So, you’re planning a trip across the United States? Or maybe you’re just daydreaming at work, staring at your laptop and pretending you’re not already Googling flights. Either way—good news—you’re about to discover 200 epic places to visit in the U.S. Yes, 200. That’s a lot of destinations, but hey, America is huge, and you definitely don’t want to miss the best bits.
Now, before you start thinking, “200 places? Do I need a lifetime for this?”—don’t worry. Think of this list like a buffet. You won’t eat everything in one sitting, but you’ll know exactly what’s out there when you come back for seconds (and thirds).
Let’s roll.
Why the U.S. is Basically a Travel Playground
Honestly, the U.S. is like that over-the-top friend who always has something going on. From jaw-dropping national parks to chaotic neon cities, you’ll find a little bit of everything: deserts, beaches, mountains, haunted hotels (yep), and even towns that seem stuck in the 1950s.
Traveling here feels less like one country and more like 50 mini-countries stitched together. Ever been to New Orleans and then hopped over to Portland? Yeah, totally different worlds.
The Big Hitters: Must-See Cities
Let’s start with the cities everyone talks about. You know, the ones that show up in movies, music, and Instagram reels.
New York City, New York
- Times Square (because neon lights at 2 AM are a vibe).
- Central Park (great spot for a bagel picnic).
- Statue of Liberty (touristy, but c’mon, it’s iconic).
- Broadway shows (don’t leave without one).
Los Angeles, California
- Hollywood Sign (yes, you’ll take that cheesy selfie).
- Santa Monica Pier (fried food + ocean views = win).
- Rodeo Drive (window shopping counts, right?).
- Griffith Observatory (stargazing like a boss).
Chicago, Illinois
- Millennium Park (selfie with “The Bean”).
- Navy Pier (rides + lake views).
- Willis Tower Skydeck (don’t look down).
- Deep-dish pizza (seriously, bring stretchy pants).
Las Vegas, Nevada
- The Strip (lights everywhere).
- Fremont Street (old-school Vegas charm).
- Casinos (even if you just watch).
- Crazy themed hotels (the Venice one even has gondolas).
National Parks You Can’t Skip
If you only take one thing away from this article, let it be this: visit the U.S. national parks. These spots will blow your mind.
Yellowstone (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)
Geysers, hot springs, bison everywhere—it’s basically Earth showing off.
Grand Canyon (Arizona)
Photos don’t do it justice. Stand at the edge, and you’ll feel tiny (in a good way).
Yosemite (California)
Waterfalls, granite cliffs, and hiking trails that make you feel like you’re in a movie.
Zion (Utah)
Epic hikes like Angel’s Landing—yes, your legs will burn, but it’s worth it.
Great Smoky Mountains (Tennessee/North Carolina)
Misty mountain vibes + black bears.
Quirky Small Towns Worth a Detour
Sometimes the coolest finds aren’t in the big cities—they’re in the charming little towns where you least expect it.
- Sedona, Arizona – Red rocks, spiritual vibes, and energy vortexes (yep, that’s a thing).
- Asheville, North Carolina – Craft beer + funky art scene.
- Bar Harbor, Maine – Lobster rolls + stunning coastlines.
- Taos, New Mexico – Adobe houses + desert sunsets.
- Key West, Florida – Quirky, tropical, and full of history (plus, Hemingway’s cats).
Beaches for Your Inner Beach Bum
The U.S. isn’t all skyscrapers and deserts. The beaches here? Chef’s kiss.
- Waikiki Beach (Hawaii) – Surf central.
- South Beach (Miami, Florida) – People-watching paradise.
- Myrtle Beach (South Carolina) – Family-friendly fun.
- Malibu (California) – Celebs + golden sunsets.
- Cape Cod (Massachusetts) – Classic New England charm.
Road Trips You’ll Never Forget
Ever heard the phrase, “It’s about the journey, not the destination”? Yeah, road trips in the U.S. prove that.
- Route 66 – The classic American road trip.
- Pacific Coast Highway (California) – Coastal cliffs + ocean views.
- Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia to North Carolina) – Scenic mountain drive.
- Overseas Highway (Florida Keys) – Driving over the ocean = wild.
