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Discover the hidden gems of the USA! From stunning cities to expansive plains, explore the unforgettable destinations served State’s-side.
We all think we already know the USA because of the iconic images that have shaped our minds over the years. When you visit New York for the first time, it instantly feels like you’ve stepped onto a movie set.
Head out to the deserts and ranches of the southwest, and it’s like traveling back in time, making it hard not to hum the theme from an old Western movie.
But the USA offers so much more—the Stunning, the Beautiful, and the Unforgettably Inspiring—like the Rocky Mountains, Alaska, and the Deep South, respectively. And that’s just the beginning, since the USA is incredibly vast.
In California, the weather and climate differ depending on the region. The southern and eastern parts are usually much warmer than the northern and western areas. California’s Indian summer (mid-September to mid-October) is beautiful, with less fog and milder heat.
If you want to see bears like those in Yellowstone National Park, March, April, and May are ideal, as are the fall months—especially in Alaska when bears come out to catch migrating salmon.
Public holidays are a big deal in the USA, so be sure to book early if your trip overlaps with major holidays like Independence Day (July 4), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Labor Day (first Monday in September), or Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November).
f you plan to visit high mountain areas such as the Rocky Mountains in Colorado or the White Mountains in New Hampshire, some peaks still have snow in early summer—check trail reports if you want to hike or ride at high altitudes. But don’t let that stop you; hiking up to the snowline when it’s around thirty degrees outside can be a fantastic experience.
For serious hiking in famous canyons like the Grand Canyon or Bryce, avoid July and August since the heat can be overwhelming and even dangerous. So, try to steer clear of peak summer unless you’re well-prepared to handle extreme heat.
One of the most stunning times to visit the canyons is winter, when they’re often dusted with snow in December, January, or February—and there are far fewer visitors then.
Alaska’s winters are cold and dark, perfect for Northern Lights trips. May is great for wildflowers and is mosquito-free, while mid-June through July is known for heavy mosquito activity, so take precautions. By August, nighttime frost usually reduces their numbers, and you’ll also see more moose as rutting season begins.
National parks generally remain open year-round, but some roads close during heavy snow—for example, Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park usually shuts down from November until late May or June.
Hurricanes can occur in southern states like Florida from June to November, and tornadoes sometimes strike states east of the Rockies such as Texas, Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma, mostly in spring. Always stay updated by following local weather alerts.
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Alaska is home to remarkable national parks, including the largest in the USA, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, which alone covers an area the size of Switzerland.
Visit Alaska for glacier hiking, ice climbing, kayaking through icy fjords, and experiencing the wild taiga and sub-arctic tundra, where you can see incredible wildlife like orca and humpback whales, grizzly bears, and wolves.
The Appalachian Trail stretches over 3,000 km, so look for the best sections to explore. One great area is the White Mountains in Maine and New Hampshire, only about 200 km from Boston.
In this region, you can hike more than 150 km of the Trail, including climbs up Mt. Guyot and Mt. Zealand, while passing scenic elevated lakes and waterfalls.
Experience it like the locals by staying in classic hiking cabins that have welcomed travelers since the Trail’s early days.
The San Francisco Bay Area is an excellent place to begin, with its clear blue skies and eco-friendly mindset. A walking holiday along the Pacific coast to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is ideal, where you can daydream among coastal redwood forests.
You might also try surfing on the stunning beaches of San Diego, hike through Joshua Tree National Park, or discover the Mojave Desert, which feels just as otherworldly as Los Angeles.
In Colorado, no matter where you are, people often mention the elevation. With the Rocky Mountains covering large parts of the state, it’s easy to understand why.
These mountains are everywhere, featuring four national parks that preserve the highest wilderness areas, along with small ski resorts in former mining towns that welcome visitors throughout the year.
You also can’t visit Colorado without experiencing river rafting or horseback riding on a ranch.
Deep South music resonates throughout every holiday here, appealing not only to fans of country, bluegrass, or Elvis, but also to blues lovers, with Memphis, Nashville, and New Orleans as essential destinations.
The history of struggle and civil rights, which remains a powerful influence behind much of this creativity, is also a key part of exploring the region. Places like Birmingham and Memphis’ National Civil Rights Museum serve as significant reminders and eye-openers.
The Grand Canyon’s dramatic desert scenery will truly show you why people say something can ‘take your breath away.’
You’ll need to catch your breath again when you tackle one of its numerous hiking trails, whether you explore the rim or avoid the crowds by descending into the canyon itself. By the way, it’s 1.6 km deep and 29 km wide.
Most people only know Manhattan and are unaware that you can plan a two-week trip filled with hiking, kayaking, and cycling alongside a visit to the Big Apple.
Just an hour from the city, you can ski or hike in the Catskill Mountains, venture into the rugged wilderness of the Adirondacks with its 46 peaks, or relax by the Atlantic waves on Long Island. It’s a vast green apple, ready to be explored.
Hawaii, A land of ancient gods, fiery volcanoes and beaches that look like 3D picture postcards, America’s 50th state is an alluring mix of laidback lifestyle and thrilling adventures.
You might be splashing around in the surf, admiring flowing and bubbling lava the next, sailing out into the ocean to spy whales, manta rays and dolphins, or touring the historic Pearl Harbour to learn about an infamous chapter of American history.
Utah offers much more than just its Mormon heritage, and it’s truly a sight to behold. Zion National Park features towering red cliffs that shine brilliantly at sunset, along with the well-known Emerald Pools and the famous Angels Landing Trail.
Bryce Canyon boasts an amazing forest of red hoodoos stretching toward the sky, while Monument Valley on the Arizona border showcases a painted desert often seen in classic Western films and is part of the Navajo Tribal Park.
For many contemporary pilgrims to the USA, this Vermont feels like heaven. It’s renowned for its stunning fall colors, where every shade of green, yellow, red, and brown from the Pantone palette fills the New England forests.
The resemblance to ‘Old England’ is remarkable, with its working farms, rolling hills, ancient forests, and charming villages. Experience it in the winter snow, spring blooms, or summer greenery as well, offering a taste of paradise throughout the year.
Washington State, not to be mistaken for DC, features the stylish city of Seattle at its heart and offers a stunning blend of the North Pacific coast, the Puget Sound archipelago, and numerous national parks.
Highlights include the mountains of Olympic National Park and the active volcanoes of Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens. If you prefer slopes that lead you to the coast instead of the desert, this is the place for you.
Yellowstone National Park is known as the original national park in America. Its thermal geysers are legendary, with Old Faithful being the most well-known, alongside over five hundred others, making it the largest group of geysers worldwide.
Despite its stunning, otherworldly terrain, Yellowstone doesn’t attract as many visitors as some other parks, mainly because it’s more difficult to reach.
Yosemite National Park in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains is filled with lush forests perfect for camping, hiking, and wild swimming.
It’s also a haven for climbers, with endless granite walls to scale. Nevada Falls is just as impressive, and you can hike along the aptly named Mist Trail that follows the waterfall. Be sure to arrive early, or the mist will be replaced by a crowd of tourists.
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