This post was updated in 2019 to be 30 places, not just 25. Partially because I wrote it when I was 25, and will soon approach 30, but mostly because I want to sneak in a few more of my favorite destinations.
Formerly, I was an exotic destination snob. I only wanted foreign cultures, anything and everything very different from myself. Then it happened. In 2015, I road tripped from Los Angeles, California to Vancouver, Canada – -through California, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, and Washington. I road tripped Georgia and Tennessee, and through Florida. I got my snow bunny on in Aspen, Colorado. I also did New York and Pennsylvania three times.
So when I look at my world travel bucket list, I can’t help but consider the incredible destinations in Uh-Meri-ca! I get not everyone can quit their job and travel overseas. If you’re looking for domestic alternatives to swapping the travel bug, check these out!
Again, I haven’t done everything in the USA, Canada & Mexico, however, I’ve done a lot and can recommend these experiences.
I have a lot more to see! Stay tuned on TravelBreak :)
1. Camp in the Grand Canyon and drive up to Horseshoe Bend, Arizona
Read: Arizona & Utah Road Trip: Horseshoe Bend, Monument Valley, Devil’s Garden (Photos)
Photo Collaboration w/ fitness & swimsuit model: @MissChloeLynn
2. Experience the Ice Caves and Mount Rainier in Washington
Read: Confirmed: Washington is the Most Instagrammable State in America (Photos)
Photo credit: @RobStrok
3. Swim in the Cenotes of Quintana Roo, Mexico
Read: Aguas! 15 Photos of Mexico’s Southern Point (Photos)
4. Shop, eat, and photograph New York City
Photo credit: @RossCockrell
Photo credit: @Mc_Gutty
Read: Which New York Tourist/ Traveler are You? (Photos)
Read: New York’s 10 Best Instagram Spots (Photos)
5. Play Private Jet Plane Laser Tag in Las Vegas
Read: The Craziest Thing to Do in Las Vegas, Nevada (Photos)
6. Road Trip Big Sur, California
Photo collaboration: @BonTraveler
Read: Big Sur Road Trip – Highway 101: No Clever Title Necessary (Photos)
7. Sail the Florida Keys, Florida
Read: Living the Dream: Sail the Florida Keys Like a Pro (Photos)
8. Get Your Cabo On, Cabo San Lucas
Read: Do You Cabo? We Cabo! (Photos)
9. Catch Sunrise in Monument Valley and Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Read: Arizona & Utah Road Trip: Horseshoe Bend, Monument Valley, Devil’s Garden (Photos)
10. Road Trip Portland to Multnomah Falls and Rowena Crest, Oregon
Read: The Ultimate Oregon Road Trip (Photos)
11. Jetpack in Newport Beach or Las Vegas
Read: Win a Free Jet-Pack America Adventure Bucket List
12. Snowboard or Ski in Aspen, Colorado
Photo Collaboration: @MichaelSHodson
Read: Defy Ordinary: Aspen, Colorado (Photos)
13. Hike Potato Chip Rock, San Diego, California
Photo Collaboration: @TysonTravel
Read: 5 Tips to Hiking: THE Potato Chip Rock, San Diego, California (Photos)
14. See Mexico’s World Wonder: Chichen Itza
Read: 5 Reasons Cancun is this Season’s Must-Do Right Now (Photos)
15. Drink Wine in Napa, California
Read: Napa: I Think I Can, I Know I Can – Wine & Wellness (Photos)
16. Climb the world’s highest rock-climbing wall in Reno, Nevada
Read: 5 Ways Reno & Tahoe Will Blow Your Mind (Photos)
17. Eat southern food in Atlanta, Georgia
Read: #DoMoreCountry — Is the South America’s Friendliest Region? (Photos)
18. Get country in Nashville, Tennessee
Read: #DoMoreCountry — Is the South America’s Friendliest Region? (Photos)
19. Check out the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California
Photo by @TheSamGraves
Read: Seas the Bay: Failure and San Francisco Photos
20. Glamcamp in Yosemite National Park, California
Read: Unplug: Good-Bye Technology, Hello Yosemite National Park (Photos)
21. Swim & Play at a Pool Party in Miami, Florida
Photo Collaboration with @Witness_X
Read: Bienvenidos A Miami — Double the Trouble (Photos)
22. Check out Coachella, Burning Man, Fantasy Fest or another American festival
Photo collaboration: @ExpertVagabond
Read: Halloween on Steroids 5 FAQs Revealed, Fantasy Fest, the Florida Keys
Read: 13 Inevitable Stage of Fantasy Fest, Halloween, the Florida Keys
23. Snorkel at pearl farm in Cozumel, Quintana Roo
The only natural pearl farm in the Caribbean, this family owned business and research and development center attracts ecotourists escaping the crowds. Blog post on Cozumel coming soon.
24. Get a bite… and maybe a drink.. in Philly — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sunset cheers at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel
25. Get a Beer (& More) in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Read: Beyond Beer | 5 Reasons Grand Rapids is the Evolving City
26. Get on a plane to Calgary and Alberta
Read my most popular article to date: 18 Photos that Will Put You on A Plane to Banff and Calgary
27. Explore Canada’s Sweetest Coast, Nova Scotia
Read: 5 Experiences that are Entirely Nova Scotian
28. Make more out of Miami
Read: 7 Must-See Instagram Spots in the Miami Design District, Florida
29. Desert Vibes, the Wave in Arizona
Read: Everything You Want to Know about the Wave in Arizona
30. Hike in the Eastern Sierra Nevadas Inyo National Forest
Read: 10 Photos of Big Pine in Inyo National Forest
S H O P
Just road tripped from San Diego to Seattle a couple weeks ago and got to see a few of these. Love what the west coast has to offer ! :)
Thanks for reading Dan! It really does have so much to offer :)
Gorgeous, these crystal clear waters and snow waterfalls are rocking… Beautiful places
I’m glad Big Sur made the list. It is such a special place. The small amount of hotels, restaurants, and shops really help it keep its magical feel.
Also interesting about the rock wall in Reno. I did not know about that. The worlds biggest little city. Makes sense. :)