1

Olympic National Park

Image: Georg Eiermann

Let’s kick off our ranking with Olympic National Park, located in the state of Washington. The park was designated as a National Park in 1938 during Franklin Roosevelt's presidency.

What makes this National Park so remarkable? Well, it has three distinct ecosystems : the temperate rainforest (which is the only one in the contiguous United States), the rugged coastline, and glaciated peaks. This variety of landscapes brings a rich biodiversity to the area that is definitely worth visiting!

2

Joshua Tree National Park

Image: James Lee

We know it’s in the name, but did you know Joshua Trees aren’t actually trees ? They belong to a subgroup within the yucca species. These plants can live for over 150 years, and you can find them in this park, among other places.

Similar to Olympic National Park, this park features three separate ecosystems: a part is within the Colorado Desert, it also includes California juniper, the San Bernardino Mountains, and the Mojave Desert where you’ll find the famous Joshua trees.

If that wasn’t enough reason to pay a visit, you have to know that this park has one of the darkest skies in Southern California, providing an excellent opportunity to spot the Milky Way galaxy!

3

Grand Teton National Park

Image: Michael Kirsh

Located in Wyoming, this National Park is home to what is believed to be the youngest mountain range in the Rocky Mountains: they are only between six and nine million years old!

In Grand Teton, you’ll find incredibly tall mountain peaks (the highest reaching 13,770 feet) and a wide variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, gray wolves, coyotes, moose, and more.

Established in 1929, the park was later combined with the Jackson Hole National Monument, in 1943. Today, the town of Jackson Hole, located to the south of Grand Teton is the main hub of activity in the area. And, if you visit, you can actually make it a two-for-one trip because it's only 10 miles away from Yellowstone National Park, which will be featured later in this list!

4

Acadia National Park

Image: Raphael Assouline

Acadia National Park receives over 3.5 million visitors each year, and that has secured a position in this ranking. The park features granite mountains, rocky coastlines, ponds, lakes, and all kinds of plants and wildlife. It is an Atlantic shoreline beauty!

The park was first named Sieur de Monts National Monument by President Wilson in 1916. In 1919, it was renamed Lafayette National Park, but that wasn’t the end of it. In 1929, the name officially changed to Acadia National Park, honoring "Arcadia," a region in Greece that is pretty similar to the park!

5

Yosemite National Park

Image: Jota Lao

Although it is not one of the top three most visited national parks in our country, the park’s popularity is undeniable because it was the one park that paved the way for the National Park System as we know it today. The establishment of this area as a national park is largely credited to John Muir, a Scottish naturalist who recorded the beauty of the area and raised awareness around it.

Today, Yosemite covers an area of 759,600 acres and is home to granite cliffs, giant sequoias, mountains, glaciers, streams, and waterfalls. It is predominantly classified as wilderness and is, of course, a protected area.

6

Rocky Mountain National Park

Image: Lauren Lopes

This national park is a gem in Colorado and the 4.5 million visitors it receives each year is a testament to that. The park boasts rugged mountain terrain, alpine lakes, and dense forests—making it simply breathtaking.

It was established in 1915, and it is home to Longs Peak , which stands at an impressive 14,259 feet, and the famous Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the country! Besides, this park is home to over a thousand types of wildflowers and 280 species of birds, just to mention a few details that make it an incredible place in America!

7

Yellowstone National Park

Image: Nicolasintravel

Yellowstone National Park is a true icon of the American West, and with over 4 million visitors each year, it’s easy to see why. The park lies across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, and it showcases wilderness at its best: geysers, hot springs, rivers, and canyons co-exist within the area. It is also home to the famous Old Faithful , the visitor’s favorite: an ever-erupting geyser!

Yellowstone holds the honor of being the very first national park in the world, having been established in 1872. The idea of preserving this vast and unique landscape for future generations was revolutionary at the time, and it laid the groundwork for the global national park movement. Have you had the chance to visit it yet?

