Best Places To Travel In The U.S. (and maybe Europe)?

Question

With the prospect of retirement on the horizon, I will finally have the time to travel throughout the U.S. at my leisure. What are some "must see" places ? I love history, so this will figure in to some of my decisions as to where I will go. I've been "through" many states, just never took time to stop and smell the roses. Maybe one year I can do the European tour also.

Answer 1

Get yourself a big, comfortable RV and see the whole US. The list of must see places is endless. Each State has it's own unique history and beauty. The west has the Grand Canyon, Brice, Zion, Glacier, Yosemite, the Redwoods, the entire west coast along the ocean is spectacular. Lot's of history. The entire length of the Mississippi, New England with it's beauty and Revolutionary War history. The south and the Civil War. See what I mean, way to much to list. There are thousands more. I could spend two or three weeks in Washington D.C. alone!

Answer 2

Yep, Europe is a good idea, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, etc are all good ideas, but can be expensive. Take someone with you if you can, it's not 100% safe to travel anywhere alone for a girl .... if your budget is small then maybe Asia or eastern Europe would stretch those dollars a bit. I would be afraid of going to US, everyone has guns, the cops shoot on sight, they're all on coke etc. so don't worry about being abroad, people everywhere are the same. Have a great time! PS. Toronto is pretty much like the states ... Sweden is very expensive .... in Belfast everyone is drunk and crazy .... The French are very snobbish but Paris is great, so is Madrid (or Barcelona) and Rome. Also think about Riga, Split/Dubrovnik, Sevilla, Galway, Istanbul for something different and cool!

Answer 3

Well congratulations with your retirement! I have found the 3 places I've enjoyed spending time in the most are for very different reasons, but here you go:

Estes Park Colorado...it's just beautiful
Washington DC...take plenty of time if you enjoy history and museums, it's the best place to go, but absolutely do not miss Arlington!
Alaska, and not the cruise...or take the cruise then get away for a while and go further, make it either all the way to Prudhoe Bay or at least the Arctic Circle and be sure to stop in at Fairbanks and say hello! You just won't believe it! My children say it's like another country, and I think they're right! Enjoy!

Answer 4

Boston Massachusetts, rich historically, beautiful,
Charleston, SC, gorgeous, rich in Southern history, it is reasonably priced, the people are friendly and the Southern cuisine, especially fresh seafood is wonderful. Plenty to see and do, from the Dungeon where Blue Beard was incarcerated to the magnificent Plantations, the old Slave Market, military museums and the Aquarium.. You can also go to Shem Creek and see the shrimp boats coming in or go to Ft. Sumpter to see where the cannon were sot during the first shot of the Civil War, look at the magnificent houess on the Battery or go to the Audobon house and see nature at its finest. There are so many bridges, even one that you drive on and it turns to take you to an island that is off to the side, rather a unique experience.

Answer 5

Places I've been and recommend:

1. Savannah, Georgia- wonderful, funky, quirky history of an antibellum era replete with pirates. Live oak trees with Spanish Moss sitting next to regal Palm trees; a year round 50's stage revue at a local theatre; couple great museums; a riverfront section that is awesome and 10 miles from a beautiful beach!...oh, and the FOOD....be sure to go to Lady & Sons Restaurant for authentic wonderfully prepared southern cuisine.

2. New Orleans

3. Charleston, SC - similar to Savannah also with tons of history

4. Boston, MA - HISTORY HISTORY HISTORY along with the greatest deal in fresh seafood/lobster to be had

5. San Francisco - I love that city!

6. Asheville, NC and surrounding areas - Bald Mountain..gorgeous areas. Asheville has great antiques

Answer 6

If you make it to the east coast, you must stop here to see Savannah, GA. Beautiful old, historic city and really laid back. Above us is Charleston, SC...another must see, along with Beaufort and Hilton Head. Below is St. Simon's Island and of course, Cumberland Island National Seashore Park... absolutely serene and gorgeous. And of course, you could always head inland to Atlanta and see the new aquarium (it's said to be the largest in the world), visit the CNN center, the Coca Cola museum, Stone Mountain, the Margaret Mitchell House, etc. If you're looking for history, there lots to be found down here.

Was Gettysburg, PA mentioned by anyone? That's another place you'll want to see. And Montana....oh, you'll fall in love! Just don't go there in the winter...waaaay too cold!

Answer 7

If you like scenery:

The Grand Canyon
Painted Desert
Petrified Forest
Meteor Crater
Monument Valley
Lake Meade and Lake Powell

Pre-history?
Walnut Canyon
Homolovie
Mesa Verde
Hopi Reservation

Answer 8

The Smokey Mountain National Park is nice, along the NC and TN border. There's Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Tennessee, and Cherokee, Maggie Valley, and Bryson City, North Carolina along the way. Check it out.

Answer 9

I'll tell you about the must see places in my backyard:
Philadelphia, PA
Longwood Gardens (absolutely beautiful in Longwood/Chaddsford PA)
Lancaster County, PA (stay at Hidden Acres Campground in Coatesville)
Valley Forge and Gettysburg PA
Ocean City, Wildwood, Cape May and Atlantic City NJ
Delaware Water Gap, PA
Pocono Mountains, in PA
Knoebels Grove Amusement Park (Elysburg PA)
Centrailia, PA (eerie, nearly deserted town with underground mine fires still burning)
Hershey, PA
Pittsburgh, PA (cleanest, coolest city I've ever been to)

Have fun!

Answer 10

You must see the Mall of America in Minnesota. And the black hills and mt.rushmore in south dakota. And corpus christy texas area is one of my favorites. The large flea market by san antonio was tremendous. Mustang island and South padre island were very touristy but fun.