Get On The Road
Sure, we all love an international vacation—but there’s also so much to see closer to home. Each US state is filled with incredible destinations and activities that everyone should experience at least once in their life.
Orange Beach, Alabama
Alabama’s beaches may get overshadowed by the coastal areas of its neighbor, Florida, but it’s home to some of the most stunning coastline in the US. The turquoise waters and soft sand of Orange Beach, Alabama, are an absolutely must-see if you love the beach.
The Northern Lights, Alaska
Any visitor to beautiful Alaska would be remiss to not center their trip around a viewing of the Northern Lights. The best city to view the lights from is Fairbanks, and the best time to visit is between mid-August and mid-April. More darkness at night = better viewing for the lights.
Paxson Woelber, CC-BY-2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Grand Canyon, Arizona
Yes, it’s going to appear on the Arizona entry for every “must-visit” list—but we include it for a reason. Visiting the Grand Canyon is absolutely an essential part of visiting Arizona. Sure, the photos may look amazing—but anyone who has been there will tell you that it’s so much more breathtaking in real life.
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
A slice of nature that feels like walking into a storybook? That’s the experience at Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. This city-within-a-park isn’t your typical national park experience, which makes it all the more interesting. Beyond the natural features, it has historic spas—and it’s the only national park that contains a brewery.
Napa Valley, California
If you’re a wine-lover on a road trip, your ultimate destination is Napa Valley. It’s not only home to more than 450 wineries, many of them are the best wineries in the country. The scenery is also unbeatable.
Red Rocks, Colorado
Sure, you could see your favorite musical act in a local theater—but wouldn’t it be better to see them in the most breathtaking open-air venue in the US? If you can score a ticket, there’s no better place to see a concert than Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, about 30 minutes outside of Denver.
Winvian Farm Treehouse, Connecticut
Who didn’t dream of living in a treehouse as a kid? Well, you can bring that dream to life at the incredible Winvian Farm Treehouse in Litchfield, Connecticut. Spend an evening sipping hot cocoa and looking out over the treeline before taking a bath in the soaker tub.
Dogfish Head Brewery, Delaware
It may be the smallest state—but there’s no shortage of things to do in Delaware. The state has a number of great beaches, but it also has a brewery that produces some of the most interesting beers in the US: Dogfish Head, which makes “Off-centered ales for off-centered people”.
Drive To Key West On The Overseas Highway, Florida
Sure, we all love a visit to Disney World, but for an unforgettable experience, take a drive to Key West on the Overseas Highway in Florida. You’ll feel like you’re floating on water—and the destination is just as great as the journey.
See The Spanish Moss, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia is filled with beautiful sights—and many of them are made all the better by the striking Spanish moss, like beautiful canopies that cover the Bonaventure Cemetery, or Jones Street—easily one of the most gorgeous streets in the US.
Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
The Kilauea volcano on the big island is Hawaii is actually one of the most active volcanoes on Earth—and exactly the type of thing you won’t find anywhere else in the US. Take a peek at its steaming peak (see what we did there) and glowing red lava.
Brian Snelson, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Shoshone Falls, Idaho
When we say “waterfall,” your mind might automatically go to Niagara, but Shoshone Falls, which is nicknamed “the Niagara of the West,” is actually taller than Niagara.
Spend A Day Wandering Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is a city that truly has something for everyone. From the observation decks at the Willis Tower to the Bean to both deep-dish and thin crust pizza, there’s so much to do and see in Chicago. It’s also home to one of the country’s best art museums, the Art Institute of Chicago, and a fantastic zoo.
Race Weekend, Indiana
You don’t need to love car racing to soak in the excitement of the Indianapolis 500 on race weekend. The whole city is one big party. On top of the race, there’s also a parade and fireworks every night. Just remember to bring earplugs!
State Fair, Iowa
Every state fair is great in its own right—but Iowa’s rich farming heritage makes their state fair all the more special. It’s one of the oldest and largest state fairs, and takes place across 11 days in Des Moines, Iowa.
Strataca, Kansas
An underground salt museum as a bucket-list destination? Believe it. To visit Strataca, the Kansas underground salt museum, you take an electric tram 650 feet below ground. There, you can explore tunnels and learn about the area’s mining history. It also contains vaults that safeguard important parts of American history—including some original negatives for Gone With the Wind.
Kentucky Derby, Kentucky
Like the Indianapolis 500, even if you don’t like horse racing, you’ll love Derby weekend in Kentucky. Forget the horses—From the hats to the seersucker suits, there’s no better people watching, and you get to do it all with a mint julep in hand.
