The United States offers unique experiences that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. From listening to jazz in New Orleans to watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in Herald Square to seeing the wonders of the national parks, here are 50 bucket list items for every state in the USA.
Did you dream of being an astronaut? Visit the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama to make those dreams a reality. Activities include Apollo 11 Virtual Reality, SCUBA Training, and a Flight Simulator.
Book your stay at Best Western Huntsville.
Juneau, Alaska is home to the Mendenhall Glacier, measured about 13.5 miles long and 1,800 feet deep. The Mendenhall Glacier is only 12 miles from downtown Juneau. The best time to visit is May through October.
Book your stay at Best Western Country Lane Inn.
It’s always sunny in Scottsdale, Arizona, and it’s another reason travelers come to visit the Grand Canyon state. Nestled right outside of Phoenix, the heart of Scottsdale is in Old Town, where there are over 100 bars, restaurants and nightlife to be found. There’s also a bustling arts scene with almost 50 art galleries to boast. Go there with a group of your friends and enjoy the charming Western vibes Scottsdale has to offer.
Book your stay at Aiden by Best Western @ Scottsdale North.
Hot Springs National Park holds thermal water nearly 4,000 years old. You can experience the thermal water by soaking it in on Bathhouse Row or go “quaff the elixir” (drink the water) at various locations to can fill your water jug.
Book your stay at Best Western Winners Circle.
No other sight quite encompasses the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles than the Hollywood Sign. Originally a real estate ad for a new development called “Hollywoodland”, the Hollywood sign now stands today as a symbol for the ambitious history of Hollywood and its stars. Go hike up Mt. Lee at your own pace for a starlet-style picture.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Sunset Plaza Hotel.
Olympic City USA also known as Colorado Springs, is home to 60 national and international sports organizations. Go see why world-class athletes go to train there, visit the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, and enjoy the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains at every turn.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Executive Residency Fillmore Inn.
Yale University traces its roots back to 1718, and has been an institution for over 300 years. Explore Yale’s rich culture by visiting the Yale University Art Gallery or the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus New England Inn & Suites.
Dogfish Head’s slogan is “Off-centered ales for off-centered people,” and if your beer is going stale, look no further than Dogfish Head Brewery for a refreshing beer. Located in Milton, Delaware, the brewery produces 262,000 barrels of beer annually, and includes many unique flavors. From sweet potato beer, “You Don’t Count Carbs on a Cold, Cold Night,” to malted corn beer, or Tuxpeño, “Snappers for Buttons,” this beer is not for the faint of heart.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Ocean City.
If you’re spring breaking and looking for a US destination, one of the most popular spots is Fort Myers, Florida. Famous for its beaches and parties, find the heart of it all at Fort Myers’ Times Square, the pulse of entertainment.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Beach Resort.
Romance is in the air at the famous fountain at Forsyth Park, modeled after the famous fountain of Place de la Concorde in Paris, and installed in 1858. Popular for its architecture, the fountain is surrounded by majestic trees in the 30-acre park, the oldest and largest park in Savannah, Georgia.
Book your stay at GLo Best Western Savannah-Gateway I-95.
Hana Highway, also known as the “Road to Hana” is only 52 miles, but with a speed limit of 25 miles per hour you’ll be able to take in the picturesque and mesmerizing scenery that Maui has to offer. From epic waterfalls amidst the tropical rainforest to the colorful flora and fauna, to the black sand beaches of Waianapanapa State Park, you don’t want to miss this ride.
Book your stay at Best Western Pioneer Inn.
Shoshone Falls is nicknamed the “Niagara of the West”, and actually surpasses the height of Niagara Falls. Travelers have been visiting Shoshone Falls since the mid-19th Century, when they would take a detour on the Oregon Trail just to see them!
Book your stay at Best Western Sawtooth Inn & Suites.
Millennium Park in Chicago hosts the famous outdoor sculpture, Cloud Gate, best known as “The Bean”. Unveiled in 2005 and created by British artists, Anish Kapoor, this is one of the largest outdoor sculptures in the world. Go see yourself and a cool reflection of the city skyline in this amazing structure.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Hawthorne Terrace Hotel.
If you’re visiting the University of Notre Dame during football season, make sure to take a break and visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Completed in 1893, it is the oldest church for the Congregation of Holy Cross in North America, and one of the most beautiful churches as well. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has 44 large stained-glass windows and murals that were painted over a 17-year period.
Book your stay at BW Inn & Suites.
The Iowa State Fair is one of the most iconic and summery activities to do in the U.S. The event attracts over a million people worldwide and is known as the heartbeat of the Midwest. Go grab a corndog, ride the Ferris wheel, listen to live music and celebrate the summer.
Book your stay at Best Western Des Moines West Inn & Suites.
If you love pizza, you’re in luck. At Wichita State University, the Pizza Hut Museum chronicles the origin story of the two Wichita University brothers who founded this American pizza brand.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Eastgate Inn & Suites.
Traveling through Kentucky in May means attending the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes of Sports”. Celebrate the two weeks prior with the Kentucky Derby Festival, an extravaganza of spring that includes fireworks, hot air balloons and other fun activities.
Book your stay at GLo Best Western Lexington.
Jazz is the essence of New Orleans and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is a quintessential event. First pioneered in 1970, this event is a celebration of cultural force and has featured iconic musicians including Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan and more. The New York Times says, “…whereas other major festivals tend to be brief invasions of their locals, Jazz Fest is an institution, inseparable from the city.”
Book your stay at Best Western Plus French Quarter Courtyard Hotel.
New England is popular fall its fall foliage, but nothing beats the colors of Acadia National Park. With over 158 miles of hiking as well as 1,000 plant species, the landscape of Acadia National Park is lush with nature’s beauty.
