20 Amazing Places to Explore in the USA

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.