Best of America – Our Top Stops
As the end of the year approaches, we always like to flashbacks share funny videos and put out “Best of” posts. So keeping with our tradition, we’re sharing another top experience with you. The Best of America highlights the top locations we’ve visited in the country over the past four years.
We have a lot more to see, but I think we’re off to a good start. We tallied up the states we’ve visited in our life and we’ve been to half of them, 25 more to go, but for now, enjoy our top 10! What are your favourite spots in America? What do you think of ours?
Best of America
1. Ketchikan, Alaska
It is the adventure playground of America. Housing the highest mountain in North America, amazing wildlife and incredible scenery, a person could get lost in Alaska. I can understand why so many people go there on a vacation and choose never to leave. It is beautiful! We flew over Mount McKinley, watched whales breach in the open water, took a helicopter ride over glaciers and hiked through the dense forest. But our highlight had to be zipping through the bay on a zodiac that we captained ourselves. Alongside our friends from Travel Dudes and Cruise Buzz, we had a day to remember! Check out the video here!
2. Maui, Hawaii
This past summer, we had the opportunity to visit not one but two islands this summer. Maui and Lanai are the places we visited, and they both could not have been more different. Lanai is a lazy laid back island with a population of 3000 people. There’s only 3 hotels on the island and when tourists visit this place it is to chill out and enjoy a the simple things in life. Maui was an adventure lovers dream with a picture perfect landscape. We hiked in the jungle, went kite surfing, paddle boarding, snorkelling and out rigger canoeing. We stayed in the laid back surf town of Paia where celebrities hang out and the beach dude still thrives. We watched the most perfect sunset over the ocean and felt the true Hawaiian experience while staying in Maui. Hawaii is one of the most culturally rich destinations in America and it has some of the most stunning scenery in the country.
Check out our kite surfing adventure in Maui
3. New York City, New York
When people ask us if we really did like New York City, we always reply with a resounding yes!!! It is the greatest city in the world. The energy there is intoxicating, the architecture is outstanding and the lights and signs of Time Square are out of this world. I can only imagine what celebrities must feel when stepping out on the town. Letterman, Rippa, Steward and Fallon, these New Yorkers must really be living the life. They’re the stars of NYC. When you’ve got money, you can rule the world. And there’s no better place I would love to rule than New York!
4. Las Vegas, Nevada
The Venetian Hotel
Gasp! Yes, Las Vegas is on the list. We didn’t know what to expect when staying in Vegas, but it was part of our road trip, so we finally had the chance to see it. When we got there, our jaws dropped. You can’t help but get excited once you enter Sin City. The buildings are massive and the strip is outstanding. We were so impressed with Vegas, that we even made a photo comparison of Vegas Vs the World and you know what? Vegas stacked up man!
Now, if only we could have stayed in a better hotel in Las Vegas than our dingy room behind the parking lot of Bally’s. Maybe we should have used Deal Angel to help us out.
5. The Grand Canyon, Arizona
Who hasn’t dreamed of seeing the Grand Canyon. During our American road trip this past summer, we finally had the chance to see it for ourselves. I’ve laughed at the ads for the new Seth Rogan, Barbara Streisand movie “Road Trip” coming out. The scene where they stand at the Grand Canyon and discuss how long they should stay. Yes, that is true, once you’ve seen it, you don’t need to stick around for long. But to lay eyes upon it is a moment you will never forget! We look forward to going back and spending some time camping and paddling through the Colorado River.
6. Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park is probably the most beautiful park in America. With iconic images such as The Nose and the Half Dome, there is a reason that it has been a national park since the 1800′s. One of the great attractions has to be the grand sequoia trees. These ancient trees are the largest in the world per volume. In the past, people carved out tunnels through them to attract people to the park. You could actually drive a horse and buggy and even a car through the trunk of a sequoia tree. These things are massive!
7. Route 66, Illinois to California
This iconic roadway has been on my must see list for years. I fell in love with Nat King Coles version of Route 66 and have fantasized about the romantic era of the highway. We finally got the chance to see it for ourselves and although much of the highway is in ruin, there are portions that are still open for business. Especially in Arizona near the town of …. it feels like you are driving through a place stuck in the 50′s and I like it that way.
