5 Major US Destinations Every American Should Visit at Least Once

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It’s incredibly easy to get caught up in chasing flights to Europe or the Caribbean. We save our money and deal with terrible jet lag to find ancient history, wild nature or a completely new culture. But the truth is, you don’t have to fly across the ocean to find a trip that changes the way you see the world.

Before you book a new flight abroad, first view the map here at home. These places aren’t just fun stops on a road trip or postcard-worthy views. They are the heavy, physical building blocks of America. To truly understand our country’s messy and amazing history, you have to see the dirt, concrete, and buildings that created it.

From the wilds of the West to the deep roots of the South, here are the 5 American destinations that every American should experience at least once in their lifetime.

1. New York City: the heart of the action

New York City is the heartbeat of the American dream. Urban explorers and photographers say you can really feel its power when you stand in the financial district. You’ll walk on old 17th century dirt paths, buried beneath modern Wall Street.

• The Statue of Liberty: Travelers crossing the water to Liberty Island often point out how wonderfully constructed the statue is. You’re not just looking at a giant copper bowl. The inside is an iron skeleton designed by Gustave Eiffel. It was built to bend and sway in the heavy harbor winds so that it would not break or break.
• Broadway: This famous street follows a path first laid by Native Americans. Today, actors and fans alike agree that the bright lights and grand theaters of Broadway are the absolute pinnacle of modern storytelling.
• Central park: Backpackers and locals say it’s a huge relief to step into this massive 343-acre park. It was purposely built to give everyone, rich or poor, a quiet place to escape the noisy, busy city.
• A note on safety: Travelers using our real-time safety index currently rank New York City at 82/100. Been recently? Help other travelers and vote below!

2. Washington, DC: The Blueprint of the Nation

While New York grew naturally, Washington DC was carefully planned. Historians and museum enthusiasts love the sheer size of the capital. It was built in 1791 to physically show how our government has been split.

• The National Shop: Walking through this enormous park is a real workout. It emphasizes the long, tiring distance between the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. Travelers say this wide, open green space feels like a giant stage. It carries with it the heavy history of major events such as the 1963 March on Washington.
• The museums: You must visit the Smithsonian museums. Even the buildings tell a story. Visitors walking through the National Museum of African American History and Culture describe a powerful journey. You start in dark, cramped spaces underground and slowly move up into bright, open rooms filled with light.
• A note on safety: Travelers currently rank Washington DC at 88/100. Been recently? Help other travelers and vote below!

3. Yellowstone National Park: the wild west

Nature lovers generally live in Yellowstone in the spring and fall. Their reports focus heavily on the raw, violent country here. You don’t just walk through a forest; you walk on top of a gigantic supervolcano.

• Boiling Earth: Hikers describe the strong, heavy smell of sulfur and the feeling of the ground shaking. The hot magma underground is so close to the top that the water below boils. When you see Old Faithful erupt or see the bright colors of the enormous Grand Prismatic Spring, you will feel the heat right through your boots.
• Wild animals: Nature photographers love the spring migration here. This is the best place in the country to see giant animals. Seeing huge herds of wild American bison in the dead of winter near steaming geysers is an incredible reminder of America’s untamed frontier.

4. Grand Canyon National Park: a journey through time

The Grand Canyon shows exactly how powerful water and time can be. The enormous gorge, carved by the Colorado River, is 277 miles long and over a mile deep. Hikers who tackle the tricky trails talk about the crazy temperature changes as they climb into the canyon.

• Ancient Rock: Geologists and mountain climbers like to point out the canyon walls. You can physically touch layers of rock that are more than a billion years old. It’s like reading a history book made of stone.
• The two edges: About 90% of the crowds stay on the paved trails of the South Rim. But serious backpackers flock to the North Rim. It is located at an altitude of 2500 meters and is covered with dense pine forests. It gets so much snow that it is completely closed from October to May, offering a tranquil, wild experience that regular tourists totally miss.

5. New Orleans: the ultimate mixing pot

Food lovers and travelers always point people to New Orleans. It is a city defined by an intense mix of French, Spanish, African and Caribbean cultures all merging together.

• The atmosphere: Travelers walking through local neighborhoods describe heavy, humid air where live brass band music literally shakes the colorful, historic homes. You can trace the roots of American jazz straight back to Congo Square, where enslaved people came together and created a whole new kind of music.
• The food: Food experts note that eating traditional gumbo here is a history lesson on a plate. When you sit down at a classic spot like Dooky Chase’s, you’ll taste West African okra, French cooking, Spanish spices, and Native American spices all in one bowl.
• The street culture: The local community loves the ‘Second Line’ parades. These are large walking parties where brass bands and dancing crowds move through the streets. It proves that New Orleans culture isn’t locked away in a museum; it’s a living, breathing party that takes place on the sidewalk.
• A note on safety: Travelers currently rank Washington DC at 81/100. Been recently? Help other travelers and vote below!

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