Visiting selected holiday spots in the United States is an experience of a lifetime! The US is amongst the top tourist destinations in the world. And this is a well-known fact, probably from the time when tourism statistics evolved and the activity of tourism was termed as an industry. America has been a vital contributor in world tourism to say the least.
From the hot west coast to the cold east coast, everything is worth enjoying, and needless to say, there’s ample for everyone in the family to enjoy! The United States enjoys a vast stretch of coastline, comprising exotic beaches, vibrant nightlife, and sumptuous food everywhere. It also has deserts spread across a large area in various states, it has large forests full of wildlife and surprises, and last but not the least, the Grand Canyon! The list of special features of America seems to be endless. So I would directly come to the focus of our discussion and acquaint all the enthusiastic tourists with some of the best vacation spots in the United States.
Best Vacation Spots in the US
Amongst the thousands of great spots in the US, some of the best and probably the most enjoyable of the tourist spots are compiled in the information below. Take your pick and plan your holiday well in advance.
FLORIDA
Rightly named as the tropical paradise of America, Florida, situated in the south-east of the United States, has a lot to offer to all visiting tourists. Sunny climate, hundreds of miles of beaches, and people lost in pure enjoyment! This is the typical picture that comes to mind when one thinks of Florida, and that is exactly what you will find when you visit this state. It is also amongst the best vacation spots in the US for couples, besides being the top destination state for tourism. Some of the best places in Florida include Miami, Tampa, Amelia Island, St. Augustine, Everglades, Pensacola, etc. All the beaches in Florida are simply the best, however, to name a few, South Beach, Daytona Beach, Clearwater Beach, and Palm Beach are some of the best. There are numerous amusement parks all over, and the ones that should be visited are SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Universal Orlando Resort, and of course the largest vacation resort in the world, Walt Disney World Resort. Tourism is at its peak here especially in the winter months.
MICHIGAN
Situated in the northern part of the country, this is another destination that qualifies amongst the best vacation spots. Numerous beautiful lakes, small islands, and world-class cities, are some of the features that constitute this state. Michigan is also furnished with some of the best getaways in the world. Some of the best tourist places in Michigan are Drummond Island, Holland, Detroit, Grand Haven, and hundreds of lakes that include Lake Superior, Lake Arrowhead, Crooked Lake, Big Glen Lake, etc. With half of it covered by forests, this is a great destination for hunters and nature-loving enthusiasts. There are thousands of miles of beaches for those who love sun and sand. The lakes provide an opportunity for those who love fishing. Because of its position related to the Great Lakes, and the many underwater ship wrecks that have been protected for viewing, Michigan is also the perfect destination for scuba diving. There is the Detroit Institute of Arts, besides the zoo and many museums that are popular attractions.
MAUI
Maui is one of the biggest islands of Hawaii. Just like we all know what Hawaii has to offer, Maui is all of that and more. The beaches are a divine treat for tourists. One has to drive on the Hana Highway, which is along the east coast of Maui and passes through some amazing scenery like beautiful mountains, waterfalls, and beaches. There are numerous black sand beaches too that one can see on the way. If you want to experience the thrill of seeing an area that has a volcano, then Haleakala National Park is the place to go to. Of course, this is a dormant volcano, so there is no danger around whatsoever. Surfing and snorkeling can be enjoyed at almost any beach that you choose to stay at. There are also quite a few cruises that can be taken to enjoy the sunset or for whale watching. Lahaina is the area you need to visit where you will find the streets filled with shops and restaurants, to add to your excitement. Kahana, Napili, Kapalua, and Kahului are other spots on this beautiful island that can be visited and are popular tourist destinations.
LAS VEGAS
If you want to visit the best casinos and hotels ever, then Las Vegas is the perfect destination for you. Filled with numerous casinos, bars, and hotels, this is the ideal destination for the best nightlife. The main place to eventually go to is the Las Vegas Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard). This 4+ mile stretch of road is home to some of the biggest hotels, casinos and resorts in the world. Every 15 minutes, there is a trolley service that runs the length of the strip for those who want to sit back and enjoy the view of this amazing road. It stops at all the main hotels and casinos. Las Vegas is only second to Macau in terms of world’s highest-grossing gambling center. The major casino and resort attractions in Lag Vegas are The Bellagio, The Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, The MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, The Luxor Hotel and Casino, Casino Royale, Circus Casino, Flamingo Hilton Hotel, Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, New York Casino, Palms Casino, Paris Las Vegas Casino, Planet Hollywood Casino, The Bellagio Casino, and The Rio Casino.
