Top Vacation Spots in America
By Aubrey Nichols
Whether it’s relaxing on the beach, staying at a quaint mountain cabin, or enjoying the big city, the country’s top vacation spots have something for everyone.
Hawaii
America’s quintessential vacation and honeymoon spot, the islands of Hawaii are home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Balmy temperatures, crystal blue oceans, and white beaches make Hawaii a hotspot destination year round. Scuba diving, surfing, and snorkeling are popular activities while horseback riding, mountain biking, and ATV riding are popular in the lush, green mountains of the mainland. Many people opt to stay at one of Hawaii’s luxury resorts and enjoy first class relaxation. Enjoy a tropical destination without having to leave the country…technically; passports are not needed, currency is the U.S. dollar, and English is widely spoken.
New York City
The Big Apple is a culturally rich melting pot that offers a myriad of museums, art galleries, restaurants, shopping, and other enriching places of interest. Popular tourist attractions include the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Ground Zero, Wall Street, Rockefeller Center, the Bronx Zoo, and Broadway, just to name a few. Most Americans think of Manhattan when they think of New York City, but in fact the city is made up of five different boroughs, Manhattan being only one of them. The rest include Staten Island, the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn.
Whether it’s shopping (Fifth Avenue), sports (the Yankees, the Mets, and the Giants), or theater (Broadway), New York City truly has something to offer for everyone and is as culturally diverse and rich as the city is populated.
Las Vegas
America’s number one playground, Las Vegas is non-stop fun and excitement 24 hours a day. Casinos and resorts all along the Las Vegas strip stay open constantly and parking and drinks are free.
Sin City is home to some of the most luxurious hotels in the country, such as the Wynn, the Bellagio, and the Four Seasons. Again, mild and warm temperatures make it a year-round destination (although summer temps tend to be scorching). Enjoy gambling, first-rate nightlife, and luxury shopping at this desert’s oasis.
Arizona
Arizona is replete with Southwestern charm, mystique, and wonder. The beautiful and scenic desert landscapes attract visitors nationwide and the Grand Canyon is one of the world’s leading natural attractions, with nearly five million visitors from all over the world each year.
Arizona has one of the most scenic mountain landscapes in the country. Arizona bed & breakfast inns, cabin rentals, vacation homes, and mountain lodges are widely popular.
The Grand Canyon State is also becoming a relaxation destination with the growth of cities such as Scottsdale, offering luxury shopping, spas, and golf resorts year round.
Utah
Perhaps not the first place that comes to mind when one thinks of a vacation, but you may be surprised to learn that Utah is in fact one of America’s top vacation destinations. Think winter! Utah has some of the best snow in the world, let alone in the country. Ritzy ski towns such as Park City and Sundance attract winter enthusiasts from all over the world. The Sundance Film Festival, held every January in Park City, is one of the world’s premier film festivals and attracts celebrities and movie starts of all fame to the Beehive state. Cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowboarding are also very popular winter sports in Utah.
And Salt Lake City is beginning to emerge as a gem of a city; since the 2002 Winter Olympics held were held there, the city is attracting tourists with its nightlife, cultural festivals and museums, rich economy and has one of the country’s top medical centers at the University of Utah.