The best places to visit in america

From stunning natural landscapes to bustling cities, the United States pretty much has it all. One can easily get lost exploring the national parks, living it up in the big cities, or hitting the beach for a relaxing getaway. With so many destinations to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to go first, so we have compiled a list of our 30 Best Places To Visit In The USA (in no particular order!) Scroll down to check it out to see where you may be headed on your next vacation!

Top 30 BEST Places to Visit in the USA

In This Post

• 1 Top 30 BEST Places to Visit in the USA
  • 1.1 The Grand Canyon (AZ)
  • 1.2 New York City
  • 1.3 Las Vegas (NV)
  • 1.4 Washington D.C. 
  • 1.5 Yosemite National Park (CA)
  • 1.6 New Orleans (LA)
  • 1.7 Zion National Park (UT)
  • 1.8 Seattle (WA)
  • 1.9 Orlando (FL)
  • 1.10 Redwood National Park (CA)
  • 1.11 Chicago (IL)
  • 1.12 Savannah (GA)
  • 1.13 Boston (MA)
  • 1.14 Yellowstone National Park (WY)
  • 1.15 Glacier National Park (MT)
  • 1.16 Juneau (AK)
  • 1.17 Maui (HA)
  • 1.18 Lake Tahoe (CA/NV)
  • 1.19 San Francisco (CA)
  • 1.20 Sedona (AZ)
  • 1.21 Charleston (SC)
  • 1.22 Nashville (TN)
  • 1.23 Miami (FL)
  • 1.24 Park City (UT)
  • 1.25 Key West (FL)
  • 1.26 Bryce Canyon (UT)
  • 1.27 Los Angeles (CA)
  • 1.28 Philadelphia (PA)
  • 1.29 Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC)
  • 1.30 Portland, Maine

The Grand Canyon (AZ)

The Colorado River weaves through red bedrock for over 277 miles carving unique landforms, amazing waterfalls, and offering picture-perfect backdrops. As the world’s largest natural Canyon it’s vastness spreads in front of you as far as the eye can see. I mean, they don’t call it “grand” for nothing!

*Extra* Outdoor adventure lovers are spoilt for choice in this part of the world. Just 5 miles from the start of Grand Canyon National Park in the United States are two incredible natural wonders: Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. If you have time, be sure to add a visit to them to your itineray.

Top Things to do at The Grand Canyon:

• North Rim Trails & South Rim Trails;
• Grand Canyon Skywalk (West Rim)
• Grand Canyon Village
• Colorado River Rafting; and
• Havasu Falls (for adventurous hikers & campers among you)

RELATED: More Arizona inspiration: Best Things to do in Phoenix + a guide to planning your trip to the USA

New York City

Immerse yourself in the art scene by attending a Broadway show and visiting the Met art gallery or delight your taste buds at any number of famous restaurants on the food scene. One can even escape the hustle and bustle by going for a stroll in Central Park or along the High Line.

There are a wealth of tourist attractions in New York (with Niagara Falls not too far away) to keep you busy, and our NYC travel guides can help you get started!

Start planning your dream vacation to New York City with our travel guides:

• How to Explore NYC: Things to do & Where to Eat (written by a local!)
• Free Things to do in New York City (because not every vacation has to cost the earth)
• Top New York Tips: What to Know Before You Go
• One Day in New York – The Perfect Itinerary

EXTRA – Looking for a way to hit multiple cities and national parks in one go? Take a peek at our Coast to Coast Roadtrip – LA to New York in 3+ Weeks!
and we have a HEAP of roadtrip resources to go with that post including the Ultimate Road Trip Playlist, Road Trip Tips and the ONLY Road Trip Packing List you’ll ever need

.

Las Vegas (NV)

*Editors Note* It’s no secret that Las Vegas is one of my favorite cities on the planet, and I’ve written a few guides to help make it yours too!

