Best Travel Destinations in America 2025: Cities, Parks

TL;DR:

Pick by theme: cities, nature, road trips, beaches, culture.
Use spring and fall for mild weather and fewer crowds.
Some national parks need timed entry booked on Recreation.gov.
Non-U.S. visitors may need a B-2 visa or ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program.
Start with a 1–2 week plan, then lock key tickets and passes.

America is big and varied. The best trip fits your time, budget, and interests. This guide highlights proven picks across cities, parks, and classic drives, plus when to go and what to book first. It blends expert lists with official rules, so you can plan with confidence. Lonely Planet and U.S. News curates annual “best of” lists that are a strong starting point.

Top city breaks

New York City, New York

First timers love the hit parade: Central Park, the Met, Broadway, the High Line, and diverse food. Plan for walking and neighborhoods, not just landmarks. NYC also pairs well with a Washington, D.C. or Boston add-on in spring or fall.

Lonely Planet places New York among its best U.S. picks, noting its deep arts and culture bench.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Music, Creole and Cajun food, and live culture make short trips feel rich. Visit outside Mardi Gras if you want lower prices and easier bookings. Spring and late fall are sweet spots.

New Orleans features on expert shortlists as a year-round culture stop.

Chicago, Illinois

Architecture cruises, lakefront paths, and world-class museums define a balanced city break. Summer brings festivals and patio dining. Shoulder season gives fair rates.

Chicago often ranks high on best-cities lists in the U.S. press.

Unmissable national parks and wild places

Grand Canyon, Arizona

A sunrise on the South Rim is a bucket-list moment. Day hikes like South Kaibab to Ooh Aah Point give big views in little time. Build in Sedona or Page for red rocks and slot canyons.

Yellowstone and Grand Teton, Wyoming

Geysers, bison, and the Teton skyline fit well in a one-week loop from Jackson or Bozeman. Book park lodges early. Summer is peak, but September has thinner crowds.

U.S. News lists both parks among top U.S. vacations for 2025.

Yosemite, California

Granite walls, waterfalls, and giant sequoias draw repeat visits. For holiday weekends and peak periods, Yosemite has required peak-hours reservations to drive into the park. Check current rules before you go.

Arches and Canyonlands, Utah

Epic red rock and stargazing. Arches runs a timed-entry system in busy periods. Book the date and hour you plan to arrive on Recreation.gov.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Lake hikes, wildlife, and the Going-to-the-Sun Road reward an early start. Aim for late June through September when the road is usually open.

Glacier and Yellowstone rank near the top of nationwide lists for 2025 trips.

Hawai‘i islands

Kaua‘i and Maui mix beaches, hikes, and surf. Reserve cars early, and avoid heavy checked luggage if island-hopping.

Lonely Planet includes Hawai‘i among standout U.S. destinations.

Classic American road trips

Road trips link parks, small towns, and food stops while keeping costs flexible.

Pacific Coast Highway, California. Big Sur cliffs, Monterey Bay, and Santa Barbara beaches. Go north to south for easier oceanside pull-outs.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina. Rolling overlooks and fall color pair with Asheville and Shenandoah.
Route 66, Chicago to Santa Monica. Retro signs and diners, plus side trips to Santa Fe and the Grand Canyon.

These drives appear often on expert roundups and planning features.

Best time to go by region

Region	Best months	Why
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic	May to June, Sep to Oct	Mild temps, spring blooms or fall color
Southeast	Mar to May, Oct to Nov	Lower humidity outside peak summer
Southwest deserts	Mar to May, Sep to Nov	Cooler hiking weather
Rockies	Jun to Sep	Mountain passes open, wildflowers
West Coast	Apr to Jun, Sep to Oct	Sunny, less fog and crowds
Alaska	Jun to Aug	Long days, wildlife activity
Hawai‘i	Apr to Jun, Sep to Oct	Good weather, shoulder prices

Use this table to shape your dates, then price flights and stays before locking in park entries or tours.

What to book first

Flights and stays for peak months or festivals.
Park entries and permits where required. Some U.S. national parks use timed entry to control traffic. Book early on Recreation.gov. The National Park Service maintains an up-to-date list.
Must-do tours like Alcatraz, Antelope Canyon, or helicopter flights.
Car rental if you plan a road trip or a park loop.

