It can be hard to plan a trip to the United States with so many sights to choose from. Visitors have a wide range of options when it comes to choosing from world-class cities. Some are known for their history, while others are known for their fun and glamour. Your interests may dictate the best places to visit in America.
Two very different cities are found along the Eastern Seaboard. New York and Washington, D.C. provide two unique experiences. Los Angeles and San Francisco are two of the most popular tourist destinations along the West Coast. Las Vegas is the Southwest‘s desert capital, while the Grand Canyon showcases one of nature’s most amazing creations. The beaches of Waikiki and the tropical Hawaiian Islands are beyond the mainland. These are only a few of the many great destinations that can be found throughout the country.
Explore more of America by visiting our list of top places to visit in America.
New York
New York City is unlike any other city on the globe and must be seen to be believed. Walking the streets of New York City can feel like walking on a film set. There are famous sights at every turn: the Empire State Building to Rockefeller Plaza, Central Park, Times Square, the Chrysler Building, The High Line, Broadway and, of course, the Statue of Liberty.
Take in the sights by the day, see Broadway in the evening, shop or stroll around, then relax with a delicious meal. New York is the place to be. This city is worth visiting again and again. There’s so much to do and see in just a few days.
San Francisco
This picturesque West Coast city is a great getaway spot for singles, couples, and families. San Francisco is a wonderful place to visit because of its famous sites, beautiful streets, stunning views, and outdoor dining.
You can take a cruise along San Francisco Bay, visit Alcatraz and drive over the Golden Gate Bridge. Or, you can wander around Fisherman’s Wharf. Or, you can hop on a streetcar to see the sights.
Visiting in the fall or summer is wonderful, but the climate is pleasant at any time of the year.
Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon is a must-see destination that has been attracting tourists for many generations. One of the highlights of any trip to the United States is looking out at the canyon walls and seeing the unfathomable depth below.
You can visit the Grand Canyon easily on a day trip from Las Vegas or Phoenix. Other cities nearby include Sedona and Flagstaff. You can also combine a visit to the Grand Canyon with a longer driving trip through Arizona or the surrounding states. Another way to enjoy the canyon is by taking a train from Williams in Arizona.
Visitors are welcome at any time. The most popular section of the Grand Canyon’s south rim is open year-round. Avoid the summer crowds by arriving in spring or autumn. The weather is better, and the crowds are smaller. Winter snow causes the Grand Canyon’s north rim to be closed.
Houston
Houston is the ideal city to take a couple of friends on a getaway or for a family vacation. You can fly directly from many cities in the United States and Canada to Houston. From there, you can enjoy a sporting event, visit the Museum District of Houston, or relax at one of the many luxurious hotels. Houston is known for its exceptional cuisine and has become a popular spot for dining.
Rent a bike to enjoy a relaxing but urban experience. You can pedal your way along the many paved paths in the parks and on the streets. You can rent a kayak to paddle along Buffalo Bayou in Buffalo Bayou Park.
You can reach the nearby beaches of Galveston in less than an hour. Along the way, stop at Space Center Houston.
Las Vegas
The glittering city of light in the desert has a special appeal that has attracted visitors for many decades. This destination is a magnet for everyone, from newlyweds looking to get married to those who want to spend their honeymoon to singles and families who simply want to relax by the pool.
There are many entertainment options. Some of the top musicians in the world call Las Vegas home and play to packed houses every night. Cirque de Soleil provides another experience. Each resort offers something for guests to enjoy, from dancing fountains and an erupting volcano.
After you have had enough of the city, there are plenty of places to explore nearby. The Grand Canyon, Death Valley National Park and Valley of Fire State Park are all within easy reach. If you’re in Los Angeles, Phoenix or both, Las Vegas is a great place to spend a long weekend.
Waikiki
Waikiki is a top American beach destination. It offers all the comforts and conveniences of North America on a tropical island in the Pacific Ocean. Waikiki, located on the Hawaiian island Oahu is a suburb of Honolulu. It’s known for its beautiful golden sand beaches that stretch along the oceanfront. There are also many retail shops and hotels.
Rent a board and learn how to surf. Then, go shopping for great food and drinks after you’re done at the beach. This is the ideal destination for all ages, singles or couples.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., is the U.S. capital and home to many of America’s most iconic sites and national treasures, including the White House, the Capitol Building, and the Smithsonian museum. This city should be included on every itinerary for the East Coast.
The Cherry Blossom Festival in spring is a wonderful time to visit. It can get very hot in summer. For a refreshing break, you might want to visit one of the beaches close to Washington. It’s also a great time to visit fall, as the summer heat has subsided enough that walking outside is much more comfortable and less of the summer rush. Winter is a time when the crowds are smaller, and the city looks stunning after a snowfall.
