manual reported that BookRetreats.com named Central Park in New York City as America’s top tourist attraction. (The Manual) The 843-acre park earned a score of 4.075 out of 5 in the ranking, beating famous sites like the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and Balboa Park in San Diego. (Travel + Leisure)

BookRetreats analyzed 77 major U.S. attractions using metrics such as popularity, visitor experience, nearby hotel costs, and safety. (BookRetreats) Central Park’s combination of free activities (walking paths, lakes, gardens) and its urban setting helped tip the balance in its favor. The results affirmed what many travelers already believe — Central Park top attraction America truly deserves the title. (The Manual)

Why Central Park Top Attraction America Makes Sense

Central Park offers a rare mix: quiet hills, ponds, bridges, and gardens — yet it sits right in the heart of one of the world’s busiest cities. (The Manual) Visitors praise its diversity of green spaces, accessibility, and the fact that many features cost nothing (for example, walking trails and casual events). (Travel + Leisure)

Half of the top 20 attractions on the BookRetreats list feature natural landmarks, showing that more than theme parks, people often prefer open space and nature. (BookRetreats)

Why This News Matters

Travelers now see how much green urban parks can compete with monuments and museums in popularity.
City planners recognize that investing in parks, accessibility, and free programming pays off in reputation and visitor satisfaction.
English learners can use this story to discuss “what makes a place special” — it’s not always about grand architecture or famous names.

Vocabulary

Iconic (adjective) – widely recognized and well established.
- Example: Central Park is an iconic location in New York.
Crown (verb) – to name someone or something as the winner.
- Example: The report crowned Central Park the top attraction.
Metric (noun) – a standard of measurement.
- Example: Popularity was one of the metrics they used.
Accessibility (noun) – how easy it is to reach or enter something.
- Example: The park’s accessibility boosts its appeal.
Diversity (noun) – variety or range.
- Example: The park’s diversity of landscapes attracts many visitors.
Balance (noun) – a fair mixture of different elements.
- Example: They found a balance between nature and city life.
Evaluation (noun) – the process of judging or assessing.
- Example: Their evaluation included hotel costs and safety.
Attraction (noun) – a place that draws visitors.
- Example: The Central Park attraction draws millions each year.
Rank (verb) – to place in an order.
- Example: The study ranks Central Park above many others.
Tip (verb) – to cause something to lean or tip over; figuratively, to give an advantage.
- Example: Free activities tipped the score in its favor.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

Why do you think Central Park earned the top spot over more famous landmarks?
Which metrics (popularity, cost, safety) influence your travel choices the most?
Do you prefer natural attractions or man-made ones? Why?
How can cities use this kind of ranking to boost tourism?
If your hometown had a “top attraction,” what would it be and why?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

What elements make a tourist attraction great (nature, history, architecture, cost)?
Would you pay more to visit a “top-ranked” place or explore a lesser-known one?
How do free public spaces improve city life?
What challenges come with keeping a park both accessible and preserved?
Should parks compete with museums and landmarks, or belong in their own category?

Related Idiom or Phrase

“The green in the gray.”
This phrase highlights finding natural beauty (“green”) within an urban, concrete world (“gray”). Central Park literally represents that — nature thriving in a massive city.

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This article was inspired by The Manual (via BookRetreats.com) (The Manual)