It’s hard to keep track of all the attractions that exist in the U.S. There are large ones, like popular amusement parks, and smaller attractions like local petting zoos and oddity museums.
Sadly though, there are some incredible attractions that no longer exist, either from natural disasters, awful incidents, or the lack of funds.
While you can visit some of the places on our, very little, if anything remains.
To create our list of iconic US attractions that no longer exist, 24/7 Tempo scoured the internet and used sources like the National Parks System and the History Channel.
Interested in learning about popular tourist attractions that still exist? Read our article on America’s most popular tourist attractions, according to data.
Wall Arch (Arches National Park)
Wall arch and a tree in 2003. Wall Arch collapsed sometime between the night of August 4 and the morning of August 5, 2008. Devil's Garden, Arches N.P., UT
The first attraction that doesn’t exist anymore on our list is the Wall Arch in Arches National Park. The Wall Arch was a gorgeous natural sandstone arch in Utah. Within the national park are about 12,000 arches of various sizes, this was one of the most popular ones.
So, what happened to it? In August of 2008, the arch suddenly collapsed. The rubble blocked the Devil’s Garden Trail. Stress fractures likely lead to the collapse of this arch. No one was there when the Wall Arch collapsed. This arch was first recorded in 1948 by Lewis T. McKinney. At its known peak, the arch measured 71 feet wide and 33½ feet high.
Although this arch no longer exists, there are larger ones in the park. Before it collapsed, it was the 12th largest in Arches National Park.
Disney’s River Country
The second attraction also belongs on a list of abandoned places, Disney’s River Country. It’s hard to imagine how a Disney park suddenly closed, especially with how popular Disney parks are worldwide.
Disney’s River Country first opened its doors on June 20, 1976. It was Disney World’s first water park and was located in Bay Lake, Florida. For decades, the park remained busy.
However, after Disney opened Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, fewer people opted to go to River Country. River Country couldn’t compete with the larger and newer rides at the two new water parks. Tourism was also impacted by 9/11.
Sadly, three children lost their lives at this water park. Two drowned and one child died from a brain disease linked to amoeba after swimming at the park. This may have also played a role in the park’s closure.
Although the park closed in 2001, it remains abandoned, along with Discover Island. Unlike the first attraction on our list, visiting Disney’s River Country is illegal and considered trespassing. However, YouTubers and urban explorers continue to try and visit.
Jump-Off Joe
Have you ever heard of Jump-Off Joe? This was one of many attractions that no longer exist in the US. It’s a classic attraction, found around the late 1800s. at Nye Beach in Newport, Oregon. Jump-Off Joe was a 100-foot-tall sea stack formed of sandstone.
It was once connected to the mainland, but by the 1890s was separated. The arch, which many Americans traveled to walk along or jump from, collapsed in 1916. By 1970, the sea stack was nearly flat. Now, nothing of this sea stack remains.
Duckbill Rock
Also on our list is Duckbill Rock, another natural American tourist attraction, that no longer exists. It was a sandstone hoodoo rock formation at Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area in Oregon. This unique rock formation looked a lot like a duckbill. For years, visitors would flock to see this unique formation. However, it was fenced off for safety for years.
But how come it no longer exists? In 2016, a group of teenagers were filmed purposefully toppling this natural tourist attraction. As of December 2023, they still haven’t been caught.
Interestingly, this is a polarizing event. Some people are still looking for the identity of the vandals, while others believe it’s made the cliffs safer. Over a dozen people have died or gone missing at the Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area. This includes seven deaths from 2009 to 2016.
Six Flags New Orleans
Six Flags Amusement Parks are found throughout the United States. Not all though are still open, like Six Flags New Orleans. Six Flags New Orleans opened on May 20, 2000 as Jazzland. It became Six Flags New Orleans in 2003.
It was a popular park for the few short years it operated. Six Flags New Orleans closed on August 21, 2005, temporarily. It was scheduled to open back up on August 27 or August 29. However, Hurricane Katrina hit and destroyed the park, leaving it flooded and with a dim future.
Water flowed from Lake Pontchartrain into the park, which was built in a low-lying section of Eastern New Orleans. About 80% of the attractions suffered significant damage.
It was too costly though to repair, and the park remained closed. As of 2023, the Bayou Phoenix development group has taken control of the former Six Flags site.
The Original Pennsylvania Station
Another attraction that doesn’t exist anymore is the Original Pennsylvania Station in New York City. This old historic railroad station opened in 1910 and was demolished between 1963 to 1968.
