One of the things I love most about traveling in the U.S. is how you can have a completely different experience just by hopping to another corner of the country. If you want a warm and relaxing beach vacation? Hawaii’s waiting. Want a week of hiking and snuggling up at night by a roaring fire? Colorado’s calling. Or maybe you’re craving the rush of a city where there’s something happening at all hours—hello, New York.

America really is like dozens of countries in one, and I have visited them all. Most of the time with my family. But after plenty of trips, road adventures, and “wow, I can’t believe this is here” moments, I’ve narrowed down the places that feel extra special.This is much less of a travel itinerary or travel guide and more like me pulling you aside and saying: okay, if you’re planning your next trip, here’s where you need to go.

Hawaii: The Island Dream

Honestly, Hawaii never gets old. Each island is different and has a different feel to it.which is half the fun. Oahu is lively and packed with history—surfing at Waikiki in the morning, touring Pearl Harbor in the afternoon, and grabbing poke bowls for dinner. Oahu is defintely the most crowded and although you can find places to be alone in nature, it is harder.

Maui is the happy medium island. You have plenty of city annd can also find plenty of nature without driving long distance. Drive the Road to Hana, stop at waterfalls, and watch the sunrise from your favorite lounge chair.

The Big Island is rugged and great for people who love hiking and volcanoes. You can visit  coffee farms and those wild black sand beaches.

And Kauai? That’s the one you go to when you’re craving unspoiled, jaw-dropping beauty—Na Pali Coast hikes, helicopter rides over Waimea Canyon, and views that stop you in your tracks. If you want nature at its finest and don’t mind not being near the comforts of a city, you will love Kauai.

What makes Hawaii so unforgettable is the balance of adventure and relaxation. Beach days, luaus, hiking, Hawaii can be what you want that particular day. It’s one of those rare places where every trip feels different, no matter how many times you’ve been.

California’s Coast

California’s coastline has different personalities. In the South you have sunshine, surfing, and golden beaches. This is the coast you think of when you think of California. You can visit Malibu for huge waves and people watching, Laguna for an artsy town with beautiful beaches and Huntington Beach is pure surf culture.These are the beaches that you see on every TV show about California and they are just a awesome in real life.

Head north on the Pacific Coast Highway and suddenly the beach is different . Big Sur is wild and dramatic and so big with cliffs dropping straight into a churning ocean.Monterey beaches have sea otters, tide pools, and one of the best aquariums in the world. Carmel-by-the-Sea is so charming you half expect a fairy tale character to walk out of one of its cottages. And the whole way up, the Pacific Coast Highway keeps surprising you with views that make you pull over “just for a picture”… and then twenty pictures later, you’re still there.

Florida

Florida is basically a choose-your-own-adventure book. Many of the larger states on my list are similar in the variety they offer, but Florida has not just beautiful cities but some pretty spectacular beaches.

Visiting The Keys is like visiting the Caribbean without a passpor. Key West has quirky, overdecorated bars, pastel houses,and beaches that stretch for miles.

St. Augustine is a historic city, home to the Fountain of Youth, and the oldest continuously occupied city in the United States. Its downtown area is full of well-preserved buildings, like the Castillo de San Marcos, and many old Spanish style buildings. Its a very popular spot for people who love history and like a charming town with lots to do.

Or you could visit the Panhandle, with emerald-green water and family-friendly towns like Destin and Panama City Beach. Florida may have a reputation for being a little over the top, but trust me: there’s a version of Florida for everyone.

The Outer Banks, North Carolina

The Outer Banks are another beach spot that is hard to top. Plus if you want somewhere to go on a family trip, there are lots and lots of beach house rentals.

These long, narrow islands stretch for miles, so you can go to a different beach every day and still have dozens left undiscovered. If you dont’ want to be at a beach every single day there are great historic things to see and do. This is where the Wright Brothers took their first flight, where Blackbeard the pirate lurked, and where wild horses still roam the sand dunes.

What I love here is the simplicity. There aren’t big hotels or flashy resorts in sight. It’s more about renting a beach house, cooking seafood you bought fresh that morning, and spending lazy days by the waves. There aren’t many better ways to spend a week.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod is pure New England summer. When I was growing up we went to Cape Cod every July and we loved the lobster shacks, drive in movie theater, the sandy beaches and swimming in the ponds.

