© Shutterstock

2009: Washington, D.C. -

Washington, D.C. receives its fair share of tourists every year, but on January of 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as President of the United States. The inauguration attracted an estimated 1.8 million people to the area. 

© Getty Images

2008: Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda -

The capital of the Caribbean island nation has everything to keep a tourist happy. From luxurious shops to stunning scenery, it's easy to see how Saint John's became so popular. 

© Getty Images

2007: New Orleans, Louisiana -

Mardi Gras was particularly special in 2007. It marked two years after the devastating Hurricane Katrina hit the area, so people really wanted to party and celebrate life!

© Getty Images

2006: Malibu, California -

Why travel far when you have Malibu just a short drive from LA? Surfers often head there, and so do many other tourists. 

© Getty Images

2005: Dubrovnik, Croatia -

This charming city on the Adriatic coast became a tourist hotspot around 2005. Teeming with history and beautiful sights, Dubrovnik remains popular to this day. 

© Getty Images

2004: Grindavík, Iceland -

The steamy Blue Lagoon alone was a good enough reason to visit the land of fire and ice.

© Getty Images

2003: St. Kitts, Saint Kitts and Nevis -

Gorgeous beaches and luxurious resorts made many tourists visit this Caribbean paradise. 

© Getty Images

2002: Bangkok, Thailand -

'The Beach' starring Leonardo DiCaprio was partly responsible for the backpacking boom in Southeast Asia. The movie, which came out two years prior, led many visitors to Bangkok and beyond. 

© Getty Images

2001: Monte Carlo, Monaco -

The 2001 Monaco Grand Prix attracted tourists from all over the world, and F1 fans from across the pond were no exception. 

© Getty Images

2000: Dubai, United Arab Emirates -

In 2000, attractions such as the Burj Al Arab and the Emirates Towers made Dubai a hotspot to visit. 

© Getty Images

1999: New York City -

The new millennium was a huge event. Thousands flocked to New York City to celebrate the turn of the century. 

© Getty Images

1998: Cancun, Mexico -

By 1998, Cancun had become a Spring Break mecca for US college students.

© Getty Images

1997: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona -

In 1997, many Americans hit the road and explored their country. Spots such as the Grand Canyon National Park were among the most popular destinations. 

© Getty Images

1996: Kruger National Park, South Africa -

Safari tours were a big trend back then, and African safaris were the cream of the crop. This was especially true for the famous Kruger National Park in South Africa.

© Getty Images

1995: Miami Beach, Florida -

Shows such as 'Miami Vice' put Miami Beach on the tourist trail again. From the beautiful Art Deco architecture and the beaches to the exciting nightlife, Miami was the place to visit.

© Getty Images

1994: Moscow, Russia -

The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union attracted many American visitors to Russia. By the mid- '90s, Moscow had become a popular destination. 

© Getty Images

1993: Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts -

Martha's Vineyard was put on the map by the Clintons, who would go there on vacation. Soon enough it became a hotspot for other Americans too. 

© Getty Images

1992: Prague, Czech Republic -

Tourists flocked to Prague in the year Czechoslovakia dissolved. Perhaps they were scared things would change dramatically after the split and wanted to visit the city in all its glory. 

© Getty Images

1991: Kuda Bandos, Maldives -

The Maldives is indeed paradisiacal, with its pristine waters and luxury resorts. In the early '90s, many American tourists discovered this gem. 

© Getty Images

1990: Menorca, Spain -

The less crowded Balearic island saw American tourists arriving on the island looking for a relaxing time under the warm Mediterranean sun. 

© Getty Images

1989: Chateau d'Oex, Switzerland -

The country is mostly known for its ski resorts, but in 1989 the International Hot Air Balloon Festival also attracted many visitors.

© Getty Images

1988: Valletta, Malta -

Malta's exquisite architecture and clear blue water has attracted many visitors over the years, and Americans were no different. 

© Getty Images

1987: Half Moon Island, Antarctica -

Travelling to a remote place, away from it all, with some wildlife for company, sounded like the perfect vacation for many Americans back then. 

© Getty Images

1986: Ibiza, Spain -

The Balearic island in the Mediterranean is well known for its golden beaches, amazing scenery, and buzzing nightlife. American tourists had been visiting it since the '60s, but in '80s it really went mainstream. 

© Getty Images

1985: Tokyo, Japan -

The city where tradition and technology are equally present became a popular destination in 1985.

© Getty Images

1984: Istanbul, Turkey -

The place where East meets West is something of a cultural melting pot. From the Grand Bazaar to the Blue Mosque, Istanbul became a vibrant destination that attracted tourists from all over the world. 

© Getty Images

1983: Sydney, Australia -

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and other events attracted large crowds to the Harbor city Down Under.

© Getty Images

1982: Cruise ships -

The early '80s saw a boom in cruise ship vacations. Its popularity soared among American tourists in 1982.

© Getty Images

1981: Eleuthera, Bahamas -

American tourists started to flock to the Caribbean in the early '80s. Places such as Ten Bay Beach and Windermere Island in the Bahamas became popular hotspots. 

© Getty Images

1980: Versailles, France -

Instead of scaring visitors away, the 1978 bombing by the Breton Liberation Front made people want to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site while they still could. In 1980, many American tourists took that opportunity. 

© Getty Images

1979: Havana, Cuba -

Two years after US travel restrictions were lifted, Cuba started to receive tourists. It didn't last long though, as in 1982 the restrictions were back. 

© Getty Images

1978: Aspen, Colorado -

Skiing was hot in 1978. Novices and experienced skiers alike started to visit Aspen in search of fresh snow and adventure. 

