Your Travel Handbook for the Best Places to Visit in the USA

One of the largest and oldest democracies in the world, the United States of America is known for its vast landscapes and enchanting urban life. The country is visited by a large number of travellers for business purposes and vacations, with names like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and others being known worldwide. 

If you are travelling the country for leisure and exploration, you can certainly make use of the list of the most amazing places to visit in the USA. Continue reading below to check those places and include them in your trip itinerary for a memorable vacation!

Most Amazing Places to Visit in the USA

Have a look at the table below for an overview of the top places to visit in the USA -

1. Alaska

Alaska is among the most enchanting states and a winter paradise for tourists and locals alike in the USA. What makes this place one of the most amazing places to visit in the USA is its untapped natural beauty and culturally rich cities and towns. 

If you are planning to visit the USA, do visit Alaska for adventure activities like hiking, fishing, exploring the wilderness, watching whales, and paddling. Here are the top attractions in the state that you cannot miss out on -

• Denali National Park - This is the third largest national park in the USA and covers North America’s highest peak located in the northern region of the Alaska Range. In this national park, you can easily spot animals like wolves, grizzly bears, elk, reindeer, and more. Notably, Denali is a habitat for more than 167 bird species as well. 
• Kenai Fjords National Park - Securing the fjord-riddled coast of the Peninsula of Kenai, this national park is an excellent one for sightseeing in Alaska. Kenai National Park is famous for large brown bears that feed on salmon. Other options that you can explore over here are situated at the end of Highway 1 in Homer.
• Anchorage - It is undoubtedly one of the largest cities in Alaska with a population of under 300,000. Here, you can explore tourist attractions like Churchgate State Park, Alaska Railroad, Anchorage Museum, Alaska Native Heritage Center, and Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.
• Mendenhall Glacier - It is 12 miles northwest of Juneau and is accessible by road. You can visit the glacier site and get awe-inspired by both the glacier and the iceberg-shaped water. If you are an adventure enthusiast, you can book any rafting and kayaking trips. 

Alaska appears to be exceptionally beautiful in the winter. If you plan to visit the state, you can get views of the enchanting Northern Lights, a breathtaking aurora that envelopes the night sky throughout the North Pole. 

2. California

This American state has always been famous for its sophisticated urban lifestyle merged with scenic landscapes and a variety of topographic features like ice-capped mountains, vast coastlines and deserts, old redwood forests, and big farmlands. California is undoubtedly among the most amazing places to visit in the USA for sightseeing, museum tours, fine dining, and shopping. 

Here are some of the best places to visit in California -

• San Francisco Bay Area - Any trip to the USA is incomplete if you do not visit this dreamy area of San Francisco. In the Bay region, you can get a beautiful view of the far-reaching Pacific Ocean over the Golden Gate Bridge. Some other places to explore here are Fisherman’s Wharf, North Beach, and Chinatown.
• Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Santa Monica - Los Angeles is a Hollywood-lovers’ paradise, with numerous tourist attractions spread across the city like the Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Rodeo Drive, and Franklin Village in Hollywood. You can also visit beaches like Venice Beach and Santa Monica State Beach. There’s more in the store here, as you can also visit J. Paul Getty Museum, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Near Los Angeles is a small county called Pasadena where you can visit Huntington Botanical Gardens. 
• San Diego - San Diego is the right place if you wish to unwind after a hustling week. Here, you can visit Balboa Park, Old Town San Diego State Park, and Gaslamp Quarter. If you are planning to visit San Diego with the family, you can include San Diego Zoo, Birch Aquarium, and The New Children’s Museum in your list.
• Yosemite National Park - Nestled in Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The national park is a habitat to over 400 unique animal species (including 262 bird species), with some of its key attractions including Tuolumne River, Yosemite Falls, Mirror Lake, and Vernal Falls. 

3. New York

One of the most amazing places to visit in the USA, New York is also among the biggest cosmopolitan cities in the world. The city has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment, fine dining, and historic landmarks. New York is a great place to explore on your own as well, with the best places to visit in the city being within walking distance or a short ride away. 

