Top 10: The Best Places to Visit in the USA

The United States of America, the U.S. of A, the States—whatever you want to call it, this North American giant is home to an incredibly diverse range of tourist destinations, to suit travellers of all interests, whether you’re in the market for a city break, an escape to nature, or a road trip which has it all. Today at Civitatis, we’ve compiled our list of the 10 very best places to visit in the USA, and we’ve also included a good range of tours & experiences to check out, for if you decide to take the plunge and travel to one of these gems!

The Best Places to Visit in the USA

1. New York
2. New Orleans
3. San Francisco
4. Nashville
5. Phoenix
6. San Diego
7. Charleston
8. Boston
9. Santa Fe
10. Houston

1. New York

The City That Never Sleeps is, without a doubt, one of the top must-see destinations in the U.S., and indeed, the planet! Walking through the bustling streets of the Big Apple, including Wall Street and Times Square, and seeing the iconic Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and Grand Central Terminal will make you feel as though you’ve stepped straight into a film. In fact, if you’re particularly interested in seeing your favourite fictional stories come to life, consider going on Civitatis’ New York TV and Movie Tour, which covers filming locations from beloved classics such as When Harry Met Sally, Ocean’s 8, Seinfeld and much more! There are lots of other ways of discovering the city’s major landmarks: go on the Hop on Hop off New York Bus, and embark on this Free Walking Tour of New York.

One of our favourite parts about visiting New York is enjoying the city’s wonderous and iconic skyline. Buy a ticket for SUMMIT One Vanderbilt to enjoy some of the best views of the city, as well as some interesting exhibits within the building. There’s nothing quite like climbing the Empire State Building, and enjoying 360-degree views from 86th floor, 320 metres (1049 ft) in the air!

See more activities in New York with Civitatis

2. New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana, is a melting pot of cultures that enchants visitors with its Creole cuisine, great music and charming neighbourhoods. The city’s culture is perhaps best on display during Mardi Gras, for which celebrations last from January 6th until the day before Ash Wednesday. During this time, New Orleans comes to life, with parades bursting with lights, colours, garlands and wonderful jazz music.

One of the city’s most beloved areas (year-round) is the French Quarter, which is home to wonderful colonial architecture, fantastic bars and restaurants and much more… see it for yourself on this French Quarter Guided Tour! If you’re making your way around the city and want to see as much as you can for the best price, we recommend grabbing the Go City: New Orleans All-Inclusive Pass, which includes entry/tickets to many of the city’s unmissable landmarks and experiences, such as Mardi Gras World, Ultimate Swamp Adventures and the National World War II Museum.

See more activities in New Orleans with Civitatis

3. San Francisco

Moving onto the West Coast (best coast) of the United States, San Francisco is one of our absolute favourite cities. The vibrant capital of California, this city is known for its steep hills, eclectic architecture, cultural diversity and much more.

The symbol of San Fran is the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, a 1.6-kilometre (1-mile) suspension bridge that connects San Francisco to Marin County. The best way to see it is as part of a cruise of San Francisco Bay with Civitatis, during which you’ll also see the famous sea lions and Alcatraz Island—home to Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, one of the culturally significant landmarks in the city. There are lots of ways of seeing/visiting the island, check out how to see Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary with Civitatis.

Get a feel for the city’s vibrant culture and diversity by enjoying a Free Walking Tour of San Francisco. On this tour, you’ll get to walk through San Francisco’s Chinatown, the financial district, Union Square and other iconic areas of the city.

See more activities in San Francisco with Civitatis

4. Nashville

The birthplace of country music, Nashville is the state capital of Tennessee, and an incredible city to visit. With fantastic live events, delicious cuisine, natural beauty and an interesting history, there is plenty to see in this somewhat underrated gem.

If country music is your thing, you’d be silly not to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, whose exhibition showcases the careers of legends from Elvis Presley, to Dolly Parton to Johnny Cash. Did you know that Nashville is also known as Music City? Many of the world’s most beloved stars, such as Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift were born here. Rock bands such as Kings of Leon and Paramore also call Nashville home!

Nashville is also known for its fantastic food. Fried chicken, barbecue, and banana pudding are just some of the delicious items that form part of this Tennesse city’s repertoire. Taste it for yourself in the most authentic spots in the city as part of this Nashville Food Tour! Have a sweet tooth? Try this Nashville Doughnut Tour!