© Getty Images

1977: San Francisco, California -

The Gay Freedom Day parade in June attracted over 250,000 people. San Francisco was definitely on the map for the country's LGBTQ+ community.

© Getty Images

1976: Kaloa Beach, Port-Au-Prince, Haiti -

The country might have gone through some political and civil issues at the time, but Kaloa Beach was a bit of a safe haven for tourists. Looking at the picture, it's easy to see why Americans couldn't get enough of it.

© Getty Images

1975: SoHo, New York -

SoHo was the place to be if you wanted to experience the best alternative culture New York City had to offer in 1975. The neighborhood was teeming with artists, performances, and so much more. 

© Getty Images

1974: Coney Island, New York -

Coney Island was the place to go in the summer, especially for those who lived in New York,  Philadelphia, and New Jersey. Its iconic boardwalk, theme park, and plethora of entertainment for people of all ages made it a popular vacation spot. 

© Getty Images

1973: Bali, Indonesia -

By 1973, tourism had picked up in Indonesia, with around 100,000 tourists visiting Bali that year alone. Gorgeous beaches, culture, and cheap prices attracted many Americans. 

© Getty Images

1972: Waikiki Beach, Hawaii -

Waikiki Beach became a hot destination for both its easy access from the mainland and everything else Hawaii is famous for: beaches, surfing, sunshine, and cool Polynesian culture. 

© Getty Images

1971: Persepolis, Iran -

To celebrate the anniversary of the Persian Empire, the last Shah of the Imperial State of Iran, Mohammad Reza Shah, threw a huge party. VIPs from all over the world attended, and the ancient site became popular. 

© Getty Images

1970: Copacabana Beach, Brazil -

This stretch of Rio de Janeiro became particularly famous in 1970, after Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx designed the iconic Copacabana promenade.

© Getty Images

1969: Cocoa Beach, Florida -

Thousands of people witnessed the launch of the Apollo 11 mission at Cocoa Beach, Florida. The John F. Kennedy Space Center, which opened in 1962, paved the way for the area to become a hotspot for anyone curious about space. 

© Getty Images

1968: Monte Carlo, Monaco -

The 1968 Monaco Grand Prix might have been one of the main reasons why visitors flocked to the Principality of Monaco, but surely yacht lovers also had a great time there. 

© Getty Images

1967: Coral Beach, Bermuda -

Not too far off the East Coast of the United States, filled with white sandy beaches, colorful reefs and amazing weather, it's easy to see how Coral Beach became a popular destination.

© Getty Images

1966: Las Vegas, Nevada -

This was the year the famous Caesars Palace hotel opened. Sin City was becoming the place to visit and millions of tourists did exactly that in 1966. 

© Getty Images

1964-65: World's Fair, New York -

Queens, New York was home to the World's Fair from 1964 to 1965. Fifty-one million people attended the Fair, making it the most popular destination during this period.  

© Getty Images

1963: Miami Beach, Florida -

Miami Beach became a different place after 1959, when the first Cubans started to arrive to the city. For this reason, many people wanted to visit. And of course, the gorgeous beach and the weather helped!

© Getty Images

1962: Saint-Tropez, France -

Saint-Tropez was as cool back then as it is now: a place where visitors would rub shoulders with movie stars and soak in the sophisticated European lifestyle.

© Getty Images

1961: West Palm Beach, Florida -

West Palm Beach became a popular destination for golfers, and it was a hotspot for famous lovers of the sport too. 

© Getty Images

1960: Athens, Greece -

The capital of Greece is a must-visit for any fan of history. But at the time, the city was also becoming a cool European metropolis that attracted the attention of Americans. 

© Getty Images

1959: Dorado, Puerto Rico -

The Dorado Beach hotel was a huge success, attracting tourists looking for sunshine and Latin American culture. 

© Getty Images

1958: Rome, Italy -

A city where old meets new, heritage meets cosmopolitan, all wrapped up in great food, wine, and entertainment—what's not to love? Rome was the romantic destination Americans loved to visit in 1958.

© Getty Images

1957: London, England -

Over a decade had passed since the end of World War II, and London started to attract even more visitors from across the pond. Rich in history, and filled with museums and theaters, London became a favorite for many Americans. 

© Getty Images

1956: Paris, France -

A cool city, filled with glamor, where entertainment, fashion, and art intermingled, Paris had that je ne sais quois that attracted American tourists. 

© Getty Images

1955: Anaheim, California -

July 17, 1955, was the date the first Disneyland opened. As you can imagine, families flocked to the new theme park from all over the country. 

© Getty Images

1954: Palm Springs, California -

Palm Springs was a cool, luxurious place to go on vacation. Golfing and celebrity spotting (Grace Kelly pictured) was popular among visitors. 

© Getty Images

1953: Daytona Beach, Florida -

With a gorgeous beach and the NASCAR Grand National Series, among other races, it's easy to see how this was attractive for tourists.

© Getty Images

1952: Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota -

Going on a road trip across the Midwest was a popular choice back then. Visiting places such as Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone River, and Old Faithful made the trip worthwhile. 

© Getty Images

1951: Tel Aviv, Israel -

The recently-founded country attracted American visitors seeking good weather, beaches, and a buzzing city. Hotels such as Dan Accadia and The Sharon were among the most popular. 

© Getty Images

1950: Honolulu, Hawaii -

Honolulu was a popular spot in 1950, especially for those living on the West Coast. Gorgeous beaches and iconic places such as the Moana Hotel made this city a must-visit destination. This was nine years before Hawaii became a state. 

Sources: (Country Living) (Grunge)

See also: Which song was on the top of the charts when you were born?

© Getty Images