Quick picks by traveler type

First visit, 7–10 days: New York City 3 days, fly to Las Vegas, drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon to Grand Canyon 4–5 days, end in Los Angeles 2 days.
Families, 10–14 days: Yellowstone and Grand Teton loop, then 3 days in Denver or Salt Lake City.
Couples, 7–10 days: New Orleans long weekend, then drive the Florida Keys Overseas Highway to Key West.
Hikers, 10–14 days: Utah’s Mighty 5 or Sierra parks with a rest day in a gateway town.

For ranked shortlists that can guide these choices, cross-check with Lonely Planet’s 14-place U.S. list and U.S. News 2025 rankings.

Essential info for international visitors

Visas and entry

Many travelers need a B-2 visitor visa for tourism. Always check current rules on the U.S. Department of State website before you apply.

Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries can visit for up to 90 days without a visa if approved for ESTA before travel. As of September 8, 2025, the program covers 42 countries, and each traveler must hold an approved ESTA for the passport used to travel. Apply online and get approval before you fly.

National park passes

If your trip includes multiple parks, consider the America the Beautiful annual pass for entry savings. Buy online or at most park gates. Timed entry or separate permits can still apply.

Sample 10-day loop for first timers

Days 1–3: New York City. Focus on one area per day. Midtown museums, Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, then Central Park and the Upper East Side.
Day 4: Fly to Las Vegas. Stay near the Strip or Downtown.
Days 5–6: Zion and Bryce Canyon. Hike early, book any shuttle passes in advance.
Day 7: Page. Slot canyon tour and Lake Powell views.
Days 8–9: Grand Canyon South Rim. Walk part of the Rim Trail, then a short day hike into the canyon.
Day 10: Fly to Los Angeles. Rest, Santa Monica sunset, and a final meal.

Swap New York for Chicago in summer if you want lake vibes. Replace the desert loop with Yosemite and Sequoia if you find timed entry for Arches is sold out. Use expert lists and NPS rules to refine the route.

Budget tips that actually help

Travel light. One carry-on each reduces costs on domestic flights.
Sleep near transit. In big cities, pick hotels close to subway or light rail.
Drive outside the city. Rent a car only for the road-trip days.
Use park shuttles. They save parking stress and fuel.
Mix high and low. Splurge on one marquee meal, then enjoy food trucks and diners.

[Related: How to choose a national park for your first U.S. trip → /choose-your-first-park]
[Related: A first-timer’s New York itinerary → /nyc-first-time]

Planning checklist

Pick a theme and region, then set dates.
Check entry rules for your passport, then apply for a visa or ESTA.
Price flights, stays, and car rental before locking plans.
Reserve any required park entries or permits on Recreation.gov.
Buy an annual park pass if you will visit several parks.
Build a day-by-day plan with one or two anchors per day.
Save offline maps and tickets on your phone.

Why it matters

The U.S. can feel overwhelming to plan. A simple framework, trusted destination picks, and up-to-date rules save time and money. You get a trip that matches you, not a generic list.

Sources:

Lonely Planet, 14 best places to visit in the USA, https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-places-to-visit-in-the-usa, Apr 8, 2025
U.S. News & World Report, Best Places to Visit in the USA for 2025, https://travel.usnews.com/rankings/best-usa-vacations/, 2025
National Park Service, Entrance Passes and Reservations, https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm, Jan 6, 2025
National Park Service, Yosemite National Park fees and peak-hours reservations, https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/fees.htm, 2025
National Park Service, Arches National Park and Timed Entry Pilot, https://www.nps.gov/arch/, Jul 5, 2025
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Visa Waiver Program, https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/visa-waiver-program, Nov 12, 2024
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta, Jul 10, 2025
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, ESTA and multiple passports FAQ, https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta/frequently-asked-questions-about-visa-waiver-program-vwp-and-electronic-system-travel, Jan 24, 2025
U.S. Department of State, Visitor Visa (B-2), https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html, accessed Sep 8, 2025