Read more about Route 66 on Kickin’ It on Route 66
8. Los Angeles, California
We see it in the movies and on TV all the time. It’s the land where dreams are made and many broken. People migrate to California to make it big in the movies, but for us, it was to check out the sights and enjoy the sunshine. We loved it, not only because we had the chance to meet up with our friends Melanie Waldman, Johnny Jet and Cynthia but because it’s so darn cool! The beaches are awesome, Beverly Hills is filled with outrageous wealth and driving along the sunset strip ignites the imagination. Which movie star got themselves into trouble right here the night before? I could see myself spending a winter in LA and joining the lifestyles of the rich and famous. But mostly, I just want to rollerblade and jog along the promenade (don’t call it a boardwalk baby) and play some beach volleyball. Yeah, that’s the life.
9. San Francisco, California
I left my heart in San Francisco. I am so glad that we had the chance to sight see in San Francisco as a couple. I think it is one of the most romantic cities in the world. Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio had their wedding photos taken on the steps of Saints Peter and Paul Church, Tony Bennett wrote it’s memorable theme song and hearts are scattered throughout the city for love birds to have their photos taken. And don’t forget the Golden Gate Bridge, How can you forget the Golden Gate Bridge?
10. Denver/Keystone, Colorado
On the Chair lift at Keystone, Colorado
Decades after visiting Colorado as a kid, Dave and I stopped over in Denver and Keystone for TBEX. What a fantastic city Denver is and the Rocky Mountains are always my favourite in the world. To spend time in both the city and the mountains is the perfect mix for a vacation destination. We’ll be spending a lot more time in Colorado in the future, there is so much to see and do here. I think a ski vacation is definitely in order.
It’s been an amazing four years traveling the world and seeing more of our neighbour to the South. Share your favourite American destination with us in the comments section. We’d love more ideas!
The Best of America is brought to you by Deal Angel. Find the best hotel for your next trip through America.
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All are nice places, I would like to add one more destination Niagara Falls. Its also a leading destination and best attraction of north America.
Great Choice Jack! We live near the Canadian side of Niagara Falls and go there every year. I’m going to have to make a point to go to the US side more often as well.
Good addition Jack, we love Niagara Falls too and I should have put it in there. We’ve actually been in the past four years, but because We live so close to it, it didn’t cross my mind. I was actually going through places in America that we’ve visited since starting the travel blog and I always think of Niagara as our weekend getaway. Love it!
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Good selection of places a tourist to US should visit. Love the photos!
Thanks Salika, we have so much more to see, but this is certainly a great start. Can’t wait to explore more one day too.
So many beautiful places in America that I take for granted! I am fortunate to have been to most of these (just got back from beautiful & warm Maui). And looking forward to spending this Christmas day snowshoeing in Yosemite
Maui is amazing isn’t it? I’d love to go back. Ooh, lucky you spending Christmas in Yosemite. Snowshoeing is so much fun and a killer workout too.
Wow !
Really Nice Collection of places for Travelling in America…
Thanks Guys, Have you been to America? We loved our visit to Kerala in India. Once of our favourite locations of your country.
I have relatives in New York and had a visit last year. It was awesome, never had seen such busy streets and people. but it was cool. the buildings and all.
New York is an amazing city. It is one of the few cities in the world that lives up to it’s hype. We were blown away by it and can’t wait to go back.
Amazing photos as always. I have never been to the Grand Canyon but hope to make it this year. So much to see in the U.S.!
You are so right, there is a lot to see in the US and we’ve barely scratched the surface. It is a country that is filled with amazing beauty.
I’m sure you’ll get there soon. The Grand Canyon is pretty impressive. WE’d like to stick around longer and do some adventures in it. A white water rafting trip would be awesome. But for now, seeing it was pretty amazing.
San Francisco is on top of my list. Well, California in general. Trying to convince the hubby he wants to go on a SF-LA roadtrip next year
I hope you get to do a road trip next year a drive from San Fran to LA is awesome. There are so many routes and stops that you can take along the way.
There are so many great places to visit in the USA you could have a Top 100 list. You have managed to pick 10 of the best and most varied locations in America for this post, anyone planning a trip should take note. I loved the picture of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California.
Thanks Jack. You are so right, there are many amazing locations to visit in the USA, we hope to travel around even more in the coming year.
There’s no arguing with the Grand Canyon and Yosemite – you should try Myrtle Beach in the spring and summer this year! For that matter, it makes a really good winter destination too, as the winters down here are only chilly by northern standards. They have some great Myrtle Beach family resorts and the classic boardwalk, but the beaches are a lot nicer than the ones up north!
Hi Jessie, we agree. As a family we used to go to Myrtle Beach all the time and I’ve spent many a Christmas and March Break there. This is just a list of where Dave and I have been together since travel blogging, but we really must do a list of where we’ve been in our entire life. Travel in the USA truly does take a lifetime.
Cool, you picked the bests! Absolutely go for the southern parts!