Miami
Miami, the hot spot in southern Florida, is more than a beach destination. There are beautiful beaches all across Florida, but Miami has a unique atmosphere.
Miami is known for its unique qualities, including the Cuban-inspired vibe at Calle Ocho in Little Havana and the Art Deco District that evokes the 1930s era.
Take a one-day trip from Miami through Everglades National Park for a truly unique experience. You will see alligators, turtles, and various birds in this unique wetlands area.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the center of a unique culture in Southern California. Los Angeles has been synonymous with glamour. The suburbs of Hollywood and Beverly Hills have dominated pop culture. Los Angeles offers many vacation options for travelers.
Hollywood is the ultimate destination for movie buffs. Families can visit nearby Disneyland, and shoppers will find exactly what they are looking for in Los Angeles. You can find sand and surf at any of the many beaches in L.A. To experience a fascinating natural history experience, visit La Brea Tar pits to view fossil remains of prehistoric animals who lived in this area around 40,000 years ago.
New Orleans
New Orleans is unlike any other southern city. This unique mix of cultures with strong French- and Spanish-influenced influences is more like the Caribbean than the United States. This city is distinguished by its Creole and Cajun cuisines, jazz music and the architecture of the French Quarter. New Orleans is a great destination for long weekends, thanks to its many luxury resorts.
Mardi Gras is the highlight of New Orleans’ year. Here, elaborate costumes and extravagant floats illuminate the streets, and music fills the air. If crowds are not your thing, you might want to avoid this period of the year.
While December to May is the best time to visit New Orleans, other seasons offer more benefits. Although June through November is hotter and more prone to hurricanes, they can also be a great time to get deals.
Utah’s National Parks
Southern Utah has a unique landscape with natural amphitheaters and stunning rock formations. Utah’s parks provide access to some of the most stunning scenery.
Zion National Park stands out for its hiking trails. This park is one of the most popular in America, with its waterfalls and high cliff walls.
Arches National Park is located near Moab. It is home to over 2,000 sandstone arches. However, it is more than its name implies. This area is a great place to spend time. It has rock spires and petrified dunes. You can also see distant mountains. It is also the top destination for mountain biking in the United States.
Canyonlands National Park is nearby, but it has a completely different character. While some sections are just as beautiful as the Grand Canyon, others are not as crowded. You should allow at least one day for two sections, plus more, if you want to explore the hiking trails.
Bryce Canyon National Park is a different scene. It features a natural amphitheater that serves as the foundation for a forest with colorful rock pinnacles. These trails, which lead you through the mystical landscape of Bryce, are moderately easy and well worth it. Capitol Reef National Park, which is a bit out of the way, is well worth a visit if it is possible to fit it into your schedule.
Orlando/Kissimmee
Orlando is synonymous with Kissimmee for many tourists. Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios are the main attractions. SeaWorld is another. This is a great place to vacation with your family. It’s a favorite among children. Adults will enjoy the parks, the shopping and dining options, and the sunshine.
The busiest times to visit are the school holidays. The busiest times to visit Orlando are Christmas and the summer holidays. Orlando has many hotels and rentals for tourists. Although the city is inland, it is within easy reach of the Atlantic Coast’s coasts and the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral.
Chicago
Chicago, located on Lake Michigan’s shores, is a popular summer destination. It has beautiful waterfronts and parks. It is also a popular destination year-round for its amazing shopping and arts.
The Magnificent Mile is the most popular area in Chicago. It features high-end luxury shops and galleries, along with notable buildings and exceptional architecture. The Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago are some of the highlights. Also, Navy Pier is a great spot to view the city from.
Phoenix
Phoenix, located in the middle of the Southwest U.S., is a sprawling, large-scale city that draws large numbers of northerners who visit Phoenix during winter to escape the cold. Phoenix is an excellent destination for shopping, golfing, relaxing and having a good time.
Some of the best resorts are located in the greater Phoenix region. These resorts range from large, family-friendly complexes that offer beaches and waterslides to intimate ones where you can indulge in your every whim.
It is possible to bring your golf clubs. The surrounding areas, including Scottsdale, Mesa, and many other townships, are well-known for their top-notch golf resorts. These are some of the most important stops along the men’s or women’s PGA Tour.
You might be able to fit your hiking boots in your luggage if you have more space. You can find natural areas that show the desert landscape within the city or nearby. This makes it easy to go hiking or mountain biking. Although summer temperatures can be very high, October through April are quite pleasant, especially if your goal is to spend more time outside.