There isn’t a single bad spot on the Cape and it really comes down to what you are looking for from your beach vacation. The towns closer to the mainland are much busier with more restaurants, bars, and shopping. If you want a calmer, gentler version of the cape head toward the end of the Cape for beaches and nostalgic drive in restaurants.

The towns along the Cape are as charming as it gets. Chatham has that small-town New England feel, Sandwich is historic, and Wellfleet is famous for its oysters. (Plus its famous for its swimmable kettle ponds.) Add in bike trails, and the Cape Cod National Seashore with 40 miles of protected coastline, and you’ve got a destination that’s equal parts relaxation and exploration.

Utah’s Mighty Five

Utah looks like another planet. Zion is all towering cliffs and emerald pools, Bryce Canyon is filled with hoodoos (those quirky stone spires that glow orange at sunrise), and Arches is exactly what it sounds like—massive red stone arches everywhere you turn. Canyonlands is vast and rugged, while Capitol Reef is a little quieter, with orchards tucked into its red rock landscape.

It is hard to pick a favorite, and the cool thing about Utah’s national parks is that you don’t have to pick. They are close enough for a road trip from Salt Lake City. Plus you can spend an entire week immersed in some of the most impressive spots in all of the United States.

New York City

New York City is the ultimate city. If you love being able to walk around and feel the energy of millions of people, you will love New York. Walk through Times Square at midnight, spend time exploring all of Central Park, see some of the best museum in the world, or relax to watch a broadway show. It’s chaotic, yes—but also endlessly exciting.

I love NYC, and we live very close so we head in often. If you want to plan your first trip to NYC start with this blog post. It will guide you step by step in what to do and it has lots of tips so New York won’t seem quite as overwhelming.

It’s the kind of place where you leave with sore feet, a full belly, and a long list of things you didn’t get to—but that’s half the fun.

Los Angeles

Ah, LA—the city people love or love to hate. I personally love it. Old fashioned glamour, palm-lined streets, and beaches that stretch for miles. But the real fun of LA is exploring its different pockets. Downtown has the history of Los Angeles and the famous garment district , Beverly Hills has palm tree lined roads and perfect lawns, Koreatown has amazing food, and Santa Monica is perfect for sunset on the pier.

One of my favorite spots in Los Angeles is the Getty Museum,  perched on a hill with all of Los Angeles below. I also love the Farmer’s Market and the wonderful smells of different cuisines and the spectacular fresh fruit.

I even love dirty and grungy Hollywood withe the Walk of Fame and Sunset Blvd. Try it out on your next vacation and you might love it too.

Seattle Area

The Seattle area is one of my favorite spots in the U.S. And I say area because Seattle is beautiful but the surrounding areas make the entire place worth visiting.

While you are in Seattle proper you should visit Pike Place Market and the Space Needle. You should also plan a visit to the Chihuly Gardens and Glass and walk through sweeping gardens with hand crafted glass sculptures. If you need some more fun, visit the Gates Discovery Center and spend a little time doing a service project to help people around the world.

If you want to explore Seattle by sea hop on a ferry to Bainbridge Island for small-town vibes and waterfront views. Nature lovers can hike through Discovery Park, paddle on Lake Union, or take a day trip to Mount Rainier.

 Whether you’re into coffee, kayaking, or just soaking up Pacific Northwest vibes, Seattle’s got you covered.

Washington, D.C.

D.C. is not just monuments and boring museums, (my kids words, not mine) there are so many fun things to do in Washington D.C and there are also some aweseom museums.

One of my favorite museums is the International Spy Museum. This museum is completely dedicated to all things spies, spy gadgets, stories of famous spies, and opportunites to do a little spy work yourself. The museum is so interactive that your kids won’t find it boring at all.

The National Zoo is another favorite of my family. The zoo is nowhere near the biggest in the country but you can spend an entire day here learning about animals. Plus the pandas are so much fun, you will want visit them a few times on your visit.

