• Home
    • About
      • About Brianna
      • Contact Me
      • Work With Me
    • Destinations
    • Travel
      • Budget Travel
      • Short Term Travel
      • Travel Gear & Tech
    • Stories From Abroad
      • Travel Fails
      • Stories
    • Travel Resources
  • Archives

    • November 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
    • April 2016
    • March 2016
    • February 2016
    • January 2016
    • December 2015
    • November 2015
  • Home
  • About
    • About Brianna
    • Contact Me
    • Work With Me
  • Destinations
  • Travel
    • Budget Travel
    • Short Term Travel
    • Travel Gear & Tech
  • Stories From Abroad
    • Travel Fails
    • Stories
  • Travel Resources

Dear Travelers: There is more to the US than California, New York, and Disney World

April 21, 2016

The more I learn about tourism within my own country, the more I realize how little foreign travelers get to see of it. It seems like, for the most part, people are mainly coming to the United States to see three things: California, New York, and Disney World.

Now, I don’t blame them. California has Hollywood. New York has the Big Apple. Disney World has actual princesses and Dole-whips. I get it.

But please. I’m telling you. There is SO much more to the United States that you’re missing.

 


 

National Parks

stone-arch-828730_960_720

Did you know that the United States was the first country to establish a National Park system? That’s right. Yellowstone National Park was the first National Park, which began a movement around the world for nature preservation. Today, there are 58 National Parks in the United States, along with a slew of other nature preservation centers across the country. Dang Travelers has a great list of Blogger’s Top 15 U.S. National Park Service Destinations if you want suggestions on where to go.

 

Mountain Regions

outdoors-1251150_960_720

Though vastly part of the National Park system, the mountain regions of the United States deserve their own shout out. The Rocky Mountain range stretches over 3,000 miles, running from the the northern region of British Columbia in Canada, down to New Mexico. Some of the most notable parts of the Rocky Mountains lie in Colorado, and are famous for skiing, snowboarding, and scenic drives. The Appalachian Mountain range extends from Newfoundland in Canada, to central Alabama in the US. This mountain range is famous for its 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail. As a result, you do find a lot of hiking and camping on these mountains.

 

Historic East Coast

independence-hall-1116201_960_720

If history is your thing, the East Coast is where to head. United States history began on the East Coast as settlers established the thirteen original colonies. Cities like Washington D.C., Boston, Massachusetts and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania hold a wealth of information and historical sites. Not to mention old-timey architecture and atmosphere! The East Coast is a great place to learn about the United States.

 

Charming South

oak-alley-plantation-439879_960_720

When Americans mention something has “Southern Charm” they are referring to the quaintness and tranquility of the Southern States. Charleston, South Carolina, Savannah, Georgia, and New Orleans, Louisiana are all cities that embody the charm of the south. Grab your parasol and a sweet tea as you stroll among the gardens, listening to the musical southern accent. The south is a great place to book yourself into a Bed and Breakfast and be treated like ladies and gentlemen.

 

The Great Lakes of Michigan

lake-michigan-113681_960_720

If you’re looking to spend your vacation sprawled out on a gorgeous beach with warm sand and rolling waves, but you DON’T want to worry about your limbs being gnawed on by sharks, Michigan’s Great Lakes are what you need. While I may be sliiiightly biased, as Michigan is home, the lakes are an incredible geological feature of the United States. Michigan towns like Grand Haven, Ludington, and Traverse City allow you to enjoy your beach vacation without worrying about what’s beneath the surface of the water. As we say in Michigan: No Salt, No Sharks, No Worries.

 

Wild Alaska

aurora-672522_960_720

Often forgotten by US-bound travelers, Alaska has a ton to offer nature lovers of all kinds. There are incredible glaciers and fjords to explore. See a vast amount of wildlife like orcas and humpback whales, grizzly bears, moose, and polar bears. Try your hand at dog-sledding through the snow, or salmon fishing in the icy waters. On nights between September and April, you can also enjoy the breathtaking surprise of seeing the Northern Lights. Alaska is an incredible place to consider for your next US destination.

 

***
Are you convinced? Where are you going to go on your next US vacation? 

 

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter to get updates on my adventures! Or check out my Instagram for pretty pictures!

Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
0 Shares
East CoastGreat LakesMountainsNational ParksSouth
Share

Guides  / Michigan  / North America  / USA

19 Comments


Ella
April 24, 2016 at 7:28 am
Reply

I hope I can take a trip to the U.S. where I get to see and experience all of these things. Especially the national parks, I LOVE nature and they look stunning 🙂



    Brianna
    April 28, 2016 at 11:06 am
    Reply

    Oh yes, The United States certainly has no shortage of National Parks! It would take a long time to see them all, but they are HIGHLY recommended!