Here are some landmarks that make New York one of the top places to visit in the USA -

• Statue of Liberty - The Statue of Liberty, perhaps the most renowned landmark in the USA, is at the top of all first-time travellers' bucket lists in New York. One of the USA’s eminent tourist destinations, it was a gift from France to America and was constructed in 1886. For many around the world, it continues to serve as a global symbol of freedom. The statue is visible from the ground, with sights from Battery Park at the southernmost tip of Manhattan being particularly good.
• Central Park - Anyone visiting New York City should take a stroll in Central Park's winding paths, ride a bicycle, or have a ride in a carriage here. You can even put on your skates in the winter and skate over Wollman Rink. 
• Times Square - The place to be in New York at night, Times Square is lined with enormous, brilliantly-lit billboards and screens. With that said, it is fascinating any time of day! The Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, The Tonight Show set, and other attractions in New York are nearby.
• Brooklyn Bridge - The Brooklyn Bridge, one of the city's most famous sights with its Gothic-style arches and suspension cables, has served as an inspiration to countless poets, musicians, and artists throughout the years. The first steel suspension bridge in the world, this historic bridge goes through the East River - from Manhattan to Brooklyn - and was finished in 1883.

4. Colorado

Colorado is a year-round state in the USA. One of the top places to visit in the USA, Colorado is renowned for its majestic rocky mountains, scenic Alpine lakes, waterfalls, expansive Colorado Plateau, and rivers. 

Discussed below are the topographical features and places that make Colorado one of the most amazing places to visit in the USA -

• Rocky Mountain National Park - Only a few miles from the town of Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park is ideal for adventure freaks who wish to participate in activities like hiking, fishing,  camping, horse riding, bouldering, and more. In winter, you can even go cross-country skiing in the region.
• Denver - One of the USA's fastest developing cities, Denver is an outdoorsy town in the country and has an amazing 300+ days of sunlight annually as well as a pleasant climate. Such pleasant conditions enable the city's young and active residents to take advantage of the spectacular Rocky Mountains, which serve as a massive playground just outside the city. 
• Garden of Gods - The Garden of the Gods is close to Colorado Springs. This officially-recognised National Natural Landmark is host to a distinctive landscape of angular stone fins and towers that rise 300 feet above the ground. The view is completed by the large, perfectly-balanced rocks and rock piles that surround the fins and the distant mountains. Rock climbing is a common activity in the park. However, you can also find designated bike lanes for road mountain biking and bicycling.
• Black Canyon at the Gunnison National Park - Having a fantastic, rocky appearance, the Black Canyon at the Gunnison National Park is a great place to simply enjoy the scenery while gazing out over the canyon or by ambling along the rim's walking routes and short hiking trails, which are often flat and simple. 

You can even trek into the valley if you are gutsy. The park, overall, has three campsites; the East Portal is solely accessible by tents while the North and South Rim campsites welcome both RVs and tents.

5. Maui

Maui is one the best places to visit in the USA if you are into clean and mesmerising beaches and adventurous activities like surfing, snorkelling, and deep water diving. As the second-largest island in Hawaii, it offers hilly landscapes and a wide range of activities and watersports. 

Check out the top-rated places to explore in Maui below -

• Haleakala National Park - It is one of the most beautiful national parks in the country. For early morning visits, reservations are essential because this is a well-known location where many people gather to view the sunrise! Although the majority of visitors are drawn to the Haleakala Volcano’s summit, the ascent is extremely spectacular. The Lakes of 'Ohe'o, exquisite freshwater pools, Makahika and Waimoku Waterfalls, and the small trail at Hosmer Grove are among the park's most well-liked features.
• Luau in Lahaina - Experiencing a Luau, a large feast with traditional dancing and music, is a must-do on any trip to Maui, Hawaii. Luaus provide you with more than a dinner performance - you can savour the authentic local cuisine and take in the stories told by the colourfully costumed hula dancers.
• Maui Ocean Centre - One of the many carefully constructed aquariums in Maui, the Maui Ocean Centre is home to several Hawaiian reefs and corals, stingrays, and green turtles. The Living Reef, which is a habitat to more than 40 types of natural Hawaiian coral, is its most striking exhibit. A variety of fish call the reef home, and it receives water directly from M'alaea Bay. 
• Lahaina and Kaanapali Beach - World-class golf, a wide range of dining options, a tonne of shopping, and a zipline tour with stunning ocean views are just a few of the attractions in the area. The Whalers Village is a well-known outdoor shopping area with a nice selection of shops and restaurants as well as a museum dedicated to whaling and conventional Hawaiian performances.

6. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is an explorer’s paradise, with so much for you to view and explore here. The state is famous for its historical attractions like the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and Civil War reenactments in Gettysburg. Topographical features like Laurel Highland, Ohiopyle State Park, and the Pocono Mountains make the state one of the most amazing places to visit in the USA. 

