Toilet Shortage in America's Top Tourist Hotspots: Only 1 for Every 100K Visitors

A new analysis by Nationwide Waste Service, a leading provider of portable sanitary solutions, reveals that despite drawing millions of visitors annually, many of America’s most iconic tourist hotspots are struggling to meet a basic need—public restroom access.

According to this analysis, New York City leads US tourist destinations in public restroom availability, with 152 public restrooms and a ratio of 1.3 restrooms per 100,000 visitors. Despite this leadership, even NYC's ratio falls short of meeting the demands of its 62.2 million annual visitors. Other popular destinations, such as San Francisco and San Diego, also face significant restroom shortages, offering just 1.0 and 0.8 restrooms per 100,000 visitors, respectively. These figures highlight the ongoing challenge of restroom accessibility for tourists across major US cities.

Cities like Orlando, Florida, and Las Vegas, Nevada, perform even worse, with a meager 0.1 public restrooms per 100,000 visitors. Despite attracting millions of tourists annually—74 million in Orlando and 40.8 million in Las Vegas—both cities offer shockingly low restroom availability, leaving visitors struggling to find facilities.

Tourist-Heavy Cities Struggle

Public restroom access in major US cities has become increasingly difficult, with many visitors often required to make a purchase in order to use facilities. Recent changes, such as Starbucks ending its "open-door" policy and restricting restrooms to paying customers, have further limited access. City regulations also vary—like in New York, where only restaurants with 20 or more seats are mandated to provide restrooms—leaving tourists and locals alike struggling to find a facility when needed.

Shortage Might Threaten Tourism

Experts warn that a shortage of public restrooms could significantly undermine the overall tourist experience. Dr. Steven Soifer, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Treasurer of the American Restroom Association and Adjunct Professor at Adelphi University School of Social Work, stated:

"Imagine visiting a city and spending half your time just looking for a restroom. That’s the reality for many tourists in the US. The lack of public restrooms isn’t just an oversight—it’s a crisis that affects mobility, public health, and the overall visitor experience. In a country that prides itself on tourism, this shouldn’t be the norm. If cities want to be truly welcoming, they need to invest in basic infrastructure like public restrooms."

Similarly, Dr. Bryant Simon, an American historian and professor at Temple University, noted that improving restroom access not only benefits visitors but can also boost local businesses. He explained:

"In cities like New Hope, Pennsylvania, businesses are stepping up to offer restroom access, recognizing that it fosters a sense of hospitality and inclusion. Meanwhile, larger corporations are doing the opposite, restricting access in ways that make cities feel less inviting. In the end, it’s a question of what kind of experience we want to create for both tourists and locals alike."

For a full breakdown of the ranking methodology and detailed city comparisons, please visit: nationwidewasteservice.com/the-best-and-worst-u-s-cities-for-public-toilets.