Places to Visit in the United States

The Florida Keys is a chain of islands that stretch out into the Atlantic Ocean from the southern tip of Florida. The islands are known as a hotspot for water activities, such as fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and boating. Those in search of nightlife flock to Key West, with its sunset celebration on Mallory Square each night and the large number of bars that line Duval Street. The islands were home to Ernest Hemingway, and visitors can see his home and museum. If you are after a low-key, laidback escape from the daily grind but don't want to get to far from mainland USA, the Florida Keys can be just the place for you.

Popularly known as the Mile-High City, Denver has much to offer visitors. The city is the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the Rocky Mountains, which are less than an hour away. You can truly have the best of both worlds as you spend some days enjoying the amenities and attractions of the city and other days venturing out into the beautiful mountains. Interesting attractions in the city include the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Denver Art Museum, Water World, the Downtown Aquarium, and Elitch Gardens Theme Park. The city has a strong local music scene as well as a particularly large number of craft beer producers, so fans of music and beer will be very happy here.

San Diego is a city set on the Pacific Ocean in Southern California and is best known for its beaches and cultural attraction. The massive Hotel del Coronado (Video) dating from 1888 majestically presides over Coronado Beach and is a popular site for tourists, many of whom aren't staying at the hotel. The ocean can be quite cold for most of the year, but relaxing on the beach is nice and there are several beach options in addition to Coronado. Other attractions include the world-famous San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, Balboa Park and the USS Midway, which is a former active aircraft carrier that is now a public museum.

Arches National Park is located along the Colorado River near Moab, Utah. The park preserves more than 2,000 natural stone arches, some of the most famous including the Delicate Arch and the Landscape Arch. In addition to the numerous arches, there are a number of other interesting geological features, such as the so-called Balanced Rock, which make for interesting views. Most people who come drive along the park's 18-mile-long scenic road, which passes many of the most popular sites. Biking is also popular, but within the park you must stay on the road. There is a plethora of mountain biking opportunities outside of the park grounds. Other popular activities include hiking, horseback riding, camping, backpacking, rock climbing, stargazing, and canyoneering.

Big Sur is a rugged section of the central coast of California located in between San Simeon and Carmel. Flanked on one side by the Pacific Ocean and the other side by the Santa Lucia Mountains, the area offers stunning views at every turn. Visiting Big Sur means traveling the famous two-lane road, State Route 1, which is known for its views, winding turns, and cliffs. There are few towns in the area and it is a haven for outdoorsmen. You will find a number of state parks along the way and plenty of opportunities for hiking, spending time on the beach, and camping overnight.

Boston is the state capital of Massachusetts. It is one of the oldest cities in the country and was founded in 1630, long before the country itself was established. The city played a large role in the American Revolution and a highlight for many visitors are the various historical sights. Many of the most important sights are part of a 2.5-mile walking route through the city known as the Freedom Trail. Traveling the Freedom Trail and visiting the sights will give you a much better understanding of the country's founding. There are a number of sports teams based in the city, and catching a Red Sox game at Fenway Park is a memorable experience. Other attractions include a number of world-class museums, shopping centers, legendary restaurants, and much more.

Chicago is one of the country's largest cities and sits on Lake Michigan in Illinois. The city is famous for its architecture, with highlights being the massive skyscrapers such as the 875 North Michigan Avenue, Tribune Tower and Willis Tower (which for many years was the tallest building in the world) and Trump Tower. The museums are top-notch, with favorites being the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, the Children's Museum, and many others. As a cosmopolitan city, there is virtually no end to the cuisines that you can sample, but Chicago-style pizza is probably the most famous and is absolutely a must-try.

Dallas is the business and cultural center of the state of Texas as well as much of the region. A number of interesting attractions will make it hard to decide where to spend your time. To history buffs, visiting the site of President Kennedy's assassination at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is a highlight. Those interested in the arts will find several world-class art museums, such as Nasher Sculpture Center, theDallas Museum of Art, and more. Family travelers will enjoy the Dallas World Aquarium as well as the even more kid-friendly Children's Aquarium at Fair Park. Other popular attractions include the Dallas Holocaust Museum, the George W. Bush Presidential Center, White Rock Lake, and the Dallas Heritage Village, but there are so many more than we could list.

Death Valley National Park sits on the border between Nevada and California with many interesting landscapes, including mountains, deserts, badlands, and more. Titus Canyon is one of the best-known parts of the park. The canyon is known for its stunningly rugged mountains, beautifully vibrant rock formations, petroglyphs, old western ghost town, rare plant life, and wildlife. Badwater Basin is another popular site in the park as it is famous for being the lowest point in North America. Popular things to do include visiting Scotty's Castle, hiking, climbing, and camping (Video) on Dante's View, Golden Canyon, Telescope Peak, and other locations throughout the park.

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most famous national parks in the country. It is home to the massive Grand Canyon with its stunning layers of red rock, which provide evidence of a long history of geological development. Tourists flock to several popular viewpoints in the canyon, including Yavapai Observation Station, Mary Colter's Lookout Studio, Mather Point, Desert View Watchtower, and Lipan Point. The Rim Trail is a popular way to walk along the rim of the canyon and see several stunning viewpoints. Other ways to enjoy the canyon include hiking or backpacking below the rim, South Rim mule trips, rafting trips through the canyon, and traveling on the Grand Canyon Railway.