US Bucket list
For a UK traveller, exploring the United States offers a huge variety of bucket list experiences—from iconic cities to natural wonders. Below are a few ideas of places to visit that you can tick off your bucket list!
Iconic cities
- At the top of most people’s list is New York – iconic landmarks are round every corner and in the sky around you. The Statue of Liberty is something you can see for free from the Staten Island ferry or you can visit Liberty Island itself. Times Square and Broadway are at the heart of this glittering, neon-lit city. Also get to the top of the Empire State Building or the Rockefeller Center (you don’t really need to do both) for the incredible view of the city and beyond.
- San Francisco – drive across the Golden Gate Bridge or take a trip out to Alcatraz. A ride on a cable car is a must as well. Fisherman’s Wharf (where you get the ferry to the prison) has lots of attractions, plus sea lions and lots of seafood (for you).
- Chicago – one of my favourite cities – the music is brilliant, go in early June for the free Blues Festival. It takes place in Millenium Park, which is also home to the Cloud Gate sculpture, known as the The Bean.
Bars around the city have live music most nights. Plus you have to have a deep-dish pizza – go when hungry as they are bigger than you think!
Natural Wonders and Scenic Routes
- The Grand Canyon – one of the most stunning sites in the world. 250 million-year-old rock strata lie back-to-back with 1.2 billion-year-old rocks. Walk round the Skywalk which is a glass bridge suspended over the Canyon. Take a helicopter tour from Las Vegas, ride the rapids or just hike.
- Yellowstone National Park – Within Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres, visitors have unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem, explore geothermal areas that contain about half the world’s active geysers. You’re likely to see bison, elk, bears, wolves and cougars (but no guarantees). Read more here
- Route 66 – you can’t beat a good road trip in the US. Starting in Chicago, this route takes you across the country to Santa Monica.
This sign is at the start of the iconic Route 66 You can still follow the old road, also known as the Mother Road in many places and watch the cars speed along the highway nearby. Best for quirky attractions along the road.
Other
- Nashville and Memphis – for fans of music history – Elvis, Blues, Jazz, country music, soul and newer genres. Visit Sun Studios
and Stax Studios in Memphis, RCA Studio in Nashville. Take in a concert at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville or cruise Beale Street in Memphis for the best music ever. Read more about our music cities tour - Alaska – best accessed as part of a cruise. Glaciers, Northern Lights in the autumn and winter. Plus untouched landscapes in the depth of the country.
There are more bucket list destinations in the USA – what would you add?