1

Mr. Peanut

Image: Tom Hermans

As familiar as snacking on a handful of peanuts, Mr. Peanut is a beloved symbol for us all. Incredibly, despite being a successful and recognizable character, Mr. Peanut's design only cost $5!

That's right, Planters Company created a contest in 1916 to find the ideal mascot. And guess who won? A 14-year-old boy! Antonio Gentile received $5 in exchange for his cute peanut-bodied mascot, to which the top hat and monocle were later added. Not only is his appearance sophisticated, but his name is, too. Mr. Peanut's full name is Bartholomew Richard Fitzgerald-Smythe. Fancy, right?

2

Tony the Tiger

Image: Sten Ritterfeld

One of the most famous felines, Tony the Tiger , the mascot of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes cereal , first appeared in a TV commercial in 1952, more than 70 years ago!

Despite his age, Tony still embodies the ideas of strength and energy that the brand wants to associate with its delicious cereals.

His distinctive muscular body and unique red scarf around his neck make him one of the most recognizable characters for people of all ages. He is just gr-r-reat!

3

Energizer Bunny

Image: danilo.alvesd

We've all wished we had the incredible energy of the Energizer Bunny , right?

This cute, drum-beating mascot first appeared in a TV commercial in the late 1980s. Its characteristic endless energy symbolizes the power of the brand's batteries, summed up in its classic catchphrase, "It keeps going and going and going..."

Over time, this little pink bunny with sunglasses has gained worldwide fame and has become one of the most recognizable brand mascots.

4

Mr. Clean

Image: JESHOOTS.COM

We've already seen tigers, rabbits, and even peanuts with eyes; now it's the turn of a human-shaped mascot.

Mr. Clean is the legendary mascot of the Procter & Gamble cleaning product line, famous for his look and accessories. With his white eyebrows, classic earring, bald head, and white T-shirt, the beloved Mr. Clean is impossible to miss.

Created in 1958, this mascot has changed very little since his first appearance, making him even more iconic. If you're looking for a Halloween costume, you know who to imitate this year!

5

Ronald McDonald

Image: Brett Jordan

Ronald McDonald , the clown of the most famous fast food chain, has become a global star.

Over the decades, children around the world have excitedly lined up to see him, greet him, and take pictures with Ronald in McDonald's stores.

Created in 1963, Ronald looked a bit different than he does today. Ronald's appearance has evolved, with changes to his costume and makeup, making him more vibrant and approachable. But the magic of this character is still intact.

6

Pillsbury Doughboy

Image: Pablo Lancaster Jones

If we discuss cute mascots, we can't forget the Pillsbury Doughboy . This little man made of dough has been wearing a chef's hat and a scarf since his birth in 1965 when he first appeared in a TV commercial.

While his appearance has remained the same, his name has changed a few times. Originally called "Jonathan Pillsbury," his name was changed to "Poppin' Fresh" in the 1970s, though today we all know him as Pillsbury Doughboy.

His playful personality is captured in his classic catchphrase, "Hoo-hoo!"

7

The M&M’s Spokescandies

Image: Sebastian Gómez

Who can say "no" to a handful of delicious M&M's ? Definitely not us! And as if their great taste weren’t enough, M&M's also has a series of mascots with varied personalities that know how to win us over.

The original characters emerged in the 1950s, and there were only two mascots: the Plain (milk chocolate) and the Peanut characters. This evolved over time, and more characters were added, each with different colors and qualities.

Today, some of the most recognized are Red, Yellow, and Green .

8

Martin the GEICO Gecko

Image: Tate Lohmiller

The GEICO insurance company's Gecko is definitely one of the most famous brand mascots in the country.

Born in 1999, this little Gecko first appeared in a commercial in which he talked to the viewers, trying to convince them to choose GEICO. This appearance was so successful that the friendly and witty Gecko has remained the company's mascot to this day.

One of the peculiarities of this character is his distinctive British accent, which sets him apart from other talking mascots.

9

Kool-Aid Man

Image: Roksolana Zasiadko

If you were one of the many Kool-Aid fans as a child, you probably remember the charming and unique Kool-Aid Man fondly.

With his pitcher-shaped body filled with Kool-Aid, the character first appeared on the product's packaging in 1954. It wasn't until over 20 years later that he made his first TV commercial, always smiling and uttering his traditional catchphrase, "Oh yeah!"

The now classic character became very popular and even had cameos in famous animated TV series!

10

Chester Cheetah

Image: Ryan Quintal

If you love snacks, you've probably smeared your fingers with Cheetos crumbs at some point, right? We get it; these cheesy snacks are simply irresistible.

And if you've ever tasted Cheetos, you're likely familiar with the famous Chester Cheetah . With its cool look and relaxed attitude, Chester Cheetah was created in 1986. This feline appeared in TV commercials and on Cheetos packages, always enjoying the snack and never without his trademark sunglasses.

His fame grew to the point that in the '90s, Chester starred in a couple of video games!

1

"Hound Dog" , Elvis Presley

Elvis made this song his signature, and it's hard to imagine it belonging to anyone else. But "Hound Dog" was written in 1952 by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and was first recorded by Big Mama Thornton, a blues singer from Alabama. Her version was a raw, powerful blues track, and it was a genuine hit.