8

Zion National Park

Image: Jamie Hagan

This deserted wonderland is located in Utah and it is known for the towering red sandstone cliffs and deep canyons as well as the glowy rock formations .

Established in 1919, it was Utah’s first National Park, and it is home to over 100 miles of trails. Car access to the park is limited, so there are plenty of hiking trails within the area. Moreover, this park is home to the second largest freestanding arch in the world which is 287 feet in length.

If you visit the park, you will surely make a stop at the Zion Lodge. But, did you know this is not the original construction? The original structure was struck by a fire in 1960, so the one you see today is actually a second version of it!

9

Grand Canyon National Park

Image: Michael Kirsh

You probably thought this was the most visited park in our country, but there’s another that holds that title! As for the Grand Canyon, it still is incredibly popular, and receives over 6 million visitors every year!

Located in Arizona, the Grand Canyon stretches 277 miles long and a mile deep. It was established in 1919 and it is only second in the ranking due to the powerful and awe-inspiring sights. That’s why it is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World .

Across the canyon, visitors can enjoy the Colorado River, where water carves layers of rock that have been in the area for millions of years. No words can capture its beauty, you just have to visit it to understand it.

10

Great Smoky Mountains

Image: Micah Williams

To close our ranking, we present the most visited National Park in America: the Great Smoky Mountains. Did you guess it right? Even if you did, you would have never guessed the number of visitors right: a shocking 13 million visitors a year ! Now, the reasons? Almost as many as its visitors.

The National Park was established in 1934, but the mountains that are housed in it were formed millions of years ago. It spans the borders between North Carolina and Tennessee and it is best known for its mist-covered mountains, lush forests, and the remarkable biodiversity of plants and animals.

With 800 miles of hiking trails, among which you’ll find the Appalachian Trail, preserved historic buildings, and peaceful retreats, it’s no surprise that the number one park on our list is also a favorite among visitors. Do you agree?

1

Lucy Ricardo ( I Love Lucy )

Image: TV Guide, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Despite being a series from the 1950s, I Love Lucy made such a strong impact on American culture that it’s still remembered and referenced today. And it’s impossible to forget Lucy Ricardo, the lovable protagonist who was always chasing "a little more" out of life through daring and hilarious adventures with her husband and neighbors. The familiarity of the characters and the way they connected with viewers turned the show into a success that totally transcended its time.

2

Spock ( Star Trek )

Image: NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This pair of pointed ears is really hard to forget. Mr. Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy in Star Trek , is easily one of the most memorable characters on TV, and we get why. His particular appearance and his calm, controlled demeanor made him irresistible to almost everyone in the audience. Alongside his discipline, strong values, and quiet reserve, his warm and empathetic human side would occasionally shine through, making him one of our favorites.

3

Fonzie "The Fonz" ( Happy Days )

Image: ABC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Fonzarelli, Fonzie, the Fonz: three names for everyone’s favorite character from Happy Days . Fonzie wasn’t just the epitome of cool; he also had a loyal, charismatic, and genuinely warm personality that made him impossible not to love.

4

Samantha Stephens ( Bewitched )

Image: ABC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

If you had magical powers, your life would probably resemble that of Samantha Stephens, the lovable star of Bewitched , and that's probably what made this series such a success. Samantha’s warm personality and intelligence (along with her powers, of course) allowed her to balance her magical world and her human life. And along the way, she gives us some really funny adventures!

5

Michael Scott ( The Office )

Image: Steve_Carell_with_wife_Nancy_Walls_@_2010_Academy_Awards.jpg: Photo by Sgt. Michael Connorsderivative work: RanZag, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Michael Scott may not seem like the nicest character ever, but it’s precisely his quirkiness and his desperate need to be liked that make us end up loving him so much. Well-intentioned but socially awkward, this character is so funny that no matter what he does, we can’t help but adore him.

