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Top 10 Vacation Spots

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By Just A GirlPublished 2 years ago 8 min read
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Looking for a new vacation spot? Or maybe you are trying to go to every state in the US in your lifetime but not sure which state to go to next. Well here are a list of vacation spots you NEED to visit and don’t want to miss out on these ones! Plus, some of them are cheap too which is less stressful when planning your vacation.

1. GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA

Mountains and Flowers in Glacier National Park, Montana - One of the Best Places to Vacation in United States

Why vacation here: With over 700 miles of hiking trails carved out of the Rocky Mountains, Glacier National Park is perfect for vacationers looking to explore the wilderness. There are also plenty of other outdoor activities to enjoy there, such as rafting, swimming, and biking.

Commune with nature: Even less experienced hikers can hike the spectacular Trail of the Cedars, an easy path that leads to a gorgeous waterfall. Other must-do hikes include the more strenuous Grinnell Glacier Trail, where you can spot floating icebergs in a lake.

Learn to fly-fish: Enjoy a fun fly-fishing experience with Glacier Guides, suitable for anyone from beginners to experts. Professionals will lead you to the river and teach you hands-on fly-fishing techniques, including how to read river currents and angling strategies.

2. New York City, New York

NYC is one of the most famous city in the world. It’s one of the best travel destinations in the US. It is the largest city in the US and a major hub for finance, fashion, arts, communication, and education.

The Big Apple gets constant traffic throughout the year, making it one of the richest cities in the US. It is also the rightful contender as the first city you should visit if you are in the US.

Attractions like Times Square, the Broadway Theater District, Wall Street, Manhattan's Chinatown, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, etc. are some of the highly photographed attractions in the world and pull in millions of tourists every year.

Apart from these attractions, the city is a melting pot of cultures with a variety of art, performance, foods, and fashion.

3. Cambria, California

Sitting on arguably the prettiest stretch of coastal land in California, Cambria is an idyllic little town amongst immense beauty. Reflecting such merits, it hopped from No. 6 to No. 2 this year. Walk the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk to spot sea life or take a horseback tour through the mountains with Covell’s California Clydesdales. Often serving as home base for those traveling to Hearst Castle, Cambria has plenty of its own charms to explore!

4. Aspen

One of the most famous ski resorts in the world, Aspen lies in a remote part of the Rocky Mountains in the state of Colorado. Named after the abundance of aspen trees that dot the region, the former mining camp was turned into a popular tourist destination in the mid-twentieth century and has never looked back.

Set amid some stunning snow-covered scenery, the town has four ski slopes – Aspen Highlands, Ajax Mountain, Buttermilk and Snowmass further down the valley. All of them boast large areas where you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, sledging, and snowmobiling.

Aspen exploded as a silver mining town in the late 19th century; something reflected in the architecture from this time. Examples include the grand Wheeler Opera House and the brick built Aspen Community Church, among others.

While it is known as a winter destination, Aspen is wonderful to visit at any time of year. Its mountainous landscapes lend themselves perfectly to all kinds of outdoor recreational activities.

5. Key Largo — Florida

It’s best for Oceanic Exploration. There are plenty of beach destinations to choose from in Florida, but Key Largo is the place for people looking to leave the sand and enjoy everything the ocean has to offer. With offerings like the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, visitors are encouraged to throw on a mask and have an adventure below the surface.

Just a few minutes' drive but a world away from the mainland, Key Largo has been the setting of movies, the home to abundant wildlife and a favorite destination for scuba diving. Visitors can enjoy Key Largo's ties to the sea including scuba diving, snorkeling, an underwater hotel, sport fishing, eco-tours, beaches and dolphin encounter programs. The island also offers numerous on-shore attractions including nature trails and a rehabilitation center for wild birds.

The island also is known around the globe for its dolphin therapy programs. Children and adults from several continents have sought out dolphin therapy through Dolphins Plus and the not-for-profit Island Dolphin Care.

6. Austin, Texas

The Live Music Capital of the World and capital of the state of Texas is located in the heart of Texas Hill Country and offers a fantastic combination of excellent nightlife, plenty of outdoor activities and day trip opportunities, and truly phenomenal food–don’t leave without having at least one giant meal each worth of TexMex and barbecue!

While in Austin, be sure to visit trendy South Congress Avenue, watch the bats fly out from under the South Congress Bridge (if you’re visiting at the right time of year, that is), see a show, and go for a hike (or if it’s too hot, hit the lake!).

Want to get out of town? Austin is within an easy day trip of natural swimming holes, Texas’ wine country, and adorable small towns.