Listed below are some places to visit in Pennsylvania -

• Philadelphia - Visit the Rodin Museum, the Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University, and climb the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which was made popular by the Rocky film series, as you discover Philadelphia's cultural and artistic side along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. 
• Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh is highly preferred by families for its galleries like the Andy Warhol Museum, amusement parks like Kennywood, and opportunities for biking and boating tours of the city. To watch the professional games between the Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins, sports enthusiasts also swarm the fields and arenas. In Pittsburgh, there are over 90 distinct districts and communities to discover, each offering unique cuisine and cultural offerings.
• Hershey - With Milton Hershey starting the Hershey chocolate firm here in 1903, a trip to the small town of Hershey is certain to be a wonderful experience for the ‘chocophiles’ out there! A canopy of Hershey’s kiss-shaped street lamps welcomes you, with the air permeated with the aroma of chocolate. One museum site that offers a hands-on look into the past of some of the most popular chocolates in the world is Hershey's Chocolate World. 
• Erie - Owing to this place’s proximity to the ocean, it is a great place to spend a quiet weekend in the fall when the summer crowds have all returned home. A picnic at sunset can be perfect on the peninsula on the water in Presque Isle State Park, which has hiking trails. You can find impressive historical displays about Lake Erie at the Erie Maritime Museum along with changing maritime exhibitions.

7. Oregon

One of the top places to visit in the USA for its adventurous activities, Oregon is a worthy vacation destination for those of you who need a break from the hectic urban life. You can explore the state for its ancient lake that was formed due to a volcanic eruption, gorges forming from majestic waterfalls, and much more. 

Here are the major tourist attractions in Oregon -

• Crater Lake National Park - This national park is popular for its adventurous hiking trails like the Watchman Peak, with some options coming from Rim Village through the paved sidewalks. Hosting two well-developed camping grounds including the Mazama Campground, it is a perfect place for camping.
• Cannon Beach - One of the most famous tourist spots on the northern Oregon coast, this beach offers a panoramic view of the jagged coastal rocks. Besides being a site for natural beauty, the beach is famous for its cultural appeal and can be explored for fine dining restaurants, hotels, and boutique shops.
• Washington Park, Portland - One of the most beautiful parks in Portland, Oregon, Washington Park is famous for the gardens located within the premises, with two major ones being the International Rose Test Garden and the Portland Japanese Garden. If you are visiting the USA with your family, you can also go to the Oregon Zoo and Portland Children’s Museum.
• Astoria - This is a charming coastal city that appears to have come from the 80’s cult movies thanks to its backdrop. Also called San Francisco of Oregon, this enchanting city can be primarily explored for the Oregon Film Museum and the Flavel House Museum.

8. Florida

Besides some of the biggest theme parks in the world - Disney World and Universal - Florida has something for everyone’s taste and is among the most amazing places to visit in the USA. On top of the places for entertainment and recreation, Florida is known for its rich history which includes pirates, friendly residents, a strong influence of Caribbean culture, and much more. 

Listed below are some of the must-visit places in Florida -

• Miami - It is one of the most happening cities in Florida and is famous for its starstruck events. You can pay a visit to the city for attractions like Miami Beach, Flagler Street, the Design District, Little Haiti, and Little Havana.
• Orlando - Orlando has colossal tourist attractions like Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios. While exploring them, you can also relish various dishes in Michelin Star restaurants, play golf, or simply relax in chic spas.
• Naples - This city is all about beaches and warm weather. In Naples, you can visit places like Naples Pier (a historical landmark), the iconic Smallwood Store trading post, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, and Fakahatchee Strand State Park.
• Tampa - A popular place to visit with your family, Tampa is worth enjoying for its wildlife-centric attractions which include Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, Tampa Zoo at Lowry Park, and more. Besides wildlife, the city has cultural attractions like the Glazer Children’s Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Ybor City, and more. 

9. Washington

Besides being the country’s political power centre, Washington is famous for its natural beauty which includes lusciously green rainforests, dormant volcanoes, and much more. One of the best places to visit in the USA, you can explore Washington for -

• Olympic National Park - This national park is renowned for its coastal areas like Ruby and Rialto Beaches and the rich flora that can be found in Hoh Rain Forest. Some of the most popular attractions also include snow-capped mountains at Hurricane Ridge and the soothing waters of Sol Duc Hot Springs.
• Seattle Centre - One of the main attractions in Seattle city, it has various indoor sightseeing options like the Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Museum of Pop Culture. The centre also has several art installations and theatrical accommodations.
• Seattle Downtown - This city is famous for attractions like Pike Place Market, Benaroya Hall, Pioneer Square, Seattle Aquarium, Olympic Sculpture Park, and more. 

Purchase Travel Insurance for an Unhindered Trip to the USA

The USA, without any doubt, is one of the best countries to visit if you look forward to relaxing in nature and enjoying American downtown life. However, to make sure that your trip remains unaffected by any obstacles, you should purchase a travel insurance plan.  

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