Savannah
Savannah is the epitome of a small, southern city. It has beautiful parks with moss-covered trees, historic mansions, and a waterfront area with candy shops and other unusual shops in old buildings. It is a slow pace, but the people are friendly.
Savannah is a place where people live and love life. It’s not a tourist area. You can easily walk anywhere from the city center. You can easily see this city in one day. But, it is the kind of place you want to stay.
By car, you can reach Tybee Island or Hilton Head Island in less than an hour.
Boston
Boston, located on the Eastern Seaboard, is a city full of history. It is easy to navigate through the city by taking the Freedom Trail, which takes you past many of its most iconic and historic landmarks.
Boston is a beautiful city located along the coast with ferry connections to the suburbs. The city’s modern skyscrapers are juxtaposed with centuries-old buildings. Open public spaces like Boston Common give it a small-town, intimate feel. The city is also home to the Boston Pops Orchestra.
The winters of Boston are legendary. Nor’easters make a splash on the shores now and then, dropping copious amounts of snow. These hardy residents still enjoy their lives. You can do many things in winter, making visiting a wonderful time.
Yosemite National Park
While the Grand Canyon is an obvious choice for international tourists, Yosemite is a national treasure not to be missed. Yosemite Valley contains some of America’s most iconic landscapes and natural attractions. These include the stunning waterfalls, the towering cliff walls of Half Dome, and El Capitan.
The park’s rich history is reflected in the captivating photos of Ansel Adam and the climbing community that has been flocking here for decades. The area was inhabited by the Miwok long before that. This information can be found at the Yosemite Museum or the Indian Village of the Ahwahnee within the park.
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains
Although the Rocky Mountains’ dramatic peaks can be enjoyed in most parts of North America, Colorado is the perfect place to see them. This area is renowned for its beautiful waterfalls and stunning views of the snowcapped peaks (more than 50 reaching 14,000 feet), making it a great place to enjoy mountain life and sightseeing.
Summer is a great time to go hiking and mountain biking. The mountains are a paradise for snowboarders and skiers in winter. Colorado has some of the most beautiful ski resorts in North America.
The towns of Vail and Aspen are some of the most popular. Scenic drives like the San Juan Scenic Byway or the Million Dollar Highway will take you through stunning mountain scenery and past mining towns such as Silverton or Ouray. For a day of relaxation in the Rockies, you can hop on the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Mesa Verde National Park is located in the southwest corner of Colorado at the Rocky Mountains. It’s just over an hour away from Durango. This amazing park is home to incredible Native American cliff dwellings and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Seattle
The beautiful coastal city of Seattle is located in the U.S.’s northwest corner. The city, surrounded by water and snow-capped mountain peaks, evokes Vancouver, Canada. There are many things to do and see in the city.
The city’s most prominent sights include the Space Needle and the lively Pike Place Market. The beautiful beaches and the Hoh rainforest are all within easy reach of the city.
The city is more rain in winter than it is during summer but has a pleasant climate that makes it a great place to visit any time of the year.
North Carolina’s Outer Banks
The Outer Banks of North Carolina are all about beaches. Since the 1830s, stunning beaches have drawn visitors from all over the United States. These barrier islands, which stretch for more than 100 miles, have been the favorite destination for families for generations. They can be found at campgrounds or wonderful resorts.
You can also visit historical cities such as Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, Duck, Waves and Hatteras Island. Many of America’s most iconic lighthouses can be found in the Outer Banks. Tours to their top are possible.
Deep sea fishing is another popular sport. Anglers have broken many records in this hot spot.
Santa Fe
Santa Fe is a melting pot of Spanish and Native American, Mexican, Anglo-Americans and others. It has a unique feel that draws people back again and again. The historic city’s streets are lined with Spanish colonial churches, adobe houses, and tall trees.
The Plaza is the heartbeat of everything happening in the city. Many cute cafes have patios and are great spots to watch people. You can then wander into one of the many unusual and quirky shops around.
Santa Fe is perfectly located near the mountains. Here you will find the best skiing in New Mexico at resorts like Taos, Pajarito and Sipapu.
San Antonio
While Houston and Dallas are the first places people think of Texas, many people will remember San Antonio as their favorite. There are many reasons why this is so: the beautiful Spanish colonial missions and churches, the Riverwalk, and of course, The Alamo.
It is compact and easy to use. It is small enough to have a lot of high-end hotels and resorts. It’s not all history. The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) is located in the city. This makes it a hub for foodies. You’ll be glad you went to the Pearl district, where you will find the best restaurants.
