LAST UPDATED – 10/21/22 – Top Things to See in the United States

The United States is a very large, very diverse, and very beautiful place.  Few other countries in the world have such a large diversity of landscape and culture waiting to be explored.  Whether you have always wanted to visit America, are looking for a good reason to travel back to the United States, or even if you live here and want to explore some of the regions you are less familiar with, I have you covered.  In this series, I am going to outline the Top 50 Things to See in the United States to give you some inspiration for your next trip.

So follow along as I countdown my top things to see in the United States and let me know your thoughts on the list in the comments below.  If there is something that you either want to see or think others would want to see, please let me know about it.  I am positive that other travelers reading this article will be thankful as well!

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In this edition of my countdown of the top United States travel destinations, I am going to cover items 31-40 on my list.  There are some fantastic places to add to your United States travel bucket list on here, some of which are lesser-known travel treasures.  If you don’t have a travel bucket list for the United States, this might be a good time to start one.  With this list, you will have no shortage of amazing ideas!

40.  Navy Pier

Illinois

While most visitors to the United States tend to focus their travels on the east and west coasts of the country, the Midwest United States has some spectacular places to see as well.  After New York and Los Angeles, Chicago is the third-largest city in America, and it is loaded with amazing things to see and do.  One of the most popular tourist sites in the city is undoubtedly Navy Pier.

Located on the city’s downtown Lake Michigan lakefront, Navy Pier has a collection of shopping, restaurants, scenic boat rides, and even a Ferris wheel that visitors can ride on to get a bird’s eye view of the city.  It is also just a short distance from the iconic Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium, for those who are looking for some additional things to see and do in the city.

39. Charleston

South Carolina

If you would like to be harkened back to the United States of yesteryear, then Charleston, South Carolina is one of the best cities in America for you to visit.  Well-known for its horse-drawn carriage rides, cobblestone streets, and beautiful plantations and pastel antebellum houses, Charleston looks as though it came straight out of a fairy tale.  The French Quarter and Battery districts of the city are especially charming and from the waterfront of the Battery District, you can see Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired.

38. Voyageurs National Park

Minnesota

If you love being out on a lake, then you will absolutely love Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota.  Located on the northern border with Canada, Voyageurs National Park is a vast national park that is known for its beautiful forests, many waterways and massive, island-filled Rainy, Kabetogama and Namakan lakes.

This park is perfect for people looking to get away from the hustle-and-bustle of everyday life and seek some solitude fishing, kayaking, canoeing, or boating with family and friends.  In addition to the park, the area also has a number of other beautiful public lands including the Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse State Parks, which I outline in a visitor guide linked below.

37. Acadia National Park

Maine

In my opinion, Acadia National Park is America’s prettiest national park that lies east of the Mississippi River and is one of the most popular national parks on either side of the river.  This beautiful coastal park is well-known for its amazing, rocky coastline, spectacular hiking and biking trails, and picturesque lighthouses.

In addition to the national park, the nearby city of Bar Harbour is an absolute must-visit.  It is an adorable city with a lot of great shopping, restaurants serving fantastic seafood, and great whale-watching and lighthouse sightseeing boat tours available.  If you are interested in visiting Acadia National Park, I have included a link to my visitor guide for you to review below.

36. The Oregon Coast Highway

Oregon

Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the United States, the coastal drive along the Pacific Ocean in the state of Oregon is an absolute must for those visiting this area of the United States.  This stretch of America’s coastline along the Pacific Ocean is full of breathtaking rock sea stacks, rocky sea cliffs, and picturesque lighthouses.

If you have watched the iconic 1980s movie “The Goonies”, then you are probably very familiar with this stretch of coastline as it was featured prominently in the movie.  For those who would like to plan a visit to drive the beautiful Oregon Coast Highway, I have included several visitor guides to some of the key attractions along the route below for you to review.

35. Pike Place Market

Seattle

Pike Place Market was established in 1907, which makes it one of the oldest continuously operated public farmers’ markets in America.  Located in the city of Seattle overlooking the waterfront of Elliott Bay, this large market features fresh seafood, produce, and plenty of other local delicacies that visitors can purchase.  Much like the large seafood markets in Japan, the Pike Place Market is renowned for its fresh seafood.  If you are a lover of seafood, then you will love touring this famous market.

34. Route 66

Illinois to California

The Route 66 Highway may be one of the most famous highways in the entire world, let alone just the United States.  This infamous road stretches from the Midwest state of Illinois all the way to the west coast state of California.  Also commonly referred to as the “Main Street of America”, Route 66 was one of the original highways in the US highway system and was the primary way of getting to the West Coast during the early part of the 20th Century.

Covering a total of 2,448 miles (or 3,940 km), the highway became a symbol for freedom from the doldrums of life and made its way into popular culture in the hit song “”(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” and the Jill Steinbeck novel “The Grapes of Wrath”.  If you would like to take a classic American road trip and experience one of the top things to see in the United States, they don’t get any more classic than driving Route 66.

33. Gettysburg Battlefield

Pennsylvania

Not only was the American Civil War a defining moment in the history of the United States, but that war did a lot to shape the world and to shape the way that war was waged.  While technically the American Civil War was fought to prevent the secession of the southern states from the union, it was ultimately a fight to purge the country of the evils of slavery.  The Gettysburg Battlefield is the site of the most impactful battle of the entire Civil War.  After General Robert E. Lee’s army was defeated at Gettysburg, they never again invaded the North and were constantly on the defensive for the remainder of the war.

Today, the Gettysburg Battlefield is protected by the United States National Park Service and is one of the best-preserved Civil War battlefields in the country.   Visitors can retrace the steps of the soldiers who fought in this bloody battle, see the monuments that were erected to pay tribute to the lives lost and visit a state-of-the-art museum that explains the context of the battle in the overall war.  Touring the battlefield is one of the more humbling travel experiences I have had.

32. Canyonlands and Arches National Parks

Utah

Southern Utah is a hot spot for outdoor enthusiasts and for breathtaking landscapes in the United States, which is why it is home to more than a few of the top things to see in the United States.  One of the most popular spots in Southern Utah for tourists is undoubtedly the Moab area in Southeastern Utah.  The city of Moab is located in very close proximity to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, which makes it the perfect hub for visitors to use to explore these amazing public lands.

While Arches National Park is famous for the roughly 2,000 naturally formed sandstone arches that can be found inside the park, Canyonlands National Park is known for its miles-and-miles of slot canyons and stunning vistas.  If you are an outdoor enthusiast and want to enjoy some of the most beautiful landscapes that America has to offer, flying into Salt Lake City, Utah and making the 4-hour drive south for a stay in Moab might be just what you are looking for.  To help you plan your trip, I have included links to my Arches and Canyonlands National Parks Visitor Guides for you to review below.

31. The Everglades

Florida

If desert or mountain landscapes aren’t your thing, but you would still love to be able to get outside and enjoy some of America’s most beautiful landscapes, then the state of Florida has a unique and amazing region that might pique your interest.  Located roughly an hour drive south of the city of Miami, Florida, the Everglades is the largest swampland in the United States and home to some of the most unique animal species in the United States.

Among the animals that you will see in the Everglades include the American Panther, the American Crocodile, the American Alligator, the West Indian Manatee, as well as many species of birds and snakes.  The best way to see the park is to take one of the area’s infamous fan boat tours.  These boats skirt across the surface of the water as they make their way thru the shallow channels and pools of the Everglades National Park wetlands.  It’s an amazing experience you will remember for the rest of your life.

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