There’s always an adventure to be had in the U.S. With over 3.5 million square miles of land and 181,274 square miles of water to explore, travelers will never tire of the sights to see and beauty to behold. Each of our 50 states is unique and possesses individual charm, culture, and attractions. Here are 16 reasons why traveling through America is simply the greatest trip ever:
- Travel across America is accessible from most areas and affordable by planes…
Ken Douglas/Flickr There are more than 5,100 public airports in the U.S. currently, meaning there are lots of options when it comes to air travel.
Trains…
Wally Gobetz Whether it’s by Amtrak or by cable cars, trollies, or local train excursions, trains are an easy way to get around. The San Francisco Cable Car system, the world’s last permanently operation manually-operated cable car system, was launched in 1873 as an alternative means to horse-drawn trams to traverse the city’s steep hills.
…And automobiles.
Wolfgang Staudt//Flickr The nation’s highway system provides endless roadtripping opportunities.
- Our landscapes are as varied and diverse as our citizens.
Jean-Pierre Chamberland/Flickr Alpental, Washington beckons skiers seeking an adventuresome challenge.
Michael Seljos/Flickr Monument Valley, Arizona, is truly a majestic sight to behold.
David Ludwig/Flickr Our gorgeous beaches, like this one at the U.S.-Mexican border in San Diego, can provide views of a lifetime.
- Visitors feel welcome exploring our large cities….
French_landscape_hunter The Empire State Building in New York City claims center stage during this impressive nightscape view.
…as well as small-town America.
JLS Photography - Alaska The town of Haines is laid back, friendly, and home to around 1,700 Alaskans.
- You’ll never tire of our beautiful sunrises…
Thomas Hawk/Flickr Death Valley radiates with a new day.
…or spectacular sunsets.
Joe Penniston/Flickr This vibrant sky was taken at Adventureland USA at Altoona, Iowa.
- Dining out is always a culinary delight, and selections come as varied as Texas-sized steaks…
jeffreyw/Flickr This generous cut of beef is legendary.
Tex-Mex cuisine…
bionicgrrrl/Flickr Shown are Tacos De Chorizo and Barbacoa, true street taco favorites.
…and fresh catches of the day.
bananaana04/Flickr Coastal towns all around America really know how to serve up some amazing seafood delicacies.
- Restaurants are varied across the US as well.
Five Sixty/Flickr Five-Sixty in Dallas provides diners with a revolving view of this Texas cityscape.
Maria Eklind/Flickr Outdoor bar areas are American favorites.
ep_jhu/Flickr Food trucks, like this one in Washington, provide delicious and inexpensive food on the go.
- Exhilarating activities abound.
Let Ideas Compete/Flickr How about a winter balloon ride in Boulder, Colorado?
Rees Photo/Flickr Hiking, biking, and all sorts of outdoor exercise and fun are found throughout most cities throughout the U.S.
Sue Salisbury/Flickr Of course, it’s hard to beat wind surfing on the Hawaiian island of Maui.
- America LOVES its festivals and celebrations.
Thomas Hawk/Flickr This Festival of Colors in Utah continues to grow in attendance every spring.
- The U.S. has exquisite architecture.
Ken Lane/Flickr Boston City Hall is known for its beautiful design.
- Truly divine churches across the nation invite and encourage inspiration.
Chaval Brasil/Flickr First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston is considered one of the nation’s most beautiful churches.
- You can lose yourself in the beautiful countryside found here.
Carl BSr/Flickr Sunset casts warm light on the red sandstone of Capitol Reef, reflecting on the farm in the valley.
Always Shooting/Flickr Trout Lake, Yellowstone National Park, is where you can become one with nature.
Kai Lehmann/Flickr You won’t be able to get the views of Antelope Canyon in Arizona out of your mind.
- America has a rich history and stunning memorials to remind you of past events and great sacrifices.
Prayitno/Flickr U.S.S. Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii, is an emotional and unforgettable memorial.
- There is no shortage of wildlife and animals to observe.
Jerry and Pat Donaho/Flickr When’s the last time you set your sights on a Texas longhorn?
- Water connects the lands.
Mariano Mantel/Flickr This historic lighthouse was constructed in 1893 for the World’s Columbian Exposition and moved to its present site on Lake Michigan in 1919.
Alby Headrick/Flickr These beautiful waterfalls are found at Pinson, Alabama.
/\ltus/Flickr Laguna Beach provides a serene view of Southern California.
- Art is everywhere and takes many shapes and forms.
Bert Kaufmann/Flickr Cloud Gate, a public sculpture by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor, is the centerpiece of the AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park in Chicago.
traveljunction/Flickr The “Eye” sculpture is a popular piece located in downtown Dallas, Texas.
