2022 Travel Guide to the United States

Interest and demand for domestic travel have surged in recent months following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, and while some it is due to travelers seeking to make up for lost time, much of it is due to the diversity of experiences available to travelers in the United States. From coast to coast, the 50 states and their accompanying districts and territories offer an unparalleled mix of adventure, culture, history and entertainment. Here's your guide to experiencing the very best that the United States has to offer in 2022.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to advise people to delay travel within the U.S. until they are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. Travelers should also check their specific destination's latest COVID-19 situation and any potential restrictions ahead of time. What's more, face masks are still required in indoor areas of public transportation including airplanes, and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports.

Seattle, Washington

The Pacific Northwest has much to offer travelers in the year ahead, but perhaps no destination can boast a wider range of experiences than Seattle. After all, the city is home to iconic landmarks like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market as well as an array of museums and attractions celebrating art, history, culture and more. Visitors will find mouthwatering food at every turn and will also be within driving distance of spectacular national parks like Olympic and Mount Rainier.

Florida Keys

Sun and fun-seekers can't go wrong touring the Florida Keys. Travelers can drive through these tropical islands in just a few hours but will need a few days to experience all they have to offer, including amazing seafood, stellar snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities, world-class fishing and one of the most unique cities in the world in vibrant Key West.

Denver, Colorado

Denver is no stranger to high praise from visitors and locals alike, and while Colorado's capital offers travelers all of the big city staples like awesome restaurants, fascinating museums and amusement parks, it also features some unexpected surprises like its claim to see an average of 300 days of sunshine each year. The Mile High City is also an excellent place to drop anchor for those hoping to explore the charm of nearby Boulder and Rocky Mountain National Park.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

The Grand Canyon isn't America's most visited national park, but it's certainly the most renowned. The country's most recognizable attraction remains among the nation's most jaw-dropping sights and offers visitors plenty to do while they take them all in, including camping, hiking, cycling, rafting and other outdoor activities.

Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida

Walt Disney World Resort's 18-month-long 50th-anniversary celebration will continue through 2022, adding to the Most Magical Place on Earth's unrivaled allure as visitors can look forward to a slew of enhanced attractions and experiences across all four theme parks as well as special events and commemorative merchandise.

Route 66

Few road trips compare to Route 66, otherwise known as the Mother Road or the Main Street of America. The route stretches from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, but it's the places in between that make it so special, including the ghost towns, one-of-a-kind roadside attractions and numerous motels, restaurants and small businesses.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho

The first national park in the U.S. is set to turn 150 years old in 2022, giving travelers added incentive to experience its natural wonders, the most famous being its many hydrothermal features that include hot springs, geysers, mud pots and fumaroles.

Times Square, New York, New York

New York City is the most-visited destination in the U.S., and while the Big Apple isn't short on iconic sites and attractions, few draw as much attention as bustling Times Square. Shopping, dining, entertainment and a whole lot more await visitors to this All-American tourist destination in 2022.

Events, at least the in-person kind, have largely been put on hold amid the pandemic, but the vaccine rollout has allowed for the return of some of the U.S.'s most iconic experiences, from February's Super Bowl in Los Angeles to popular live Broadway shows on the other side of the country in New York City.

Travelers will also have the chance to see and hear marquee performers such as Adele and Katy Perry during exclusive residencies in Las Vegas this year. What's more, music and art festivals are back with Ultra lighting up Miami in March and Coachella returning to Indio, California for two weekends in April.

In addition to the NFL's Big Game in February, the U.S. will host a plethora of notable sporting events this year, including the NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness Final Four in New Orleans in April and horse racing's Triple Crown, which will return to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on the first Saturday in May. Plus, the U.S. Open Tennis Championships will return to Flushing Meadows in New York City in late August.

Travelers will have much more to look forward to as the holiday season rolls around, with spooky ghost tours being offered in haunted cities like Salem, Massachusetts; Savannah, Georgia and New Orleans ahead of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. December will see the return of Christmas markets and showcases and the iconic ball drop from the Big Apple as visitors usher in a new year.

Orlando, Florida

Orlando offers convenient access to some of the world's top theme parks, whether it's Walt Disney World, SeaWorld or Universal Orlando Resort. Families can also make the short drive east to visit Florida's Space Coast and experience some of the country's best beaches as well as the Kennedy Space Center

Washington, DC

The nation's capital is an ideal destination for families who can take in notable landmarks honoring historical figures like the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial and explore kid-friendly attractions such as the sprawling and free-to-enter Smithsonian museum complex and the famous National Zoo.

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is the perfect city to explore with the family as it features plenty of inviting parks like Piedmont and Centennial Olympic as well as spectacular kid-friendly attractions such as the Georgia Aquarium and Six Flags Over Georgia. Atlanta also has lots of cultural and historical sites to explore, including Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, World of Coca-Cola, Fox Theatre and the College Football Hall of Fame.

Maui, Hawaii

Couples seeking a romantic getaway will find just that on the Hawaiian island of Maui. The beautiful beaches and luxe resorts here are just the beginning as visitors can look forward to helicopter tours, whale watching expeditions, surfing lessons and local farmers markets.

Palm Springs, California

It turns out that Palm Springs isn't just for retirees. This desert oasis in Southern California is a dream come true for art enthusiasts and those looking for scenic photo-ops. For the best shot of you and your sweetheart, climb aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world. Nearby Joshua Tree National Park is also a must for traveling couples hoping to experience one of the world's most unique landscapes.