Mardi Gras, Louisiana
New Orleans is fun 24/7/365—but it’s never more fun than on Mardi Gras, the celebration that attracts thousands of visitors every year. Though “fat Tuesday” is just one day, the city stretches it out into two whole weeks or parties. Check out the house band at Preservation Hall, one of the most iconic venues in the country.
Catherine Roche-Wallace, CC-BY-SA-2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Sail The Windjammer, Maine
There’s no more quintessential East Coast experience than stepping foot on the historic Windjammer and taking part in a sailing exhibition that’ll give you sweeping views of the best that the Maine coastline has to offer.
Assateague Island, Maryland
Every year in July, cowboys herd Assateague Island’s wild ponies across the channel for the annual Chincoteague Pony Swim—and if you’re an advanced planner, July 2025 will mark the 100th year of the event. If you’d rather skip the crowds, however, you can spot the ponies at any time of the year on Assateague Island.
The Freedom Trail, Massachusetts
If you’ve forgotten everything you learned in your high school history class, there’s no better crash course than grabbing a brochure and going self-guided or signing up for a guided tour of the Freedom Trail in Boston, which’ll give you a real primer on some of US history’s most important moments. Just don’t forget to grab a large Dunkin to fuel you on the 2.5 milk walk.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
We have a soft spot for Detroit, one of the most underrated US cities—but for a completely different experience, travel to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, home to amazing beaches like Sleeping Bear Dunes, and the very unique and picturesque Mackinac Island, which has a population of under 1,000 and no cars. And if dinner is a little too far from your hotel? Simply hire a horse-drawn carriage for the ride.
Mille-Lacs Lake, Minnesota
In the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” it only makes sense to pick a picturesque lake destination. Though, of course, there is Lake Superior, Minnesota is also home to Mille-Lacs Lake, which is large and shallow, making for a much warmer swim.
Mississippi Blues Trail, Mississippi
Mississippi is home of the blues—and home of the Mississippi Blues Trail, which tracks important landmarks in the history of blues music across the state, with over 200 markers in the state (and some outside, including locations in California, Maine, and even France and Norway).
Fantastic Caverns, Missouri
Missouri is home to some of the country’s most impressive mines and underground features, including the Fantastic Caverns in Springfield. It’s the only show cave in the US that offers a complete ride-through tour, in a Jeep-drawn tram that follows the path of an ancient underground river.
Grand Prismatic Spring, Montana
Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the world, and it’s located in the first national park in the US, Yellowstone. There’s so much to see and do in Yellowstone, including Old Faithful (which is technically in Wyoming…shh).
Crane Migration, Nebraska
Sure, flora is great and all—but what about fauna? See a once-in-a-lifetime natural phenomenon by planning a trip about the sandhill crane migration, when 80% of the world’s population of the bird alights on Nebraska’s Platte River.
Fremont Street Experience, Nevada
The Las Vegas strip is four lights of glitz, glamour, and wild sights—but it’s also taxing on the soles, and the soul. For a homier Las Vegas experience that’s more approachable and that also hearkens back to the city’s rich history, try a stroll or a stay on Fremont Street.
Bernard Spragg. NZ, FlickrFlume Gorge, New Hampshire
New Hampshire is home to some of the best hikes in the US—including the 2-mile nature walk through Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park near Lincoln. It’s a natural gorge extending 800 feet horizontally at the base of Mount Liberty, and it’s stunning.
Wildwood, New Jersey
Sure, Ocean City may have the longer boardwalk, but Wildwood has 2.5 miles of pure character. The beach is stunning, and there’s no shortage of kitschy motels to stay at—but the star is the boardwalk. It’s got amusement piers with over 100 rides, bars, restaurants, shops and arcades—including Tributes and Traditions, a retro arcade which is home to the last Fascination game in Jersey.
International Balloon Fiesta, New Mexico
New Mexico is already a natural stunner—but every October, when hot air balloons fill the sky for the International Balloon Fiesta, it creates the most unforgettable sight.
New Year’s Eve In Times Square, New York
Are there more underrated things to do in New York City or state, off the beaten path? Absolutely. But spending New Year’s Eve in NYC is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. As in, you may ever only want to do it once in a lifetime—but you’ll also get swept up in the big-city party atmosphere and enjoy every minute.
Biltmore Estate, North Carolina
The Biltmore Estate is the largest private home in the country—with four acres of floor space, 250 rooms, and 75 acres of gardens. It’s real stunner—and proof that sometimes, bigger is better.
