Top USA Travel Destinations
Let’s talk about geographies in the United States that offer very specific experiences or opportunities for a tourist. Be it city life or country sprawl, they offer something unique to them, that you likely won’t find elsewhere. I’m the kind of traveler that likes to explore, but I also like to know what I’m getting myself into.
Disney
One of our travel agent’s favorite destinations is Disney. She recently returned from a trip to Disneyland, so we can honestly say that it has a little something for everyone. Disneyland Park (the original!) has all of the traditional rides that we grew up with and love so much. It is also home of Galaxy’s Edge where Star Wars characters live. California Adventure (opened in 2001) has a totally different vibe and brings us back to “old” California with a little magic thrown in. Plus, it is where the new Avengers Campus will be and you will be able to see your favorite Marvel characters there. Downtown Disney is open to everyone (you don’t need park tickets) and it has a casual but chic feel to it with awesome shopping and dining options.
Disney World (officially called Walt Disney World Resort) in Florida is like Disneyland on steroids, many more parks and attractions and much more spread out, but totally awesome!
Places to stay for Disney: Disneyland offers 3 on site properties, which are all amazing and Disney World has tons of places on site, each with their own vibe and themed decor. We ask our clients in-depth questions about their travel style to make sure we match you with the resort that best suits you and your family.
Mountain Retreats
Be it Tennessee, North Carolina or West Virginia, they all offer an adventure lover’s paradise. Why not go hiking, biking, rafting in the summer? The brisk mountain air is perfect for skiing in the winter.
Asheville in North Carolina is a great destination for enjoying the mountains. It is also home of the famous Biltmore and they also have some of the cutest road-side antique shops, great food and some really cool breweries. The Hunger Games was filmed in these mountains, as well as Dirty Dancing! The Fall is a popular time to visit Asheville. Take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway and see the incredible changing of the leaves!
Places to stay: Although they have most of the major chain hotels, I highly recommend seeking out a charming bed & breakfast! They have the best views and hospitality.
Metropolitan Cities
For us, New York City is the main destination that comes to mind. It is the city that never sleeps with copious shopping, theater, food from around the world and tourist destinations galore. You could keep busy for days just by visiting Central Park, the Empire State Building, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, the plethora of museums (Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum of Modern Art – MOMA top our list), as well as the National September 11 Memorial. You could literally spend weeks in NYC and keep busy.
Places to stay? We don’t really have a favorite hotel because there are so many great options, but our agents have stayed in the Times Square area and the location can’t be beat. Make sure to talk to your Travel Advisor for a hotel that best matches your personality and travel needs.
Alaska
A wilderness lovers dream. Truly unspoiled Americana with amazing fishing and hiking. You can find peace in every nook and cranny of this amazingly beautiful state. Our favorite way to explore it is via a cruise, as you can see the untainted glaciers, enjoy whale watching and still sleep when it is daylight at 2am!
Places to stay? A cruise ship! We adore Holland America and Princess Cruise lines as they both have excellent cruises to Alaska and the food is yummy! However, there are MANY different options in regards to cruise lines and we can also help you plan a land based vacation there too.
Miami
One option, which is popular for folks on the east coast, is South Beach in Miami, Florida. If you want to be footloose and fancy free, this is the place to be. South Beach is known for it’s vivacious night-life, high-end shopping and beach-front boutique hotels. With Hispanic influences, the dinning is fantastic and the music is lively.
Places to stay? A lot of the major hotel chains are represented there as well as very chic boutique hotels. We will have lots of options to choose from so it is important that you tell your Travel Advisor as much as possible about the way you like to travel so we can save you the headache of sorting through 1000’s of online results.
Las Vegas
Guess what? Vegas is not JUST for gambling! Aside from the fantastic dining, incredible shows, and luxurious spa days… you are also just a short car ride from the Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Red Rock Canyon, and golfing. They also have a Mob Museum that’s really cool and the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio hotel are stunning.
Here is a sample itinerary for specifically for Vegas:
Day 1 – Depart from your city
Arrive in Las Vegas rested and excited to spend time away with your friends. Check into the Venetian Hotel. Unpack, freshen up and then explore the hotel. This hotel feels like you are in Venice… in a Las Vegas kind of way. Spend some time gambling in one of the many hotel casinos, go out to dinner, and checking out the strip. The strip is beautiful at night and takes on a totally different persona after dark.
Day 2 – Pool or Spa
Wake up and have a fabulous breakfast at a restaurant of your choosing. If the weather is nice, you might enjoy spending some time by the pool by having cocktails, swimming, and relaxing. You could also use this as a spa day and enjoy a much needed massage or facial. Go out to dinner and then take in one of the many shows that Vegas has to offer.
Day 3 – Shopping
Today would be a great day for some shopping. Las Vegas has some of the best shopping around. You can check out the shops at the hotels on the strip or hit one of the malls. While you’re shopping at the hotels you’ll experience the unique flavor that each one has to offer. Many hotels are themed after popular cities or destinations and have their own built in attractions. A must for today would be to check out the spectacular fountains at the Bellagio hotel.
Day 4 – Explore
Why not head out and explore some of the many exciting sights nearby. You could rent a car for the day and visit Red Rock Canyon National Park or the Valley of Fire National Park. You could also drive out to Hoover Dam or the Grand Canyon or hire a tour bus to take you there. If you are really wanting to splurge, go for a helicopter tour! We have lots of suggestions for tours and activities that you can do in Vegas so check out our list or ask us for a personal recommendation.
Day 5 – Head Home
Use your time in the morning to return to any of the sights that you absolutely loved, grab a bite to eat, and then head home with memories from a fun-filled getaway with your friends.
Places to stay? We love the Venetian, but the Aria, Bellagio, Cosmopolitan and Paris are all great options as well.
Which adventure are you hoping to plan next? Leave a comment below with your dream destination and perhaps we’ll feature it here next!
This blog post was written on Dec 28, 2015 by one of our previous Travel Agents, Pam Taylor, who has now moved on from our company. We can help you plan a similar trip as we have Hawaii, Destination Wedding and Disney Travel Experts on our staff. Contact us to get started!
