There’s so much beauty right here in our greater backyard that we used to neglect. The grass seems greener on the other side, and we’re often filled with wanderlust for faraway places. But if we just stop to look, it’s incredible how many different types of landscapes and cultures fill this country.
101 PLACES TO VISIT IN USA – THE ULTIMATE USA BUCKET LIST
We’ve stepped foot in 47 states and covered a lot of ground over the years. Even after living in 7 different cities plus doing a handful of cross country road trips, we feel like we barely made a dent (I also can’t help that our list continues to grow longer and longer). Today, we put together a list of many of our favorite destinations in the US to give you a good start.
Of course, there are many more than 101 places worth visiting in the US. If you need even more suggestions, click the links below to see full guides on each destination.
ALASKA
- Denali National Park
Denali is one of the more accessible national parks in Alaska.
- Mendenhall Glacier
13-mile glacier near Juneau.
ALABAMA
- Talladega Superspeedway, Lincoln
Talladega Superspeedway for NASCAR – we’re not big of NASCAR, but it has a huge following in the US and is part of the culture. It’s probably worth checking out once.
ARIZONA
These vibrant and beautiful slot canyons are crowded. If you want to find a less crowded option, head to Waterholes Canyon.
Hike down into the canyon to greeted by waterfalls plunging into turquoise waters. Permits are hard to get, so here are our tips.
A short hike (1.3 mi round trip) takes you to a viewpoint where you can see the horseshoe shaped bend in the Colorado River. We also took a boat ride through, which offered a unique perspective.
Easiest way to get here is via helicopter from Vegas. Although, the views are more impressive from the top looking down.
- Sedona
Don’t miss the Devil’s Bridge hike and Slide Rock State Park.
The park is split into Saguaro East and West. West photographed better, while East was less crowded.
They only allow 20 people in per day. These permits shave been the hardest to get. See our top Wave permit tips here.
If you can’t get into the Wave, this is the best alternative. Photographers love White Pocket because it hasn’t been photographed a million times like the Wave
CALIFORNIA
If you’re a socal resident and you love Disneyland, the annual pass is the way to go.
One of my favorite places in the world. Popular stops are McWay Falls and Pfeiffer Beach.
Explore the islands through kayaking or diving for a really unique experience.
This park is massive and has diverse landscapes. Summers are brutally hot, so this park is best in the winter.
Jtree doesn’t have the prettiest hikes, but it’s a climber’s paradise. It also photographs beautifully at sunset and stargazing and astrophotography are amazing.
- Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a beautiful crystal clear lake. Skiing is great in the winter, and hiking in the summer. The Nevada side is less popular but just as beautiful.
CALIFORNIA
Traffic is almost impossible to avoid. Load up on music and audiobooks while you wait. Check out our LA bucket list, free things to do, instagram spots, and food guide. If you like Korean food, LA has the best we’ve found outside of Korea.
Napa is the most popular wine country in the US. If you love food and can get a reservation at the French Laundry, we absolutely recommend it.
- Redwood National Park
See these California coast giants. They can grow up to 300 ft tall.
Can we all retire and become beach bums? Life is too easy in sunny San Diego. It’s one of our favorite cities we’ve lived in the US. Check out our free things to do, instagram spots, and SD bucket list.
It’s known for the famous Golden Gate bridge, year round fog (named Karl), and colorful mismatched Victorian houses. The culture of SF has changed over the years, but it’s still one of my favorite cities with easy access to the outdoors too.
Walk among the largest trees in the world (by volume).
- Sonoma
Although the popularity is increasing, if you want a less touristy wine country experience than Napa, go to Sonoma.
Our favorite national park. It’s become extremely popular and crowded especially in the Valley. The park is massive, so explore outside the valley to avoid the crowds or visit in late fall to winter. Keep in mind, most waterfalls dry up in the winter.
COLORADO
12 miles of the deepest and most dramatic part of the Black Canyon.
- Denver
Watching a concert at Red Rocks is a unique experience. Or head there for your morning workout. You’ll have plenty of workout buddies.
- Garden of the Gods
300 ft sandstone rock formations that can easily be seen through a scenic drive.
Hike up Star Dune, the highest sand dune in North America. Also try sandboarding!
- Maroon Bells
They’re the most photographed peaks in Aspen.
Do one of the cliffside dwelling tours where you can walk through and get a closer look. a UNESCO world heritage site.
- Rocky Mountain National Park
The Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road are popular drives that take you through aspens, winding rivers, and mountain scenery.
- Vail
Vail is well known as a skiing destination but also beautiful for hiking in the summer.
FLORIDA
- Everglades National Park
It’s the largest tropical wilderness in the US and also a UNESCO world heritage site.
- Florida Keys
Take the Overseas Highway for a scenic drive.
- Miami and Miami Beach
This was our go-to college spring break spot with their endless clubs. Now we visit for Art deco buildings, white sand beaches, and Cuban food.
Best known for for Disney World and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal. Our favorite park is Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
GEORGIA
No matter what city we live in, we’ll always be ATLiens at heart. The city is full of southern charm but with the conveniences of a big city. See our ATL bucket list, best instagram spots, free things to do, and food guide.
- Savannah
Step into the quintessential South with Antebellum architecture, cobblestone squares, and massive oak trees covered in Spanish moss.
HAWAII
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Big Island
They have two active volcanoes.
- Na Pali Coast, Kauai
Picture entering into Jurassic Park, because that’s where they filmed it.
Take the Road to Hana and check out these stops.
- Oahu Lantern Floating Ceremony (Memorial Day)
Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor Memorial, Hanauma Bay are the touristy spots. If you’re there on Memorial Day you can see the Lantern Floating Ceremony.
