It’s great the amount of places I’ve seen but, America is still one of the best places to travel to. There’s a huge amount of different places from beaches to mountains and snowy areas. Last year, 66.5 million international tourists agreed, coming here to see the sights. These American travel destinations create a perfect USA road trip itinerary.
| Travel Insurance-Don’t forget travel insurance, even for domestic trips. It protects your investment against surprise cancellations and unexpected medical needs on the road. |
Things to Do in the USA
1. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is a beautiful city with immense character and is also one of the easiest to walk in. That’s why I always enjoy visiting. It’s compact, letting you see its moss-draped squares and waterfront with ease. The city’s spooky side comes alive at night, adding a fun twist to its history. It’s one of the top affordable US vacation spots.
- Special Feature: Spooky evening ghost tours through historic squares.
- Where to Stay: 601 E River St, Savannah, GA 31401
- Hours: Cathedral of St. John the Baptist: Mon–Sat, 9 AM–11:45 AM & 12:45 PM–5 PM
- Hidden Gem: The pretty oak-lined avenue at Wormsloe State Historic Site.
2. Southern Utah National Parks
The Southern Utah landscape is truly a sight to behold and surreal in its beauty. It’s my top pick for anyone wanting an outdoor trip, with its impressive slot canyons and great rock formations. The region is home to some of the top US national parks, including Zion, which is famous for its nice hikes. The dark skies out here also make for memorable stargazing.
- Best for: Beginner-friendly to Moderate
- Distance: 1.2 to 3 miles
- Elevation: 70 to 350 feet
- Type of Route: Out & Back / Loop
- Length: 1 to 3 hours
3. Seattle, Washington
As a Washington native, I’m biased, but Seattle is an excellent blend of city energy and nature. You get a busy downtown filled with excellent restaurants, but big mountain views are always close by.
It’s one of those American travel destinations that fit any USA travel guide 2025.
- Special Feature: Ferry ride to Bainbridge Island for skyline views.
- Where to Stay: 808 Howell Street, Seattle, WA 98101
- Hours: Space Needle: Sun–Fri 9 AM–9 PM, Sat 9 AM–10 PM [Verify on official site]
- Hidden Gem: The Fremont Troll sculpture under the Aurora Bridge.
4. San Juan Islands, Washington
The San Juan Islands are a clean and peaceful escape. Located near the Canadian border, this pretty group of islands is one of the Hidden gems in the United States. The ferry ride often includes sightings of orca pods. Seeing the quiet island roads by moped is a perfect way to soak in the calm atmosphere.
- Special Feature: Bioluminescent kayaking on a new moon is a cool experience.
- Where to Stay: 130 West Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
- Hours: Lime Kiln Point State Park: 8 AM to dusk daily.
- Hidden Gem: Pelindaba Lavender Farm offers a fragrant and scenic retreat.
5. Captiva & Sanibel Islands, Florida
These islands offer a tropical essence, with the beautiful blue waters and luscious green hills. It is a sight to be cherished. Dolphins are constantly witnessed near the beaches. This region was greatly impacted by a hurricane some years ago, but is still in the process of reconstruction. It’s a perfect spot for family vacation ideas in the USA.
- Special Feature: World-renowned shelling on Sanibel’s famous beaches.
- Where to Stay: 15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva, FL 33924
- Hours: J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge: Sat–Thurs, 7 AM–5 PM
- Hidden Gem: The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is a must-see.
6. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Southern Utah has a beautiful landscape, and has a very fun town to go along with it. The town of Grand Teton is very charming, and it is also situated fondly near one of the greatest mountain ranges in North America. It’s quieter than nearby Yellowstone but just as nice. You can spend the day spotting moose, hiking to a clean alpine lake, and still be back for dinner. This park is a highlight in any USA travel guide for 2025.
- Best for: Easy to Moderate
- Distance: 1.8 miles
- Elevation: 550 feet
- Type of Route: Out & Back
- Length: 2 to 3 hours
7. Acadia National Park, Maine
This is a classic New England getaway. A beautiful national park borders the coastal town of Bar Harbor. It is one of the spectacular towns that has a small, yet welcoming aura. It is surrounded by the ocean and has a very accessible nature. This barely town is a dream. It is a perfect addition to the Summer travel to the USA 2025 trip. Just book far in advance for summer, it gets pricey and packed!
- Best for: Easy to Moderate
- Distance: 3.2 miles
- Elevation: 41 feet
- Type of Route: Loop
- Length: 1 to 2 hours
8. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Carmel feels both upscale and very relaxed. This walkable seaside town is filled with pretty inns, great art galleries, and a casual wine country feel, which is very amazing. The dining scene is so good that every meal I had was great. It’s a lovely spot on the California coast, and one of my favorite American travel destinations.
- Special Feature: Renting bikes and riding along the pretty coastline.
- Where to Stay: 26270 Dolores Street, Carmel, CA 93923
- Hours: Carmel Mission Basilica: Wed/Thur 10 AM–4 PM, Fri/Sat 10 AM–5 PM, Sun 11:30 AM–5 PM
- Hidden Gem: Seeing the 40+ hidden European-style courtyards.
Check out our latest blog - 11 Best Hikes in Acadia National Park
9. Joshua Tree, California
Joshua Tree is a quiet desert landscape where unique trees meet giant, climbable boulders. The town has a cool, boho vibe with some of the most unique vacation homes for tourists. Hiking here offers a uniquely calm experience, making it one of the top US national parks and a key part of any good USA travel guide 2025.
- Best for: Moderate to Strenuous
- Distance: 3 miles
- Elevation: 1,050 feet
- Type of Route: Out & Back
- Length: 1.5 to 3 hours
10. New York City, New York
No travel list is complete without NYC. There’s a special feeling to seeing world-famous landmarks like Central Park in real life. The energy is exactly like you see in movies, and the dining is some of the best in the world. Which makes this one of the Best places to visit in the USA 2025 for a reason.
- Special Feature: The memorable experience of hailing a yellow taxi.
- Where to Stay: 768 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10019
- Hours: Whispering Gallery at Grand Central Terminal: Open 24/7
- Hidden Gem: The Whispering Gallery in Grand Central for its acoustic qualities.
11. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
As America’s first national park, Yellowstone is a classic spot, a first for this lovely country. It’s a geothermal wonderland, complete with Old Faithful and the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring. This is park is one of the best for unique wildlife viewing. It’s genuinely one of the top US national parks and essential for any USA travel guide 2025.
- Best for: Easy to Moderate
- Distance: 5 miles
- Elevation: 170 feet
- Type of Route: Out & Back
- Length: 3 to 5 hours
Travel Basics & Tips
- An America the Beautiful Pass saves money on park fees.
- Book accommodations months ahead for Summer travel in the USA 2025.
- Download offline maps; cell service is spotty in parks.
- A rental car is best for your USA road trip itinerary.
- Parking at the top US national parks can fill by 9 AM. My fix: arrive before 8 AM.
- This USA travel guide 2025 recommends carrying both cash and cards.
Conclusion
This list of the Best places to visit in the USA 2025 only scratches the surface, but I hope it gives you some inspiration. From great national parks to nice small towns and busy cities, there’s a lovely variety of experiences waiting. I’ve learned I don’t always have to travel far for a great trip. Until next time, happy travels!
