USA Travel Bucket List: 100+ Incredible Destinations to Visit

The USA is home to some of the most iconic landmarks, incredible cities, and breathtaking natural wonders in the world. In this USA travel bucket list, you’ll discover 100+ incredible destinations to visit, from famous national parks and must-see cities to hidden gems across all 50 states.

We relocated from the UK to the USA for two years and were lucky enough to tick off so many bucket list destinations during our travels. This guide is a mix of places we’ve personally visited (with links to our detailed travel guides) and incredible USA travel destinations that are still on our list.

This guide covers destinations across all 50 states (plus Washington D.C.), making it the perfect starting point for planning your USA travels.

From coast to coast, this is your ultimate guide to exploring the very best places in America. Plus, I’ve designed a free USA bucket list destination checklist, download it here. So, how many can you tick off!

USA Travel Bucket List: Places in America to Visit

Below, you’ll find 100+ incredible destinations across the USA to add to your bucket list, organised by region to help you plan your travels more easily.

I’ve grouped everything into the East Coast, Southern USA, Central USA, and Western USA, making it easier to combine multiple destinations into one trip or road trip itinerary.

From iconic cities to stunning national parks and hidden gems, this list covers the very best places in America to visit.

Having travelled extensively across the USA over the past few years, I still think visiting all 50 states is an incredible goal, and this guide is a great place to start planning your own journey.

East Coast USA Travel Destinations for Your Bucket List

I’ve started this list with New York as it’s the place I love most, after that, the list goes from the North to the South of the coast.

New York

New York City is perhaps the most iconic place in the USA. We were incredibly lucky to call this fantastic city our home for two years, so it is the perfect place to start this bucket list travel USA guide.

There is so much to see in NYC itself. Read my full New York City bucket list here. This guide focuses on Manhattan, but there is also so much to do in the other boroughs, especially Brooklyn. Coney Island, DUMBO and Williamsburg are the most popular.

There are also lots of places to visit in New York State, including:

• Niagara Falls
• The Hamptons
• Taughannock Falls
• 1000 Islands (including Boldt Castle)
• Albany
• Watkins Glen State Park

READ ALL OUR NEW YORK GUIDES HERE

LOOKING AT ICONIC NYC LANDMARKS

Massachusetts

We visited Boston (before I started this blog) and I am keen to return there as a family! It’s such a beautiful city. Other places in Massachusetts that are on our bucket list include Cape Cod, Salem, and Martha’s Vineyard.

New Jersey

Atlantic City is a fun place in New Jersey that we would love to go back to.

Other places in New Jersey to visit include:

• The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
• Princeton
• Jersey City
• Seaside Heights
• Trenton

Maine

Places that should be on your Maine bucket list include: the Acadia National Park, Moosehead Lake, Bar Harbour, Camden and Portland.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire in the fall is an absolute USA travel bucket list destination! Franconia Notch State Park and Mount Monadnock look simply breathtaking. Hampton Beach State Park is also a great destination in the summer months.

Towns to visit include Concord and Peterborough.

Vermont

While Vermont isn’t technically on the East Coast, it’s between New York and New Hampshire, so I felt it best to include it here.

We did a road trip through Vermont a few years ago (again, before I started this blog). Unfortunately, we just missed the fall leaves, so we would love to go back in October and see them!

Burlington and Montpelier are places we’d like to return to, and new places include Moss Glen Falls and Mount Mansfield.

Also, going back to do the Ben & Jerry’s factory tour again with kids is a must!

Rhode Island

Rhode Island is the smallest state, but it is still worth visiting! Newport and Providence are two of the top spots on our Rhode Island bucket list. Block Island is also somewhere I would love to visit.

Connecticut

Connecticut is another of the smallest states in America, but also still worth visiting!

We have friends in Connecticut and used to visit them on day trips from NYC; however, it is a state I would love to explore more of. Mystic looks stunning. New Haven and Gillette Castle State Park are also on our bucket list.

Delaware

Delaware wasn’t really a place I had heard much about before writing this post. It is another small state with some beautiful bucket list destinations.

Cape Henlopen State Park, Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach & Lewes are the places you shouldn’t skip when visiting Delaware.

