Whoever said that you have to travel across seas, oceans and continents to see some of the most beautiful destinations the world has to offer? Many of the globe’s best gems are well-kept in the comfort of your own home: the United States of America. Discover these beauties and pack your bags, you are in store for an amazing journey in the US!
1. Yellowstone (Wyoming)
Possibly one of the most extraordinary destinations that the United States of America have to offer is the Yellowstone National Park. The entire park spreads across almost 3,500 square miles and holds breath-taking fauna and flora. Among the many animals that can be found at Yellowstone National Park, you have the chance to see wolves, elk and bears. One of the best parts of the park is the world famous geyser Old Faithful, which is quite stunning to witness. If you have the chance to see Old Faithful in action, you will realize that no other experience can compare to it. There are so many spots to visit in the Yellowstone National Park that you really would not be able to fit them all into this list. The gorgeous colors of the geysers and the sheer beauty of nature will leave you with irreplaceable memories. Go and see for yourself and enjoy!
2. Honolulu (Hawaii)
We couldn’t have a list with top destinations in the United States without mentioning the capital of Hawaii, Honolulu. From a historical point of view, Honolulu remains in everybody’s hearts and souls due to the attack on Pearl Harbor from 1941. From a cultural viewpoint, Honolulu is world famous for Pacific traditions and cuisine and is visited by tourists and travelers alike from all around the world. The beaches in Honolulu will literally leave your mouth watering, while the nightlife scene is always on the rise. While in Honolulu, you can visit multiple tourist attractions, such as the USS Arizona Memorial, the Honolulu Museum of Art, the Bishop Museum or, if you are brave enough, the volcanic tuff cone Diamond Head. If you are in town, you have to spend most of your days on the beach; it is simply too delightful to resist, with its white sands and crystal clear water.
3. Key West (Florida)
Ah, Key West, the little piece of paradise that also serves as the southernmost point of the continental United States. Key West is probably best known for its spectacular coral reefs, which offer unique chances for snorkeling and discovering the great and gorgeous secrets under the sea. Aside from water-related destinations, Key West is a quaint city with lovely and original houses that has a fantastic Old Town you can visit. Some of the major attractions in Key West include the world-famous buoy that marks the southernmost point of the continental USA, the Ernest Hemingway house, the Key West Naval Air Station or the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens. Nevertheless, when you are in Key West, you have to go diving to witness one of the most beautiful underwater rainbows you will ever see in the world.
4. Orlando (Florida)
We all know why Orlando, Florida made this list. It is home to the Walt Disney World, which hosts two waterparks, Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. These are not only the only major attractions in Orlando; while visiting the city, you can catch Islands of Adventure, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal Studios. It is no wonder why Orlando is one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the Southern United States, ranking in at 6th place. If you are visiting Orlando, make sure you check out Gatorland, Wet ‘n Wild and SeaWorld for some extra fun time in the water. The great part about Orlando is that you can enjoy it to the fullest at any age. It does not matter if you are a super excited 5 year old or the responsible father or mother taking him there, you will absolutely adore the full Orlando experience for your entire life.
5. New Orleans (Louisiana)
When you say New Orleans, the first thing you think about is Mardi Gras, of course. The carnival is best known for thousands of colorful beads and lots of lovely ladies willing to show some skin to receive them. If you hit New Orleans during the Mardi Gras season, you are bound to be welcomed by a rainbow of objects, people and parades all at the same time. Traditionally speaking, Mardi Gras (also known as the Carnival season) is “a variation of the traditional manner of preparing for the start of the Christian liturgical season of Lent, starts after Twelfth Night, on Epiphany (January 6)”, according to Wikipedia. Get ready to see tons of parades and participate in unique masquerade balls while partying until the light of day.
6. Nashville (Tennessee)
Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, is known all over the United States as the “Music City”. This is owing to the fact that Nashville is the home of country music. The city is so big on music, in fact, that it has been “crowned” as the 2nd largest music production center in America, after New York. Little do people know that health care is the biggest industry in Nashville, with over 300 companies of that kind in the city alone. Some of the nicest places you can visit in Nashville are the Grand Ole Opry House, the Tennessee State Museum, the Hermitage and The Parthenon, the American version of the authentic one in Greece. This leads us to Nashville’s second nickname, “Athens of the South”. If you are head over heels in love with country music, you have to visit Nashville to see where all of the biggest names in the industry started out and are currently developing.
7. Salt Lake City (Utah)
Appreciated for being the host of the Winter Olympics in 2002, Salt Lake City is actually one of the most affordable tourist destinations in the United States. As stated by the website meant to promote the city, Visit Salt Lake, the city serves as the “ultimate winter destination”. You can enjoy eight excellent ski resorts that are only an hour-drive away from the other: Alta, Brighton, Canyons Resort (that spreads over eight mountains!), Deer Valley (praised as the #1 ski resort in all of North America), Park City, Snow Bird, Solitude, and Sundance. This is an extraordinary city to visit during the winter, especially if you are keen on seasonal sports such as snowboarding or skiing. The view is literally breath-taking from every mountain and you can witness the miracle of nature while standing on top of a peak. Let’s hit the slopes!
8. Las Vegas (Nevada)
One of the most crazy, luxurious and fun cities in all the United States is definitely Las Vegas, Nevada. Just by entering the city limits and being welcomed with the flashy neon sign “Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada!” you know you are going to be in for a good time. There are so many awesome things you can do that the list is almost endless (we wrote about our favorite 8 in a previous article). You can hit all of the casinos (go big or go home!), check out the mind-blowing hotels on the strip, go bungee jumping, visit museums and, if you have the guts, get married at a drive-thru. It is probably the best destination in the world for bachelor or bachelorette parties and a great way of spending an unforgettable weekend with your friends. You can go all-out and have the best time of your life in this city; do not forget, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!
9. Grand Canyon (Arizona)
The Grand Canyon of Arizona is the home of 277 miles of incredible red rock in the form of a national park. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US for its natural and sheer beauty and various fun activities. While visiting the Grand Canyon, you can go for a mule ride, an airborne tour in a helicopter or hiking. Our favorite fun activity is white-water rafting “aboard” the Colorado River, which is sure to get your blood pumping. Believe us, the mere sight of the Grand Canyon is enough to take your breath away.
10. Anchorage (Alaska)
If you want the night sky view of a life time, you have to visit Anchorage, Alaska. During the winter season, you have the chance to see the northern lights, commonly known as aurora borealis. The city’s website beautifully describes the natural phenomenon as “Vibrant blues, pinks, greens and yellows sway in the sky, marking the path of the dancing aurora borealis”. There are a few key spots where you can go to witness the northern lights, such as the Alyeska Resort, the Sheep Mountain Lodge or the Eagle River Nature Center, all with clear views for the night sky. Aside from the aurora borealis, tourists and travelers can take part in quite a few activities during both the summer and the winter, such as glacier viewing, dog sledding, gold mining or horseback riding.
Photo credits: Feelgrafix.com, Alandchuck.travel, 360yachting.com, Yourfirstvisit.net, Localemagazine.com, Forbes.com, Pylonfootball.com, Thecanyon.com, Alaska.org.
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