Las Vegas Travel Guides

• The Ultimate Guide to Sin City: Where to Play, Stay & Eat!
• 45+ Free Things to do in Las Vegas
• Get off the Strip: The Day Tours from Las Vegas (ft. Death Valley National Park, Red Rock Canyon, Hidden Valley & more!)
• Where to Stay in Las Vegas (Whatever Your Budget)
• 20+ Incredible Road Trips from Las Vegas

.

Washington D.C. 

Top Attractions & Things to do in Washington DC

• Take in the architecture: Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument, US Capitol Building and The White House;
• Go Museum Hopping: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Smithsonian National Museum of American History, National Portrait Gallery;
• See a slice of history – the Declaration of Independence – at the National Archives, or soak it in at the Library of Congress;
• Stroll through the bustling & historic streets of Georgetown.

.

Yosemite National Park (CA)

Top Things to do in Yosemite National Park

• Watch the cascading Yosemite Valley waterfalls
• Walk Among Giant Sequoias
• Keep an eye out for black bears and other wildlife

RELATED – National Park lover? Take a peek at our dedicated guide for Arches National Park and consider adding Arcadia National Park, Joshua Tree National Park and Denali National Park to your USA Bucket List!

New Orleans (LA)

Situated along the Mississippi River in Louisiana, this cultural city will transport you back in time with its Victorian architecture. Stroll through the French Quarter to catch musical street performers before feasting on traditional cajun food. Explore Bourbon Street’s nightlife after a full day of exploring the town, venturing into the swamps, or touring a traditional plantation.

Some of The Best Things to do in New Orleans Louisiana

• Explore the French Quater, listen to live music on Bourbon Street & dine on beignets and Cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde;
• Cruise the Mississippi River on an old Paddle Steamer;
• See the Crocs from an airboat in the Louisiana Bayou;
• Eat your body weight in Gumbo; and
• If you can, be there for Madi Gras. It’s one of the best festivals in the world!
• Read our complete guide to the 20+ BEST Things to do in New Orleans (perfect for First Timers!)
• 10 Best Day Trips from New Orleans (+3 weekend getaways!)

Zion National Park (UT)

Choose from one of 46 trails as you trek through the photogenic red cliff faces or follow the Virgin River through the steep canals known as The Narrows.

If you’re feeling especially adventurous, hike to the top of Angel’s Landing, one of the most difficult hikes in the United States. If we have piqued your interest, read our Top 10 Things to do in Zion National Park that are perfect for first-timers.

The Best Things to do in Zion National Park

• Take on two of the world most famous hikes: Angels Landing & The Narrows (or here are 10 easy Zion hikes to get you started!)
• Drive the Zion-Mt Carmel scenic Highway
• Enjoy the beauty of the Emerald Pools hiking trails (and remember the Lower Emerald Pool hike is a lot easier than the Upper Emerald Pool hike! Just sayin’)

.

Seattle (WA)

Grab a coffee at the original Starbucks before exploring Pike’s Place Market, a fish market that has become a local market for many vendors. Work your way to the top of the Space Needle for an unforgettable view of the Seattle skyline before finding yourself at a number of different art scenes such as the Museum of Pop Culture and the Olympic Sculpture Park.

Top Attractions & Things to do in Seattle Washington

• Hit up Seattle’s oldest neighborhood: Pioneer Square boasts some incredible architecture, art galleries, cafés, and bookstores;
• Scale one of the world’s iconic landmarks, built for the World’s Fair, The Space Needle provides exceptional panoramic views of Downtown, Puget Sound, the Cascades, and the Olympic Mountains;
• Dine out & shop at Seattle’s most visited landmark – Pike Place Market; and
• Float into the future of aviation at the Boeing Factory.
• Read our guide to the 10+ BEST Things to do in Seattle for First-Timers

Orlando (FL)

The Best Things to do in Orlando Florida

• Hit the parks! Walt Disney World & Disney Springs (you know I used to work there, right?!), Universal Studios, Harry Potter World, Kennedy Space Centre, Busch Gardens etc;
• Shop ’til you drop at the big name designer outlets;
• Get out into nature at Harry P. Leu Gardens, Lake Eola Park or a swamp tour; or
• Get some culture at the Orlando Science Centre, The Titanic Artefact Exhibit or the Orlando Museum of Art.
• Read our complete guide to the Best Things to do in Orlando (for adults!)
• Explore more of Orlando by visiting nearly Fort Lauderdale & Jacksonville or take a Fun Florida Road Trip

.