Maryland

Assateague Island National Seashore (where wild horses roam the beach) is a real USA bucket list travel destination. Baltimore is Maryland’s largest city, and there is plenty to do there.

Virginia

Virginia Beach is a bucket list destination on the East Coast, while most of the rest of the best places to visit are further inland, including:

• Colonial Williamsburg
• Monticello
• Luray Caverns
• Shenandoah National Park.

North Carolina

Charlotte is the most well-known city in North Carolina. While you’re exploring this state, you should also add Wilmington, Raleigh to your bucket list.

If you’re a nature lover, you’ll also find the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. (Also partly in Tennessee).

South Carolina

Charleston in South Carolina was one of my favourites out of all the places we visited while living in the USA.

Other places in South Carolina that we would love to explore include Myrtle Beach and Greenville.

READ MORE: OUR FULL GUIDE TO CHARLESTON

EXPLORING RAINBOW ROW & CYPRESS GARDENS IN CHARLESTON, SC.

Georgia

Our trip to Charleston was combined with a trip to Atlanta in Georgia (we flew between them).

I really wanted to visit Savannah as well, but we decided to take our toddler to Great Wolfe Lodge for his birthday instead, so Savannah remains on our bucket list.

We would also like to see Tallulah Gorge State Park, St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island.

READ MORE: OUR FULL GUIDE TO ATLANTA

MEMORIES FROM ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Florida

My husband and I both visited Florida as children, so we are really excited to go back there with our family. I have to start with Orlando, for the theme parks!

You’ll definitely want to check out some of Florida’s beaches, including Fort Lauderdale, Key West, the iconic Miami Beach, Panama City Beach and Key Largo.

Also, the Everglades National Park to see alligators has to be done.

READ MORE: OUR FULL GUIDE TO MIAMI

MIAMI BEACH – A MUST-SEE ON YOUR USA TRAVEL BUCKET LIST

Southern USA Travel Destinations for Your Bucket List

Here are all the bucket list destinations for the Southern states in America.

Alabama

Alabama is another state I didn’t know too much about before writing this post. From research, it has a few great places to visit, including: Montgomery, Birmingham, Cheaha State Park and Gulf Shores and Dauphin Island.

Arkansas

Arkansas is a bit of a hidden gem, made more well-known by the popular TV show Ozark.

There are a lot of beautiful places to visit here: Hot Springs National Park, The Ozarks, Petit Jean State Park and Devil’s Den State Park are all on my bucket list.

Kentucky

The Red River Gorge and Cumberland Falls State Resort Park are must-visit destinations for nature lovers. Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky, and also somewhere I would love to visit.

Louisiana

We had so much fun visiting New Orleans in Louisiana.

Baton Rouge and Lake Martin are other places to add to your bucket list.

READ MORE: OUR FULL GUIDE TO NEW ORLEANS

Mississippi

Jackson is the main city in Mississippi to visit. Gulfport is also a beautiful place to visit.

Oklahoma

When researching, I found so many great places in Oklahoma that I added to the USA bucket list. Oklahoma City and Tulsa look like great cities.

Lake Murray, the Wichita Mountains, Broken Bow Lake, Natural Falls State Park and Lake Hefner are all beautiful destinations for nature lovers.

Tennessee

Nashville was another place we really loved visiting. Also, in Tennessee is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is really a USA bucket list destination (and also partly in North Carolina).

READ MORE: OUR FULL GUIDE TO NASHVILLE

Nashville Tennessee

Texas

I’m going ot be honest, Texas wasn’t at the top of my USA travel bucket list, but we had such a good day at the Fort Worth Stockyards, which we visited as a day trip from Dallas.

I would also like to visit Houston, San Antonio and the Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Finally, Marfa, mainly to see the Prada store!

READ MORE: ALL OUR TEXAS TRAVEL GUIDES

FORT WORTH STOCKYARDS AND DALLAS, TEXAS

West Virginia

West Virginia is a separate state from Virginia, which I mentioned above.

There is so much natural beauty to see in West Virginia. I’ve added the New River Gorge Bridge, Blackwater Falls State Park, Dolly Sods Wilderness, and Babcock State Park to my bucket list.

