Top 10 Best Places To Visit In The USA | Travel Guide

With so much to see, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to planning a trip in the United States. World-class cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, and New York City, some known for history and others known for fun or glamour, give visitors a broad spectrum of places to choose from. From snow-capped mountains to tropical beaches, from the east coast to the west, there is absolutely no shortage of utterly diverse and incredibly beautiful places to visit. So, here's a look at the best places to visit in the USA. Number 1. The Capitol, Washington, D.C. The best-loved of all Washington's memorials, the Lincoln Memorial stands at the far end of the mall, separated from the Washington Monument by the reflecting pool. At its center is a 19-foot marble statue of a seated and pensive President Abraham Lincoln surrounded by 36 columns, one for each of the states that existed at the time of Lincoln's death. When in Washington, also plan to spend some time along the Tidal Basin, a two-mile-long pond that was once attached to the Potomac River. Every spring the Tidal Basin bursts with color as cherry blossom trees bloom into cotton candy-colored tufts. If you're into art, the National Gallery of Art is a must-see. Composed of the East Building, which houses the gallery's more modern works, think Henri Matisse and Mark Rothko, and the West Building, which contains the collection's older works from Sandro Botticelli to Claude Monet, this museum has enough to fill an entire afternoon. Number 2. Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles has an exhaustive array of things to do. If you're a film buff, vintage Hollywood is a must-see. Some classic attractions in the area include the Chinese Theater, the Hollywood Walk of Arts lovers will want to visit the Paul Getty Museum. An art museum spread across two campuses, the Getty Center and Getty Villa is breathtaking in many ways. Its modern design and its position on a hill in the Santa Monica Mountains offers incredible views. There are also a plethora of shorelines to choose from including Venice Beach, Zuma Beach and the Santa Monica Pier. Not only can bibliophiles lust after the numerous books found in the lovely Huntington Library, but they can step outside and be transported to a garden only found in a Jane Austen novel. Roses and marble statues surround the ponds and waterfalls, with a Japanese-style bridge in the middle of it all. Moving on to number 3. New York City. One of the greatest cities in the world, New York is always a whirlwind of activity, with famous sights at every turn and never enough time to see them all. America's most iconic sight, the Statue of Liberty is at the top of every first-time visitor. It was France's gift to America. Built in 1886, it remains a world symbol of freedom and is one of the top attractions in America. A walk, pedal or carriage ride through the criss-crossing pathways of Central Park is a must-do on anyone's New York City itinerary. In winter, you can even lace up your skates and glide across Wolman Rink. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the Met as it is commonly known, was founded in 1870 and is one of the most famous museums in the United States. The permanent collection of the Met contains more than 2 million works of art, spanning a period of 5,000 years. Although the museum has three sites, the centerpiece is the Met Fifth Avenue. An exciting and recently expanded attraction in New York City, the High Line is a former rail line that has been transformed into an urban walking trail above the city's streets. This unique linear public park has been planted with a variety of plants and trees, many of which are native species. The park is lined with glass railings in most areas, offering outstanding views of the city. 4. Miami Miami is one of South Florida's premier vacation destinations. With beautiful beaches, great weather, history, culture, sports and entertainment, Downtown Miami, separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Biscayne Bay and Miami Beach, is a modern metropolis and cultural treasure trove. The Philip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is a temple to learning in Downtown Miami's With an aquarium, a planetarium and two science galleries, this distinguished destination is always busy, but it's big enough to accommodate even the largest rainy day crowds. One of the biggest attractions in Miami Beach is the Art Deco Historic District. With pastel buildings from the 1930s and early 1940s sporting classic neon signs, this area features numerous beachfront restaurants, shops, hotels and plenty of sunbathing opportunities. 5. Las Vegas This city in the desert is known around the world for fun and excitement. The Strip, Las Vegas' famous resort line street, sparkles with lights and recreated glamorous sights from cities around the world. Many of the hotels are attractions in and of themselves and feature free street-side shows. From dancing fountains to erupting volcanoes, you'll also find interesting museums, an always impressive list of shows and countless other things to do. In Old Downtown Las Vegas, Fremont Street is a pedestrian-only area with all kinds of unique sights. A five-block section of Fremont Street is covered over with a canopy of lights that illuminate the sky in a spectacle of different colors and designs as you walk below. Sitting about 35 miles southeast of Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam spans the Colorado River and the Black Canyon. The immense concrete structure which confines Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States by volume, has