U.S. Tourist Attractions - From Death Valley To The Grand Canyon
There’s a myriad of U.S. tourist attractions that cater to everyone. From the iconic landmarks of bustling cities to the breathtaking natural wonders, travelers will truly enjoy!
Author:Velma BattleReviewer:Michael RachalDec 11, 20232.4K Shares117.8K Views
When it comes to U.S. tourist attractions, one will never run out of options.
Whether you’re drawn to the glitz of Hollywood, the jazz rhythms of New Orleans, or the tech innovation of Silicon Valley, the United States promises a bunch of attractions that cater to every taste.
For those seeking the wonders of nature, the U.S. boasts an array of breathtaking landscapes.
From the geysers and hot springs of Yellowstone National Parkto the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, nature enthusiasts will find themselves immersed in awe-inspiring beauty.
What To See In The U.S.?
The massive lands of the USA offer unbelievable variety, so much so that 40% of Americans do not own a passport as all their diverse travelneeds are met at home.
Landscapes are not always spectacular of course, ranging from endlessly, terminally dull to totally incredible, while outdoor activities run from the simple to extreme in thousands of well-supported recreation areas.
Good Start - The Grand Circle
South West America’s Grand Circle makes an awesome starting point for an American exploration as it encompasses many of the U.S. high points in one journey.
Included are the country’s most magnificent natural attractions, such as the:
- Bryce Canyon
- Grand Canyon
- Death Valley
- Zion Canyon
Visit some of the most ridiculous yet fascinating American cities like Las Vegas.
Just to go completely over the top:
- attend the Burning Man Festival in Nevada
- hike in Yosemite National Park
- drive the insane routes of the Sand Flats Recreation Area (SFRA) near Moab, Utah
Grand Circle is a commercially-coined term, but a useful one, nevertheless, tying together southwest USA’s most spectacular national parks, monuments and roads into a huge circle encompassing:
- much of Utah
- part of Arizona
- smaller sections of Colorado and New Mexico
This area is geologically known as the Colorado Plateau, and 300 million years ago, it used to be seas and dunes that dried and solidified into wild-colored sandstone that was then eroded into weird shapes - buttes, spires, arches, canyons, and cliffs - by rivers and rains.
Geologically speaking, the plateau’s youngest rocks can be seen at Bryce Canyon, the middle-aged at Zion, and the positively geriatric at the base of the Grand Canyon.
The plateau’s first residents, known as the Anasazi, aka Ancestral Puebloans, arrived around 2,000 years ago. They built alcoves of canyon walls.
Examples of their structures and art can be seen at the Canyon de Chelly National Monument.
We suggest a two-week tour of the national parks in the Southwest part of the U.S., preferably in a recreational vehicle (RV).
Cities
In the vibrant cityscapes, the Anchorage Museum in Alaska, the Statue of Liberty in New York, and the neon-lit glamor of Las Vegas beckon visitors with their unique charm.
Explore these places and cities:
Alaska
A dramatic and sparsely populated land with superb mountain vistas and plenty of wildlife, Alaska is a glimpse of how the USA used to be.
If you enjoy the unspoiled outdoors and are looking for big, bleak mountains, crystal lakes, massed trees, and more wild things than people, then Alaska offers the bare necessities.
But don’t ignore winter time, when the pristine whiteness becomes a huge snowy playground with even fewer tourists, lower prices, and lots of activities.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Sin City’s casinos and nightlife have no limits in time, style, imagination, or extravagance.
Even during the last U.S. economic recession, actions at casino tables didn’t miss a beat.
But it’s not just about gambling or bizarre light shows, Las Vegas also offers:
- top chefs serving exquisite cuisine
- ultra-fashion shops
- superb art galleries
It’s all so artificial but buzzing with action and color, a true American dream!
New York City, New York
New York offers more restaurants, bars, museums, and iconic sights than almost anywhere else in the world and certainly the most in the U.S.