Elvis recorded his version in 1956 and turned it into something faster, rockabilly, electrifying . For anyone who grew up in the '50s or '60s, it probably takes you right back to a specific moment: a sock hop, a drive-in, a transistor radio on a summer night. It carries a kind of pure rock-and-roll energy: rebellious, playful, unstoppable.

2

"Livin' on a Prayer" , Bon Jovi

Pumping fists, packed arenas, everyone screaming "Whooooa, we're halfway there!", it's the kind of energy that doesn't age. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora wrote it together in 1986, along with songwriter Desmond Child , pulling inspiration from the working-class New Jersey world around them.

The song hit number one in the U.S. and became an anthem for anyone who's ever had to scrape by and stay hopeful. It brings out something almost joyful in people: this defiant, communal "we're going to make it" spirit.

3

"I Will Always Love You" , Whitney Houston

Most people under 50 think this is a Whitney Houston song, but Dolly Parton wrote it back in 1973, sitting in Nashville. She was leaving her mentor and business partner, Porter Wagoner, to go solo, and the song was her way of saying goodbye: with love, but firmly.

Then Whitney came along in 1992 for The Bodyguard soundtrack and turned it into a stadium-sized emotional explosion. Where Dolly's version was warm and heartfelt, Whitney's was pure power. It connects to just about everyone, but especially to people who've ever had to let someone go. Which version do you like best?

4

"Respect" , Aretha Franklin

This is one of those cases where the cover so thoroughly eclipses the original that most people don't even know an original exists. Otis Redding wrote and recorded "Respect" in 1965, and it was a decent soul hit for him; a man asking his woman for a little respect when he comes home.

Then Aretha Franklin got hold of it in 1967, rewrote parts of it, added that now-iconic spelling-out of the word, and completely flipped the meaning . Suddenly, it was a woman demanding respect from men, from society, from everyone. It became an anthem of the civil rights movement, the women's movement, and basically every movement that involved people standing up and saying enough.

5

"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" , Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper made this song her own so completely that it's almost shocking to learn she didn't write it. Robert Hazard, a Philadelphia-based musician, wrote it around 1979 as a kind of tongue-in-cheek song from a man's point of view, about his own desire to just have fun without commitment.

When Cyndi recorded it in 1983, she completely reframed it: it became a declaration of independence for young women who just wanted to live their lives on their own terms . If you had a daughter, a niece, or any teenage girl in your life in the '80s, you heard this song approximately ten thousand times.

6

"Nothing Compares 2 U" , Sinead O'Connor

Few music videos have hit people as hard as Sinead O'Connor, alone on screen, tears streaming down her face, singing this song in 1990. It felt impossibly raw and personal. But the song was written by Prince back in 1984, and was first recorded by a side project of his called The Family.

Sinead stripped it down and made it devastating. It became one of the most emotionally powerful recordings of the decade . You probably heard it on adult contemporary radio, or remember exactly where you were the first time you really listened to it. It's a song about grief and absence and not being able to fill a void someone left behind.

7

"I Love Rock 'n' Roll", Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

Few songs scream pure, unapologetic rock and roll like this one. But Joan Jett didn't write it: a British glam rock band called The Arrows did, back in 1975, in London. Lead singer Alan Merrill said he wrote it as a direct response to the Rolling Stones' "It's Only Rock 'n Roll," which he felt was a little too apologetic about loving the music.

Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform it on British TV in 1976 while touring the UK with The Runaways, and the song stuck with her . She recorded it in 1981, and it rocketed to number one, sitting there for seven weeks. You've heard it blasting from jukeboxes, at sports events, in movie montages, at pretty much every party where someone wanted to get the energy up fast.

8

"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" , Aerosmith

Tyler belting it out, that unmistakable raspy voice: it feels so Aerosmith. But the song was actually written by Diane Warren, one of the most prolific and successful songwriters in pop history , who penned it in 1998 specifically for the movie Armageddon. Warren has said she wrote it while watching her boyfriend sleep, thinking about not wanting to miss a single moment with someone you love.

Aerosmith recorded it, and it became their first number-one pop hit. It hits hard for anyone who's ever been deeply in love, or who's lost someone and wishes they'd paid more attention while they had the chance.

9

"Bette Davis Eyes", Kim Carnes

This was the biggest song in America in 1981, and it spent nine weeks straight at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 . Kim Carnes' raspy, smoky delivery made it feel completely hers. But the song was written in 1974 by Jackie DeShannon and Donna Weiss, both inspired by a classic old Hollywood film . DeShannon recorded her own version, but it barely registered.

Seven years later, Carnes took it into a Los Angeles studio, added a driving synth arrangement that was pure early MTV, and transformed it into the sound of an era. The real-life Bette Davis, then 73 years old, wrote personal letters to the songwriters and to Carnes to thank them for making her "a part of modern times." The song connected with anyone who'd ever been dazzled by someone they couldn't quite figure out, which is pretty much everyone.

10

"Blame It on the Rain" , Milli Vanilli

You probably remember the Milli Vanilli scandal: in 1990, it came out that Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus, the two beautiful, dreadlocked faces of the duo, hadn't actually sung a single note on their records . The real vocals were by studio singers. Their Grammy was revoked. It was a whole thing.

But before all that exploded, "Blame It on the Rain" was a legit #1 pop hit in 1989. It was written by Diane Warren (yes, the same woman who wrote "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"), and it's a smooth, sweet ballad about blaming the weather for a relationship going wrong. You probably heard it on pop radio, maybe slow-danced to it without knowing what you were slow-dancing to.

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?