WHAT ARE THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN THE USA?
Why visit the USA? Even without having set foot in it, everyone knows and has seen at least one place that is emblematic of the United States, whether on television, in movies or video games: the Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate Bridge, the White House…
Among the places to see absolutely are mythical cities such as New York or Los Angeles, which are very popular with tourists, and rightly so. But the USA has many surprises for those who wish to explore it outside urban areas: there are incredibly varied landscapes, whether deserts, wild plains, tropical beaches, mountains, glaciers…. If you’re a nature lover, a travel photographer or if you just love impressive panoramas, national parks will be a priority.
The country is so vast that it’s difficult to see all the essential places at once and it will take several trips.
To help you plan a road-trip or your travel itinerary in the United States, I have listed for you the 20 most beautiful places not to be missed in the USA:
1. New York City
A legendary and essential city to visit. Among the emblematic sites: the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, Central Park… several days of visit will be necessary for you!
- Book your hotel in New York now on Booking.com
2. Chicago
A city on a human scale where it is easy to walk around. To see: its modern architecture, the Millenium Park, watch a baseball game and spend an evening in one of the city’s blues clubs. If you are tired of walking, a good way to get around is to use the loop, the aerial metro.
- Book your Chicago hotel now on Booking.com
3. Florida
The sunny state of Florida, apart from its climate and beaches, offers many attractions: Miami and its Art Deco architecture, as well as South Beach. Don’t miss Everglades National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park. It is also possible to see manatees at Three Sister Spring.
- Book your Miami hotel now on Booking.com
4. New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana, is a city in the heart of France on American soil. Its highlights: Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, see a jazz concert and outside the city, the Barataria Reserve of Jean Lafitte National Park.
5. Las Vegas
The largest city in the state of Nevada, known for its extravagance and casinos. Located in the middle of the Mojave Desert, it is one of the most visited cities in the world.
- Book your Las Vegas hotel now on Booking.com
6. San Francisco
A hilly city, facing the ocean, and quite different from the rest of the U.S. The main attraction is the Golden Gate Bridge, other sites to see are Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf and its waterfront, the Twin Peaks and Chinatown.
- Book your hotel in San Francisco now on Booking.com
7. Utah
A state renowned for its great geological diversity: the two national parks not to be missed are Arches National Park and Zion National Park, where spectacular geological formations can be admired.
8. Wyoming
Another state known for its national parks. The two must-see sites are Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. Also try to attend Cheyenne Frontier Days (rodeo shows). Finally, don’t miss the devil’s tower, a site where the movie “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” was shot.
9. Hawaii
The only State composed of islands. Two places not to be missed: Na Pali Coast State Park, to be enjoyed either on a hike or by helicopter if you can afford it, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
- Book your hotel in Hawaii now on Booking.com
10. Colorado
Another state known for its nature and superb landscapes. To visit first: Rocky Mountains National Park. Also visit Elk Mountains and the San Juan National Forest.
11. Arizona
Arizona is crossed by the Colorado River and has Phoenix as its capital. Spectacular geological formations such as the Grand Canyon (between Arizona and California) and Monument Valley can be seen here. Also worth seeing: Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Havasu Falls.
12. Alaska
This state has several national parks but the two not to be missed are Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park (where you can see brown bears). Alaska also has the highest mountain in the United States and you can see the Northern Lights.
13. The city of Savannah
The oldest city in the state of Georgia, renowned for the charm of its old historic buildings.
- Book your Savannah hotel now on Booking.com
14. Washington DC
Seen a thousand times in series and movies, you might as well visit Washington in person. Not to be missed: the White House and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
- Book your Washington hotel now on Booking.com
15. Pacific Highway 1
Pacific Highway 1 is one of the most beautiful roads in the world. It is located between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
16. The Yosemite Valley
The Yosemite Valley is the main attraction of Yosemite National Park in California. It is a spectacular site, 13 km long and 1.6 km wide, bordered by 1000-metre granite cliffs with waterfalls.
17. Glacier National Park
Located in Montana, it’s one of the most beautiful national parks in the United States.
18. Niagara Falls
These spectacular waterfalls are visible on both the American and Canadian sides.
19. Big Bend National Park
A National Park located in Texas and characterized by a desert landscape of crevasses and steep rocks, where temperatures are extreme. Also worth seeing in Texas: Hamilton Pool.
20. Lake Tahoe
A mountain lake located at an altitude of 1897 meters, elected the most beautiful lake in the USA. It is surrounded by beautiful forests and is renowned for its clear waters, where you can do many activities (fishing, swimming…).
ALSO WORTH SEEING
- Seattle: Pike Place Market, Mount Rainier National Park, and a whale watching excursion.
- Mount Rushmore: A very beautiful monumental sculpture located in the state of South Dakota near the city of Rapid City.
- Sequoia National Park or Redwood National Park: these are two places where you can see these huge trees in the United States (both located in California)