helped provide power to Nevada, Arizona and California since 1935. The Hoover Dam welcomes more than a million visitors each year as one of America's most recognized landmarks. Now, before you plan your next trip to the U.S., make sure to check out the first link in the description where you can find the best deals for your flight, hotel and car rentals in the United States. Moving on to number six, Yosemite National Park. Yosemite has long been a place of inspiration for artists, climbers and nature lovers. The park covers 1,189 square miles, making it the same size as Rhode Island. The valley alone is 8 miles long. The most famous and beautiful section of the park is Yosemite Valley, home to big-name attractions like Half Dome, El Capitan and Yosemite Falls. Tumbling over a granite wall and pounding the rocks at the base of the cliff, Yosemite Falls is one of the most memorable and striking features in Yosemite Valley. Repeatedly popping into view over treetops and around corners as you drive through the valley, the falls look different from every angle and it's impossible to take your eyes off. Half Dome is one of Yosemite's most famous sights and particularly well-known in the climbing world for being one of the first big climbs. This granite icon looks much different depending on the angle you are viewing it from. Looking up at the sheer rock face from the valley, the enormity of the wall is obvious and you can appreciate why climbers have been drawn here. Number seven, New Orleans. New Orleans is one of America's most unique cities, with a vibe you simply can't find anywhere else. Known the world over for jazz music, Cajun cuisine and outrageous Mardi Gras celebrations, the city is a melting pot of cultures with a diversity that is reflected in everything from the music and food to the language and architecture. Nightlife is always bustling in the Crescent City, especially on Bourbon Street. The street has an abundance of live music venues featuring performances from a variety of jazz, blues and zydeco musicians. The French Quarter of New Orleans is what most tourists come to see when they visit the city. Set along the bend on the Mississippi River, the main attraction here is the architecture, but it is also a great area for dining and entertainment. New Orleans City Park covers more than 1,300 acres and contains numerous attractions and things to do, including the New Orleans Botanical Garden and the New Orleans Museum of Art and Sculpture Garden. Number eight, Zion Natural Park. Sightseeing and outdoor adventures are what Zion National Park is all about. Whether you have only a couple of hours to drive through the park or several days to explore it in more detail, there are some highlights you simply shouldn't miss. The main attractions in Zion are the sights along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and the Zion Mount Carmel Highway. The most dramatic section of Zion National Park is Zion Canyon. The canyon is accessed along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, an in-and-out road that runs along the canyon floor with towering cliff walls on both sides. The Zion Mount Carmel Highway, which runs through the park from the south entrance to the east, is arguably as scenic as the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive but provides a starkly different perspective as it winds high above the valley for dramatic views from one side of the valley to the other. Number nine, San Francisco. Set along the ocean with rolling hills and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States and the jewel of Northern California. San Francisco may only stretch across seven miles, but it's packed with an assortment of activities that's sure to please outdoorsy types, foodies, and curious wanderers of all ages. The Golden Gate Bridge is the most photographed site in the city, with the orange structure backed by blue water, or in many cases peeking through low-lying cloud, is a must-see, while a visit to Alcatraz Island to tour the infamous and now-closed federal prison should also be high on your list. Fisherman's Wharf is one of San Francisco's most popular tourist areas. This old section, once the Little Italy of San Francisco, is known for its shops, restaurants, and beautiful setting along the waterfront. The views from Pier 39 back towards the city are exceptional. Cable cars were introduced in 1873 to help locals contend with the many hills the city is built on. Today, the few remaining cable cars offer a great way to explore the city in historic fashion. Since 1964, these tram-like vehicles have had the unique distinction of being the only public transport system to be declared a historic monument. Even the most skeptical of travelers become awestruck at the sight of the Grand Canyon's massive expanse of gorges, ridges, and rock formations. One of the best ways to admire the canyon is on a hiking tour that takes you to the bottom. Some of the best trails include the Bright Angel or Rim Trails on the South Rim. Rafting the Colorado River is another option, as is a helicopter tour. The Rim Trail is a mostly paved walking path that follows the rim of the Grand Canyon for 13 miles. This nearly level path with a mix of sun and shade from scattered trees is one of the most scenic walks in North America, with fabulous views along the entire distance of the trail. In the village, the Lookout Studio and the Cold Gallery are both perched along the canyon wall. The Lookout Studio is housed in one of the Mary Jane Calter buildings that are found throughout the park, with a traditional stone design meant to resemble a ruin. The studio has two outdoor viewing decks that look out over the Grand Canyon.