The Best Places to Visit in the United States

The United States is one of the most popular international dream destinations. The world’s largest economic power attracts travelers who want to live the many experiences the country provides at any time of the year.

From the coasts to metropolises teeming with impressive skyscrapers, from beautiful national parks to cities with historic attractions and incredible museums, from breathtaking mountain ranges to thousands of miles of beaches (some snowy, some tropical), the United States offers 50 states with varied options for all tastes.

US News & World Report, based on the opinions of its experts and users, ranked travelers’ favorite places in the United States. The rankings considered different aspects, such as attractions, dining, and accommodation options as well as votes from thousands of people, to determine the best places to visit in the United States. These are the recent winners.

Grand Canyon

Considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon, located in the state of Arizona, earned the top spot in the ranking.

As one of the largest rock walls on the planet at 277 miles (446 kilometers) long and up to one mile (1.8 kilometers) deep, the Grand Canyon makes us feel small but also very inspired in comparison to its immensity.

Yellowstone National Park

The number two attraction is Yellowstone, America’s first national park, located in the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. In addition to trails and hikes, the park is famous for, among other attractions, its geysers, hot springs, and a variety of wildlife, including bears, wolves, bison, elk, and other animals. Yellowstone’s most famous geyser is Old Faithful, which was discovered in 1870 and which erupts every 44 to 120 minutes, hence its popular nickname.

The park is one of the largest remaining temperate ecosystems on the planet and is a beautiful landscape for nature lovers.

Yosemite National Park

Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, in Mariposa and Tuolumne counties in the state of California, the third most beloved attraction is Yosemite National Park.

In 1864, Yosemite became the first place that the US government protected because of its natural beauty, and because of that foresight we can enjoy Yosemite today.

Famous for its waterfalls, the park impresses its visitors with more than 3,000 square kilometers of stunning landscapes, famous waterfalls, deep valleys, giant redwood trees called sequoias, and granite peaks like Half Dome and El Capitan. Although most visitors come in spring, summer, and autumn, Yosemite is also home to winter sports during snowy times of year, including areas for skiing, sledding, snow-tubing, and kid-friendly snowplay areas.

Maui

Ranked fourth, Maui is one of the most famous islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and represents a dream vacation for many people.

With its shimmering waters, the island has paradise beaches and is the perfect place for water sports and wonderful moments in nature. Moreover, the island offers natural attractions for visitors, such as waterfalls, lagoons, volcanoes, craters, parks, and trails.

Glacier National Park

As a paradise for people who love nature, the Glacier National Park placed fifth in the overall ranking. Covering more than 158 square miles (41,000 hectares), the park, located in the state of Montana, is sought-after for its trails, steep peaks, immense glaciers, and crystalline lakes and is a mecca for hikers, campers, backpackers, and horseback riders. (There are also lodges for visitors who wouldn’t dream of living without indoor plumbing and bus tours for nonhikers.)

With more than a thousand species of plants and hundreds of species of animals, the park is a nearly untouched ecosystem and an accessible natural spectacle.

More Hot Spots

Other destinations in the overall ranking of top US destinations are, respectively, Zion National Park in Utah; Honolulu, on the island of Oahu in Hawaii; Kauai, also in Hawaii; Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming; and New York City. (Tripadvisor.com offers thousands of visitors’ reviews of restaurants and accommodations at nearly every attraction in the country.)