Another favorite is Ford’s Theater best known for where Abraham Lincoln was shot. The theater is once again an active theater and does performances year round. If you can’t see a performance it is worth going to see the new exhibits and learn more about the plot to assassinate the President.

Of course, beyond that, the National Mall is iconic, with the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Smithsonian museums (all free, by the way). But beyond that, Georgetown’s cobblestones, Adams Morgan’s global food scene, and the new waterfront all add layers of fun.

If you can, go in spring for the cherry blossoms—it’s crowded, but it’s also unforgettable.

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is a city that surprises me every time I visit. You can’t go just once and see everything.

First of all, the low country cuisine is so delicious and very different than just Southern Food. My favorte spot is Slightly North of Broad and their shirmp and grits are a revelation. But there are lots of places to eat, including High Cotton and Figs.

Some of the best things to do include: Horse Drawn carriage rides, walking around town enjoying beautiful pastel homes, visiting the open air markets, and

It’s romantic, historic, and just plain lovely. Plus its a great place to visit when it is cold and snowy where you live and you need a little bit of sun.

Saratoga Springs, New York

Saratoga Springs, New York, is a small city with big personality and a ridiculous amount of things to do. This historic city in Upstate New York was the relaxation spot of the New York City elite in the late 1800s. They would come to drink the local mineral water and bathe in it as a cure all.

Much of what Saratoga Springs is today came about as the locals found things to do to entertain the visitors. For example, horse racing was brought to Saratoga at the time and you can now can catch a horse race at the legendary Saratoga Race Course in the summer. Or you can soak in a mineral bath in the old spas around town.

The downtown area is walkable and packed with boutiques, coffee shops, and great restaurants. In summer, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center hosts everything from classical concerts to rock shows, while nearby Saratoga Spa State Park offers trails, golf, and picnic spots year-round.

Our family favorite is the International Flavor Feast that happens every fall in Saratoga Springs. You can buy tastes of different resturants throughout the city. Plus the fall foliage is beautiful around town and in the park.

Nashville, Tennessee

Music is everywhere in Nashville—on Broadway, at the airport, in legendary venues like the Ryman. And don’t worry if you don’t like country music, there’s indie, rock, blues, you name it. You can learn to line dance at the Wildhorse Saloon, or go watch an up and coming country star at the Bluebird Cafe.

Beyond the music, the food scene is growing fast. The new Assembly Food Hall is the spot to try some of Nashville’s finest. Our favorites were Prince’s Hot Chicken, Hattie Janes Creamery, and Cheese Lab.

It’s also one of the easiest cities to explore. Everything downtown is walkable, and the energy is contagious.

You can go a little out of downtown and spend some time at the Grand Ole Opry, or take a walk through the Gaylord Opryland hotel.

Stockbridge, Massachusetts

 

Stockbridge, Massachusetts and the Berkshires suroounding the area is the perfect place to spend a fall weekend. Home to Norman Rockwell and the home of the Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge is almost too quaint. But you will be able to handle it! Downtown Stockbridge has not changed since Norman Rockwell immortalized it in his painting “Home for Christmas.”

You can wander through the beautifully preserved downtown, visit the historic Red Lion Inn for lunch or head to thegardens at Naumkeag, a Gilded Age estate near downtown.

Of course, all around Stockbridge there are lots of other charming small Berkshire mountain towns. If you want to learn more about fun things to do in the Berkshires, check out this post.

Portland, Maine

Small but mighty, Portland is all about seafood and being outside in the beautiful Maine sumemr weather. Its also worth visiting other times of year, but summer is spectacular. However you can, spend time on the water on a boat, at the dozens of beaches in the area, or sitting on a pier downtown and enjoying a lobster roll.

The Old Port district has some of the best restaurants in the Northeast and in the summer you will have to wait in line. But it isn’t too bad when there are so many cute shops nearby and lots of fun snacks to eat while you wait. I highly recommend Gorgeous Gelato, Holy Donuts, and Duck Fat fries.

While downtown is adorable, get out to some nearby lighthouses and spend some time walking along the Maine coastline. One of the best things about Portland is how close it is to so much nature.

I hope that these ideas give you some places to jump start your planning. I’m sure there are so many other places I am going to discover in my travels, and I will update this as I find new and awesome places to visit.