- Each season is more spectacular than the last.
Nicholas Erwin/Flickr This glorious photo showcases Winter in Vermont.
Darryl Kenyon/Flickr Tulips at Washington Park in Albany, N.Y., declare Spring is in the air.
Let Ideas Compete/Flickr Glorious sunflowers epitomize the long, leisurely days of summer, as shown on this farmland in Colorado.
Jack McLane/Flickr Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, captures the magnificence of a serene autumn day.
What has been your favorite travel experience in America, and why would you recommend it for others? What parts of the U.S. or even specific destinations would you declare “not to be missed” spots, and why? We’d love for you to share your comments and any memorable photos.
Ken Douglas/Flickr
There are more than 5,100 public airports in the U.S. currently, meaning there are lots of options when it comes to air travel.
Wally Gobetz
Whether it’s by Amtrak or by cable cars, trollies, or local train excursions, trains are an easy way to get around. The San Francisco Cable Car system, the world’s last permanently operation manually-operated cable car system, was launched in 1873 as an alternative means to horse-drawn trams to traverse the city’s steep hills.
Wolfgang Staudt//Flickr
The nation’s highway system provides endless roadtripping opportunities.
Jean-Pierre Chamberland/Flickr
Alpental, Washington beckons skiers seeking an adventuresome challenge.
Michael Seljos/Flickr
Monument Valley, Arizona, is truly a majestic sight to behold.
David Ludwig/Flickr
Our gorgeous beaches, like this one at the U.S.-Mexican border in San Diego, can provide views of a lifetime.
French_landscape_hunter
The Empire State Building in New York City claims center stage during this impressive nightscape view.
JLS Photography - Alaska
The town of Haines is laid back, friendly, and home to around 1,700 Alaskans.
Thomas Hawk/Flickr
Death Valley radiates with a new day.
Joe Penniston/Flickr
This vibrant sky was taken at Adventureland USA at Altoona, Iowa.
jeffreyw/Flickr
This generous cut of beef is legendary.
bionicgrrrl/Flickr
Shown are Tacos De Chorizo and Barbacoa, true street taco favorites.
bananaana04/Flickr
Coastal towns all around America really know how to serve up some amazing seafood delicacies.
Five Sixty/Flickr
Five-Sixty in Dallas provides diners with a revolving view of this Texas cityscape.
Maria Eklind/Flickr
Outdoor bar areas are American favorites.
ep_jhu/Flickr
Food trucks, like this one in Washington, provide delicious and inexpensive food on the go.
Let Ideas Compete/Flickr
How about a winter balloon ride in Boulder, Colorado?
Rees Photo/Flickr
Hiking, biking, and all sorts of outdoor exercise and fun are found throughout most cities throughout the U.S.
Sue Salisbury/Flickr
Of course, it’s hard to beat wind surfing on the Hawaiian island of Maui.
This Festival of Colors in Utah continues to grow in attendance every spring.
Ken Lane/Flickr
Boston City Hall is known for its beautiful design.
Chaval Brasil/Flickr
First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston is considered one of the nation’s most beautiful churches.
Carl BSr/Flickr
Sunset casts warm light on the red sandstone of Capitol Reef, reflecting on the farm in the valley.
Always Shooting/Flickr
Trout Lake, Yellowstone National Park, is where you can become one with nature.
Kai Lehmann/Flickr
You won’t be able to get the views of Antelope Canyon in Arizona out of your mind.
Prayitno/Flickr
U.S.S. Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii, is an emotional and unforgettable memorial.
Jerry and Pat Donaho/Flickr
When’s the last time you set your sights on a Texas longhorn?
Mariano Mantel/Flickr
This historic lighthouse was constructed in 1893 for the World’s Columbian Exposition and moved to its present site on Lake Michigan in 1919.
Alby Headrick/Flickr
These beautiful waterfalls are found at Pinson, Alabama.
/\ltus/Flickr
Laguna Beach provides a serene view of Southern California.
Bert Kaufmann/Flickr
Cloud Gate, a public sculpture by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor, is the centerpiece of the AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park in Chicago.
traveljunction/Flickr
The “Eye” sculpture is a popular piece located in downtown Dallas, Texas.
Nicholas Erwin/Flickr
This glorious photo showcases Winter in Vermont.
Darryl Kenyon/Flickr
Tulips at Washington Park in Albany, N.Y., declare Spring is in the air.
Glorious sunflowers epitomize the long, leisurely days of summer, as shown on this farmland in Colorado.
Jack McLane/Flickr
Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, captures the magnificence of a serene autumn day.
If you’re still unsure where you want to travel to next, consider these 16 staggeringly beautiful photos of the U.S. as inspiration.
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