15 US Destinations to Explore Before Going International

PHOTO: The Colorado River's famed Horseshoe Bend, one of many breathtaking views along the waterway. (Photo by Michelle Rae Uy)

We all have big dreams of visiting the historic landmarks of Europe, traversing the grand landscapes of South America, and navigating the bustling streets of Asia. It’s only natural. The grass always seems greener on the other side, after all.

But while there’s this perception among many that it’s not an actual vacation unless you’re going to a distant land, there are countless of places on our soil that can give those bucket list destinations a proper run for their money. Before you jet off to exotic Thailand or vibrant Spain, consider exploring your own country first. These 15 US destinations might just be as unforgettable as those international ones on your list.

Most Dramatic Coast: Big Sur

The UK, Greece and Portugal may have spectacular coasts, but so does California. One of the Golden State’s worst kept secret is Big Sur, the unincorporated region that stretches from north of San Simeon to just south of Carmel. This magnificent coastal area, which has been dubbed as the “greatest meeting of land and water in the world,” runs along California’s legendary Pacific Coast Highway and rewards visitors with towering forests, beautiful sunsets, sweeping panoramas, lush rolling hills and even a waterfall that feeds directly into the ocean.

Best of the Wild Outdoors: Yellowstone

Besides Patagonia and the Serengeti perhaps, there’s hardly anything else on Earth that rivals the majesty of our national parks, the queen of which is Yellowstone. This nearly 3,500 square mile park is grand wildness personified. And it’s as absurdly stunning and transformative as it is rugged and untrammeled, with hot springs steaming in the winter, gushing geysers, green valleys, alpine rivers and a plethora of flora. It’s also home to several year-round residents that you’ll be hard pressed to see in the cities, including bears, bison, elk and antelope.

Most Underrated Island: Puerto Rico

Inexplicably, tourism in Puerto Rico doesn’t account for much. It’s such a shame as the Caribbean island and US territory is not only beautiful, it also offers so much more than it’s given credit for. Its historic forts are formidable, its old wall scenic, its beaches wild, its mountains green, and its cities romantic. On top of those, Puerto Rico has an amazing cuisine, affords many active endeavors including water sports and zip lining (one of the longest zip lines in the world, in fact), and is home to two of the few remaining bioluminescent bays in the world as well as the only tropical rainforest in the United States.

Most Beautiful Island: Kauai

Put the Maldives and Bora Bora on the back burner for now. The Hawaiian Islands are not only closer; they’re also just as exquisite. Kauai, the Garden Isle, is arguably the most awe-inspiring. It’s home to the stunning Waimea Canyon as well as Honopu Beach, which may only be accessible by swimming there when the tide is low but is definitely one of the best in the US. The best part about the island, however, is the fact that it has no big cities, which means there are no towering skyscrapers or bad traffic (unlike Oahu). It’s the place to go if you need to unwind.

Best Big City: New York City

Speaking of big cities, there’s no other city in the world like New York. NYC isn’t just any city. It’s a place of intricate skyscrapers, world-class museums, beautiful green spaces and bridges, hip music venues, amazing restaurants, and little unique neighborhoods. It isn’t dubbed the greatest city in the world for nothing. It’s dynamic, ever changing, and yet the heart of it stays the same. It’s one of those places where you could spend a lifetime in and you’d still have an endless number of new things to do. Have a picnic at Central Park, explore the MET, and grab an amazing lobster roll in Brooklyn to start.

Best Idyllic City: Charleston

There are many beautiful cities in the world to visit: London, Paris, Sydney, even Bangkok for all its flaws. Before you fly overseas, however, there are cities in the US that need ticking off your bucket list. Charleston, South Carolina, for example. It’s a proper city, but it looks and feels like a small Southern town with a touch of European flair. The city is also a National Historic Landmark, boasting over 2,000 historic buildings in several architectural styles including Colonial and Victorian. Best of all, it’s home to amazing sunsets and the most delicious She Crab Soup.

