In the land of the free, there are thousands of attractions just waiting to dazzle and delight you. Some spring free from the beauty of the land, like Old Faithful. Others were crafted by the hands of man, including Bourbon Street, Fifth Avenue, and Las Vegas’ neon-soaked strip.
Whether you’re interested in the bright lights of a big city or the dense forests of a National Park, we have a handful of suggestions for you, spanning coast to coast, to help you up the ante on your next adventure.
1. Rockefeller Center, New York City, New York
It’s hard to pick just one attraction when you’re talking about New York City. But, Rockefeller Center is a nice starting point due to its central location in Midtown Manhattan and close proximity to Grand Central Station.
Filled with lovely shops all around its perimeter, you can easily indulge in a snack from Dean and Deluca and a new silk blouse from Banana Republic’s flagship store before going a round on the skating rink. With that said, Christmas is definitely the best time to see it in all its sparkling glory.
2. Niagara Falls, New York
Quite a bit further upstate, you can head for the Canadian border to see the stunning Niagara Falls. It’s actually a series of three falls — Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridalveil Falls.
You can book tickets in advance for a ferry ride along the falls or just wait and see what the weather’s like when you get there. The trick is to come with your passport because you can soak up the fun on either side of the border, in the city of Niagara Falls itself or over in Ontario.
3. Pike Place Market, Seattle, Washington
Pike Place Market is so much more than your local Sunday morning farmers’ market. It’s a huge labyrinth of stores and stalls, neatly tucked into a beautiful building overlooking Elliott Bay.
If you’ve rented an Airbnb for the weekend, this is the place to come for seafood straight from Puget Sound, fresh meat and cheese, and maybe some artisanal soap to take home with you.
4. Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco, California
If you’re ready to head south from Seattle and see what California has to offer, you simply must spend an afternoon in the Japanese Tea Garden while you’re in San Fran.
It’s a decadent slice of heaven, filled with winding pathways, graceful Japanese maples, and, of course, a Tea House where you can enjoy a meditative cup of tea to soothe your soul.
5. Lake Tahoe, California
A little further west, California would also like to offer you a glimpse of what the mountains in heaven may look like. Lake Tahoe is stunning any time of year. In the winter, you can ski in showstopping surroundings and, in the summer, you can hike, golf, or soak up lake life for as long as you’d like.
6. The Pacific Coast Highway, California
Okay, back to San Fran. Let’s discuss the Pacific Coast Highway. It’s a stunning stretch of land that offers colorful panoramas of the Pacific Ocean atop jaw-dropping cliffs.
The entire highway is 659 miles. So, it’s not exactly a day trip. But, to transform it into one, you can hop on in San Francisco and make your way down to Orange County.
Aside from that, the other can’t-miss stretch of the highway is Big Sur where you’ll see those rugged cliffs overlooking the ocean on one side and the haunting redwood forests on the other.
7. The Strip, Las Vegas, Nevada
Okay, we’re heading back in the direction of Lake Tahoe and continuing into its neighboring state for something with a little more glitz and glamour than a redwood forest.
Vegas is definitely not just for gamblers. It’s also for those who are looking for a little retail therapy, some of the most decadent meals of their lives, and maybe even a show or two from whichever diva is the current resident in town.
8. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, New Mexico
Since 1972, Albuquerque has been hosting the International Balloon Fiesta, drawing people from all over the world. It really is a wonderland come to life.
The festival lasts for nine days in October and is jam-packed with multiple events and, of course, your own opportunity to soar like an eagle in a sky dotted with countless colorful balloons.
9. Arches National Park, Moab, Utah
The pictures of Arches National Park say it all. These colorful and unique rock formations are well worth a gander. Just be sure to pack plenty of water in your backpack before you go.
After a day spent wandering around the park, be sure to spend the evening in the actual city of Moab. To no surprise, it, too, is a colorful delight, filled with charming cafes, restaurants, and food trucks.
To cool off the following day, you can also continue the adventure with a rafting trip down the Colorado River. Or, if visions of being flung out of a raft aren’t your cup of tea, you can also look into some mountain biking or do a little offroading in a rented Jeep.
10. Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Located inside another stunning National Park, Old Faithful is a cone geyser that erupts approximately every 74 minutes. Isn’t that incredible? Although she’s not as predictable as she used to be, she’s still worth the patience it takes to see her put on a show.
When Old Faithful erupts, she unleashes an astonishing 3,700 gallons of piping hot water. This is, indeed, one of the many marvels of nature. After you bid Old Faithful farewell, you can easily spend the rest of your day wandering around the park, as long as your hiking boots are up to the job.