7. The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of those must-see, bucket-list destinations that have been attracting visitors for generations. Gazing out over the canyon walls to an endless horizon and an unfathomable depth below is one of the highlights of any trip in the United States.

Visiting the Grand Canyon can easily be done on a day trip from Las Vegas or Phoenix, and from some smaller cities in the vicinity, including Sedona or Flagstaff. Another option is to incorporate a visit into a larger driving trip through Arizona and surrounding states. A train trip from Williams, AZ is another delightful way to experience the canyon.

The south rim of the Grand Canyon, which is the most popular and most visited section, is open all year, and visitors are welcomed at any time of year. To avoid the crush of summer visitors, consider arriving in the spring or fall; the weather is good and the crowds smaller. The road to the north rim of the Grand Canyon is closed in winter due to snow

8. Houston

Houston is the perfect city for a friend’s getaway, a couples' retreat, or a family vacation. With direct flights from cities across the United States and Canada, you can easily fly in to see a sports game, wander through Houston's Museum District, lounge by a pool at one of the many luxury hotels, and spend your evenings enjoying incredible meals. Houston has developed into a hot spot for dining in the United States and is now well known for extraordinary cuisine.

If you want a relaxed but outdoor urban experience, rent a bike and peddle your way through the miles of paved trails in the parks or on the downtown streets. Rent a kayak and paddle along Buffalo Bayou in Buffalo Bayou Park.

In less than an hour, you can be on the nearby beaches at Galveston, and along the way, you can make a stop at Space Center Houston.

Houston hums with an energy and independent spirit all its own. A leading cultural and culinary destination in the South, the city is home to over 11,000 restaurants featuring cuisines from more than 70 countries. The thriving arts scene includes resident opera, ballet, symphony and theater companies. The Museum District houses 19 museums, all within walking distance. Be sure to visit Space Center Houston, where you can see NASA’s Historic Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center.

9. Yellowstone

With dramatic peaks and pristine lakes, Yellowstone National Park is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. Multicolored pools swirl around hot springs; verdant forests weave past expansive meadows; and volatile geysers launch streams of steaming water toward the sky. With so much unspoiled natural beauty, it's no wonder why everyone suspected John Colter (a scout for explorers Lewis and Clark) was embellishing when he first described Yellowstone's geothermal curiosities in 1807. Nowadays, there's no doubt that the park is indeed extraordinary. While you traverse its 3,000-plus square miles of mountains, canyons, geysers and waterfalls, be prepared to share the trails with permanent residents like buffalo, elk and sometimes even grizzlies.

Although Yellowstone attracts more than 4 million visitors every year, chances are – unless you spend your entire trip at Old Faithful – you won't see much of them. Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres creep from the northwest corner of Wyoming into the edges of Idaho and Montana, offering plenty of untouched territory to explore. Carve out a day or two to take in the view at Yellowstone Lake and Mammoth Hot Springs. But save some time for the trails through lesser-known regions, like the hot springs of the West Thumb Geyser Basin and the untamed wildlife dotting the Lewis River Channel and Dogshead Loop. While the sheer number of trails and wildlife-watching opportunities may seem daunting at first, remember: You can always come back.

10. Springdale, Utah

There's a bend in the road just past Rockville where early glimpses of Zion National Park's famous red rock monoliths become a constant horizon. The soaring canyon walls of Zion are Springdale's postcard backdrop. Here, every sunrise is a natural phenomenon of shadows falling away like curtains and multicolored sandstone coming alive before your eyes. At dusk, the icons of Zion glow with the lingering light then yield the spotlight to the Milky Way. Zion National Park sets the bar high for unforgettable landscapes and outdoor adventure. It takes a special town to step up to that standard. Welcome to Springdale, Utah.

As the gateway to scenery and adventure, Springdale is a little different than the other towns near Zion National Park. The charming town of 500 permanent residents welcomes a couple million visitors from all over the world to their spectacular corner of southwest Utah — though happily spread out across the year, primarily during the spring through fall.

Springdale, Utah is also home to several beautiful galleries of fine art, photography, Native art and craft, jewelry and local gems and minerals. Both the David J. West Gallery and Fatali feature Zion National Park in spectacular light and from perspectives that truly capture the canyon's majesty.

But Springdale is an adventure town at heart. As the gateway to Zion National Park and nestled along the North Fork of the Virgin River, Springdale is an ideal place to get outfitted for adventure not only in Zion, but to numerous other parks, monuments, and recreation areas of the western Colorado Plateau and desert southwest.

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About the Creator

Just A Girl

A 24-Year-Old Self-Published author, a mother, and a college student.

Loves to write and read fiction... (Especially Romance

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