Redwood National Park (CA)

Things to do in Redwood National Park

• Drive the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway;
• Hike to Fern Canyon on the James Irvine Trail (this 9 mile round trip hike served as the backdrop for a number of scenes in Jurassic Park 2!); and
  
• Ride the SkyTrail Gondola ride for a unique perspective over the forest from 130 feet above the ground.

.

Chicago (IL)

Visitors soak in the multitude of art museums and sculptures, such as the famous “Bean” located in Millenium Park, or the art deco styles of Frank Lloyd Wright before eating their weight in Chicago-style deep dish pizza.

Top Things to Do in Chicago Illinois include:

• Enjoy the art at The Art Institute of Chicago and the serenity of the Garfield Park Conservatory;
• See the City from above at the Willis Tower Skydeck or the Elevated Trail on the 606 and drink a cocktail at the worlds largest rooftop bar;
• Fill your belly with Chicago-style deep dish pizza or hot dogs, and so much more
• Read our complete weekend getaways guide for 36-48 hours in Chicago or our Top 10 Day Trips from Chicago to help you see more of the State!
  

RELATED: Head across the border into Michigan:
The Best Things to do in Ann Arbor + Fun Things to do in Grand Rapids MI

.

Savannah (GA)

Top Things to do in Savannah Georgia

• Take an old trolley tour around the city;
• Stroll through Forsyth Park;
• Walk beside or float along the Savannah River on a Riverboat cruise; or
• Explore the history with Ghost Tours, Walking Tours & the Museum of the founder of the Girl Scout Movement, Juliette Gordon Low.
• Read our guide to the 15+ BEST Things to do in Savannah for First-Timers!

Boston (MA)

Spend a day seeing the historical monuments on the 2-mile Freedom Trail before catching a baseball game at Fenway Park. You can even pretend to be a college student at some of the country’s most prestigious universities like Harvard.

It’s easily one of the best cities to visit in the United States with great day trip options – like the 30-minute drive to Salem Massachusetts!

Some of the Best Things to do in Boston Massachusetts

• Cheer for the home team at Fenway Park;
• See some incredible art at the Museum of Fine Art or learn something new at the Boston Public Library; and
• See Boston from a different angle: from a rooftop bar or a cruise on the water.
• Read our guide to a Weekend in Boston (written by a local!) and start planning your trip.

.

Yellowstone National Park (WY)

.

Glacier National Park (MT)

Some of the Incredible Things to do in Glacier National Park include:

• Hike the Trail of Cedars or the Avanlance Lake Trail;
• Hang out at the Beach at Lake McDonald;
• Drive the Going to the Sun Road; and
• See the Wildlife: Bears, Big Horn Sheep, Moose, Mountain Goats & more!

.

Juneau (AK)

A popular route takes you aboard a cruise line and will have you gliding past glaciers, fjords, and national forests.

Once in Juneau, see nature first-hand on a whale-watching tour, with a dog sled team, or even hiking through many of the outdoor parks and recreation sites.

Show that Juneau is more than just a cruise stop with these incredible things to do:

• Hike Mount Roberts or take a zip line on Douglas Island;
• Explore the Mendenhall Ice Caves;
• Take a scenic flight to Taku Glacier Lodge; or a helicopter flight above the Glaciers; or
• Go Whale Watching
• Read our guide to the Top 15 Things to do in Juneau (Perfect for First Time Visitors!)

