Vacation? Here’s Some Top Holiday Destinations in the U.S.

One of the largest and most diverse countries in the world, the USA offers a variety of holiday experiences. Whether you prefer cooler or warmer climes, want a city break or the sea, you can even combine them here.

With so much to choose from, it can be difficult to settle on a vacation spot. We’ve taken a look at five different states to give you a broad overview and help you select from some of the top holiday destinations.

FLORIDA

With some of the best beaches in all of the USA, Florida attracts sunseekers all year round. It’s also home to huge theme parks that offer lots of family entertainment.

There are many other reasons to visit Florida, such as:

• Watersports

It consists of 8,500 miles of shoreline, 7,800 lakes and 35 rivers.  You can a hire a boat in Fort Lauderdale to discover secluded coves, or even do some wakeboarding. 

• Golf

Florida has more golf courses than any other state, and they’re great to play on. You can also find the World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Augustine.

Places to Go

• Miami

You can’t visit Florida and not spend a day or two in the hippest city in the South. Book one of the best yacht charters in Miami and live the high life for a day with friends.

• The Everglades

This UNESCO World Heritage site is the only place on earth where crocodiles and alligators coexist. You can also glimpse leopard frogs and over 350 species of birds.

• St. Petersburg

The city holds the Guinness World Record for the most consecutive days of sunshine, so it’s a beach haven. It’s also home to the Dalí Museum and Museum of Fine Arts.

WYOMING

From towering peaks to wide open plains, Wyoming is the place for a wild holiday. It’s great for getting out in nature, but also has some preserved downtown districts to appreciate the history. 

The highlight is Yellowstone National Park, but you can also look up different activities depending on the time of year. 

• Snow sports

Find thousands of acres to ski and snowboard here in winter. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has options for novice and professional skiers from around Thanksgiving until April each year. 

• Fishing

Flaming Gorge Florida National Recreation Area is favored by local fisherman for the quality of its trout. Pinedale is another place to cast your net and see if you can hook one of 22 species. 

Places to See

• Yellowstone National Park

See the world’s first and oldest national park to admire the magnificent geothermal landscape. Stay on a beautiful campground and hike along tracks to see Old Faithful geyser. 

• Jackson

Soak up the spirit of the Wild West at the foot of the Teton Mountains. This charming town has rustic wooden homes and restaurants and a highlight is the town square framed by elk-horn arches.  

• Cody

Retrace American history in the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. There are five different museums here, so you can learn about everything from firearms to geology. 

LOUISIANA

Famous for Mardi Gras, this colorful state also has a rich history of sugar and cotton plantations. Its relatively mild weather makes it wonderful to visit any time of year. 

However, Louisiana has many highlights, including:

• Boating and Kayaking

Louisiana is home to the great Mississippi River, so hop on a steamboat or paddlewheeler to explore it. You can also see the unique wildlife of the bayo on a swamp kayaking tour.

• Unique Cuisine

The state is famous for its crawfish, which are freshwater shellfish that live in the swamp mud. You can also delight in Cajun and Creole specialties, gumbo, rice and beans during your vacation.

Places to Visit

• New Orleans 

The Big Easy is known for its chill vibes, but it’s truly an unforgettable city. Wander into  Frenchmen Street to listen to some jazz and admire the colonial architecture in the French Quarter.  

• The Great River Road

Drive along this historic highway to see some of the antebellum homes that still stand. Stop at the Laura Plantation, built by the Duparc family in 1804 to discover more about the pre-Civil War era.

• Baton Rouge

Visit the tallest state capitol in America, which stands proudly at 34 stories.  The Old State Capitol is now a fantastic museum. 

CALIFORNIA

California is full of variety, from the sun kissed beaches of its South to the towering sequoias of the North.  

Visit California for:

• Surfing

The small city of Santa Cruz is a surfer’s heaven. You can also bring your board to many other spots along the coast, such as Malibu. 

• Waterfalls

Yosemite has many stunning waterfalls, including the pretty 317-foot Vernal Falls that descends into the Merced River. Also check out Yosemite Falls, the fifth largest in the world.

Places to See

• Pacific Coast Highway

For a fantastic vacation that takes in cities, towns and countryside, the Pacific Coast Highway has it all.

• San Francisco

Walk the Golden Gate Bridge, ride the manually operated cable cars uptown and eat fantastic food in the pier markets.  

• Sonoma 

For a girls holiday, or even with your partner, the rolling vineyards of Sonoma make a great weekend break. 

NEW YORK

New York, New York is somewhere that you have to visit at least once in your life. There’s a plethora to keep young, old and everyone in between entertained 24 hours a day. 

Apart from the staggering amount of attractions, you should visit New York for: 

• Art

It’s not just the Guggenheim or MOMA, New York has over 1,500 galleries and an estimated 56,000 artists. 

• Theater

See the latest hit musical, or seek out something more avant-garde off-off Broadway. Times Square and the surrounding areas are a hive of performance.

Places to Go

• East Village

This is where trends are made. Grab a takeaway coffee like a New Yorker and browse the indie boutiques. 

• Central Park

832 acres of outdoor space provides a welcome break from the chaos of city streets. See the Delacorte Clock’s moving animals, boat on the lake or join the joggers for some exercise. 

• Fifth Avenue

All the glitz and glamor you can imagine is found here. Flex the plastic or simply window shop at Tiffany’s and Bergdorf Goodman. 

URBAN OR WILD? YOU CHOOSE

The great thing about the USA is the freedom and choice you have wherever you go. You can blend city and countryside, or simply hit the sands in a vacation that suits you.