The United States is an incredibly attractive travel destination where vast natural landscapes and world-class cities coexist. In this post, I want to introduce my top 5 highly recommended USA travel destinations, handpicked from the places I visited during my month-long trip.
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Why Travel to the United States?
Except for its relatively short history, the US has absolutely everything you could expect from a trip. Thanks to a massive landmass that is about 100 times the size of my home country of South Korea, it holds almost every kind of natural environment imaginable.
You can find mountains, oceans, deserts, glaciers, and even rainforests if you count its overseas territories.
The top 5 destinations below are places I visited and strongly recommend. They left such a lasting impression on me that I definitely want to return with my family someday.
My Top 5 USA Travel Destinations
- Lake Tahoe
- Yosemite National Park
- Sequoia National Park
- Zion Canyon
- New York
I personally prefer exploring nature over cities, which is why four of the five spots on this list are natural wonders. However, if you love the glamour and convenience of urban life, the US also offers unparalleled world-class cities like New York and Las Vegas.
Please note that these five locations are not ranked in any particular order. I simply listed them in the order I visited them!
1. Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe sits right on the border of California and Nevada. It is the largest alpine lake in North America and the second deepest freshwater lake in the United States.
It is highly famous for a wide variety of leisure activities. You can enjoy hiking, swimming, and kayaking in the summer, while heavy snowfall turns the area into a paradise for skiing and snowboarding in the winter.
If you ever visit Lake Tahoe, I highly recommend stopping by Sand Harbor and Emerald Bay, even if you skip everything else.
When you search for Lake Tahoe online, the first image you will likely see is Sand Harbor. It features a beautiful harmony of emerald waters, soft sand, and uniquely shaped rocks.
Lake Tahoe: Emerald Bay, Vikingsholm & Sand Harbor
Emerald Bay is famous for Fannette Island, which is the only island in Lake Tahoe, and Vikingsholm, a stunning Scandinavian-style mansion. The surrounding hiking and trekking trails are very well-maintained, making it a great place to explore local waterfalls and forests.
Lake Tahoe might not be widely known internationally just yet, but it is so remarkably beautiful that I promised myself I’d return for a more relaxing visit. It is absolutely worth a detour if you are traveling anywhere in the area, which is exactly why I had to include it on this recommendation list.
2. Yosemite National Park
If you are planning a trip to the Western US, you have probably heard of Yosemite National Park. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains, it is without a doubt one of the most famous national parks in America.
Magnificent granite terrain covers most of the park. It is also home to the famous Half Dome, which actually served as the design motif for the outdoor brand The North Face’s logo.
Yosemite’s Tioga Pass & Tuolumne Meadows Guide
The entire national park is massive but most of the famous viewpoints, waterfalls, trails, and tourist attractions are gathered in a canyon valley known as Yosemite Valley.
Because it is so incredibly famous and relatively easy to access from major West Coast cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, entry is often impossible without a reservation during the busy summer season.
I highly recommend making a reservation so you can experience the great American outdoors, which is filled with giant granite cliffs, towering peaks, waterfalls, valleys, and lush meadows.
Peak Season Reservations
Starting in 2026, the peak season reservation system for Yosemite National Park has been completely abolished. Visitors can now enter the park at any time without booking in advance. However, because reservations are no longer required, arriving as early as possible is highly recommended to beat the crowds during these particularly busy periods:
- Spring crowds peak on weekends and holidays from April through June.
- Summer brings heavy crowds daily from July through August.
Entrance Fees
- The standard entrance fee is $35 per vehicle.
- Foreign tourists now pay an additional fee.
- The park accepts the America the Beautiful Pass.
Yosemite Hiking: John Muir Trail to Vernal & Nevada Falls
Yosemite Guide: Tunnel View, Tuolumne Grove, Stay & Dining
3. Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is home to the famous giant sequoia trees. It was here that I personally experienced the overwhelming, majestic power of life, which went far beyond my expectations.
You might think a tree is just a tree no matter how big it gets, but these massive sequoias are 2,000 to 3,000 years old. Seeing them in person feels much more like looking at a towering skyscraper than a plant.
The General Sherman Tree, widely known as the largest living tree on Earth by volume, grows right here. It stands 83 meters tall, which is roughly the height of a 25-story apartment building.
Because Sequoia National Park is also located in the Sierra Nevada mountains, you can enjoy amazing hiking trails with wide-open, panoramic views alongside the giant trees, such as the hike up Moro Rock.
The friend I traveled with even mentioned that the trees in Sequoia left a much stronger impression on them than Yosemite did. If you want to feel the sheer marvel of living organisms that are hard to experience anywhere else, be sure to stop by.
Sequoia National Park: General Sherman Tree & Congress Trail
4. Zion National Park
Along with the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park is often referred to as one of the top three canyons in the US. Located in southwestern Utah, it is famous for its towering sandstone cliffs centered around Zion Canyon and diverse trekking courses carved by the Virgin River.
Although the Grand Canyon is far more famous internationally, Zion is massively popular within the United States. In the years leading up to 2026, Zion welcomed nearly 5 million visitors annually, consistently ranking just behind the Grand Canyon as one of the country’s top three most-visited national parks.
One of the most iconic hiking trails here is Angels Landing. It is wildly popular because you can look down at the entire Zion Canyon from the summit, but you absolutely cannot climb it without a permit secured through a lottery system.
As a great alternative, I highly recommend hiking up to Scout Lookout, the scenic viewpoint right before the final ascent to Angels Landing. You can still take in incredibly stunning scenery even if you fail to win the permit lottery.
Another famous course is a unique river trekking route called The Narrows. You have to walk through freezing cold water, which requires renting waterproof shoes and gear, but navigating the narrow slot canyon offers a completely unique thrill.
Personally, I loved Zion National Park even more than the Grand Canyon because of its incredibly diverse charms. If you need detailed information on things like the Angels Landing permit, please check out the post below.
Zion National Park Guide: Angels Landing & The Narrows
5. New York City
New York City, and especially Manhattan, is arguably the one place in the entire world where the phrase “concrete jungle” fits most perfectly. High-rise buildings are densely packed into an area only one-tenth the size of Seoul, creating a breathtaking skyline that symbolizes New York itself.
Natural landscapes are wonderful, but if you love the unique, vibrant energy of a big city, New York is easily the most captivating travel destination in the US.
Located in the heart of Manhattan, Times Square is always bustling with crowds and dazzling electronic billboards, regardless of whether it is day or night. Broadway is also the unquestionable global center for theatrical performances and world-class musicals.
NYC Day 1 Itinerary: Central Park & Times Square
You can start your day walking the High Line, an elevated public park built on a repurposed freight rail line. From there, you can easily explore urban retreats frequently visited by locals, such as Chelsea Market and Little Island.
Finally, looking back at the Manhattan skyline from the Brooklyn Bridge around sunset is the absolute highlight of a New York trip. The city’s stunning night view unfolding alongside a red glowing sunset makes you realize exactly why New York is called the most glamorous city in the world.
NYC Day 2 Itinerary: High Line to 9/11 Memorial
NYC Day 2: Wall Street, DUMBO & Brooklyn Bridge
Final Thoughts
Today, I handpicked my personal top 5 USA travel destinations and briefly introduced each spot. I included everything from Lake Tahoe to proud American national parks like Yosemite, Sequoia, and Zion Canyon, capping it off with the world-class metropolis of New York.
If you are curious about a broader travel itinerary focusing primarily on the Western United States, please refer to the linked post below!
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