The USA, a land of incredible diversity and beauty, has captivated my heart on each of our many visits from Europe. From the awe-inspiring landscapes of its national parks to the vibrant energy of its cities, this country holds a special place in my travel memories. To share some of that magic with you, I’ve put together a list of iconic American destinations that have left a lasting impression on me.
Miami
The state of Florida is one of the most famous and iconic states in the country. It is known for its warm and sunny weather, beautiful beaches, great resorts, and world-famous amusement parks. One of the key destinations in Florida is the city of Miami.
Miami is a vibrant city that offers a wide variety of activities. The city is particularly famous for its beaches, art deco architecture, cultural venues, nightlife and world-class restaurants. Must-sees in the city include:
- South Beach
- Miami Riverwalk
- Ocean Drive
- Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
- Bayside Marketplace
- Miami Design District
- Little Havana neighborhood
- Wynwood Walls
- boat ride through the Everglades
Pro tip: When visiting Florida, make sure to try some local oranges. Florida has the largest citrus industry in America, which is why it is known as “The Orange State”. There are many different types of oranges to try in the state. I recommend trying out as many varieties as possible during the fresh orange season (October to June).
National Parks
America’s iconic destinations include several stunning national parks. These parks are known for their incredible natural landscapes, stunning views, rich biodiversity and wildlife, as well as their world-famous peaks and hikes.
Here are some of the most iconic national parks in America:
- Glacier National Park, Montana
- Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial (in the Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota)
- Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (but the park also spreads into Montana and Idaho)
- Yosemite National Park, California
- Zion National Park, Utah
Pro tip: You can make the most out of these national parks by planning a nice hike and lodging on-site. You can rent a cabin or a campsite in most of these parks through the US government’s Recreation page. If you have already visited these parks and want to see something else, check out this blog post with some of my favorite, underrated national parks in the US.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas, also known as Sin City, is one of the most famous cities in America. It is the largest city in the state of Nevada and one of the most visited places in the country. Las Vegas has become synonymous with exceptional casinos, top-tier entertainment venues and vibrant nightlife.
The city is also known for its world-class restaurants, luxury resorts and, surprisingly enough, for its beautiful conservation areas. Here are some of the most iconic places to visit in Las Vegas:
- Bellagio Hotel & Casino Fountains
- Caesars Palace
- Las Vegas Strip
- LINQ Promenade
- MGM Grand
- Mob Museum
- Paris Las Vegas
- Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
- The Venetian
- Wynn Las Vegas
Pro tip: If you want to play at one of Las Vegas’ most famous casinos, I recommend learning a bit more about casino gaming. The best way to do so is to visit an online casino.
You do not need to be in a state that has legalized online gambling either, players can familiarize themselves by visiting a sweepstake casino and playing a sweepstake casino game. Sweepstake casinos are legal in most states and allow players to play casino games from free, meaning they do not deposit any funds.
New York City
New York City is arguably the most famous American city. It is known for its excellent cultural and artistic scenes, as well as its influential financial district. It also has a long and rich history, due to being one of the oldest cities in the United States of America.
In short, New York City is one of the most vibrant, culturally dynamic and powerful cities in the world.
There are many different sights to see and neighborhoods to visit in order to understand the city’s rich and unique cultural heritage. Here are some of the most iconic locations:
- Broadway
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Central Park
- Empire State Building
- Greenwich Village
- High Line
- Little Italy
- Manhattan
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)
- National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- SoHo
- Statue of Liberty
- Times Square
- Wall Street
- West Village
Pro tip: Make sure to see a Broadway show during your visit. To better understand some of the city’s history, I recommend seeing the Broadway Musical Hamilton. This now-iconic musical won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and broke the record for musical with the most Tony nominations ever.
Final thoughts
In this article, I listed some of America’s most iconic destinations and my pro tips for making the most out of each location. Of course, there are many other wonderful places to visit in the country like and beautiful road trip like the scenic road trip in Ontario for example.
Let me know in the comments below if you’ve visited some of these iconic destinations and if you have some pro tips you’d like to share with the community.
Lived in England since 1998 and travelled the world since 2005, visiting over 100 countries on 5 continents. Writer, blogger, photographer with a passion for adventure and travel, discovering those off beat places not yet on the tourist trail. Marco contributes the very best in independent travel tips and lifestyle articles.