Napa Valley, California

The ultimate couple's vacation awaits travelers to California's Napa Valley, where visitors will be met with a sensational selection of vineyards. Couples will also want to make their way to nearby Sonoma and the super charming Healdsburg, a walkable small town featuring a stellar foodie scene with a focus on farm-to-table and locally-sourced ingredients.

Las Vegas, Nevada

You don't have to be part of a bachelor or bachelorette party to have a great time in the Entertainment Capital of the World. Traveling groups of all sorts will have a blast in Las Vegas, which has diversified its offerings in recent years with the rollout of more celebrity chef-inspired restaurants, award-winning performances and residencies featuring some of the biggest names and acts in music.

Nashville, Tennessee

The Music City is often considered the Las Vegas of the South for its vibrant Broadway neighborhood. Like Vegas, Nashville features tons to do for groups. Visitors will find live music around every corner, spirited rooftop bars, mouthwatering restaurants and endless shopping opportunities. The city's history and influence are also on display at places like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium.

Miami, Florida

South Florida is another ideal warm-weather destination to meet up with family and friends as visitors will have access to gorgeous beaches, unparalleled nightlife, a diverse foodie scene propelled by an ever-expanding selection of food trucks and a growing list of attractions, including no shortage of sites for art enthusiasts, including the modern showcase on display at Perez Art Museum and the eye-popping street art of Miami's Wynwood neighborhood.

New York, New York

New York City is easy to get to and offers solo visitors an endless list of exciting things to see and do. Making new friends is fast and easy on guided tours of the city's most iconic sites, but there's plenty to experience on your own as well, whether it's people-watching in Central Park, boarding a scenic cruise or ferry ride, museum hopping or taking in a Broadway show.

Los Angeles, California

The City of Angels is equally as enjoyable on your own as it is with others, providing solo travelers with beautiful beaches to relax on, scenic hills to hike, world-class shopping along Rodeo Drive and elsewhere and a plethora of exceptional museums and bucket-list-worthy sites from the Santa Monica Pier to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is the perfect destination for solo travelers looking to show off to their friends and social media followers with sensational selfies at magnificent sites like the famous Cloud Gate sculpture or heart-stopping Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower. Visitors can also plot their next move from any one of the city's expansive parks along the shores of Lake Michigan, stroll the Lakefront Trail and tour amazing museums like The Art Institute of Chicago.

Houston, Texas

Houston is heating up when it comes to delicious eats, offering travelers some tremendous options, including out-of-this-world BBQ, Southern comfort food and Mexican, among other cuisines. The city is also home to several beloved steakhouses including Vic & Anthony's and Brennan's. Phenomenal pho, perfect pizza and plenty of other scrumptious meals await as well.

Charleston, South Carolina

Your appetite will never leave you in Charleston. Heavenly BBQ can be found at Rodney Scott's and Lewis Barbecue, of course, but there's lots more to treat your taste buds to, including Asian soul food at Xiao Bao Biscuit, fresh seafood at Chubby Fish and dynamic French cuisine at Maison.

Phoenix, Arizona

The Valley of the Sun is known for great weather and access to adventure, but the region's burgeoning foodie scene is giving travelers yet another reason to plan their visit. Phoenix does Mexican classics like tacos better than just about anywhere, with Taco Chelo and La Santisima among the many standouts. However, hungry visitors will have plenty of other options, including amazing wood-fired pizza from spots like The Parlor and IL Bosco and lively brunch experiences at Hash Kitchen.

Alaska

The Last Frontier is well stocked on adventure experiences, featuring countless mountains, glaciers and other natural elements that make it ideal for hiking, hunting, kayaking and any other activity that involves exploring the great outdoors. While visitors will be drawn to places like Denali and Kenai Fjords, Gates of the Arctic and Lake Clark provide travelers with less-populated opportunities for adventure.

Arizona

Like Alaska, the A in Arizona might as well stand for adventure as the Grand Canyon State boasts nature in bunches. National parks like Grand Canyon, Saguaro and Petrified Forest are among the best in the country, but visitors can also find lots to see and do outdoors in places like Sedona, Lake Havasu City, Prescott and Flagstaff.

Utah

Just north of Arizona, Utah offers travelers loads of red rock-inspired adventure in places like Arches, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. Visitors can hike some of the world's most beautiful scenery, relax in natural hot springs and take in the starry night sky far out in the wilderness.

New Orleans, Louisiana

The Big Easy will host a long list of popular events in 2022, including one of the year's biggest sporting events in the NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness Final Four during the first weekend in April. What's more, the city always shows up for its beloved Saints, and visitors will have a chance to catch NBA action inside of the Smoothie King Center where the Pelicans play.

Boston, Massachusetts

The Boston Red Sox and Celtics are two of the most iconic professional sports franchises in the world, and the city isn't short on titles either. The New England Patriots who play in nearby Foxborough are tied for the most Super Bowl wins of all time. Boston also has bucket-list sporting venues like Fenway Park, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places a decade ago.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Home to the reigning NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks, this underrated Midwest destination rewards visitors with one of the most unique gameday experiences in the Deer District and is less than two hours from Green Bay where travelers will find the legendary Lambeau Field, home of the 13-time NFL Champion Green Bay Packers.

Whether it's the food, music, museums or festivals, the U.S.'s diversity and wide range of cultural influences will always set it apart. Exploring the U.S. isn't the same as traveling the world, that's for sure, but rarely will you have the same experience twice. Whether you're seeking something new in the year ahead or just looking to be surprised, you're sure to find it by traveling the U.S.