When the railroad station opened, it could operate and run 144 trains per hour. It also had 21 tracks and was very busy, easily running 1,000 trains each weekday. Although busy during World War 2, the railroad began losing customers in 1947. This occurred because of the construction of the Interstate Highway System. Despite its early success, the Original Pennsylvania Station declined in prosperity and appearance.
Although demolished, some artwork and features were kept. For instance, you can still find eagle sculptures throughout New York City. There are at least three.
Stardust Hotel and Casino
Moving towards Las Vegas, we have the Stardust Hotel and Casino. This hotel was very popular and had a lot of stories to tell. It first opened on July 2, 1958, and closed on November 1, 2006. During its opening, the building had 1,065 rooms. By the time this iconic hotel and casino closed, it had 1,552 hotel rooms.
The Stardust Hotel and Casino was known for many things, including its long list of entertainers. Some entertainers that graced the halls of this hotel include Valerie Perrine, The Temptations, Siegfried & Roy, Chicago, and Billy Daniels. The Stardust also had a lot of mob connections and affiliations.
Due to a loss of money, it closed and was replaced by the Echelon, which met a similar fate. It never even opened. Now, the Resorts World Las Vegas stands in its place.
The Wawona Tree
Continuing our list of former attractions in the US is the Wawona Tree. Technically, this tree still exists, but is no longer a tunnel. Still, the fallen tree can be viewed and its impressive size is enough to entice a visit.
So, what is the importance of this tree? Why did so many people visit it? In 1881, a tunnel was cut through a large sequoia tree. The tunnel was impressive, at 9 feet high and 7 feet wide. At the time of its cutting, the tree was leaning and only continued to lean with the years. Under heavy snow, the tree fell in February 1969. It may have been as old as 2,300 years.
This tree is often confused for the Tunnel Log, which you can drive through. The Tunnel Log tree fell in 1937, blocking the road.
The Old Man of the Mountain
Sadly, the Old Man of the Mountain is no longer visible. It was a series of five granite cliff ledges in New Hampshire. These cliff ledges gave the rock the appearance of an old man.
The ledges were on Cannon Mountain over Profile Lake. It was about 25 feet wide and 40 feet tall. This formation has likely been around since before the 1800s. It’s an important symbol to the Abenaki and Mohawk people. A few indigenous legends are tied to the formation of this face in the mountain.
Although a longstanding symbol of the Abenaki and Mohawk people, and the state of New Hampshire, the face collapsed on May 3, 2003. The collapse wasn’t unexpected though as the face was suffering from weathering. Large cracks continued to form, even with intervention.
Dogpatch USA
Another iconic theme park makes our list of American tourist attractions that no longer exist. Dogpatch USA was a thrilling amusement park in northwest Arkansas in Marble Falls. This family-friendly theme park operated for a little less than thirty years. It opened in 1968 and closed in 1993.
Dogpatch USA was a local favorite for many years. It was popular but suffered soon after. This amusement park had multiple owners and was constantly being sold and acquired. Some attractions within Dogpatch USA include the Peter Bella Grist Mill, Trout Pond, Funicular Tram, and Dogpatch Caverns.
The Sutro Baths
Next on our list of American attractions that no longer exist are the Sutro Baths in San Francisco, California. The Sutro Baths were large, privately owned public saltwater swimming pools. This large complex was built in 1894. At the time of its opening, this bath was the world’s largest indoor swimming pool facility.
The Sutro Baths were very popular but burned down in June of 1966. Although popular in the beginning, during and after the Great Depression, the Sutro Baths were not as profitable.
Interestingly, even though the Sutro Baths were burned down, developers had plans to demolish them and build high-rise apartments. The high-rise apartments were never built. Now, the remains of the Sutro Baths are within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Action Park
Last but not least is Action Park, a well-known and dangerous former water park in New Jersey. This dangerous water park resulted in deaths and many more injuries. It first opened on May 26, 1978. A lot of the rides and attractions though weren’t up to the safety code, which resulted in many injuries.
Action Park though was known for its thrill. At least six deaths are associated with this park. Action Park closed due to the injuries and the park’s low attendance. At the time of the park’s closing (1996), the owner of the park, Gene Mulvihill, declared bankruptcy.
Action Park was shortly revived in 2014, but this didn’t last long. Now, Action Park goes by Mountain Creek Water Park and has different owners. (Check out the 38 places in the US every American should visit.)