Manhattan is safe, locals are friendly, and it’s very walkable due to the simple grid system that’s easy to navigate.
Beaches
California and Florida, two iconic states along the U.S. coastline, boast some of the most stunning beachesin the country, each offering a unique and captivating seaside experience.
Whether you seek the vibrant energy of Southern California or the tropical charm of Florida, their beachesoffer unforgettable experiences for every type of traveler.
California Beaches
California’s southern beaches are wide, warm, sunny, and sandy while those on the northern coast tend to be windy and rocky but curvaceous, tree-hugged, and more scenically attractive.
The Pacific Ocean water is nothing like clear Caribbean blue, more of a dark green while sand quality is not as fine as that on the east coast, usually beige or golden color with coarse grains and often unmanicured.
So, if you’re looking for isolation, then seaweed, flotsam, and jetsam are part of the deal, especially on state park shores.
Florida Beaches
America’s Sunshine State encompasses hundreds of beaches on 1,100 miles of three coasts - if you count the Florida Keys as the south coast.
Florida’s popular beaches range from spring break city beaches such as the:
- glamorous Miami South Beach
- long, flat, car-friendly Daytona Beach
- diminutive tropical beaches in the Florida Keys
Other Notable Attractions
For those seeking the wonders of nature, the U.S. boasts an array of breathtaking landscapes.
a. Arches National Park(southeast Utah)
Another natural wonder, but Arches is all about arches and odd shaped rocks - and lots of them!
b. Bryce Canyon(south-central Utah)
Mother Nature at her most artistic. Peaky Bryce is a stunner with stunning walks inside the bowl and around the rim!
c. Canyon de Chelly (northeastern Arizona)
Drop in en route for somewhere else but otherwise no biggie, except for this face/cave!
d. Canyonlands National Park (southeastern Utah)
If you’re passing by, OK, but Canyonlands is less inspiring than other national parks.
e. Death Valley(Eastern California)
Surprisingly interesting and varied views but don’t underestimate distances and heat!
Death Valley National Park is something of a surprise. It’s a lot bigger than most would imagine and can get scary when darkness falls.
f. Grand Canyon(northwestern Arizona)
America’s iconic chasm. Try to do a walk and not just a glance over the panorama!
g. Joshua Tree National Park (southeastern California)
This calm and pretty park is in California, 140 miles (230 kilometers) east of Los Angeles and a favorite retreat for Angelinos, though the fast road there (Interstate 10 or I-10) is unpleasantly busy with brutal, unforgiving traffic.
The park’s north Joshua Tree town entrance - in other words the LA route - takes you immediately into the attractive Joshua Tree zone in the Mojave Desert, whereas the south Cottonwood entrance is in the lower Colorado Desert and very dull for at least an hour of drive time.
h. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (Northern Arizona)
Great scenery and tribal experiences but you really need to take a paid tour around the Navajo lands.
i. Sand Flats Recreation Area(near Moab, Utah)
Sand Flats (SFRA) is a sensational spot for cycling and off-road wheels.
j. Yosemite National Park(eastern central California)
Yosemite rocks but it’s either crowded during peak season or very cold during off season.
This has been a hiking destination since the 1,200-square-mile park was created in 1864, with 800 miles of trails going up to 13,000 feet (altitude).
Mountain biking is easy in the 7-mile-long, 1-mile-wide valley but hard work elsewhere.
The valley offers:
- a free shuttle bus service
- various shops, art centers, and galleries
- bike and raft rentals
- ice rink in winter
k. Zion Canyon(southwestern Utah)
Zion offers a huge variety of well-managed incredible walks and odd views.
Discovering different U.S. tourist attractions will be a one-of-a-kind journey that’ll take you across vast and varied lands, where unforgettable adventures await you at every turn.
Velma Battle
Author
Travelling Expert
Michael Rachal
Reviewer
Travelling Expert
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