AI has become part of many people’s day-to-day lives, assisting in countless ways. One of the
fastest-growing uses is travel planning, creating a new chapter in how people discover
destinations.
We analyzed the top five AI platforms to uncover their landmark recommendations for each U.S.
state, as well as the most popular cities and countries around the world. Results were evaluated
based on frequency and ranking, with ties resolved by selecting the landmark mentioned most
often across AI responses, and popularity determined by search volume.
It’s time to grab your rental car, hit the road, and discover which landmarks AI considers
must-see destinations across the globe.
THE TOP 5 AI RECOMMENDED LANDMARKS IN THE U.S.
Each state has its own unique landmarks that residents take pride in. These landmarks were the
most recommended across all five AI platforms and also have the highest international search
interest. AI recommendations tend to reflect popularity by analyzing search trends, social media,
news coverage, and cultural references the more a landmark appears across these sources, the
more likely it is to be recommended.
Las Vegas, Nevada
The popularity and magnetic nature of Las Vegas is undeniable. Home to some of the world’s
most iconic sights, the Strip stands out as the number one landmark recommended by AI. Its
global appeal is further backed by search data, with more than 3,218,000 searches in the past
year alone. From luxury resorts and legendary casinos to world-class shows and nightlife, the Las
Vegas Strip continues to capture attention as a must-see destination for travelers around the
world.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Recommended by all five AI platforms and generating 2,232,380 searches, Glacier National Park
in Montana is a showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular
lakes. With over 700 miles of hiking trails, it ranks as the second most popular destination
recommended by AI.
The Golden Gate Bridge, California
San Francisco is an iconic city and home to an even more iconic landmark, the Golden Gate
Bridge. With 2,183,000 searches and more than 10 million visitors each year, the bridge is one of
the most recognizable landmarks in the world and a top recommendation by AI.
The Grand Canyon, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is one of America’s most stunning landmarks, offering sweeping views and
breathtaking scenery. It is also the top landmark recommended to travelers in Arizona and across
the U.S., with 1,681,000 searches annually and 5 million visitors to the park each year
The Alamo, Texas
Texas is home to one of the most iconic landmarks in the country, The Alamo. It is one of the top
landmarks recommended by AI, with its popularity backed by 1,368,000 Google searches each
year. This historic Texan site of remembrance is a must see destination in the U.S.
Surprisingly, some American classics did not come out on top. From the Statue of Liberty not
having a massive search volume, to the Hollywood Sign not being the top recommended
landmark by any AI platform, and even Florida – where AI couldn’t choose between the Space
Center and Orlando’s massive array of theme parks.
THE TOP AI RECOMMENDED LANDMARKS IN THE WORLD
AI is not only helpful for identifying iconic landmarks across the U.S. it’s also powerful for
spotlighting the world’s most famous sites. We analyzed 10 of the world’s most visited countries
across five AI platforms. The same landmarks were consistently recommended in France, Spain,
Italy, the United Kingdom, Greece, Australia, Switzerland, and Japan each representing an iconic
piece of culture and national pride.
When we factor in global popularity using Google search volume, the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, and
the Colosseum rise to the top. This is not just because they are famous, but because they
consistently show up in online searches, pop culture, and travel interest.
AI platforms are trained on massive amounts of information, including search trends, news stories,
social media, travel guides, and historical content. Because these landmarks appear so often
across all of these sources, AI is more likely to recommend them again and again.
The Eiffel Tower: The Eiffel Tower shows up everywhere, from travel guides and films to fashion
and social media. Its huge digital presence makes it an easy top pick for AI models.
Big Ben: Big Ben is more than just a clock tower. As a symbol of London and the U.K., it appears in
news stories, travel content, and historical archives, giving it strong visibility across many sources.
The Colosseum: The Colosseum is often mentioned in educational materials, documentaries, and
travel content. Its place in global history makes it a landmark that AI consistently recognizes.
All of this constant presence online and in culture explains why AI keeps recommending them as
some of the world’s most iconic landmarks.
TOP AI-RECOMMENDED LANDMARKS ACROSS THE
WORLD’S TOP 20 CITIES
AI can now provide travelers with recommendations not just by country, but by individual
cities – whether for their hometowns or destinations on their travel wish list. To explore this, we
analyzed the 20 most popular cities for international tourism and identified which landmarks AI
platforms most frequently named as each city’s must-see attraction.
Across the 20 cities analyzed, all five AI platforms agreed on the same landmark for 13 cities,
showing strong consistency in how AI identifies a city’s most iconic site. When looking across all
cities, the three landmarks that appeared most often were Big Ben, the Statue of Liberty, and the
Colosseum.
Big Ben in London and the Colosseum in Rome are no strangers to topping city travel lists. The
Statue of Liberty, however, is a newer standout in AI’s recommendations. It is the number one
landmark for New York City and the second most recommended landmark across all major cities
analyzed, making it a must-see destination both domestically and globally.
AI frequently recommends the Statue of Liberty because it appears prominently in city travel
guides, news coverage, social media, films, and cultural references, and its role as a symbol of
freedom and New York City gives it exceptional visibility across multiple data sources.
Methodology
We analyzed top landmark recommendations for each U.S. state across the five most popular AI
platforms – Google Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, and Meta AI – to identify the most
frequently recommended landmarks in each state and across global destinations. Using the
prompt, “What is the most iconic or must-see landmark in [location]?” results were evaluated
based on frequency and ranking, with ties resolved by selecting the landmark mentioned most
often across AI responses and popularity measured by search volume. Landmarks include cities,
parks, structures, and natural, historical, cultural, or man-made sites. Data is accurate as of
January 26, 2026.