Maui (HA)

Amazing Things to do in Hawaii

• Snorkel with all the sea creatures: sharks, rays, dolphins and more!;
• Take a doors-off Helicopter ride above those Jurassic park landscapes;
• Go beach hopping, whale watching or volcano exploring; or
• Attend a traditional luau and get in the Hawaiian spirit.

RELATED – Hawaii here we come!  First-Timers Guide to The Big Island: Top Things to do & Helpful Travel Tips

.

Lake Tahoe (CA/NV)

Things to do at Lake Tahoe

• Enjoy Emerald Bay State Park;
• Hike the trails in summer or ski the pistes in winter; or
• Take a boat cruise.

.

San Francisco (CA)

San Francisco is a treasure trove of activity as visitors can walk the Golden Gate Bridge, stroll along Fisherman’s Wharf, and boat over to Alcatraz, the infamous island prison just off the coast. Read our Top San Francisco Tips to know before you go!

Epic Things to do in San Francisco California:

• See the top attractions: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Warf, the Painted Ladies & the Sea Lions!
• (Get a designated driver) and head an hour out of the city to Napa Valley and taste some delicious wine;
• Hop on the cable car, cheer on the Giants at AT&T Park, or see the city from Coit Tower.
• Start planning your next vacay with our locals guide to 3-5 Days in San Francisco.

Sedona (AZ)

Things to do in Sedona Arizona:

• Hike or Bike the 400+ miles of trails (which includes a wine trail, by the way!);
• Hop in a Jeep to explore the unique landscape – you may even come across a Vortex; and
• Visit the State Parks: Red Rock and Slide Rock

.

Charleston (SC)

Top Things to do in Charleston South Carolina

• See The Battery and take a boat tour;
• Visit the Isle of Palms County Park or get away from it all at Sullivan’sIsland;
• Soak in the history on a walking tour, or quench your thirst on a craft brewery tour.

.

Nashville (TN)

Step inside a honky-tonk, discover the street art and eat your weight in food by spending a few memorable days exploring the party atmosphere that makes up the Music City.
Once you have it’ll be easy to see why it’s one of the Best Places to Visit in the USA!

Top Attractions & Things to do in Nashville Tennessee

• Country Music Hall of Fame
• Experience the Country music scene right in front of your eyes at the Grand Ole Opry
• Johnny Cash Museum & Cafe
• The Parthenon at Centennial Park

Miami (FL)

Things to do in Miami Florida

• See the open-air art museum at Wynwood Walls (Miami is one of the best street art cities in the world);
• Get your geek on at The Philip at Patricia Frost Museum of Science; 
• Spend a day on Miami’s most famous stretch of sand beach: South Beach; or
• Explore the magnificent Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.
• Read our guides to the Best Things to do in Miami for Adults + our Top Tips for Visiting Miami on a Budget

.

Park City (UT)

Things to do in Park City Utah

• Skiing (or snowboarding if that’s your thing), Shopping & Spas!
• Get out into nature: go horseback riding or fly fishing;
• Soak in some culture at the many art galleries along the historic main street;
• and if you can be there for the Sundance Film Festival – you won’t regret it!
• Read our guide to the Best Things to do in Park City UT (in Winter & Summer)

.

Key West (FL)

It’s also one of the USA’s favorite spring break destinations for those looking for an epic beach vacation; And for those interested in history will also find a collection of traditional homes and memorable locations spanning the island.

And on the drive down to Key West, be sure to stop at Bahia Honda State Park on Big Pine Key to visit one of the best beaches in the world.

Things to do in Key West

• Take a peek at the house where the literary icon and journalist Ernest Hemingway lived;
• Stand at the Southern-most tip of the United States of America; or
• Hit the beaches: Smathers Beach, South Beach or Higgs Beach.

.

Bryce Canyon (UT)

  START PLANNING – Incredible things to do in Bryce Canyon National Park

.

Los Angeles (CA)

You can cruise through the Santa Monica Pier on your way to downtown L.A. for that potential peek at a celebrity. Or take a scenic drive along the Pacific Coast or stock up at a farmers markets in funky West Hollywood.