See more activities in Nashville with Civitatis

5. Phoenix

Phoenix, the capital of Arizona, is known for its year-round sunshine and warm temperatures. This bustling city offers a mix of modern urban life and stunning natural beauty.

Explore the Desert Botanical Garden’s vibrant flora, hike the iconic Camelback Mountain, or dive into Native American culture at the Heard Museum. Or, make your way along Route 66, America’s most famous road, which runs all the way across the country. On this Route 66 & Grand Canyon Tour, you’ll enjoy a little road trip from Phoenix, passing through the South Rim, and the Colorado River, before arriving at the Grand Canyon, where you’ll soar above this incredible natural feature on a helicopter ride!

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6. San Diego

Heading back to the state of California, San Diego is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country, and for good reason! Its idyllic beaches and attractions such as the Old Town, the spectacular Balboa Park and the Crystal Pier make it a bucket-list-worthy destination, not to mention that it’s home to one of the largest zoos in the world! Grab a ticket to San Diego Zoo, home to 3700 animals of over 640 species, including lions, koalas and elephants—fun for the whole family.

Our favourite way to enjoy San Diego is from the harbour, which you can do as part of our San Diego Harbour Cruise. On this experience, you’ll see the USS Midway (the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the 20th century), Cabrillo National Monument, the North Island Naval Air Base, the Star of India ship and (if you’re lucky) some of the bay’s beautiful sea lions.

See more activities in San Diego with Civitatis

7. Charleston

The Charleston is more than just a dance! It’s also a city in South Carolina renowned for its charming streets lined with pastel-coloured cottages. This city’s delightful southern atmosphere and hospitality make it a must for visitors to the U.S., and citizens alike!

You might want to take a guided tour of Charleston to immerse yourself in Charleston’s fascinating history, which has been shaped by tragic historical events such as slavery and the outbreak of the Civil War. Along the way, you’ll pass the balcony from which George Washington addressed the people of Charleston over 225 years ago.

See more activities in Charleston with Civitatis

8. Boston

Boston, Massachusetts, is a city brimming with history, culture, and innovation. Home to prestigious institutions like Harvard University and MIT (which you can learn more about on the Harvard Walking Tour and MIT Walking Tour), Boston is a global hub of education and research and one of the best places to visit in the USA.

The Freedom Trail guides you through key historical sites, including the Boston Common and Paul Revere’s House, landmarks which give fascinating insights into the American Revolution. On this guided tour of Boston, you’ll make your way down this trail, and also see such delights as as the Statue of Benjamin Franklin, Quincy Market and Boston Public Garden!

Fenway Park, the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball, is another must-see landmark. If you’re lucky enough to be in the city when a baseball game is on, grab a ticket for an unforgettable sporting experience.

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9. Santa Fe

You’ll be doubting if you’re really in the U.S. on your visit to Santa Fe! This city, which has a signature landscape of adobe houses surrounded by mountains, is in New Mexico, the state that separates the U.S. from its Mexican neighbours. It began to draw international attention in the 19th century when it became a busy point on the Santa Fe Trail, the trade route that connects Missouri with the desert states to the south. This still underrated gem is one of our favourites, with lots of restaurants, hundreds of art galleries and over a dozen museums packed into a small, walkable city. Did you know this city is also home to the oldest public building in America, the Palace of the Governers, which was built in 1610!

10. Houston

A city packed with flavour, this Texan city represents a fantastic experience for travellers looking to get in touch with American culture. The culinary scene is a food lover’s dream, with unforgettable flavours and unique dining experiences available throughout the city. On this Houston Food Tour, you’ll get to try mouth-watering Texan cuisine, in 3-4 authentic restaurants. Along the way, you’ll come to realise the influence that Latin, Italian, and Philippine cuisine has had!

When visiting, we recommend getting the Houston CityPASS®, which provides free entry to the Houston Space Center, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Downtown Aquarium and much more!

See more activities in Houston with Civitatis

Of course, there are so many different cities to discover in the USA, and we couldn’t include all of our favourites on this list. If you have any more suggestions, be sure to leave a comment down below! Also, wherever you’re travelling be sure to check out more tours and experiences with Civitatis.