Survey: Gatorland heads list of top roadside attractions in US
Gatorland is the nation’s most popular roadside attraction, according to a new survey that weighs TripAdvisor reviews, Instagram posts and worldwide Google searches.
The Orlando animal attraction, operating since 1949, edged out Sun Studio of Memphis, Tennessee, in the rankings, which were released by Betway Casino, which analyzed the statistics for more than 80 roadside attractions in the United States.
Gatorland features hundreds of reptiles, as well as other animals, plus gator wrestling, a zip-line course that travels over the breeding marsh, an off-road attraction, old Florida charm and an iconic entrance that encourages visitors to walk through oversized alligator jaws. The survey says Gatorland’s average TripAdvisor score was 4.4, the second-highest level in the final top 10, and it has been featured in 135,932 Instagram posts.
Four California attractions made the top 10 list, including Winchester Mystery House in San Jose; Glass Beach at Fort Bragg; Salvation Mountain, a folk-art installation; and the bright pink Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. The closest, in physical distance, to Orlando beyond Gatorland was Blowing Rock in North Carolina.
Other top finishers include House on the Rock in Wisconsin; Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas; and Devils Punch Bowl of Otter Rock, Oregon.