From sea to shining sea, the United States is full of surprises, delightful destinations, and astounding natural wonders that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Whether you’re enjoying the small-city charms of one of Florida’s best treasures or celebrating the holidays in the city that never sleeps, there is truly no shortage of fun times to be had that fit every budget and need. Read on to learn about how to see the reaches of wild Alaska, step back in time in America’s top musical city, and score eternal youth.
Cruise Through Denali National Park’s Three Ecosystems
Spanning six million acres and dominated by three distinct ecosystems, Alaska’s Denali National Park is one of the most incredible natural wonders in the United States. Take the Denali National Park bus deep into the heart of the taiga, through wide expanses of tundra, and then marvel at Denali itself, high in the arctic zone at the very end of the park. You’ll get face-to-face with animals like grizzly bears, elusive lynx, and gigantic moose. Since it’s a hop-on-hop-off experience, you can step off the bus to photograph wild animals, dip your toes in chilly glacial streams, or stretch your legs in the fresh air. Alaska in general, and Denali National Park in particular, has a way of making you feel small and awed in the best possible way. Its untamed and achingly beautiful wilderness makes the long trip towards the Arctic so worth it. Enhance your experience with a scenic train ride from Fairbanks to the park, where you can watch the wild landscape roll by in total comfort.
Belly Up to a Honky-Tonk in Nashville, Tennessee
Music is a living, breathing force in Nashville, Tennessee. Everywhere you look, you’ll find a yet-to-be-discovered star plucking the guitar strings or a honey-voiced alto belting out the lyrics to a Dolly Parton song. Broadway is the place to be, especially in legendary haunts like Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, where live music fills every nook and cranny every single night. If you’re craving a less touristy vibe, check out Printers Alley. It’s full of classic honky-tonks, but slightly off the beaten path, and you’ll find a wider genre of music there, like blues and jazz at places like Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar. One of the greatest things about Nashville is the second you stumble into one of the old-school bars, you can feel the history. These places carry the echoes of all the great musicians who wandered through their doors, from Loretta Lynn to Johnny Cash. So, belly up to the bar. Order your libation of choice, and let the music take you.
Marvel at the Rockefeller Christmas Tree in New York City
New York City has a habit of putting on an epic show for the holidays, and nowhere is that more apparent than Rockefeller Center’s crown jewel: a colossal Christmas tree towering high with tinsel and trim and glittering with thousands of colorful LED lights. Nothing will get you more in the holiday spirit than seeing this festive tree in full glory. While you’re there, unleash your inner child with a skating session at Rockefeller Center Rink, where you can glide right underneath the tree. If the Rockefeller Christmas Tree isn’t enough holiday spirit for you, grab a hot cocoa and take a ten-minute stroll to Times Square, where you can grab a slice of wafer-thin New York pizza, wander along the light-drenched streets, and pick up some holiday gifts for you and yours.
Hike the Montana Rockies in Glacier National Park
The pristine, panoramic vistas of Glacier National Park are one of the reasons this unspoiled place is nicknamed the “Crown of the Continent.” It’s in Montana’s Rocky Mountains and one of the most impressive areas of this already scenic and splendid state. If you’re into hardcore hiking, you’ll find plenty of moderate to challenging paths, like the Highline Loop, which covers about 13 miles of distance and takes you past wildflower-dotted glens and past sheer cliffs where you can get a great picture of the landscape. If hiking isn’t your style, no worries. Take it easy and breezy with a boat tour in the still, glassy waters of Two Medicine Lake. Go during the summer for the fairest weather or early fall to see the leaves changing. You can generally still visit the park during the winter, but some hiking trails may be closed, and the temperatures are frigid.
Sip From the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine, Florida
If eternal youth is what you crave, St. Augustine should be on your bucket list. This charming city is home to Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, where you can sample healing waters straight from the fountain itself. You can even buy some for friends back home. The entire complex is fascinating too, with its planetarium and recreation of Seloy, a traditional Timucua village. It’s also an active archaeological dig site, and you might catch a glimpse or two of the resident peacocks. Even without the lure of eternal youth, St. Augustine is well worth checking out. It’s a phenomenally beautiful city with late-night ghost walks, fantastic art museums, and winding cobblestone streets where you’ll always find live music, cute boutiques, and artisanal coffee shops.
Have you been to any of these bucket-list-worthy destinations? What’s your favorite place to visit in the United States? Please let us know!