Mary @ Green Global Travel
May 4, 2016 at 8:29 pm
Reply

Often when travelers think of a certain country, they only think of a few places so this article is a great reminder to what the United States has to offer visitors.



Hannah
August 18, 2016 at 3:38 am
Reply

Ah, I’m desperate to see all of the National Parks in North America. I used to live in Toronto so also a huge fan of the Great Lakes 🙂



    Brianna
    August 31, 2016 at 1:37 pm
    Reply

    Awesome! All the National Parks?? That’s quite a lofty goal!

Lala
September 29, 2016 at 4:50 pm
Reply

I really wanted to see Yosemite national park the last time I was in California! unfortunately it was very far from where I was staying, next time!



clare
January 14, 2017 at 5:10 pm
Reply

I love the US national parks, I spent most of my 2 months in the US travelling around them. I managed to visit 10 of the parks, they are so well set up with great information on what to do in each of them. I would love to go back and visit Alaska.



Bethanny Sudibyo
January 14, 2017 at 6:39 pm
Reply

I agree with you. United States is a very big country and a lot of places are very underrated. Good job with this post!



Kaylene
January 15, 2017 at 7:45 am
Reply

I love this article. I’m American and there is still so many more national parks I want to visit. I’m from the south and love Savannah and Charleston. My hometown, Nashville, has a really fun music scene and night life. The Great Lakes of Michigan are also one of my favorite places in the US – there’s so much fun, outdoorsy things to do.



romy
January 15, 2017 at 11:50 am
Reply

Admittedly I have only been to New York in the US, but for my next trip I would definitely go for the national parks. My dream is to do a west coast road trip:)



Sam
January 15, 2017 at 12:51 pm
Reply

Yessss I definitely agree! I used to be just as guilty of not giving my country enough credit, it took living abroad to make me realize all the awesomeness that the U.S. has, starting especially with the National Parks. Epic photo of Arches btw – was just there last spring. As an East Coaster, Utah blew my mind. I live abroad now but there so much more of the U.S. that I’d like to explore. I really want to do the entirety of the Appalachian Trail some day!



Nancy
January 15, 2017 at 1:17 pm
Reply

Thank you so much for this article! Why we forget about all the wonderful places the U.S. has here to visit and learn from I don’t know. We always think that travel is about unknown, far away destinations. (Don’t get me wrong I still like those) But since we got our dog we decided to stay here in America and explore the treasures in our own backyard. And there are so many it will be hard to find the time to see them all.



Juliette | Snorkels to Snow
January 16, 2017 at 5:23 am
Reply

Good to be reminded of other places to visit! I would LOVE to visit Alaska! I think it must be quite an incredible place. I get a bit obsessed with northern/arctic countries. Would also love to visit Yellowstone National Park.



Castaway with Crystal
January 16, 2017 at 5:56 am
Reply

I 100% agree with you here. I REALLY want to do a road trip and check out all the crazy towns and everything else the US has to offer!



Helena
January 16, 2017 at 5:59 am
Reply

I completely agree!! When I was over there a couple of years ago I went to Florida but drove around Alabama, Savannah, Georgia and South Carolina – best choice ever!



Mike
January 18, 2017 at 12:53 am
Reply

This is on point! There is so much to see in all of the states with a very diverse and rich culture in the south compared to the north, west or just about anywhere else. Its all unique. I could spend months traveling around the US and still not see everything



Emily Hines
June 19, 2017 at 11:49 am
Reply

This is awesome!! My blog is all about United States travel; so glad I found this post. Thanks for sharing. There are still so many places on my list to visit.



    Brianna
    June 19, 2017 at 4:57 pm
    Reply

    It’s amazing how much of the US people never get to see!

George
February 1, 2021 at 6:29 pm
Reply

Great suggestions! The Rocky Mountains is one of my favorite places. I’d also include the beautiful Maine Coast (lobstering villages, Acadia National Park, and more!) and Washington State (which has gorgeous views in every direction.



Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • I’m Brianna and I’m possibly the funniest person I know. I’m a total goofball who loves to travel. I fell in love with the world in 2007, when my family and I moved to Sydney, Australia. Since then, I’ve been on a mission to see the world. I'm an ordinary adventurer here to show you how the average person can travel the world.

    Get To Know Me More

     
  • Aching For More Adventure?

    Sign up today for instant notifications of new posts and EXCLUSIVE travel tips!
    * = required field
  • Find Me On Instagram

    instagram
  • Sleep on the Cheap

  • Top 1000 Travel Blog

  • As Seen On…

  • Where I’ve Been




© Copyright 2017 Archives of Adventure // LetsBlog Theme - Theme by ThemeGoods // View this site's Privacy Policy / Disclosure Policy // We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

 

Loading Comments...
 

    Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

    You can adjust all of your cookie settings by navigating the tabs on the left hand side.

    Click here for our full Privacy Policy

    Strictly Necessary Cookies

    Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

    If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.