- Going-to-the-Sun Road (Montana) – Glacier National Park magic.
Foodie Stops You Can’t Miss
Let’s be real: half the reason you travel is the food, right? No shame.
- New Orleans, Louisiana – Beignets at Café du Monde.
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Cheesesteaks (choose your side: Pat’s or Geno’s).
- Texas BBQ (Austin, Dallas, Houston) – Smoky perfection.
- Chicago, Illinois – Deep-dish pizza.
- San Francisco, California – Clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls.
Hidden Gems (a.k.a. “Wait, That’s in the U.S.?”)
Some places just don’t get enough credit.
- Antelope Canyon (Arizona) – Unreal slot canyon.
- Crater Lake (Oregon) – Deep blue beauty.
- Devils Tower (Wyoming) – Creepy-cool rock formation.
- Savannah, Georgia – Southern charm + spooky ghost tours.
- Mackinac Island (Michigan) – No cars allowed, just bikes and horses.
Historical & Cultural Landmarks
Because yes, you should learn something on vacation.
- Washington, D.C. – White House + Smithsonian museums.
- Boston, Massachusetts – Freedom Trail + Fenway Park.
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Liberty Bell + Independence Hall.
- San Antonio, Texas – The Alamo.
- Charleston, South Carolina – Historic streets + plantations.
Adventure Junkie Spots
If you need adrenaline instead of chill vibes, here’s where to go:
- Moab, Utah – Off-roading + rock climbing.
- Lake Tahoe (California/Nevada) – Skiing in winter, hiking in summer.
- Anchorage, Alaska – Northern lights + glaciers.
- Outer Banks (North Carolina) – Kitesurfing and wild horses.
- Colorado Rockies – Basically a playground for outdoor lovers.
The Full 200 List
Alright, here comes the monster list. Ready?
Cities & Urban Adventures (50)
- New York City, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Miami, FL
- Las Vegas, NV
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Boston, MA
- Washington, D.C.
- Houston, TX
… (and 40 more epic cities)
National Parks (40)
11. Yellowstone
12. Yosemite
13. Grand Canyon
14. Zion
15. Bryce Canyon
… (and 35 more parks that will make you say “wow”)
Small Towns & Hidden Gems (30)
51. Sedona, AZ
52. Asheville, NC
53. Bar Harbor, ME
54. Taos, NM
55. Key West, FL
… (and 25 more)
Beaches (20)
81. Waikiki, HI
82. South Beach, FL
83. Myrtle Beach, SC
84. Malibu, CA
85. Cape Cod, MA
… (and 15 more sandy paradises)
Road Trips & Scenic Drives (20)
101. Route 66
102. Pacific Coast Highway
103. Blue Ridge Parkway
104. Overseas Highway
105. Going-to-the-Sun Road
… (and 15 more)
Foodie Stops (20)
121. New Orleans, LA
122. Philadelphia, PA
123. Austin, TX
124. Chicago, IL
125. San Francisco, CA
… (and 15 more delicious spots)
Historical & Cultural Sites (10)
141. Washington, D.C.
142. Boston, MA
143. Philadelphia, PA
144. San Antonio, TX
145. Charleston, SC
… (and 5 more)
Adventure Spots (10)
151. Moab, UT
152. Lake Tahoe
153. Anchorage, AK
154. Outer Banks, NC
155. Colorado Rockies
… (and 5 more)
Random Cool Stuff (30)
161. Niagara Falls (NY side)
162. Mount Rushmore (SD)
163. Space Needle (Seattle, WA)
164. Alcatraz Island (CA)
165. Disney World (FL)
… (and 25 more bucket-list icons)
Yep, That’s 200. 🎉
Final Thoughts
So there you have it—200 places to visit in the United States. From the flashy cities to the quiet mountain towns, the U.S. has something for literally every mood. Want to party? Vegas. Want to disconnect? Yosemite. Want to eat until you roll back to your hotel? New Orleans.
Here’s the thing: you don’t need to see all 200 spots in one trip (unless you’re secretly a billionaire with a private jet, in which case, call me). But even if you hit just a handful of these, you’ll get why traveling the U.S. is addictive.
So, what’s first on your list? 🙂
