There are so many different cities and attractions in the United States that it is difficult to narrow it down to the top 5 travel destinations. These are the places that are most often mentioned as places to see before you die, or in other words, should be on your “bucket list”, and this does not include the unusual and trendy places. That’s a whole other topic.
This list is an introduction to the best and most popular places in the United States, from New York City’s hot spots to Washington D.C.’s cherry blossom season.
New York City
American icons like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Times Square are on every visitor’s bucket list, but these are just a few of the things to see in New York City, America’s most populous and popular city. Also known as the “Big Apple,” New York City is a favorite vacation spot for locals and international tourists alike.
Don’t miss a leisurely stroll along the High Line, an old railroad line turned into a park that features greenery, art, and stunning views of the skyline. Broadway and the Theater District are the place to see the latest plays and musicals, and if you’re an art lover, New York City has it all: the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Frick Collection.
Or shop on Fifth Avenue, explore Washington Square, Greenwich Village, and Rockefeller Center, stroll through Central Park, and marvel at Grand Central Terminal. If you’re staying in the city for more than a few days, explore New York’s architecture or take a trip to Brooklyn.
Los Angeles
The allure of Hollywood and its celebrities, as well as the gentle breezes off the Pacific Ocean, make Los Angeles the number one tourist destination in the United States. Find top-rated hotels on TripAdvisor near famous Los Angeles beaches like Malibu or Santa Monica for a luxurious getaway. Shop on Rodeo Drive, explore Beverly Hills, and stroll along the boardwalk in LA’s most famous beach district, Venice Beach.
Chicago
Chicago has long been called the “second city,” ranking second only to New York City in both size and population. A beacon of the Midwest, Chicago is currently the third-largest city in terms of population, but its skyline, restaurants, shopping, museums, and entertainment rival those of New York City and Los Angeles. If it’s baseball season, don’t miss a Cubs game at the famous Wrigley Field. Check out the Magnificent Mile, where you’ll find all the upscale shopping and fantastic restaurants imaginable. Chicago is home to some of the country’s most iconic buildings, and you can see them all on a guided land-based architectural tour or from a boat on Lake Michigan. The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the country’s top art museums, and Millennium Park is Chicago’s newest landmark.
Washington
Washington, the capital of the United States, is home to miles of museums and monuments – almost all of them free. That’s just one reason Washington is one of the most visited cities in the country, especially for families and school groups. It’s the perfect place to explore U.S. history at places like Mount Vernon, George Washington’s Plantation, Ford’s Theater where Abraham Lincoln was shot, the White House, the Capitol, Georgetown, and Alexandria, as well as museums like the Smithsonian, the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Museum of the American Indian. You could get a museum overdose if you add in the United States Holocaust Museum, the Newseum, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, the Hirshhorn Museum, and the National Gallery of Art.
The famous cherry blossom trees typically bloom in late March and early April along the Tidal Basin, where you can also see the Jefferson Memorial and memorials to Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Don’t miss the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the World War II, Korean, and Vietnam Veterans Memorials on the National Mall.
Las Vegas
Most people go to Las Vegas to try their luck at its famous casinos. But Las Vegas also has blockbuster shows, world-class shopping, and world-class restaurants, making it a true oasis in the desert and a top travel destination. Take a tour of the MGM Grand, try your luck at the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino or take a stroll through the Neon Museum, where iconic Las Vegas signs are on display. And of course, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
