From towering redwoods, breath-taking canyons, iconic routes and dazzling cities – there are few places that can deliver the variety and excitement that a US trip holds. The USA is a tourer’s dream destination; the wide open roads comfortably carry you to some of the most extraordinary great-outdoors you can imagine. With National Parks to die for, blissful beaches to unwind on and thrilling cities to excite the senses, nowhere offers quite the same mix of sublime and ridiculous experiences.
Alaska, the 49th state of the United States, offers a plethora of tourist attractions for visitors to explore.
One of the most popular destinations is Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska. Anchorage offers a wide range of activities and attractions, including the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
Denali National Park is another must-see destination in Alaska. Located about 240 miles north of Anchorage, this park offers visitors breathtaking views of Mount Denali, the highest peak in North America.
California is known as the Golden State and is drenched in sunshine all year round; it boasts a stunningly picturesque coastline plus the major cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Los Angeles is sandwiched between the glitz of the Hollywood Hills and the laid-back ocean-front communities of Santa Monica and Venice Beach; it offers a wealth of tourist attractions, including Hollywood, the Walk of Fame, the Chinese Theatre as well as a host of studio tours and theme parks. The waterfront city of ‘San Fran’ is best known for the Golden Gate Bridge, which you can cycle across, as well as Alcatraz Prison, which is a short boat ride from Fishermans Wharf, which is a tourist attraction in its own right.
There are few stretches of coastal road anywhere in the world that can compare to the scenic beauty of State Route 1, better known as the Pacific Coast Highway and at just over 655 miles long, it provides an exhilarating driving experience with its cliff-hugging roads and beautiful sea views.
The Deep South is a region in the southeastern part of the United States, often defined as including the states of Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
This region is known for its unique blend of history, culture, and cuisine, as well as its natural beauty and southern hospitality.
The famed "Sweet Home Alabama" you may have heard is more than a song. This is a land of history, culture, music and adventure from beaches to mountains. Music legends Nat King Cole, W.C. Handy and Hank Williams were born in Alabama, and artists including Aretha Franklin and The Rolling Stones came to Alabama to cement their careers.
Here, Gospel is sung in churches, and folks dance while Blues, Country and Jazz set the mood in local bars. Locally owned restaurants dish up meals of mouth-watering barbecue and fresh seafood from Alabama’s fishing villages, and museums cover everything from Civil Rights and music history to fast cars and faster spacecraft.
Energetic and lively cities, a relaxing coastline and breathtaking mountain scenery offer rich and unique experiences that can only be found in Georgia.
Within the beautiful skyline of Atlanta, you’ll have access to the world’s largest aquarium, the chance to follow in the footsteps of one of the country’s most notable civil rights leaders.
You can even see the world’s largest collection of Coke memorabilia at the World of Coca-Cola.
The mist-shrouded swamps, the prairies of Acadiana and the grey Spanish moss cascading from the old trees all add up to the special feeling that is Louisiana. The streets here are filled with an eclectic mix of people whose ideas, tastes and roots translate into the cuisines, music and art that characterize the Pelican State. Louisiana features a multicultural, multilingual history influenced by the people who make up the state.
The people of Louisiana came from France, Spain, Haiti, French Canada, the Caribbean, Africa and Vietnam. While there is no official state language, the state constitution acknowledges “the right of the people to preserve, foster, and promote their respective historic, linguistic, and cultural origins.”
Dip your toes in the Gulf of Mexico at the “Riviera of the South,” then tap them to the beat of authentic roots blues music. Follow the paths of revered Civil Rights movement leaders and stand next to a statue of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Nourish your soul and body in Mississippi, known for its preservation of historical places, creative arts heritage and natural wonders. The mighty Mississippi River forms the state’s western boundary, and visitors are as apt to find freshly caught shrimp on a menu as they are barbecued ribs and fried catfish.
Whether it’s hiking the Appalachian Trail, conquering the coasters at Dollywood, savouring some Jack Daniels and barbecue, making the pilgrimage to Graceland or paying your respects at the National Civil Rights Museum, it’s hard to beat the variety of things to do in Tennessee.
This Southern destination mixes historic and modern in places like Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Look for Civil War sites, civil rights monuments and some of music’s most legendary landmarks right alongside world-class cultural venues, trendy food spots and craft distilleries and breweries.
Located in the southeastern USA with coastlines on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, sunny Florida is home to plenty of surprises.
Visit perennial Florida favourites such as beaches and theme parks – then go beyond them to discover natural treasures, first-rate cultural attractions and hidden gems.
The region is known for its picturesque landscapes, charming small towns, and rich history. New England cuisine is known for its seafood dishes, including lobster rolls, clam chowder, and fried clams.
Arizona’s best-known attraction has to be the stunning Grand Canyon National Park; it’s one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and is the only one located on American soil. Certainly a mustn't miss destination.
There are, however, many more attractions to see and experience; there is part of the famous and iconic Route 66, American Indian culture and art, the Chiricahua National Monument, the architecture of Tucson and the incredible night skies, to name but a few.
Known for its breathtaking natural scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities, Colorado is home to many world-renowned ski resorts, including Vail and Aspen, as well as numerous national parks, such as Rocky Mountain National Park, which offers stunning vistas and diverse wildlife.
Visitors can also explore the vibrant arts and cultural scene in cities like Denver and Boulder or take a scenic drive through the historic mining towns of the Rocky Mountains. In addition to its natural beauty and cultural offerings
Montana is known for its rugged natural beauty and wide-open spaces. It is home to many national parks, including Glacier National Park, which boasts over a million acres of pristine wilderness and stunning scenery. Montana also offers numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as skiing, hiking, fishing, and camping.
Visitors can explore historic sites like the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, where General Custer and his troops were defeated by the Sioux and Cheyenne in 1876, or visit the charming town of Virginia City, which has been preserved as a living museum of the Old West. Montana is also known for its cowboy culture, with rodeos and western-style events held throughout the state
Nevada
Las Vegas is arguably Nevada’s best know attraction, a city surrounded by desert, yet the famous strip is lined with giant, themed hotels that boast casinos that operate 24 hours a day.
You can travel the world just by walking a few blocks, and you’ll be able to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris, take a gondola ride in Venice, and see the Statue of Liberty in New York and a pyramid in Ancient Egypt!
You could catch a show, visit Fremont Street or, for the ultimate adventure, take a Las Vegas Night Flight in a helicopter.
Nevada’s best-known natural attraction has to be the Grand Canyon, a mind-blowing natural wonder that straddles the border of Nevada and Arizona.
The Grand Canyon has various entry points, with the North Rim open in the summer months, the West Rim that gives you the chance to enjoy the views from the transparent sky deck, and the South Rim, which is furthest from Vegas but where it is often quieter, and where it’s a perfect spot to catch a sunset.
Utah is home to five national parks, including Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Arches, which attract millions of visitors each year. Utah also boasts world-class skiing and winter sports resorts, such as Park City and Alta Ski Area, as well as numerous opportunities for outdoor adventure, from hiking and biking to river rafting and rock climbing.
In addition to its natural beauty, Utah has a rich cultural heritage, with a thriving arts and music scene, as well as historic sites like Temple Square in Salt Lake City, which is the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