Most Surreal View: The Wave

In Peru, there’s a legendary landscape that not a lot of people know about. Thanks to social media, Vinicunca Mountain (Rainbow Mountain) has become a top contender in many people’s bucket list. But before you commit to that four- to six-day trek, head to Arizona’s Coyote Buttes in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. The Wave is essentially a group of curved troughs formed on Navajo sandstone through erosion. It may not be rainbow colored like Vinicunca and there’s still a bit of hike to get there, but it’s incredibly surreal and Instagram-perfect nonetheless.

Best Garden: Skagit Valley

The Netherlands might be famous for its tulips, among other things, but you need not go that far to run around in a field of them. You just need to fly to Washington (the state, not the capital). Along the banks of the famous Skagit River in northwestern Washington are colorful tulip fields as far as the eye can see. Come in the spring during the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival when tulips are in full bloom. You can photograph tulip gardens as well as attend events, see some attractions and go on tours.

Best River Views: Colorado River

The Colorado River isn’t just a river, it’s also a fantastic course to follow for an epic road trip. Encompassing seven states in the Southwestern United States, this 1,450-mile river has helped shaped or inspire some of the most awe-inspiring and most photographed landmarks in the country. That includes the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, the lesser-known Horseshoe Bend, and Arapaho National Forest. It’s also home to the Arches National Park, the Colorado National Monument, the Rocky Mountains National Park, and many others.

The Stuff of Fairy Tales: Watkins Glen State Park

It’s easy to imagine yourself journeying through Middle Earth or in a land far, far away as you walk along the Gorge Trail of Watkins Glen. This trail, one of three inside the park, takes visitors through the narrow gorge on stone steps, giving them magical views of the park’s stone bridges and 19 waterfalls. The most famous landmark, of course, is the fantastical Rainbow Bridge and Falls, but there are other activities on offer for guests. These include camping, fishing, hiking and cross-country skiing.

Best City to Party: New Orleans

When it comes to partying, New Orleans is the city that never sleeps. It’s not only home to Mardi Gras and jazz, it’s also this untamed land where bars and clubs aren’t required to close and you can drink your way to unconsciousness as you roam the streets. That is, so long as your liquor is in a “go cup.” Even weddings here are all about the festivities. Ever heard of a second-line parade? It’s this amazing wedding tradition where the whole wedding party takes to the streets, with a brass band no less, to celebrate the newlyweds as they start their new life together. Even better, spectators are welcome to join the party.

Most Epic National Park: Glacier National Park

Sure, flights to Iceland are a bargain right now. But the small country is also currently overrun with tourists, which kind of ruins the whole experience. Until the hype dies down, you can head up to Montana instead. On the US-Canada border sits Glacier National Park, one of the country’s most underrated national parks. The park boasts over 20 active glaciers as well as lush valleys, impressive monoliths, scenic drives, and an abundance of wildlife. See the Garden Wall, visit the Two Medicine Valley, drive along Going-in-the-Sun Road, and keep an eye out for mountain goats, moose, lynxes, Grizzly bears and even wolverines.

City with the Most Beautiful Landmarks: Washington D.C.

There isn’t just a gathering of the country’s most powerful people in Washington DC. The capital city also boasts an impressive collection of the country’s most iconic landmarks, building and monuments. It’s home to the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Reflecting Pool, the United States Capitol, the World Ward II Memorial, and several Smithsonian Museums. And that’s in the National Mall alone. The city is even more spectacular at dusk, when these monuments are lit up, and in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

Best Desert: Death Valley

There are many great deserts in the world. There’s the most famous Sahara, Gobi in East Asia, the Arabian Desert, and even the polar desert Antarctic. As enticing as those are, however, California’s Death Valley is also worthy of a stop. It’s not only known as one of the world’s hottest places. It’s also famous for its spectacularly surreal landscapes including Devil’s Golf Course, an area of jagged rock salt spires; Badwater Basin, North America’s lowest point; the Artist’s Drive, a scenic loop offering views of volcanic hills; and Zabriskie Point, the park’s most popular viewpoint.

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