The most exciting thing for anyone planning a trip to the USA? The country’s sheer variety. The biggest challenge for anyone planning a trip to the USA? Deciding where to begin.

This continent-size country contains an incredible number of landscapes, cities, cultures and seasonal highlights that would take a lifetime to take in. On any given visit, you could go wandering through skyscraping redwood trees to breathing in deep gulps of sea air on glimmering beaches to immersing yourself in the underground art scenes of some of the world’s most dynamic cities.

Whether you’re a nature lover looking for wide open-spaces and snow-covered peaks or a culture fiend who can’t get enough of museums, galleries and restaurants, the United States has something for you. Actually, the United States has many things for you.

Overwhelmed? Here are 14 inspiring places to visit in the USA.

1. New York, New York

Best place for art and architecture

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A city that looms large in American lore, New York continues to live up to the hype. A global center for art, fashion, finance, music and food, the Big Apple will never leave you feeling bored. Sip sunset cocktails on luxurious rooftops, mosh at local punk shows, marvel at world-class art in famous museums, or indulge in the best food you’ve ever had at a hole-in-the-wall favorite.

Planning tip: New York has an almost endless amount to offer – but resist the urge to see it all on your first trip. Break things down by neighborhood, borough or interest, to make the most of your time here.

2. Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina and Virginia

Best for Appalachian scenery

While the Rockies tend to get a lot of press – for good reason – the USA’s oldest mountain range is also a must-see. Making up the southern third of the Appalachian Mountains (which stretch from Newfoundland to Georgia), the Blue Ridge Mountains are wrapped in lush forests that seem to shimmer in incredible blue-green vistas when seen from the region’s many ridges and so-called “balds.” Get into the woods on day hikes and mountain-biking excursions; cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway; or tackle a section of the storied Appalachian Trail.

A scenic stop along the parkway, Asheville is a charming North Carolina mountain town known for its thriving culinary and music scenes. Its historic downtown is filled with extensive art deco architecture, open-air bars, restaurants serving regional cuisine and galleries filled with the work of both local and regional artists. Asheville also has an extensive list of breweries, wineries and distilleries that offer tours.

Just a few miles away, the renowned Biltmore Estate, built for the Vanderbilts and perhaps America’s largest house, is an opulent fantasy inspired by the châteaux of Europe. A memorable if pricey tour of the 175,000-sq-ft home is a step into the Gilded Age, and one of the top things to do in Asheville.

3. Southern Utah

Best for geology

Perhaps no place reveals the scope of the USA’s natural history like southern Utah. Home to five of the country’s most spectacular national parks, Red Rock Country puts the region’s geological past on display through jagged forms and almost neon colors. Hike the peaks and valleys of Zion and Bryce Canyon, or marvel at the crimson, ochre and amber palette in the cliffs and canyons of Capitol Reef and Canyonlands. If you want a truly memorable vista, watch the sun rise over the sandstone masterpieces at Arches.

Planning tip: Large swaths of this region are extremely remote and sometimes lack cell service, both on the road and on the trail. Always share your plans with others and bring plenty of water in case of emergencies.

4. New England

Best for forest drives and exploring charming centuries-old towns

Want to meander on mountain roads beneath brilliant forest canopies and savor tasty lobster and coastal views all in the same trip? New England, the cluster of six states at the USA’s northeast corner, is the place for you. Explore the quaint villages, cranberry bogs and golden beaches of Cape Cod; snuggle into a cabin in Vermont; tackle the mountains of New Hampshire; or dive into all the seafood you can eat in Portland, Maine. And if you visit in autumn, prepare yourself for some of the most spectacular fall foliage in the country.

5. New Orleans, Louisiana

Best for foodies and art lovers

There’s no place in the world like New Orleans – we promise. A vibrant cocktail of Indigenous, Caribbean, African, French and Spanish influences, this city possesses a unique magic that keeps people returning again and again. Dive into its legendary Creole cuisine, revel in its lively festivals and immerse yourself in a world-class music scene – this is the birthplace of jazz, after all.

Eat a beignet heaped with powdered sugar and drink a cup of chicory coffee at Cafe du Monde, which overlooks Jackson Square and St Louis Cathedral. Then take a tour of the famously atmospheric streets of the French Quarter.

Be sure to get beyond the Quarter, too. Explore the antique stores of Magazine St, take in the mansions and cemeteries of the Garden District, play a round of golf in Audubon Park, or even get out into nearby bayous on an airboat tour.

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Planning tip: New Orleans’ coastal location makes it susceptible to hurricanes from June through October, with the most active months being August and September.

6. The Everglades, Florida

Best for wildlife watchers

It’s hard to overstate the importance of the Everglades. This sprawling wetland ecosystem is home to a diverse profusion of flora and fauna, which has earned it a designation as an International Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a US national park. You can take in the endless stretches of grass and bayous by slowly paddling through coastal estuaries in a kayak or whizzing through the numerous waterways via airboat. Camping overnight among the mangroves offers an even deeper connection to the place. All the while, keep your eyes peeled for wading birds, manatees, and (of course) alligators and crocodiles.

Planning tip: For the best experience, come prepared for the elements. Sunscreen and bug spray are essentials.

