America's Most Popular Attractions in 2012

Disneyland

The home of Mickey Mouse also must be the happiest place on the Web—the theme park received the most searches for vacation destinations from Yahoo! users. The Anaheim, California, park, established back in 1955, has only grown in popularity over the years. More than 14 million visitors a year enjoy attractions like "it's a small world," the Haunted Mansion, and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

Knott's Berry Farm

The family-friendly amusement park began on the Knott family farm, which sold berries to passers-by at its Buena Park, California, location. When the Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant opened, the family built other attractions to entertain waiting restaurant guests. Now the theme park boasts Camp Snoopy, plenty of roller coasters, and a water ride that is perfect for anyone who ever wanted to ride down a giant waterfall.

Dollywood

The Dolly Parton owned theme park offers the typical theme park rides, but also has a unique twist: Shows featuring local music from the Smokey Mountains. Dolly herself performs at the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, park along with national musical acts.

Silver Dollar City (Branson, Missouri)

The theme park in the Ozarks is centered around an 1880s experience—if in the 1880s they also had thrill rides and water parks. The family-oriented park is also situated next to one of the area's oldest natural attractions, Marvel Cave.

 Golden Nugget Casino (Las Vegas)

No wonder this Las Vegas resort stands out: With 2,345 rooms, it's the largest on the Strip. And with quantity this hotel also brings high standards—boasting the AAA four-diamond rating 35 years in a row. So save your gambling for the casino floor.

Hollywood

This is where movie magic happens or at least where the industry got its start and where the world-famous sign for the area still stands. Most of the movie studios have fanned out into other parts of sprawling Los Angeles & the Paramount Pictures back lot is the only one left in Hollywood. However, there's still plenty to see: the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Capitol Records building, and the Dolby Theater, where the Oscars are held. Nothing says Hollywood better than that.

Gulf Shores, Alabama

The BP oil spill in the Gulf put a damper on tourism, but the coastal area has bounced back. Vacationers come for the ocean fishing (and ocean-fish eating), beaches, and golf. A lot of golf: nine golf clubs and one state-owned, 18-hole course.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Maybe this is a better way to get an inside view of movie magic: The movie-themed amusement park based in Universal City is also where Universal Studios soundstages and sets can be found. The park features rides like Transformers: The Ride—3D, King Kong 360 3-D on the famed behind-the-scenes Studio Tour, The Simpsons Ride, Revenge of the Mummy—The Ride, and Jurassic Park—The Ride.

Atlantis Bahamas

There could be worse ways to spend a vacation. The resort and water park offer attractions like the Power Tower, featuring a water roller coaster, the Mayan Temple near-vertical Leap of Faith water slide, and the Challenger slide, a high-speed splash down.

Catalina Island

Part of the magic of the Santa Catalina Island is that it's only 22 miles south of Los Angeles but feels a world apart. The rocky site is home to coral reefs and shipwrecks, which can be explored by glass-bottomed boat. The 22-mile-long island is also great for diving, camping, and hiking.