Travel in the US

Top Cities and Sites in All the 50 States and Washington, DC

Let's take a look at the top attractions in each of the 50 states.

Each state is expansive and there are tons of things to do, but if you only have a couple of days to explore, here are some places you may like. 

Alabama - TBA

CityTop AttractionsClosest Airport:Best form of TransportationBest Neighborhoods to Stay in that's close to everything:Budget:

Alaska - TBA

CityTop AttractionsClosest Airport:Best form of TransportationBest Neighborhoods to Stay in that's close to everything:Budget:

Arizona

City: PhoenixGood for: Family Trips, Amusement ParksClosest Airport: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Top Attractions:
  1. Arizona Science Center ~$35
  2. OdySea Aquarium ~$40
  3. SEA Life Arizona - ~$20
  4. Desert Botanical Garden ~$30
  5. Enchanted Island Amusement Park - Free to enter, pay for rides and games - ~$22 for day ride pass.
  6. Out of Africa Wildlife Park ~$40
  7. Mystery Castle
  8. Hurricane Harbor Phoenix - Six Flags ~ $45 ticket
  9. Desert Wolf Tours

Best form of Transportation: Car, Uber
Best Neighborhoods to Stay: 
  • Downtown Phoenix

Places to Stay: 


--------------------------City: SedonaGood for: Nature Exploration, National Parks, HikingClosest Airport: Flagstaff, Arizona (48 minute drive)
Top Attractions:
  1. Cathedral Rock
    1. Rather than start at the Cathedral Rock Trailhead which requires a steep climb to reach cathedral rock, you can drive to Oak Creek then take the Verde Valley School Road to the trailhead next to the Baldwin Trail. From there the trail follows the cool shade of Oak Creek for a while then begins a more gradual ascent to Cathedral Rock. It is about a 3.5 mile round trip hike. 
  2. Oak Creek Canyon
    1. Rainbow Trout Farm
    2. Arizona Winery Tours
    3. Uptown Massage
    4. Sedona Transformation Spa
  3. Red Rock State Park
    1. Red Rock Scenic Byway (SR 179)
    2. Ride a Hot Air Balloon with Red Rock Balloons ~$225 pp   (3-4 hours, sunrise rides) 
  4. Slide Rock State Park - natural water park
    1. Montezuma Castle National Monument
    2. Walnut Canyon National Monument
    3. Coconino National Forest
  5. Grand Canyon


Best form of Transportation: Rental Truck/SUV (get a truck to drive through the national parks)
Best Place to Stay: 

Arkansas- TBA

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California

Some people are going to say that you are going to visit California, then Los Angeles is the place to go. I personally loved San Diego way more than I loved LA. So I'll oblige and do both cities: 
City: Los AngelesGood for: Tourist AttractionsClosest Airport: Los Angeles International Airport
Top Attractions:
  • Griffith Observatory
  • Venice Beach
  • Hollywood Stars on Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame
  • Santa Monica Pier and Beach - 20 minutes from LAX
  • Universal Studios - 41 minutes from LAX

Best form of Transportation: Rental Car. Ubers can be expensive, and public transportation is spotty. 
Best Neighborhoods to Stay: Downtown Los Angeles or Santa Monica
Budget: $150 a day (budget more for the day you go to Universal Studios) - plus rental car, hotel, and flight
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City: Southern CaliforniaGood for: National ParksClosest Airport: Los Angeles International Airport 
Top Attractions:
  • Joshua Tree National Park - hours from LA - 3 hours from LA
    • And Palm Springs - 45 minutes from Joshua Tree
  • Disney Land - 1 hour from LAX


Best form of Transportation: Rental Car. 
Best Neighborhoods to Stay: Downtown Los Angeles or Santa Monica
Budget: $75 - $150 a day (budget more for the day you go to Universal Studios) - plus rental car ($100 a day), hotel ($100 a day), and flight--------------------------------------------City: San DiegoGood for: Outdoors, ActiveClosest Airport: San Diego International Airport
Top Attractions:
  1. Torrey Pines Gliderport
  2. La Jolla Cove
  3. Balboa Park


Best form of Transportation: Rental Car. Ubers can be expensive, and public transportation is spotty. 
Best Neighborhoods to Stay: La Jolla
Budget: $75 a day, plus rental car, hotel, and flight. Some days you will spend very little because you will be hiking and going on nature walks. Other days you may choose to do a paid attraction. 

Colorado- TBA

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Connecticut- TBA

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Delaware - TBA

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Florida

City: MiamiGood for: Party All Day and NightClosest Airport: Miami International Airport
Top Attractions:
  1. South Beach
  2. Rent a boat and go to the Sandbar
  3. Nikki Beach - Beach Club
  4. La Fontainebleau Resort Beach Area
  5. Expensive Dinner
    1. Barton G's

Best form of Transportation: Ubers are pretty affordable
Best Neighborhoods to Stay: South Beach
Budget: $150 a day (budget more for the day you go to Universal Studios) - hotel, and flight

------------------City: Key WestGood for: Party All Day and NightClosest Airport:  Key West
Top Attractions:
  1. South Beach
  2. Rent a boat and go to the Sandbar
  3. Nikki Beach - Beach Club
  4. La Fontainebleau Resort Beach Area
  5. Expensive Dinner
    1. Barton G's

Best form of Transportation: Ubers are pretty affordable
Best Neighborhoods to Stay: South Beach
Budget: $150 a day (budget more for the day you go to Universal Studios) - hotel, and flight

Georgia - TBA

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Hawaii - TBA

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Idaho - TBA

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Illinois - TBA

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Indiana - TBA

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Iowa - TBA

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Kansas - TBA

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Kentucky - TBA

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Louisiana - TBA

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Main - TBA

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Maryland 

City: Chesapeake BeachGood for: Beach DayClosest Airport: 
See Maryland Page for Activities to do.

