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Where To Go Next: The Best Places To Travel In America In 2021

Updated: Jul 18, 2023By Amanda JamiLifestyle
This article originally appeared on Investing.com. It has been republished here with permission.
© iacomino FRiMAGES| Parkar-Stock | emperorcosar | Helen's Photos/Shutterstock © iacomino FRiMAGES| Parkar-Stock | emperorcosar | Helen's Photos/Shutterstock

When choosing a vacation spot there are so many options that it’s hard to know where to start. Luckily, us Americans have everything we could ask for right in our backyard, from big cities to mountain escapes, historical towns to valleys and canyons. 

We can explore the very best places to travel to within the United States, whether they’re already tourist hot-spots or lesser-known hidden gems. With so much to choose from, there is something for everyone, and you can finally use up those American Airlines miles you’ve been saving! 

1. Acadia National Park

Where to Stay: Bar Harbor, Maine
Avg. Price of Hotel Room:
$165*

Acadia National Park is located on the coast of Maine and is well known for its breathtaking fall foliage. In the winter it is covered in snow and winter drives and hikes are extremely popular, especially since the park contains the tallest mountain on the Atlantic Coast of the United States. 

Acadia National Park ©Eric Urquhart / Shutterstock.com Acadia National Park ©Eric Urquhart / Shutterstock.com

The town of Bar Harbor is a coastal dream, with gorgeous views of the ocean and the islands. Located on Mt. Desert Island, it is just a short drive from Acadia National park. Make sure to eat lobster when you’re there, the town is speckled with lobster boats so you’re guaranteed freshness, especially between July and September. 

2. Yosemite National Park

Where to Stay: California
Avg. Price of Hotel Room:
$104*

Yosemite National Park is known as one of the most beautiful parks in the whole of the United States, thanks to the gorgeous waterfalls and massive granite monoliths. Yosemite Valley is home to many natural attractions, such as the Half Dome, which is a 2,694-meter-high granite dome that is not to be missed. 

Yosemite National Park ©Lynn Yeh / Shutterstock.com Yosemite National Park ©Lynn Yeh / Shutterstock.com

There are numerous hotels and lodges to choose from within the park itself, though staying within the park is often the more expensive option. The other option is to stay in one of the small towns just outside the park, giving you easy access while saving on the Hilton hotel costs. 

3. Lake Tahoe

Where to Stay: Carson City, Nevada
Avg. Price of Hotel Room:
$105*

One of the purest water lakes in the world is right here in the US with an incredible 99.994% purity rating. Lake Tahoe is located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, along the state lines of California and Nevada. Not only is it one of the purest lakes on Earth, but it is also one of the oldest, at a staggering two million years old. 

Lake Tahoe ©topseller / Shutterstock.com Lake Tahoe ©topseller / Shutterstock.com

Carson City, Nevada is located approximately a half-hour drive from the lake and is the capital city of Nevada. Known for its outdoor recreation and scenic beauty, it is the perfect place to stay when visiting Lake Tahoe. 

4. The National Mall

Where to Stay: Washington, D.C.
Avg. Price of Hotel Room:
$181*

The National Mall in Washington D.C. is America’s most visited national park and an important symbol of democracy, equality, and freedom. Comprising a number of museums and cultural institutions located between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, the bordered area attracts 24 million sightseers annually. 

The National Mall ©Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com The National Mall ©Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Being in the hub of the bustling city, there are plenty of choices of where to stay when visiting The National Mall. The best times to visit Washington D.C. are from September to November, and from March to May. Remember that most of the attractions and museums in the city are admission-free, making this city an absolute must-visit! 

5. The French Quarter

Where to Stay: New Orleans, Louisiana
Avg. Price of Hotel Room:
$100*

When we think of New Orleans, what comes to mind is the vibrant nightlife, brightly colored buildings and Bourbon Street jazz clubs, and Cajun eateries. All of these pleasures are found in the French Quarter, which is located on the banks of the Mississippi River and the vibrant heart of the city. 

The French Quarter ©f11photo / Shutterstock.com The French Quarter ©f11photo / Shutterstock.com

Staying in the French Quarter itself is a very popular choice, being that it’s the city’s oldest and most widely known neighborhood. Alternatively, Uptown or Garden District are more residential options if you prefer to be just outside all the hustle and bustle. Either way, don’t forget to enjoy some Crawfish Etouffee and a Sazerac while you’re there, it will make for a good change from that regular McDonalds run!

6. San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Where to Stay: San Diego, California
Avg. Price of Hotel Room:
$180*

The Safari Park in San Diego is not the same as the zoo, in that it has fewer animals in a wide-open setting, much like an actual safari park where the animals are able to roam free. It is a large space of 1800 acres in the San Pasqual Valley of San Diego, California, and is one of the largest attractions in the county. 

San Diego Zoo Safari Park ©Asif Islam / Shutterstock.com San Diego Zoo Safari Park ©Asif Islam / Shutterstock.com

The African Plains is featured from a tram and has popular animals such as giraffes, zebras, and rhinos who are able to co-habituate in the large space. You are able to watch a cheetah run in a demonstration and even view the park from above on a Balloon safari. 

7. Bunker Hill Monument

Where to Stay: Boston, Massachusetts
Avg. Price of Hotel Room:
$151*

The Bunker Hill Monument was erected to commemorate the Battle of Bunker Hill, which was fought in 1775. The site can only be reached by stairs and there are 294 of them so be ready for a workout as you jog (or walk) up towards the historical commemoration. 