Central USA Travel Destinations for Your Bucket List

Illinois

Chicago is the main place on our list for Illinois (I’m so sad we didn’t make it here while living in America!). I would also like to explore Springfield.

There are a lot of beautiful-looking national parks in Illinois: the Shawnee National Forest, Matthiessen State Park, and Starved Rock State Park.

Indiana

Indianapolis makes a cool city break, while Indiana Dunes National Park and Turkey Run State Park are breathtaking countryside destinations.

Iowa

Iowa may not be the first place that comes to mind for a USA travel bucket list, but it has some beautiful hidden gems. The Bridges of Madison County are a must-see, along with the Effigy Mounds National Monument. Des Moines is the capital city and is worth exploring; Cedar Rapids is also a popular destination.

Kansas

Kansas is often called the heart of America. Wichita and Topeka are cities worth visiting, while nature lovers should add Monument Rocks, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, and the Flint Hills to their list. The small town of Dodge City is also famous for its Wild West history.

Minnesota

Known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” Minnesota is perfect if you love the outdoors. Minneapolis and St. Paul (the Twin Cities) are vibrant and full of culture, while Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area are bucket list spots for outdoor lovers. Also, don’t miss the Mall of America if you’re into shopping!

Michigan

Michigan is all about water and wilderness. The Upper Peninsula is breathtaking, with Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Tahquamenon Falls. Mackinac Island is a charming car-free getaway, while Detroit has seen a big revival and is full of history. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan is another must-see.

Missouri

St. Louis is the big draw in Missouri, with the iconic Gateway Arch. Kansas City is known for its jazz scene and barbecue, while the Ozark Mountains are perfect for outdoor adventures. Branson is also a fun family destination with shows and attractions.

Nebraska

Nebraska has more to offer than people realise (I only realised when writing this post!)! Chimney Rock and Scotts Bluff are iconic natural landmarks, while Omaha and Lincoln (the capital) are also meant to be worth visiting. For a real adventure, the Sandhills region looks incredible.

North Dakota

North Dakota is home to wide open spaces and lots of beautiful destinations. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a must-see, along with the quirky Enchanted Highway full of giant sculptures. Fargo is the largest city and a fun stop, while the International Peace Garden is a unique spot on the Canadian border.

Ohio

Ohio has a mix of cities, culture, and nature. Cleveland and Cincinnati both have a lot to offer, while Columbus is a fun and family-friendly city. Nature lovers should head to Hocking Hills State Park, and Cedar Point in Sandusky is one of the best amusement parks in the country.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is packed with history and culture. We really enjoyed a weekend in Philadelphia, while Pittsburgh is full of bridges and unique neighbourhoods. Lancaster County is great for experiencing Amish culture, and Hershey is perfect for families with its chocolate-themed attractions. Don’t forget the Pocono Mountains for outdoor adventures.

READ MORE: OUR GUIDE TO PHILADELPHIA

A WEEKEND IN PHILLADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

South Dakota

South Dakota is full of iconic landmarks. Mount Rushmore is a must-see. Badlands National Park and Custer State Park both look incredible for nature lovers, and the Black Hills are a beautiful area to explore.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is known for its lakes and cheese! Milwaukee is the state’s largest city and has a lively waterfront, while Madison is a fun college town. Door County is a beautiful getaway with beaches and small towns, and the Wisconsin Dells are famous for family-friendly waterparks.

Western USA Travel Destinations for Your Bucket List

Alaska

To visit Alaska would be a dream! Hopefully, see a bear at Katmai National Park or go whale spotting at Kenai Fjords National Park.

Arizona

The Grand Canyon is a must-see, and so is the Hoover Dam. Other areas of natural beauty on the list include Havasu Falls, Vermilion Cliffs, Antelope Canyon at Page, and Lake Havasu.

Phoenix is a city in Arizona that would be incredible to visit.

