Hi guys! Today we’re talking about fantastic North American destinations that need to be on your bucket list! The USA enjoys a wonderfully diverse terrain filled with natural beauty, whichever time of year you travel. So if you’re planning a city break, a beach holiday, or outdoor adventures in one of our stunning national parks, here are some epic ideas for your next American getaway!

New York City, NY

A multicultural cornucopia, New York City blends historic neighborhoods with art, cuisine, architecture, and exhilarating nightlife. Browse world-class museums and art galleries including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History. Visit iconic tourist attractions such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. Catch a play or musical on Broadway. Enjoy the NYC skyline on a stroll across Brooklyn Bridge and the elevated High Line walkway, and relax in leafy Central Park. A mecca for foodies, New York City’s legendary international culinary scene embraces Italian, Jewish, Caribbean, and Chinese cultures.

Austin, Texas

Laidback Austin on the Colorado River boasts a creative foodie scene alongside excellent live music venues. Enjoy SUP and rafting on the city’s Ladybird Lake. Take a day trip into the Texas Hill Country, for quaint small towns, wineries, and hiking trails.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Famed for its springtime Mardi Gras, New Orleans is a great year-round destination. Explore the music bars and eateries of the vibrant French Quarter. Learn about the city’s heritage at the fascinating African American Museum, and chill out in the leafy upscale Garden District.

Washington DC, Washington

The capital city of the USA, Washington DC is home to the iconic White House and the memorable historic monuments of the National Mall. Don’t miss the excellent Smithsonian museums, including the beautiful Museum of Natural History and the National Gallery of Art. All Smithsonian museums are free to enter!

Chicago, Illinois

The windy city on the shores of majestic Lake Michigan brims with art museums, beaches, and eateries ranging from informal street food to gourmet restaurants. Browse outdoor art in the beautiful Millennium Park including Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate sculpture, and sample the city’s international food scene which spans French to Korean – and don’t miss Chicago’s illustrious deep dish pizza!

San Diego, California

In San Diego, you are pretty much guaranteed glorious weather and pristine beaches such as La Jolla where you can surf, swim, and kayak through sea caves. The unspoiled 1500-acre woodlands of Torrey Pines Natural State Reserve offer superb biking and hiking trails along with stunning ocean views. The city offers vibrant nightlife and top-class Mexican and seafood restaurants.

Boston, Massachusetts

New England’s largest city played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. Walk the Freedom Trail where you’ll discover Boston’s landmark monuments and historic sites. Visit Faneuil Hall, known as the cradle of liberty, and climb aboard the USS Constitution, America’s oldest warship. Enjoy a game at Fenway Park, and stuff your face with hot dogs and beer and enjoy watching the best team of all time do what they do best – WIN! If you’re looking for an itinerary with everything mapped out for you, check out my previous blog post for the perfect weekend in Boston itinerary!

Los Angeles, California

LA boasts superb beaches, excellent shopping, museums, and nightlife plus iconic sights straight out of a Hollywood movie! Take a scenic drive along Hollywood Boulevard and the famed Sunset Strip. Stroll the boardwalk at Venice Beach and ride the infamous Ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier. While you’re at Santa Monica, I would highly recommend giving the electric bicycle tour of Santa Monica and Venice Beach.  

Las Vegas, Nevada

This incredible city in the desert is infamous for its exuberant party lifestyle and non-stop nightlife. Enjoy excellent shopping, dining, pampering spa treatments, and poolside relaxation. Once the sun sets, head to the Strip for a lively night of bars, shows, and casinos!

Portland, Oregon

Oregon’s biggest city combines theatres, museums and art galleries, a thriving food truck scene, and fantastic independent shops, microbreweries, and markets. Portland’s Forest Park is the largest city park in the USA, with over 50-miles of hiking and biking trails!

San Francisco, California

San Francisco is a gorgeous city whatever time of year you visit. Take a day trip to Alcatraz Island, get your foodie fix in the Mission District, and grab the ultimate Instagram selfie by the inimitable and beautiful Golden Gate Bridge.

Miami, Florida

Glamorous Miami blends elegant art deco architecture with the glorious palm-fringed sands of iconic South Beach. The best spot to get a glimpse of this stunning architecture is on Ocean Drive, which is located along the oceanfront in South Beach. Check out the vibrant Little Havana quarter for authentic Cuban bars and eateries. And if you are looking for more hidden gems in Miami, be sure to check out my previous post for the insider scoop!   

Yosemite National Park, California

A four-hour drive from San Francisco, flanked by the towering Sierra Nevada Mountains, Yosemite is a glorious unspoiled wilderness. Explore miles of hiking trails past towering granite cliffs, stunning waterfalls, and dense woodlands. Don’t miss Mariposa Grove, where you’ll crane your neck at over 500 ancient giant sequoia trees!

Arches National Park, Utah

An amazing geological landscape of over 2,000 naturally occurring red rock formations. These awesome natural monuments include arches, standing stones, and columns (hoodoos). Don’t miss the beautiful Landscape Arch and Delicate Arch, and explore the ominously named Devil’s Garden! Utah is also home to the spectacular Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks.

Yellowstone National Park, Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho

Yellowstone is renowned for its dramatic volcanic landscape of boiling geysers, bubbling mud pools, and thermal hot springs. The Old Faithful geyser is the most famous sight of all; every 90 minutes or so, it reliably ejects boiling cascades of water high into the air in show-stopping fashion!

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

The breathtaking mile-deep Grand Canyon should be on everyone’s bucket list! One mile deep and 18 miles wide, this 6 million-year-old geological phenomenon is a truly awesome spectacle. Hike along the rim and into the canyon’s depths. Take a river raft cruise along the Colorado River which meanders along the canyon floor. And drink in the astonishing views, which are particularly glorious at sunset and sunrise.

Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina

The lovely towns of Savannah and Charleston lie only an hour apart, and make a great road trip for a weekend getaway! Bustling Charleston dates back to 1670 and has a lovely harbor lined with gorgeous historic mansions. Enjoy a walking tour through the city streets lined with distinctive oak trees draped in Spanish moss. Savannah is Georgia’s oldest city, combining old-world charm and laid-back, southern hospitality. Take a trolley tour around the old district and head to Tybee Island for three miles of lovely beaches.

Glacier National Park, Montana

A vast unspoiled terrain of rugged peaks, pristine lakes, and alpine meadows, Glacier NP is a majestic wilderness, ideal if you love outdoor adventures. Home to grizzlies, elk, lynx, and mountain goats, the park spans North America’s Rocky Mountains to the Canadian border. Over 700 miles of hiking trails crisscross the park. For the ultimate road trip, drive the epic 50 miles going to Sun Road. You’ll climb to 6,646 feet, passing spectacular scenery en route. Getting around and accommodation options can be quite difficult to find. Visit here for a comprehensive guide that will help decide where to go and stay.

Maui, Hawaii

On exquisite Maui, visit Haleakala National Park, and the island’s highest peak, volcanic Haleakala. Explore 30 miles of pristine Hawaiian beaches. Enjoy surfing, SUP, rafting, or just lazing by the idyllic Pacific Ocean.

Guys, I hope this taste of some of the United States’ enticing destinations inspires you for your next US vacation!

Happy travels!