6

Kermit the Frog ( Sesame Street/The Muppet Show )

Image: Pattie, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Who said all the characters on this list had to be human? No one would have guessed that a puppet could become a total celebrity, right? Well, that’s exactly what happened with Kermit, the most famous frog of all. The best part is that you don’t have to be a child to appreciate the optimism, warmth, and humor that make us all love dear Kermit.

7

Chandler Bing ( Friends )

Image: Tracie Hall from Orange County, us, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Each one of the six main characters of Friends has a strong fan base, but one stands out: Chandler Bing. Undoubtedly one of the most beloved, Chandler won us over with his humble heart, his awkwardness in understanding and managing emotions, and, of course, his silly jokes that came out even at the most inappropriate moments.

8

Mulder & Scully ( The X-Files )

Image: Marcin Wichary from San Francisco, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

We had to pick one, but we just couldn’t: Mulder and Scully are inseparable. Though very different, the two main characters of The X-Files won over audiences equally. Mulder, the believer and passionate investigator, and Scully, the skeptical but determined scientist, come together to complement each other in the most perfect way.

9

Sheriff Andy Taylor ( The Andy Griffith Show )

Image: Rogers & Cowan, Beverly Hills-publicity agency, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

That kind face was enough to win our hearts, but Sheriff Andy Taylor offers so much more: kindness, good intentions, and a calm demeanor, along with humor and intelligence. Often serving as the moral compass in The Andy Griffith Show , he became a familiar and trusted presence for audiences of all ages.

10

Sheldon Cooper ( The Big Bang Theory )

Image: MelodyJSandoval, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

His enormous intelligence and sharp logic make him stand out in the academic world, but his struggles with social connections complicate his personal life. This is Sheldon Cooper, one of TV’s most beloved "brainiacs." Despite his difficulty with sarcasm, his cold and distant demeanor, and his unbearably pragmatic nature, Sheldon has a certain charm that makes him impossible not to love.

1

Tom Sawyer

Image: Daniel Chekalov

We’ll start with an American classic . If Mark Twain is considered "the Father of American Literature" , then it would also be fair to consider Tom Sawyer as the father of many great literary characters. And while it is true that "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" was heavily overshadowed by its sequel "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", we have decided to choose Tom over Huck mostly because he was Mark Twain’s first and perhaps most iconic character.

Tom is introduced in the novel as an orphan boy who lives with his Aunt Polly in Missouri. Characterized by his penchant for avoiding work, Tom often uses his cunning and wits to skip school and chores. Perhaps his most famous feat is convincing the neighborhood kids that painting Polly’s fence was immense amounts of fun, and charging them for the privilege of doing his busy work.

2

Captain Ahab

Image: Austin Neill

Herman Melville tackled the issues of fanaticism and the battle between humankind and nature in his 1851 masterpiece "Moby Dick". In that sense, the character Melville chose as a vessel to portray these themes is definitively Captain Ahab, the frantic and monomaniacal captain of the whaling ship Pequod , hellbent on capturing the great white whale Moby-Dick.

While Ahab's obsession is fueled by revenge (since the whale bit off his leg), many critics observe how the captain’s mind doesn’t allow for any other feeling other than his mindless obsession with catching Moby-Dick. In the end, this hatred makes him forget to care for himself and his crew, and in their final battle, the whale drags Captain Ahab’s body beneath the sea.

3

Jack Torrance

Image: Luis Villasmil

Immortalized by Jack Nicholson’s superb performance in the 1980 film adaptation of "The Shining", Jack Torrance is arguably the tortured main character of this iconic horror masterpiece. Jack is a down-on-his-luck writer who gets hired as the winter caretaker of the fictional Overlook Hotel, a historical location in the Colorado Rockies.

Much like Captain Ahab, a big part of "The Shining" focuses on Jack’s fight against his own demons. However, where the Captain fails Torrance succeeds: While the dark presence that rules the Overlook possesses him and makes him attack his family, Jack overcomes these manipulations and sacrifices himself in order to save his wife and son.

