A country with coasts, cities and countless different landscapes and climates, it can be hard to know where to start when planning where to visit in the USA. The vast and varied nature of the USA is also what makes it so appealing to roadtrippers (myself included – more on that later!).
Here, I round up seven states that you simply must visit in the USA. So, if you do need to narrow down your destinations, consider this your traveller’s guide. Planning a road trip? Why not use these seven states as inspiration as you map your route? Let’s hit the road – next stop Tennessee!
1. Listen to live music in Tennessee
Home to Nashville, perhaps the most iconic place on the country music scene, Tennessee is an incredible state to experience in the southern United States. You’ll also find Memphis in the state of Tennessee, better known as the last home of music hero, Elvis Presley. No trip here should be without live music and line dancing to soak the culture up!
2. See the sights in New York
From the trendy Manhattan streets to the iconic Times Square, Central Park and Statue of Liberty, New York offers an experience both contemporary and historical. We recommend getting up early, grabbing a coffee with the locals and heading out for an action-packed day in the Big Apple. You’ll never run out of things to do in this buzzing city and state.
3. Try a new route in California
While celebrity hotspots Los Angeles and Malibu might be the first places that spring to mind, we’re pretty sure every tourist knows what to do in California’s towns and cities. So how do you make your visit in the USA a little more unique? You could venture out to Napa Valley, otherwise known as wine country, for a luxury retreat and wine tasting galore. Or, why not check out one of California’s expansive National Parks?
Fancy turning your time in California into a fully fledged road trip? Here’s exactly how a travel blogger did it, so you can too!
4. Live it up in Nevada
Looking for a fast paced and fun-filled place to visit in the USA? Then Las Vegas should be top of your American bucket list! But, once you’ve had your fill of clubs and casinos, why not head out to the Grand Canyon too? Although not technically in Nevada, it is only a short journey away. You can even get there by helicopter, if you want!
5. Wildlife spot in Alaska
Often dubbed America’s final frontier, if you want to visit Alaska, you’ll need to do some planning. Choose your season carefully – you don’t need us to tell you that winters this far north can be far from hospitable. But, make the journey and you’ll be rewarded with some of the richest wildlife and scenery. Visit during the salmon rush while bears, wolves and other wildlife are out feeding for some of the best chances to see them.
6. Island hop in Hawaii
Greece isn’t the only country with excellent island hopping credentials! Head to Hawaii and you can enjoy it too. From the thriving island of Oahu to the volcanic sights of Maui and sensational snorkelling on Big Island… there’s plenty to do. Or, simply lie back, eat lots and surf to your heart’s content!
7. Step back in time in New England
Herman Melville’s Moby Dick is to the USA what Shakespeare’s plays are to England. You’ll find the iconic setting of this novel in New England. A short ferry ride connects you with the island of Nantucket, traditionally a whaling industry hub. Now, it’s a charming island of buildings showing off some of New England’s prettiest architecture.
Wherever you go when you next choose a visit in the USA, make it memorable! One of the simplest ways to do this, whatever state you’re in, is with food. Why not check out this fast guide to eating out in the USA for the insider tips you need? Hint: we’re talking everything from pancakes to tipping to Thanksgiving style feasts!
Nice post – shows how diverse the US can be. Thanx for sharing.
You’ve just gone and got me so excited to road trip through the USA. Definitely happening in 2019, thank you for the last bit of inspiration and encouragement!
Never visited US, this post has very useful tips, that are helpful to new visitors to USA.
It may look a bit weird, but Alaska is on top of my list in the US. I live in Finland and already seen almost all of Scandinavia. Now it is time to see how the North looks like on different continent. 🙂
Island hopping in Hawaii sounds almost like a dream! It’s been on my list for so long. I just love that the culture is so rich and so different from the rest of the States. It’s a unique state, and I love that it has all the culture of the Pacific islands while still being a part of America!
So excited to get on the road and see some of these places!
I’ve been to 3 out of the 7. I definitely want to visit the others, thanks so much for this list!
I would like to visit Californian, because of the everlasting and paradisiac beach. Besides i would like to get to know the culture of the people there, to see how they are. 🙂
Very nice article. I hope to visit USA again!
I have been to New York a few times and would love to go again and again. I would love to visit Hawaii with my family and also just me and my husband.
Same here! I love NY 🙂 And I am going to Hawaii next month so I am super excited !
Technically, “New England” isn’t a state in the USA. It’s a region which is comprised of: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
I’d love to add Colorado for Rocky Mountain National Park, and Wyoming for Yellowstone National Park. Florida for the everglades and Disney World of course 😉 I hope you come back and get to visit some more non-traditional areas of the US! (Though I do love that you added Alaska and Tennessee! <3 )
Yeah I know 🙂 Especially cause I used to live in NH. I just didn’t wanna choose just one so I put them all together. And there is a blog post about National Parks coming up next 🙂
Really nice Adrianna!!
I consider the US the best country to travel for. It has everything: from stunning beaches, to wonderful cities, sky resorts and also incredible wildlife.
I haven’t been to all those states yet but I loved Hawaii so much that I went there twice in less than six months 😉
NY is always NY though.
Cheers and safe travels.
Thank you! It is a wonderful country indeed! And I do agree, NY is always NY and I do love coming back here!
Really nice Post, your photos look amazing. The places that you recommend are very interesting, We are a couple that loves nature and in the US there are so many places to enjoy nature. Definitely, a country to visit.
Nice! This list is very different, I don’t think the average American would choose the places on the list but it’s awesome! Why 7 and is it in order?
USA is really intimidating to me, because of the sheer size, maybe. I just can’t decide where to start with this continent. I would have to break it up into more manageable parts and decide which one fascinates me the most.
What a great selection of places to visit. I went to the USA about 20 years ago and visited some of these places, but still want to return to visit Alaska and New England. Such a huge country with so many amazing things to see. Thanks for sharing. Ali
Great article! I’m travelling to the USA next month for the first time and i’m super excited. Thanks for the inspiration 😀 – Caddy
Yes, USA is wide that one can’t even decide except with guides such as this. I like that Tennessee made the list. My friends and I are preparing for a trip to Tennessee for my birthday. It’s going to be live music and that I love?
Very interesting that you mention Tennessee! That is one state I would have never thought about, although I have been there. I’m partial to California because it’s the state I grew up in, but it really does have a lot to offer in just one state! I’m not sure if I’ll ever make it to Alaska but I have heard that there is amazing nature there, like you mention.
New England is a great region but, not a state! It should be though, it’s made up of a lot of little states. The US truly has something for everyone. California is amazing but, don’t forget about Arizona too 🙂 Its pretty iconic considering the Grand Canyon.
This is a great list. Love that you included Tennessee because it’s my second favorite city in the US after NYC! And island-hop in Hawaii is always what I wanted to do, been to Honolulu a few times but still haven’t done it so definitely need to get on to it soon
I love love love the USA and I have every single of those spots on my bucket list! I have been only to New York and California so far but I am planning to see it all 🙂 My dream is to take an RV and take a trip for 2 or 3 months… one day, I am sure 🙂
A US road trip is really high on my bucket list! And this makes me want to go even more! Alaska looks incredible!
Great post and thank you very much, regards Eugene