There’s nothing you can’t do or see here. From world-class museums and art galleries to innovative theater performances to unique restaurants to the expansive Central Park, everything about New York is amazing! Don’t miss the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Memorial, and walking the High Line.
Words can’t describe how epic the Grand Canyon is. It’s breathtaking. Make sure you hike down the bottom too. Most people just look out at the canyon from the overlook at the top, but its vast size and beauty are best appreciated with a hike down to the Colorado River. You’ll also avoid the crowds, as only 1% of visitors actually go down to the bottom. Just be sure to bring plenty of water if you’re going in the hotter months!
The warm weather, lively honky-tonks, funky house bars on Rainey Street, amazing hiking and biking trails, tons of outdoor activities — Austin has it all. It’s one of the best cities in the U.S., boasting a combination of nature, city, and delicious food. There’s also a fantastic music scene, not only with the SXSW music festival in March but year-round with live music taking place somewhere in the city on a nightly basis. I’m proud to call the city home! Be sure to binge on BBQ while you’re here!
Kihei is the main town in South Maui. It’s the most popular spot on the island for surf lessons and tends to be much less expensive than Lahaina. The town has great restaurants and fantastic attractions. It also has far fewer Maui resorts and big hotels. Much of the accommodations tend to be condos and vacation rentals.
Wailea, which is further south than Kihei, is a resort community that offers much of the grandeur of Lahaina without the crowds. Wailea is the up-and-coming community on the island and offers an amazing place to base yourself for your island adventures.
Wailea Beach Resort isn’t just one of the best resorts on Maui; it’s been rated as one of the best Marriott properties in the world! This property was built with everyone in mind, and somehow they make it work.
Whether you’re looking to lounge in the oceanfront infinity pools, splash in the massive kids’ water complex, or explore the Shops of Wailea, you’ll find almost everything you need here.
The one downfall of Wailea Beach Resort is that it’s not located directly on a beach. However, it does offer easy access to both Wailea and Ula beaches via a short walk.
This is one of the pricier hotels on Maui, but it’s worth it. You can check out their rates and availability here.
This is my favorite national park. It’s home to gorgeous snow-topped mountains, a beautiful lake from which to admire said mountains, large glaciers, and hiking trails galore. It is one of the most mind-blowing places I’ve seen on my adventures and I can’t recommend it enough! (If you plan to visit multiple national parks while traveling throughout the United States, it’s worth it to get the America the Beautiful Park Pass, which costs just $80 USD and provides entry to all the national parks for a year.)
The Pacific Coast is considered one of the most scenic landscapes in the world, offering sheer cliffs, forests descending to the shoreline, miles of beaches, and giant redwoods. The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is part of California State Route 1, one of the longest historic state highways in the country. Be prepared to make slow progress as you’ll be pulling over frequently to stop, hike, and admire the view. While the route takes 10 hours to traverse without stopping, I recommend dedicating at least several days to enjoy all that the area has to offer.
NOTE: There’s a lot to do in the United States and you can spend months traveling around the country. I could write an entire book on the places to visit! This is just a list to give you some ideas. Be sure to check out some of my other blog posts (scroll to the bottom of this guide for links) for more suggestions.
San Diego’s weather is almost always perfect, leading to a permanently happy population that’s friendly and outgoing and that loves the outdoors. From hiking, days at the beach, or running, people here love to get out and enjoy the sun. The downtown Gaslamp area — as well as the famous Pacific Beach — is full of trendy restaurants, bustling bars, and some seriously life-changing taco stalls. I love San Diego. It’s an underrated city!
California is home to some of the best wine in the world, and a visit to the Sonoma or Napa Valley shouldn’t be missed. While Sonoma is cheaper than Napa, these are destinations meant for splashing out. Take a tour, book a cozy vineyard Airbnb, and enjoy a relaxing few days learning about the region’s wines. Tastings usually cost between $15-20 USD.
Location & Information: 10 miles east of Las Cruces, there are several trails for mountain biking, hiking, and equestrian use, with beautiful views of the Organ Mountains and Southern Mesilla Valley.
From the glossy lakes of Minnesota, to the endless mountains in the Pacific Northwest, the United States of America has it all. We are so thankful to call the “Land of the Free” our home. And though we might be biased, we believe it’s a country that deserves to be explored by foreigners and nationals alike.
Most people travel to the US for a short vacation and end up hitting one or two cities, but there is so much more to be discovered here! Each state is unique and has something special to offer, from the national parks to the streets of New Orleans, our country boasts a diversity of geography, culture, food and experiences that travelers would be hard pressed to find anywhere else.
One of the best ways to see this massive country (and our personal favorite method of travel!) is to take a road trip. Come along with us as we share our USA travel tips, road trip advice, and vanlife stories.
Gritty and industrial, Memphis appears like its best days are behind it. But don’t let the rough exterior fool you — the city is home to some killer food and a vibrant blues music scene. Additionally, there’s Graceland (Elvis’s home) for fans of the King, a big waterfront for walking, and the phenomenal Museum of Civil Rights (it’s huge, so don’t rush it!). I enjoyed the city more than I expected and was disappointed when I had to leave. To use a cliché, it’s a hidden gem!
Asheville is full of tasty craft beer, great food, and plenty of hipsters. I liked the area a lot, including its proximity to scenic mountain hikes like the Carolina Mountain Trail. The beautiful Smoky Mountains are a short drive away and the gigantic Biltmore estate (the largest privately-owned home in the U.S. and once home to George Vanderbilt) is on the outskirts of the city. If you’ve ever seen Downton Abbey, that’s what the house is like! Moreover, the town has a lot of parks for those wanting something closer. Be sure to check out the Ashville Botanical Gardens near the university campus too.