It’s no secret that international travel requires patience, flexibility, and a few extra circus hoops these days. If you’re hesitant to go abroad, we’ve got plenty of cultural, historical, culinary, and adventure spots here in the US. Here are some of my personal favourite must-see US destinations!
*Please note that some destinations have their own covid protocols in place. All travellers must adhere to any local regulations.*
Must-See US Destinations
Whether you are after a beach getaway, a culturally rich sojourn, a museum-filled long weekend, or a foodie paradise, we have all of that and more. After all, despite a lot of things, the US is a wonderful place to explore.
Read more: Ranches in the US | Destinations: Washington DC | Family-Friendly Resorts
US Destinations for Foodies
While one could argue that every city has something to offer foodies, there are definitely places that offer more. Looking for anything your heart desires? New York has food from every corner of the planet. Seeking a culinary hotspot with a little bit of culture? Charleston, South Carolina has the market on Low Country cuisine and charming Southern hospitality, while New Orleans spices everything up. Prefer a little salsa with your food? Head for Miami, which has (of course) a huge Cuban and Latin scene – everything from dancing and street art to mojitos and every kind of Latin and South American cuisine you could want.
Wine and beer lovers aren’t left out either. Boston has a surprisingly diverse craft beer scene – what to pair with lobstah you ask? – as well as a number of craft distilleries too. On the opposite coast, head for Portland for hundreds of wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries. Pair any local bevvie with local foods: khao man gai, donuts, tacos, you name it, there’s a pairing for it. Yes, that includes wine pairings with donuts.
Where to stay in these must-see US destinations:
New York | Four Seasons Downtown | The Beekman | The Mark
Charleston | Hotel Bennett | Zero George Street | The Dewberry
New Orleans | Windsor Court Hotel | The Roosevelt | W New Orleans
Miami | The Setai | Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club | Acqualina Resort & Spa
Boston | Four Seasons One Dalton Street | XV Beacon | Boston Harbor Hotel
Portland | the Nines
Culturally Rich US Cities
While we are, comparatively, a very young country, we have some cities with a rich history. Early American cities like Boston and Philadelphia seamlessly blend their 18th century founding with modern museums, five star hotels, and plenty of local character. Savannah and Charleston likewise, though their history tends to be a little more piratical. New Orleans offers a surprising World War Two history, with one of the best WWII museums in the world. Who knew? And I can’t forget Washington DC, which was laid out and planned by Pierre L’Enfant. Learn the history behind the urban planning as well as dive deep into the many museums and galleries in DC.
Out west, Santa Fe and San Antonio deliver the goods, and a healthy dose of Mexican-American history. Remember the Alamo? You can visit it.
Where to stay in these must-see US destinations:
Philadelphia | Four Seasons at Comcast Center | The Rittenhouse
Washington DC | The Hay-Adams | Park Hyatt | Conrad Washington DC
Savannah | Perry Lane Hotel
Santa Fe | Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi | Inn and Spa at Loretto | Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado
San Antonio | Hotel Emma | La Cantera
US Destinations for Beach Lovers
With over 95,000 miles of shoreline, US destinations boast plenty of places for a beach getaway. When you want to combine your beach getaway with a vibrant city, look no further than Miami. With South Beach hopping from sunup to well past sundown, there’s plenty to see and do when you’re tired of the beach. (Consider an art tour, a street art class, a Hemingway experience, or a Cuban culinary class.) Cross-country, Santa Monica offers a wide beach with a walkway into Venice Beach. This is THE place to people watch. If you want to celeb spot, head for Laguna Beach or Malibu.
Need some relaxation? Hawaii has four islands perfect for this. Lanai is the quietest, but families might want to settle down on Maui or the Big Island at one of many luxurious resorts. And if you’re like me and prefer cool weather beaches, head for Maine, Nantucket, or Cape Cod.
Where to stay in these US destinations:
South Beach/Miami | W South Beach | 1 Hotel South Beach | COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach | Acqualina
Southern Cal | Fairmont Miramar | Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills | Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel
Hawaii | Mauna Kea Beach Hotel | Andaz Maui | Grand Hyatt Kauai
East Coast Beaches | Chatham Bars Inn | Ocean House | Cliff House Maine
Adventure in the USA
Our backyard is full of exciting experiences to get your heart pumping. Go whitewater rafting in West Virginia. Climb a 14er in Colorado. Skydive over San Diego.
Adventure comes in all forms. Take in the views from mountain peaks across the Rockies, Appalachians, Adirondacks, or Sierra Nevadas. Play with heavy duty construction equipment or take a Lamborghini for a spin around a race track in Las Vegas. Snorkel or scuba dive off the Gulf Coast or in the USVI. Take a sailing class at the Inn at Perry Cabin (MD). And if you’re feeling like getting away from it all, sleep under the stars in one of our many many National Parks.
Where to stay in these US destinations:
Colorado | The Little Nell | The Sebastian Vail | Park Hyatt Beaver Creek | Madeline Hotel
Adirondacks | Lake Kora | Troutbeck
Las Vegas | The Bellagio | The Cosmopolitan Hotel Las Vegas
Ranches and Lodges | The Lodge at Blue Sky | The Lodge at Woodloch | Bishop’s Lodge | Ranch at Rock Creek