4

Hester Prynne

Image: Debby Hudson

Hester Prynne might be the very first American heroin : The protagonist of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s "The Scarlet Letter" faces public humiliation and the disdain of her fellow residents of the Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony, who force her to wear a red "A" on her clothes after committing the sin of adultery.

Yet, Hester always maintains her dignity and love for her daughter Pearl throughout the rest of her life. In the end, the red "A" that decorates her tombstone is not a reminder of her transgressions, but a monument to her determination.

5

Ignatius J. Reilly

Image: mana5280

Ignatius J. Reilly, the bumbling protagonist of "A Confederacy of Dunces", is no hero. He is more of a man-child, an unemployed and unpleasant buffoon whining about the lack of morality in his birthplace, the beautiful city of New Orleans. However, there’s no denying that Ignatius is a wonderfully crafted character and an essential part of what makes John Kennedy Toole’s novel so unforgettable.

"A Confederacy of Dunces" is, undeniably, a unique book: Its characters are as particular and hilarious as the bizarre situations in which they constantly find themselves. In that regard, Ignatius is the perfect protagonist for this unparalleled masterpiece.

6

Philip Marlowe

Image: Michelle Ding

What image comes to mind whenever you hear the phrase "private detective"? Do you picture a sullen man dressed in a beige overcoat and matching fedora , immersed in intense inner monologues about unsolved cases? Well, if that’s the case, you can thank iconic American author Raymond Chandler for creating the quintessential private detective, Philip Marlowe.

Immortalized by the great Humphrey Bogart in the film "The Big Sleep", this chainsmoking detective is one of pop culture’s most iconic characters and one that has endured as a symbol throughout its 90 years of history.

7

Atticus Finch

Image: David Veksler

Just like Philip Marlowe, many consider Atticus Finch to be the quintessential American lawyer : After all, his character is defined by his honesty and dedication to justice. However, the depth of this character from Harper Lee’s "To Kill a Mockingbird" is not only determined by his morality, but for the unconditional love he feels for his two children, Scout and Jem.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" tells the story of the Finch family, which is intertwined with the prejudice-filled trial of Tom Robinson. Atticus acts as Tom’s defense attorney, as he battles the hateful mob mentality of this 30’s Alabama town.

8

The March sisters

Image: micheile henderson

It would feel wrong to separate the four March sisters - Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy - from Louisa May Alcott’s iconic novel "Little Women", so we have decided to include multiple characters in this entry. Alcott’s masterpiece describes the lives of these four sisters and focuses on their passage into womanhood.

Set in 19th century Massachusetts, "Little Women" is considered to this day to be one of the cornerstones of American literature . Not only that, many believe that the author was able to create a new form of sentimental literature with this book.

9

Blanche Dubois

Image: Lokesh Anand

Tennessee Williams's "A Streetcar Named Desire" proves itself to be a gemstone of American literature just by the genius in its title: While it might seem completely objective, referring to a real-life New Orleans streetcar line named "Desire", it also perfectly describes the unstoppable passion that involves the characters of this play.

In that regard, this play’s protagonist, Blanche Debois, is definitively unforgettable: A stunning yet down-on-its-luck Southern Belle who moves to her sister’s place in New Orleans. She is considered one of the most iconic characters in theater and was played on uncountable occasions.

10

Dorothy Gale

Image: ActionVance

We’ll end this article with one of the most popular American characters in our country’s history. Few characters are as iconic in pop culture as Dorothy Gale is: Immortalized by Judy Garland’s unforgettable performance, Dorothy’s trip to the wonderful land of Oz will forever be a part of American culture and history.

Perhaps the reason why this character is so memorable is the fact that, at the time when L. Frank Baum’s original book was published, Dorothy seemed to be just like every other American girl living on a farm. In a way, millions of American children were able to join Dorothy throughout her trip through the yellow brick road.