10 Best Places To Go On Vacation In The USA

places to go for vacation in usa
Anaanya
Anaanya 
Published
| 4 min read

Who doesn’t want to vacation in the USA? From natural landscapes to metropolitan cities, from gorgeous beaches to Michelin-star restaurants as well as islands, countrysides, and national parks, there is so much to see in the USA. You can visit popular cities, museums, enjoy some retail shopping, eat delicious local meals, spend your days touring different cities, and even go for a cross-country drive to see as many places as possible. In fact, there is so much to do in this diverse country that even a month-long vacation will not be long enough! If you’re visiting the USA for the first time in the coming future, here is a list of the best places to go on vacation in the USA.

1. St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine, Florida
Source: Pixabay

St. Augustine in Florida is a gorgeous city on the Atlantic coast. Known for its pristine white-sand beaches, historical landmarks, European influence, and unique cobblestone streets, St. Augustine is a place worth visiting with your family and friends. While you’re in St. Augustine, you must visit the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, St Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, and the Lightner Museum. Saint George Street and the Colonial Quarter are great for a cultural experience while Ponte Vedra Beach, Vilano Beach, and Butler Beach are some of the best beaches worth visiting.

Visited this place?

2. Big Sur, California

Big Sur, California
Source: Pixabay

Big Sur is essentially a rugged stretch in California that is known for its gorgeous natural landscapes, seaside cliffs, and breathtaking view of the coastline. The area is actually the longest and most scenic stretch of undeveloped land in all of America, with one of the most beautiful coastlines in the whole world! It is known for its state parks - Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, and Andrew Molera State Park. Apart from these state parks, you must visit Pfeiffer Beach, Bixby Bridge, and Partington Cove!

Big Sur

Address: California, USA

Website: Big Sur

Visited this place?

3. Denali National Park & Preserve, Alaska

Denali National Park
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Niagara66 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Denali National Park & Preserve, previously known as Mount McKinley National Park, is located in Alaska. Spread over 6 million acres (around 2 million hectares) of wilderness, this park is home to wildlife such as wolves, grizzly bears, moose, Dall sheep, and many more. This state park also has North America’s tallest peak, Mount McKinley. While you’re visiting Denali National Park & Preserve, you must go hiking, biking, backpacking and mountaineering. And of course, your trip to this attraction is incomplete without taking a few wildlife tours!

Denali National Park & Preserve

Address: Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, United States

Website: Denali National Park & Preserve

Visited this place?

4. The Apostle Islands, Wisconsin

The Apostle Islands, Wisconsin
Source: Pixabay

The Apostle Islands in Wisconsin are a group of 22 islands in Lake Superior. You can go camping on the remote islands or you can stay in a hotel onshore that is close by to these islands. If you have to choose the best island to visit, then you must spend some time camping on Sand Island, explore the caves of Devils Island, explore the uninhabited Michigan Island and enjoy the views from the gorgeous Basswood Island. While you’re visiting, you must opt for the lighthouse tours and boat tours.

The Apostle Islands

Address: Lake Superior, Wisconsin

Website: The Apostle Islands

Visited this place?

5. Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Shores, Alabama
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user DiscoverWithDima used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Gulf Shores is a city on the coast of Alabama. Known for its beautiful beaches, nature trails, and scenic cruises, Gulf Shores is an amazing place to visit with family or friends. You can spend your days hiking, going for dolphin cruises, playing golf, and even ziplining over the dunes. You should visit the Gulf State Park for the view, enjoy some open-air shopping at The Wharf, spend a day at the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and soak in the sun at the Gulf Shores Public Beach.

Visited this place?

6. Sedona, Arizona

Sedona, Arizona
Source: Pixabay

Sedona is a desert town in Arizona. This town is surrounded by pine forests, steep canyon walls, and red-rock buttes, which are some of the main highlights of this town. However, Sedona is actually famously known for its evergreen vegetation and majestic red rock scenery! Around the world, Sedona is known for the uplifting power of the Vortex meditation sites. When you’re visiting Sedona, you should explore the hiking trails, go on the jeep tours, visit the Red Rock State Park and check out The Vortexes.

Visited this place?

7. Assateague Island, Virginia & Maryland

Assateague Island, Virginia & Maryland
Source: Pixabay

Assateague Island is a 37-mile (60 km) long island along the coast of Virginia and Maryland. To clear some doubts, two-thirds of the island belongs to Maryland while the southern one-third belongs to Virginia. While there are no hotels on this island, you can book a camping spot in private camping grounds. The best way to explore Assateague Island is on foot, so make sure you have your walking shoes!

Visited this place?

8. Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri
Source: Pixabay

Kansas City in Missouri is mainly known for three things - jazz music, authentic barbecue, and gorgeous fountains. Depending on whether you are visiting Kansas City with your family, friends, or better half, there are so many things to do and see here. You can spend hours of fun at the Worlds Of Fun amusement park, visit the Kansas Cty Zoo, check out the exhibits at Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, learn about the history of jazz at the American Jazz Museum, try your luck at Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City, or go for a swim in Longview Lake.

Visited this place?

9. Chicago

Chicago
Source: Pixabay

Chicago is known as the windy city around the world! It is famous for so many things - the Millenium Park, the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, the Navy Pier Centennial Wheel and so much more. If you’re visiting Chicago, your trip is incomplete until you’ve taken a walk along the Chicago Riverwalk, experienced shopping at the Magnificent Mile, and spent some time at the Navy Pier. One of the best ways to really see the city and everything it has to offer is by going on the hop-on-hop-off bus tour.

Visited this place?

10. The Ozarks, Arkansas

Fall in the Ozarks
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Roger Chavers used under CC BY 2.0

The Ozarks in Arkansas is a southern state that borders the Mississippi River. It is basically known for its abundant wildlife, extensive wilderness, and mountainous terrain. From caves to hot springs as well as waterfalls and rivers, The Ozarks has it all. When you’re visiting, you must opt for the guided tour of the caves, go hiking in the mountains, explore natural trails to find rivers and waterfalls and of course, watch the sun set over the horizon.

Visited this place?

A memorable US adventure

Are you super excited about your upcoming vacation to the USA? Here’s hoping this list of the best places to go on vacation in the USA helped you plan the perfect holiday. Pack your bags and set forth on a memorable US adventure.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

A freelance content writer by profession, Anaanya is an avid traveller whose main goal in life is to visit as many new places as possible. Anaanya enjoys travelling, not just because of her love...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore United States of America
Looking for accommodation?
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.