And finally, fuel up at world-renowned restaurants as you end your day catching the sunset from the Hollywood sign which overlooks the entire valley.

Top Attractions & Things to do in Los Angeles California

• Look over the city from Griffith Park & Observatory, or the Hollywood Sign;
• Get your beach time in at Venice Beach, Muscle Beach & Santa Monica Pier;
• See Sunset Boulevard, the Walk of Fame, Manns Chinese Theater, the Rockwalk & The Hollywood Hills; or
• Burst the budget on Rodeo Drive!
• Start planning a weekend getaway with our local guides to the best things to do in Los Angeles (inc. where to stay & where to eat!)

.

Philadelphia (PA)

Top Things to do in Philadelphia Pennsylvania

• Run (or walk) up the Rocky Steps (and reward yourself with a Philly Cheesesteak);
• See the Liberty Bell & Tour Independence Hall – the birthplace of the USA; and
• Enjoy the food trucks at Philly’s revitalized waterfront or take your pick from food from dozens of vendors at Reading Terminal Market.
• Read our 12 Reasons to Visit Philadelphia (and why we love it!)

.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC)

Things to do in Great Smoky Mountain National Park (and surrounds)

• Climb Clingman’s Dome – preferably for sunrise or sunset;
• Get sprayed by a waterfall, tour historic park roads, paddle on Fontana Lake; and
• Get your country on at Dollywood.

.

Portland, Maine

A mixture of nature and city collide in this small, seaside town filled with famous restaurants, shopping and (unsurprisingly for beer lovers) the most craft breweries per 50,000 people in the whole of the United States!

Embrace nature on the water or drive a few miles inland to be greeted by lush green forests, or just park yourself in the middle to enjoy all the craft beers in one of the most beautiful cities in the USA.

Things to do in Portland, Maine

• Catch your own lobster (and obviously have it made into an authentic lobster roll);
• Sightsee from a fire truck or a harbor cruise before wandering around the reenergized old port; and
• Photograph the iconic lighthouses.

.

Do you agree with our list of the best places to visit in the USA? How many have you visited? And where do you want to go next? Oh, and if you think we missed someone that absolutely should be featured as one of the best places to visit in America, let us know in the comments below.

And if you know of anyone that needs a little vacay inspiration, be sure to share this article with them on Facebook, Flipboard or Pinterest – I’m sure they will thank you for it. And, as always, sharing is caring & we thank you for it!

READY FOR MORE USA TRAVEL INSPIRATION? YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THESE TRAVEL TIPS, TRAVEL ARTICLES, DESTINATION GUIDES, TRAVELER RESOURCES AND RELATED POSTS ABOUT OTHER AMAZING CITIES IN NORTH AMERICA AND POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATONS:

• Texas:  Best things to do in Dallas & Dallas Fort Worth + 48 Hours in Austin Texas + Things to do in San Antonio Texas, Houston Texas & El Paso
• Oregon: 10 Fun Things to do in Portland Oregon + Day Trips from Portland
• Ohio: Things to do in Cincinnati & Day Trip Ideas
• Wisconsin: 10 Incredible Things to do in La Crosse WI (+ Handy Travel Tips) + Best Road Trips in Wisconsin
• Colorado: 48 Hours in Denver Colorado: Things to do, Where to Stay & What To Eat! + Visiting Denver: Know Before You Go + Winter Camping in Colorado

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp ( more information about the data transfer )

Join over 300,000 travel lovers and get monthly updates direct to your inbox. Itineries, tips, stories and giveaways - exclusive to MakeTimeToSeeTheWorld subscribers! PLUS a FREE Travel Packing Checklist or FREE Roadtrip Packing List to help get you on the road!

What's the best place to visit in America?

What are the top 10 tourist cities in the US?

Where is the prettiest place to visit in the US?

What city is the #1 US tourist destination?