NEW YORK CITY
For an experience of one of the most modern cities in the world, a visit to New York City is a must. Over 50 million tourists visit this city every year, and it goes without saying that the city has a little of everything to offer. For sightseeing, there is the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden. The city has anything and everything one needs, from restaurants, to theaters, some of the best hotels, pubs, bars, etc. If you decide to come here, then the places you cannot afford to miss are the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Broadway Theater, Times Square, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, American Museum of Natural History, Grand Central Terminal, and Madison Avenue. Also, depending on which time of the year you are in this city, there is the Thanksgiving Day Parade, Halloween Parade, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and the Tribeca Film Festival. For a good view of the harbor and Statue of Liberty, a free ferry ride can be taken from lower Manhattan to Staten Island. There is also a New York Dinner Cruise which can be enjoyed overnight. Also available is a 15-minute helicopter tour of the city.
YELLOWSTONE
The Yellowstone National Park is located in the state of Wyoming, and is believed to be the oldest national park in the world. It sits on the Yellowstone Plateau at a height of around 2,400 meters above sea level. Spanning an area of nearly 3,500 sq. miles, it consists of everything from mountains, volcanic lava, lakes, rivers, canyons, forests and grasslands. There are hundreds of species of birds, mammals, fish, and reptiles in this park, besides the 1,700+ species of trees and plants. Activities that can be enjoyed in this park are hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and of course sightseeing. The north entrance of the park has the Heritage and Research Center, which houses the Yellowstone National Park’s museum collection, archives, research library, archeology lab, and herbarium. Travel by road inside lets you experience the beauty of the lakes and numerous waterfalls. During the winters, there are guided tours on snow coaches and snowmobiles. Major part of this park lies in Wyoming, with 3% and 1% extending to Montana and Idaho respectively.
LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles, also popularly known as L.A., is the most populated city in the state of California. It is also known as the City of Angels. If you plan to visit here, make sure your holiday is not a short one, because there is so much to see here. There are more than 800 art galleries and museums in the county, notable ones being the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the world’s richest art institution, the Getty Center. Parks that should be visited here are the Griffith Park and the Exposition Park. Los Angeles is home to Hollywood, and is the entertainment capital of the world. It leads the world in television and stage production, motion pictures, video games, and music recordings. For music lovers, there is something for everyone, from rock to jazz. Places that should not be missed are the Nokia Theater, Staples Center, and the LA Convention Center. You’ll find everything here from music, food and drink, to great sightseeing, and the main places to go to are Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and West LA.
ATLANTA
Atlanta is the capital city of the state of Georgia. For the best food on the planet, you need to go to Buford Highway, with food choices ranging from Vietnamese, Indian, Mexican, Chinese, Cuban, Korean, and Ethiopian. Then there is the largest aquarium in the world, the Georgia Aquarium, spread over 20 acres of land. Close by is the World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Dome, the Centennial Olympic Park, and the CNN Center. Depending on when you visit, there are numerous event festivals like the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, Music Midtown, Inman Park Festival, and the Southeastern Flower Show. Don’t miss going to The Varsity, which is the largest drive-in restaurant in the world. Other exciting places to go to are the Center for Puppetry Arts, Fox Theater, The Children’s Museum of Atlanta, National Museum of Patriotism, Stone Mountain Park, Zoo Atlanta, Chastain Park Amphitheater, Callanwolde Center for Fine Arts, Museum of Design Atlanta, and the Robert C. Williams Paper Museum, to name a few. Again, lots to see here, so plan a longish trip accordingly.
NEW MEXICO
New Mexico, one of the Mountain States, is located in the south-west of the United States. This area is known for is desert habitat, more popular are the mesquite, cacti, yucca, and animals like the black bears, cougars, coyotes, porcupines, skunks, Mexican gray wolves, deer, elk, and the plains bison. New Mexico still has strong Spanish heritage, and one place that cannot be missed is the Maria Benítez Institute for Spanish Arts. If you want to see the best flamenco dancers performing, then the Festival Flamenco Internacional de Alburquerque which is held every year is a must-watch. Arts and music lovers can go to the Santa Fe Opera and Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. Here, there is also the World Outdoors 6 Day Hike, where you will get to enjoy the experience of the alpine wilderness and the desert mysteries. New Mexico also has the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, which is well-known for its deep caves. The Rio Chama has a great 3-day fishing trip that is organized. It also includes boating on the river and hiking along the banks.
NEW ORLEANS
New Orleans is a major port city in Louisiana. You can enjoy everything from restaurants, sightseeing, nightlife, arts and culture. Make sure you take a riverboat ride down the Mississippi. New Orleans is famous for the carnival, also known as Mardi Gras. One of the largest music festivals in the United States, the Jazz Fest is held here too. There is also the Essence Music Festival which sees artists performing from all over the world. For the best hotels, pubs and nightlife, you need to go to the French Quarter, also known as the Quarter or Vieux Carré. Here, you can enjoy the Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, and the French Market too. Some places worth visiting are the Audubon Zoo, Aquarium of the Americas, Storyland Amusement Park, Tomb of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, Esoterica, the Superdome, St. Louis Cathedral, and the New Orleans Museum of Art. A holiday in New Orleans also offers things like streetcar rides, walking and bicycle tours, casinos, antique shopping, and even carriage rides.
