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 the best food you’ve ever had at a hole-in-the-wall favorite.
Planning tip: New north-carolina">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.
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.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 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
Planning tip: New Orleans’ coastal location makes it susceptible to hurricanes from June through October, with the most active months being August and September.
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.
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.
Best for national historyWashington Monument rises at the center of the Mall – reaching as high as the country’s ideals.
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.
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 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.
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 is fall, when the humidity drops; and during the holidays, as the city positively glitters with decorations.
© Wiley Publishing, 2011