11. The French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana
The French Quarter is the oldest part of New Orleans and, easily, the most beautiful. You probably already know where to go — Bourbon Street. Whether it’s day or night, it’s simply spilling over with New Orleans jazz, unbeatable meals, and plenty of shops to pick up a trinket or two.
12. The San Antonio River Walk, Texas
Also known as the Paseo del Rio, the River Walk is a fascinating labyrinth of walkways lining the San Antonio River. Reserved only for pedestrians, this is the best place in town to go for a romantic stroll in search of a delicious meal or two. You can also take a short boat ride in between your delicious Tex-Mex dinner and evening cocktail.
13. Riverwalk, Chicago, Illinois
While we’re on the theme, let’s keep it going with another great city’s walkway filled with delicious views. Instead of the San Antonio River, now you’re taking in views of the Chicago River.
Lined with stunning views of the city, the river, and all the shops and buildings between, you could easily get lost here for the day, with all the art galleries, museums, restaurants, and, of course, water activities. Just imagine the views as you look up from your kayak.
14. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Although there are a few different entry points to the Smokies, taking aim at Knoxville is a great way to do it. You can find a lovely little Airbnb in town and then make the easy drive to the National Park.
Keeping the seasons in consideration, autumn is the best time to make your way to this national treasure. The moment you see all those changing leaves, you’ll know you’re onto something good.
15. The Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville, Tennessee
Over in another treasured Tennessean city, you can soak up the artistry that only Nashville has to offer. Even if you’re just a casual country music lover, you have to give this museum credit for their collection of exhibitions and artifacts.
Of course, there are plenty of opportunities to drink in some live music while you’re in the museum. But, if you need to go back to your hotel room to refuel for the night, you won’t be hard-pressed to find another dose of live music somewhere else in the city.
16. Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
Heading to the East Coast now, let’s start at the top. Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine, has so much to offer. As you stroll along those sandy shorelines, ensconced by beautiful cliffs, you can make your way to Bass Harbor Head Light, a statuesque lighthouse on Mount Desert Island.
There’s something very soothing about Acadia National Park, perhaps even more than any other park on this list. And, when you’ve had your fill of nature for the day, you can head into the town of Bar Harbor for a warm welcome into any of their cafes, bookshops, restaurants, and boutiques.
17. The Freedom Trail, Boston, Massachusetts
For the history lovers in your party, Boston is the place to be. You can check off several historical sites as you walk along the Freedom Trail, including Paul Revere’s house, the USS Constitution, and Faneuil Hall.
Faneuil Hall is Boston’s version of Pike Place Market, and equally enthralling. It, too, is the place to go to stock up your Airbnb with delightful meats, cheeses, breads, and cakes for your stay in beautiful Boston.
18. River Street, Savannah, Georgia
Down along the banks of the Savannah River, you have a lovely cobblestone street to stroll as you pick up some sweets, purchase a trinket or two, and enjoy a delicious meal overlooking the water.
While River Street is a solid starting point for spectacular Savannah, truly, the whole city is your oyster. Further into town, you also have Broughton Street, just waiting to dazzle you with its culinary offerings and shops, as well.
Then, once you’ve had your fill of these gorgeous, oak-lined streets dripping in Spanish moss, you can hop in your car and drive 30 minutes to Tybee Island for an abundance of Atlantic views.
19. Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida
If you’re on the East Coast, it’s hard not to consider the magnetic appeal of Disney World. Although there are many ways to take aim at these theme parks, if you have the means, the best way to do it is to stay at an on-site resort with plenty of pools to splash around in and easy access to the parks.
You have the classic Magic Kingdom with Cinderella’s Castle and an evening fireworks display. But, don’t forget about Universal if you’re more of a Potterhead than a Little Mermaid. To help you start planning, here’s our list of the best Walt Disney World hotels.
20. Little Havana, Miami, Florida
Cuban culture has a lot to offer anyone interested in this explosion of color and culinary feasts. When you’re not dining in delight, you simply must indulge in a strong cup of coffee from any of their walk-up windows.
If you’ve ever wondered about the taste of a cigar, there’s no better place in America to experiment. With your cup of coffee in hand, this is a vibrant corner of Miami to stroll around and savor one of the best Latin American cultures.
Take a Tour of the United States
There you have it! If you’d like to tour the U.S. from coast to coast, this is a pretty solid plan to show you many of America’s wonders — natural or not.
Whether you’re staying within this beautiful nation or heading further abroad, we have a destination guide to help you plan your next adventure to perfection. Here’s hoping we meet you on the streets of New Orleans or Little Havana someday!