IOWA
- Iowa State Fair
More than a million people from all over the world gather here annually. I grew up in Iowa and only vaguely remember going as a child, but on our cross country road trip last year, I got to see the Butter Cow in all its glory. All 600 pounds of Iowa butter. It’s weird, but nothing quite like it.
ILLINOIS
- Chicago
Wrigley Field, Millenium Park, Skydeck are the popular spots.
KENTUCKY
- Louisville
Grab your big hats and head to the Kentucky Derby. Plus, it’s part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
LOUISIANA
Known for the French Quarter and Mardis Gras. Don’t forget to try some crawfish and Cajun cuisine.
MARYLAND
- Baltimore
Explore the upscale crab shacks and learn about its important role in US history. It’s known as the city of neighborhoods.
MASSACHUSSETS
- Boston
Walk the Freedom Trail, watch a game at Fenway Park, and eat lots of seafood.
- Cape Cod
Great summertime destination with cute villages, seafood shacks, and lighthouses.
- Martha’s Vineyard
Popular in the summer and only accessible by plane or boat.
- Salem
Salem is famous for the witch trials. You can learn more about the history at the Salem Witch Museum.
MINNESOTA
- Minneapolis-St Paul
Check out the Minneapolis sculpture garden, Walker Art Center, and Minnehaha Park. Mall of America was the biggest mall in the US when we were kids, but now it’s the 5th largest.
MONTANA
Going to the Sun road is a nice scenic drive. Hike a trail for even more amazing views of alpine lakes and mountains.
NEVADA
Go during the astronomy festival for amazing stargazing and astrophotography (late Sept).
There’s so much more to the city than the strip. It’s also great home base to explore the outdoors. Check out our ultimate Vegas bucket list, free things to do, and food guide.
This Mars-like landscape is only an hour away from Vegas..
NEW JERSEY
- Atlantic City
AC is the most popular gambling destination on the East Coast and also known for their beaches and iconic boardwalk.
NEW MEXICO
- Albuquerque
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the world’s largest balloon festival.
- Santa Fe
Love the Pueblo style architecture prominent through the city.
- Taos
This high desert town is known for historic Adobe buildings and artist colonies.
Go early in the morning so you don’t see a bunch of footprints.
NEW YORK
- Niagara Falls
Don’t forget your passport in case you want to check out the view from the Canada side as well.
You can never be bored in NYC. Have you stepped in all 5 boroughs? I still need to take the Staten Island ferry to the forgotten borough. See our NYC bucket list, places to eat, instagrammable places, and New Yorker tips for visitors.
NORTH CAROLINA
People refer to Asheville as the Portland of the east coast. There’s hiking, craft beer, and a great food scene.
OREGON
Crater Lake sits inside a collapsed volcano. Bring your wide angle lens to get it in one frame.
Cannon Beach or Astoria is a popular starting point.
Pack a raincoat and hiking boots unless you’re visiting in July-Aug. Our favorite part of Portland was the easy access to the outdoors.
Visit Independence Hall and compare your Philly cheesesteaks.
- Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is the city of bridges. They have 446 bridges, which is more than any other city in the world.
SOUTH CAROLINA
They have great rooftop bars and Rainbow Row is a must for instagrammers. Also see our Charleston bucket list and food guide.
SOUTH DAKOTA
- Badlands National Park
Take sunrise photos at the Door trailhead or Window trailhead and sunset photos to Pinnacles Overlook.
- Mount Rushmore
Trivia – Who are the four presidents carved on Mt Rushmore?
TENNESSEE
- Great Smoky Mountains (also in NC)
Take in the view from Clingmans Dome, the highest mountain in the Smokies.
- Memphis
The city that has made a big impact on Blues, Soul, and Rock and Roll.
Be sure to try hot chicken and check out the Parthenon Replica and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
TEXAS
More on our Austin bucket list, free things to do, and food spots.
- Marble Falls
Between March and April, Bluebonnets carpet Texas Hill Country. Bluebonnet House in Marble Falls is one of many popular spots.
Devil’s Garden trail was our favorite hike in the park.
Time it so you can do a full moon hike.
- Canyonlands National Park
Drive through the real life landscape of Pixar’s Cars.
- Goblin Valley State Park
Mars like landscape filled with hoodoos. Locals call them goblins.
- Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
Lots of backcountry trails
- Monument Valley
That iconic shot from Forest Gump.
Great for skiing and snowboarding.
VIRGINIA
- Roanoke
Great place to base yourself to explore the Blue Ridge Mountains
WASHINGTON
- Mount Rainier National Park
Rainier is the highest mountain of the Cascade Range and highest mountain in Washington. If you’re an alpinist, this is one of the mountains to conquer. The park is especially beautiful with wildflowers in late July and early August.
This is a great hiking destination. It’s not as easy to access via car except for Ross Lake plus they have a short season.
Did you know there’s a rainforest in the US. Olympic NP has the only one in the continental US.
- Orcas Island
Largest of the San Juan Islands. The name actually originated from Horcasitas, but from May to October during the salmon run, you can see orca whales too.
WASHINGTON DC
WISCONSIN
- Apostle Islands, Lake Superior
If the lake freezes in winter, you can walk to these islands with frozen waterfalls and chambers. They also have one of the greatest concentrations of black bears.
- All the Great Lakes
I want to swim in them all.
WYOMING
Cody is known as the rodeo capital of the world.
Don’t forget your passport in case you want to check out the view from the Canada side as well.
Based on our experiences, we’re not the biggest fans of this park, but we can’t deny that the colorful hot springs and features are beautiful. Plus, it’s great for spotting wildlife.