Massachusetts - TBA

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Michigan - TBA

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Minnesota - TBA

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Mississippi - TBA

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Missouri - TBA

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Montana - TBA

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Nebraska - TBA

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Nevada - TBA

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New Hampshire - TBA

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New Jersey - TBA

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New Mexico - TBA

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New York - TBA

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North Carolina - TBA

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North Dakota - TBA

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Ohio - TBA

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Oklahoma - TBA

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Oregon - TBA

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Pennsylvania - TBA

City: PhiladelphiaGood for: Historical SitesClosest Airport:
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Rhode Island - TBA

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South Carolina - TBA

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South Dakota - TBA

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Tennessee

City: NashvilleGood for: Live Music, Bars, BBQClosest Airport: Nashville International Airport
Top Attractions:
  1. Grand Ole Opry House
  2. County Music Hall of Fame and Museum
  3. Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
  4. Belmont Mansion
  5. Nashville Zoo at grassmere
  6. Eat: Fin and Pearl, Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, Whiskey Kitchen, Peg Leg Porker BBQ

Best form of Transportation: Car/Uber, Old Town Trolley Tours Nashville
Best Neighborhoods to Stay: Downtown Nashville, off of Broadway


Texas - TBA

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Utah - TBA

City: Salt Lake CityGood for: Closest Airport:
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Vermont - TBA

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Virginia - TBA

City: MassanuttenGood for: Ski Resort in Winter, Indoor Pool Paradise in Summer, Caverns, Wineries, Alpaca FarmClosest Airport:
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Best form of Transportation:  Car
Best Neighborhoods to Stay:  Massanutten or McHenry
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Washington - TBA

City: SeattleGood for: Closest Airport:
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Washington, District of Columbia - TBA

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West Virginia - TBA

City: Harpers FerryGood for: Closest Airport:

Top Attractions:
  • Visit Harpers Ferry National Historical Park to see 20 miles of trails that lead to civil war remnants and scenic overlooks.
    • Guided tour of the Battle of Bolivar Heights
  • Museums
    • John Brown Wax Museum
    • Restoration Museum
    • Black Voices Museum
  • Hike along the Appalachian Trail Conservancy -- See Jefferson Rock where Thomas Jefferson stood in 1783
    • stop at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headwuarters building
  • Hile Murphy-Chambers FArm Loop Trail -- a 1-3 mile round trip trail for easy to moderate hikers
  • Take a photo at The Point, Hapers Ferry
  • Visit the Heyward Shepherd Monument 
  • Visit the Lockwood House which was originally build in 1848 as the Armory Paymaster's home
  • Visit the old Harpers Ferry Train Station
  • Ruins of St. Johns Episcopal Church
  • Go to Split Rock Overlook for a great photo of the water and the town
  • Civil War History
    • Arsenal Square


Eat:
  • The Rabbit Hole - has an outdoor patio overlooking a hill
  • The Barn of Harpers Ferry - live music  and bar

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What to bring: Hiking clothes, walking shoes
  • Hiking Prep
    • Bear spray
    • Sneakers
    • Snacks
    • Water
    • Backpack



Wisconsin - TBA

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Wyoming - TBA

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Caribbean Islands

City: Charlotte Amalia, St. ThomasGood for: Closest Airport:
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City: San Juan, Puerto RicoGood for: Relaxation and HistoricalClosest Airport: SJU
Top Attractions:
  1. Old San Juan National Historical Sites
    • Castillo San Felipe del Morro
    • Paisaje de El Morro
    • San Antonio Guardhouse
  2. Beaches (all over)
    • Tourist Beaches
      • Condado Beach
      • Isla Verde
    • Local Beaches (Good during the day, but leave before sunset because of Sand fleas and Sand Flies
  3. El Yunque RainForest
    • Waterfalls and Hiking
      • Light food and drinks at El Yunque Rainforest Cafe - Outdoor quick bite
  4. Place to Eat and Drink by Neighborhood
    • Old San Juan (great area to walk around at night and bar hop)
      • Cafetin 1.0 - $5 flavored Mojitos
      • Ostra Cosa @ Totem - outdoor dinner and live music
    • Aviones, Pinones, PR
      • Hook'd at Drift - outdoor eating, good food, fire pits - leave before sunset because of sand flies
    • Loiza PR
      • Donde Olga - hole in the wall spot with amazing empanadas 
    • Isla Verde
      • Mist Rooftop Bar + Kitchen -- great views, drink here, but food was bad, rooftop pool for hotel guest (but I was able to sneak in)
    • Condado Beach
      • Serafina

Best form of Transportation: Rental Car 
Best Neighborhoods to Stay: 


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