Bunker Hill Monument ©Felix Lipov / Shutterstock.com Bunker Hill Monument ©Felix Lipov / Shutterstock.com

Boston is a bustling city with many major attractions, there are even Hop-on-Hop-off sightseeing trolleys for those who don’t have a lot of time. The Skywalk Observatory should not be missed if the weather is clear as you will get an incredible view of the urban landscape, and of course, the Freedom Trail which is a self-guided walk that passes 16 historic landmarks and ends in Charlestown.

8. Snowmass Mountain

Where to Stay: Aspen, Colorado
Avg. Price of Hotel Room:
$203*

This is the perfect spot for beginner and aspiring skiers. Snowmass mountain features state-of-the-art facilities and very good ski schools. With a massive range of beginner and intermediate terrain, the mountain has 91 downhill trails and 3332 skiable acres. 

Snowmass Mountain ©birdymeo / Shutterstock.com Snowmass Mountain ©birdymeo / Shutterstock.com

The ski area is located just six miles away from Buttermilk and eight miles from Aspen Highlands, making it easy to access. Aspen has exceptional dining, events, and activities and no shortage of hotels and lodges. You might even spot a celebrity on vacation while you’re there.

9. Haleakala National Park

Where to Stay: Maui, Hawaii
Avg. Price of Hotel Room:
$216*

Haleakala National Park is over 33,000 acres of which more than half is a designated wilderness area, prohibiting development and preserving the local flora and fauna. The name Haleakala means ‘House of the Sun’ in Hawaiian and it is home to a dormant volcano and one of the world’s largest volcanic craters. 

Haleakala National Park ©Henner Damke / Shutterstock.com Haleakala National Park ©Henner Damke / Shutterstock.com

The visitors center is at 9740 feet and it is about a two-hour drive from Maui. If you are really lucky, or simply plan well, you can catch both the sunrise and the sunset from the top of the Haleakala, which is a truly magical experience, one which will not be soon forgotten. 

10. The Las Vegas Strip

Where to Stay: Las Vegas, Nevada
Avg. Price of Hotel Room:
$177*

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Probably one of the most iconic strips in the world, Las Vegas has been the location for iconic films, movie star vacation spots, and inspiration for chart-topping songs since the early 1900s. 

The Las Vegas Strip ©randy andy / Shutterstock.com The Las Vegas Strip ©randy andy / Shutterstock.com

The city became famous for its casinos, shows, and entertainment and is known as Sin City for a reason. If you are not a gambler, there is still plenty to do in Vegas, with Broadway Las Vegas, concerts, top restaurants, bars, and clubs. There is truly something for everyone in Las Vegas. 

11. Grand Teton National Park

Where to Stay: Teton County, Wyoming
Avg. Price of Hotel Room:
$87*

Renowned for its magnificent hiking trails comprising over 235 miles of varying skill levels, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming is the highest peak in the Teton mountain range. At 13770 feet above sea level, the park is scenic and teeming with wildlife. 

Grand Teton National Park ©haveseen / Shutterstock.com Grand Teton National Park ©haveseen / Shutterstock.com

Within the park, you might run into grizzlies, bison, moose, or elk while enjoying activities the park has to offer, including kayaking and fishing. The best time of the year to visit would be from May to September which is when all the visiting centers are open.

12. The Space Needle

Where to Stay: Seattle, Washington
Avg. Price of Hotel Room:
$189*

The Seattle icon was originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair and has gone on to feature in iconic TV shows such as Frasier and Grey’s Anatomy. Representing the forward-thinking spirit of Seattle, the structure stands at 605 feet tall and is the only private property on the Seattle Center’s 74-acre campus. 

The Space Needle ©Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock.com The Space Needle ©Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock.com

Aside from the Space Needle, Seattle is a bustling city with many attractions for visitors. The Seattle Art Museum is world-renowned and a visit to the Emerald City and its lush evergreen forests and mountains are something you don’t want to miss.

13. Everglades National Park

Where to Stay: Miami, Florida
Avg. Price of Hotel Room:
$143*

The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States can be found in Florida, The Everglades consist of a massive 1.5 million acres of sawgrass marshes and mangrove forests and within the wetlands endangered and exotic wildlife can be found. 

Everglades National Park ©GagliardiPhotography / Shutterstock.com Everglades National Park ©GagliardiPhotography / Shutterstock.com

While the area should be treated with the utmost respect for numerous reasons, including the fact that the system provides drinking water for over 8 million people in Florida, it is a magical place to visit offering a glimpse into another world altogether. 

14. Yellowstone National Park

Where to Stay: Yellowstone, Wyoming
Avg. Price of Hotel Room:
$106*

Half of the world’s geysers can be found at Yellowstone National Park, along with the world-famous Old Faithful Geyser, which erupts every 44 minutes to two hours and has done since 2000. The park is located in Wyoming and covers 3472 square miles and preserves over 10,000 hydrothermal features, including hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles. 

Yellowstone National Park ©Lane V. Erickson / Shutterstock.com Yellowstone National Park ©Lane V. Erickson / Shutterstock.com

When visiting Yellowstone there are many lodges and hotels to choose from, and the park is massive with multiple entrances. If you have more than three days in the park you could stay in two different locations, making it easier to explore more of the park.