Mandan Rodeo Days, North Dakota
What’s more American than going to the rodeo? Well, Mandan Rodeo Days not only takes place on Fourth of July weekend, it’s also the oldest rodeo in the US.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
An underrated national park and home to over 100 waterfalls in the northern part of the park, Cuyahoga National Park is an Ohio gem, and a great destination for hikers and cyclists.
Niagara66, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Route 66, Oklahoma
Oklahoma contains 400 miles of the utterly iconic Route 66, and contains many landmarks that make the highway so emblematic, including kitsch motels, retro diners, and jaw-dropping roadside attractions. Additionally, it’s home to the Route 66 Museum in Clinton.
Wallace Parry, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Powell’s City Of Books, Oregon
Portland, Oregon is home to a lot of great attractions, from restaurants to stores to music venues. It’s also home to the US’s largest independent bookstore, Powell’s City of Books. The store takes up and entire city block and is home to approximately one million books.
Fallingwater, Pennsylvania
Though most architecture buffs would automatically recommend Chicago, there’s a lot to love in Pennsylvania—including one of the most emblematic homes built by America’s (arguably) best architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. Fallingwater is just a quick drive from Pennsylvania—and if you wanted to double down, you could book a night at the Duncan House, one of the only Wright homes where you can stay overnight.
The White Horse Tavern, Rhode Island
America’s oldest bar is in Newport, Rhode Island. The White Horse Tavern was built in 1852, and it’s seen a whole lot of history—from Founding Fathers to Hessian mercenaries to British soldiers. Plan your visit around the Newport Folk Festival for an added bonus—and don’t forget to try the chowder.
Congaree National Park, South Carolina
For a breathtaking natural wonder, visit Congaree National Park in South Carolina and check out the world’s tallest forest canopy/the largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest.
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
The most American of landmarks, the sculptures depicting four presidents’ faces in Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, is an unforgettable experience for any history buff—and the sculpture has a history that’s more wildly interesting than many know.
Music City, Tennessee
Tennessee has so much for visitors to offer—but there’s a reason that thousands of tourists flock to Nashville, Tennessee every weekend. RCA’s Studio B, where artists like Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, and the Everly Brothers recorded, is a must-visit for any music fan.
Texas Renaissance Festival, Texas
Everything is bigger in Texas—like Big Bend National Park, or their state fair, which lasts 24 days. However, Texas is also home to the largest Renaissance fair in the US, the Texas Renaissance Festival. It takes place in Todd Mission, about 50 miles from Houston, and 2024 marks their 50th year.
Utah
Utah is for adventurers, and there’s no shortage of breathtaking spots to hike. Perhaps one of the most unique is the Narrows within Zion National Park, where the canyon narrows and the walls of it feel like two skyscrapers reaching up to the sky. Hiking the Narrows involves wading through a river which can be ankle- or waist-deep depending on when you’re there.
Ning Tranquiligold Jin, Flickr
Leaf-Peeping, Vermont
There’s nothing quite like autumn in Vermont, and travelers can take advantage by driving through the state and checking out the vibrant, eye-catching colors of the fall leaves in towns like Waterbury, Stowe, and Burlington—all of which also have vibrant food and drink scenes.
Monticello, Virginia
There’s no better place to grapple with the US’s difficult past than Monticello—a beautiful house and home to the third US president, Thomas Jefferson, but also a plantation where over 600 people were enslaved during Jefferson’s lifetime.
Christmas In Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth is a small town near the Cascade Mountains, with architecture inspired by German villages—making is absolutely picturesque and charming at Christmas time. They had a wild Oktoberfest celebration annually, and a Christmas Lighting Festival. Then, throughout December, the town is filled with Christmas-themed attractions and photo ops.
Bridge Day, West Virginia
West Virginia is for thrill-seekers. It has some of the best white-water rafting in the country—as well as the annual “Bridge Day,” where BASE jumpers take a dive off the 876-foot-tall New River Gorge Bridge in Fayette County, which is shut from traffic for the day.
Apostle Islands, Wisconsin
If you visit Apostle Islands in Wisconsin, you might be tempted to make another visit six months later. Why? Well, these caves are accessible by kayak in summer, and by walking on ice in winter—making for two very different yet equally breathtaking experiences.
Yellowstone In Winter, Wyoming
Yes, Yellowstone was the first—and one of the busiest—national parks in the US. But the majority of those guests are there in spring, summer, and fall, leaving it nearly deserted in winter—when it can only be accessed by snowmobile. Book a group snowmobile tour, and have the unique experience of seeing Old Faithful without the crowds.