7. Pacific Coast Highway

Best for West Coast exploration

The Pacific Coast Highway connects sunny San Diego with moody Seattle, delivering epic West Coast experiences along its 1600-mile length. (Technically, it’s three separate but continuous highways.) Along the way, you can stay at kitschy motels in coastal towns, admire the cliffs of Big Sur, marvel at the tide pools in Oregon and explore Washington’s Olympic National Park.

One small California town, San Simeon, is especially worth a stop. The oceanfront Piedras Blancas Rookery is the only elephant-seal rookery in the world that’s only easily accessible and free. The dozens of seals lounging in the sun and barking along the beach and rocks make for quite a spectacle.

Just up the road is the fabled Hearst Castle, the former home of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst – and a monument to one man’s over-the-top vision. It features a wild blend of architectural styles and details that take inspiration from everything from ancient Rome to the Renaissance, with orange groves and palms imported from the Canary Islands flanking the cathedral-like home. 

Planning tip: Sections of the PCH follow sea cliffs prone to rockslides. Always check road conditions before setting off in case of any unexpected closures.

8. Washington, DC

Best for national history

Washington, DC’s National Mall embodies the ideals of American political life. Along this 2-mile strip – with the US Capitol at one end and the Lincoln Memorial at the other – the USA’s cultural history is captured through iconic monuments and some the country’s most famous museums. The mall contains 10 Smithsonian institutions – the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of American History, among others – plus others including the National Gallery of Art. The Washington Monument rises at the center of the Mall – reaching as high as the country’s ideals.

9. Santa Fe, New Mexico

Best for Indigenous history and culture

You can’t escape the centuries of history in Santa Fe – yet this one-of-a-kind city always manages to keep up with the times. A cultural melange of Indigenous, Spanish and Mexican influences, this New Mexican capital is home to numerous historical sites, including its 400-year-old Plaza and the Loretto Chapel (with its famous staircase).

The city is also famously creative: the surrounding desert landscapes provided endless inspiration to Georgia O’Keeffe, while upscale galleries along Canyon Rd are filled with works from contemporary artists. And then there’s Meow Wolf, the game-changing, genre-defying immersive art installation that has to be visited to be believed.

Detour: Less than an hour’s drive from Santa Fe, the Puyé Cliff Dwellings, carved into the rock face and atop the Santa Clara Canyon on Santa Clara Pueblo Reservation, were once home to 1500 Pueblo Indians. The site was abandoned in 1580; today, one-hour tours are conducted by the descendants of the original dwellers.

10. San Francisco, California

Best for counterculture

San Francisco combines the energy of a major city with a distinctly laid-back and gracious West Coast energy. Take in breathtaking bay views at Golden Gate Park, wander the alleyways of the country’s largest and oldest Chinese neighborhood, pay homage to LGBTIQ+ heroes in the Castro, or dive into cutting-edge art at SFMOMA and a plethora of local galleries. This place contains multitudes.

11. Key West, Florida

Best for sunshine, seafood and free-spirited living

Key West’s famous quirkiness never fails to delight. You’ll feel the vibes every evening at Mallory Square, when the daily sunset street fair combines food, eclectic performers and artists selling their wares. On a stroll through side streets, you can take in historic homes framed by palms and bougainvillea; be sure to visit the Ernest Hemingway House.

Planning tip: There’s no better way to get around Key West than by foot. To help navigate the town, download a map, or stop by the city’s tourism office at 1300 White St.

12. Rocky Mountains, Colorado

Best for big peaks and winter sports

The the Rockies in Colorado are simply astonishing – and even more beautiful than you’ve heard. There are many ways to take them: with a hike in Rocky Mountains National Park; by hitting the slopes in ski hubs like Vail, Aspen and Telluride; on a drive along the scenic byways of the San Juan range; or by camping in one of the state’s numerous national forests. Nature’s grandeur awaits.

Planning tip: Unless you’re from somewhere with similar elevation, you might feel the effects of altitude throughout the Rockies; stay extremely hydrated, take your time on hikes and skip the alcohol.

13. Chicago, Illinois

Best metropolis for Midwestern charm

Chicago contains all the hallmarks of a great American city: excellent food, multicultural neighborhoods and top-tier museums – yet with a vibe that’s both unmistakably Midwestern and unique in the world. 

Leave your car behind and explore Millennium Park, the lakefront and the museum campus by Segway. Board a boat for a narrated tour of the architectural wonders lining the Chicago River (the skyscraper was invented here, after all). From the boat docks, head north for a stroll along the Magnificent Mile, the stretch of Michigan Ave that’s lined with boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and the historic Water Tower, one of the few survivors of the disastrous Chicago Fire of 1871.

Have more time? Spend sunny days on a city beach on the ocean-size Lake Michigan, catch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, or have an evening of laughs at Second City, the launchpad for greats like Stephen Colbert and Tina Fey.

14. Charleston, South Carolina

Best for Southern charm

Live oaks dripping with Spanish moss, historic mansions and cobblestone streets make Charleston a must on any USA bucket list. From carriage rides to kayaks to bikes, this city is fetching no matter how you explore it. Civil War buffs should hop on a ferry to visit historic Fort Sumter; anyone will enjoy a stroll along The Battery, the former defensive walls along the waterfront that today form a wonderful city promenade and park.

Planning tip: The best time to visit Charleston is fall, when the humidity drops; and during the holidays, as the city positively glitters with decorations.