California

There are so many bucket list places in California, we spent two weeks road tripping here and only managed to tick off a few! This list is long, so I’m using bullet points:

• San Francisco
• San Diego
• Santa Monica
• Los Angeles
• Santa Barbara
• Malibu
• Yosemite National Park
• Sequoia National Park
• Kings Canyon National Park
• Redwood National Park
• Lake Tahoe
• Monterey
• Big Sur
• Napa Valley
• Palm Springs
• Huntington Beach
• Mammoth Lakes
• Salvation Mountain
• Death Valley

The list here could go on and on. Of course, there is also Disney, again!

READ MORE: ALL OUR CALIFORNIA GUIDES

SANTA MONICA & LOS ANGELES

Colorado

Colorado is a dream for outdoor lovers. Denver is the vibrant capital, while Boulder is a fun college town with great hiking nearby. The Rocky Mountains are, of course, a must on your USA bucket list. Other must-see spots include Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Aspen, and Mesa Verde National Park.

Hawaii

Hawaii is the ultimate tropical paradise and an absolute dream destination. Each island has something unique: Oahu for Honolulu and Waikiki Beach, Maui for the Road to Hana and Haleakalā National Park, the Big Island for volcanoes, and Kauai for its dramatic Na Pali Coast. It’s definitely a bucket list destination for beaches, hiking, and incredible culture.

Idaho

Idaho looks like an underrated gem with some stunning scenery. Boise is a city worth checking out, while Coeur d’Alene is famous for its beautiful lake. Sun Valley is a top ski destination, and Shoshone Falls is a must-see.

Montana

Montana is all about wide open spaces and national parks. Glacier National Park is one of the most spectacular places in the USA, with its mountains and turquoise lakes. Yellowstone National Park also stretches into Montana, so it’s a great base for exploring. Missoula and Bozeman are fun cities surrounded by nature.

Nevada

Most people think of Las Vegas when they hear Nevada, and of course, it’s an iconic bucket list destination. But the state has so much more, like Lake Tahoe, Red Rock Canyon, and the stunning Valley of Fire State Park. Great Basin National Park is another hidden gem with incredible stargazing.

New Mexico

New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment, and it’s easy to see why. Santa Fe is full of architecture and culture, while Albuquerque is famous for the International Balloon Fiesta. White Sands National Park looks magical, and Taos is a charming mountain town worth visiting.

Oregon

Oregon is packed with natural beauty. Portland is fun, with plenty of parks and great food. Crater Lake National Park is stunning, and the Columbia River Gorge has some of the best waterfalls in the country. The Oregon Coast, especially Cannon Beach, is also high on the bucket list.

Utah

Utah is home to some of the most incredible national parks in the USA. Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef make up the famous “Mighty 5.” Salt Lake City is the capital and a good base for exploring.

Washington

Washington State (not to be confused with Washington, DC.) is full of contrasts. We visited Seattle and found it a little disappointing. The natural beauty looks incredible, though. Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier, and the San Juan Islands are all must-sees. Don’t miss Leavenworth, a Bavarian-style village in the mountains.

Wyoming

Wyoming is one of the best states for outdoor adventures. Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park are two absolute bucket list destinations. Jackson Hole is a beautiful town surrounded by mountains, perfect for skiing in winter or hiking in summer.

A Bonus Destinations for Your Bucket List

Washington DC

Washington, DC isn’t technically a state; it is officially classed as a federal district. However, I don’t think a USA travel bucket list would be complete without including the capital of the USA.

We spent a lovely weekend in DC. It was our youngest’s first trip when he was just two months old.

Final Thoughts on This USA Travel Bucket List

The USA is one of the most diverse and exciting countries in the world to explore, and this USA travel bucket list brings together some incredible destinations across all 50 states to help inspire your next adventure.

From iconic cities like New York and San Francisco to breathtaking national parks and hidden gems you may never have heard of, there is something in America for every type of traveller.

Having spent two years travelling across the USA, I still feel like we’ve only scratched the surface and that’s what makes this country so special. There is always somewhere new to discover, whether you’re planning a road trip, a city break, or a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list journey.

I hope this guide has given you plenty of inspiration for your own USA travels. Remember to download our free printable list and see how many of these destinations you have visited so far?

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Thank you for reading our ultimate travel USA bucket list. I hope you’ve found it inspiring, and we’ve helped you discover some amazing American destinations.

Happy Exploring,