Book your stay at Best Western Acadia Park Inn.
“10 miles of memories” is the motto of Ocean City, Maryland– a family fun spot sure to surprise and delight. Enjoy building sandcastles while splashing in the ocean, playing themed minigolf, walking on the boardwalk, splashing at a water park, winding down a lazy river, riding a roller coaster or playing an arcade game.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Ocean City.
As one of the world’s most quaint vacation spots, the little peninsula of Cape Cod is a respite from the real world. With notable summer residents such as musician Taylor Swift and former President John F. Kennedy, the allure of the beautiful beaches, carefree lifestyle, and lobster rolls of the Cape Cod area is undeniable.
Book your stay at Aiden by Best Western @ Cape Point.
Named one of the top beaches on Earth by National Geographic, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park has fun for the whole family. It features beautiful 450 bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan, canoeing on Crystal River, and hiking on the Heritage Trail.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Traverse City.
Savvy shoppers should stop by the seventh largest shopping mall in the world, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The mall is larger than an NFL football field, spanning 60,000 square feet with more than 500 stores. Its attractions include the Nickelodeon Universe, the nation’s first indoor Nickelodeon theme park, SEA LIFE® Minnesota Aquarium and a Barnacle Blast Zip Line.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Blaine at the National Sports Center.
Ghost hunters will have a blast visiting the spooky site of Windsor Ruins. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Windsor Ruins date back to the Civil War. In 1890, during a house party, a guest left a lighted cigar on the upper balcony and everything in the Windsor was destroyed, except the 23 columns.
Book your stay at Best Western Vicksburg.
The world’s largest Titanic Museum is filled with interactive exhibits in Branson, Missouri. Touch an iceberg, feel 28-degree water, view $4.5 million Titanic artifacts and walk an exact replica of the Grand Staircase.
Book your stay at Best Western Center Pointe Inn.
Yellowstone National Park in Montana is home to the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the world, and the Old Faithful Geyser, which still erupts to this day. (Old Faithful Geyser is technically in Wyoming, but Yellowstone National Park spans both states). These unique, national wonders are only some of the many sights you can see at Yellowstone National Park.
Book your stay at Best Western Weston Inn.
From a dumpsite to a 1.5 acre, lush oasis, the Lincoln Sunken Gardens are a place for respite and relaxation. Listed by National Geographic as one of the “300 Best Gardens to Visit in the U.S. and Canada,” the location includes a healing garden, cascading waterfalls, lily pads and art installations.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Lincoln Inn & Suites.
Where else can you see the Eiffel Tower, ride a Ferris wheel, watch a Michael Jackson street performer and gamble a fortune? Only on the Las Vegas strip, of course. Stroll the Las Vegas strip, approximately four miles of pompous lights, glitter and glamour for a one-of-kind experience.
Book your stay at The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Skypod, BW Premier Collection.
Find inspiration in the two story, 1880s farmhouse nestled in New Hampshire that was home to Robert Frost. Follow the footsteps of the famous Pulitzer-prize winning poet as you enjoy a nature walk littered with poems.
Book your stay at Best Western White Mountain Inn.
Go back in time to the late 1700s by paying a visit to Morristown National Historical Park. The park commemorates the site where General George Washington and the Continental Army survived the coldest winter on record during the American Revolutionary War. Evoking the spirit of patriotism and independence, the historic site is in Morristown, New Jersey.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Morristown Inn.
Imagine 54 football fields put together, with over 500 balloons filling the sky as you take in this magical picture amidst the crisp, fall air. This spectacle can only be seen at the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The event is the largest ballooning event on earth, the most photographed event on earth and the largest annual international event held in the United States.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn.
New York City is the heart of the holidays, and Herald Square is an integral part of the history of Manhattan. Macy’s, the world’s largest store, has been there for over 100 years, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is as American as it gets. Grab a spot during the holidays to watch Snoopy come dancing down the street and celebrate with all the glitz and glamour New York City offers.
Book your stay at Best Western Premier Herald Square.
Need a beer-cation? Check out Asheville, North Carolina to visit “Beer City, U.S.A.” With more breweries per capita than any U.S. city, sip on over 100 local beers, try beer ice cream or beer breakfast, and bottoms up at the Beer City Festival in the late spring.
Book your stay at GLo Best Western Asheville Tunnel Road.
Mandan Rodeo Days is a 4th of July event that just celebrated its 142nd anniversary. It’s proudly the world’s oldest rodeo and was named one of “101 Great Western Events” by American Cowboy magazine. Watch the rowdy performances of the best bulls, horses and cowboys in the West.
Book your stay at Best Western Roosevelt Place Hotel.
Support local crafters by attending the Shaker Woods Festival in Columbiana, Ohio. With over 200 artisans specializing in hand-thrown pottery, blown glass, handmade baskets and more, there will be something for everyone.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Dutch Haus Inn and Suites.
The Science Museum Oklahoma, one of the largest science museums in the nation, is a place to let your scientist explore. The institution is home to the Kirkpatrick Planetarium and the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Memorial Inn & Suites.
Book lovers will love visiting Powell’s City of Books, the world’s largest independent bookstore located in Portland, Oregon, that houses approximately one million books. The bookstore takes up an entire city block and with over 3,500 different sections, has a book for every interest.
Book your stay at Hotel Eastlund, BW Premier Collection.
History buffs will enjoy a visit to Gettysburg, the notable location of the famous 3-day battle in July 1863. Examine, experience and learn the history of the Civil War by seeing the sights of the battlefield.
Book your stay at Best Western Gettysburg.
In the artsy city of Providence, Rhode Island, go view the award-winning sculpture of Barnaby Evans, installed on the three rivers of downtown Providence, WaterFire. WaterFire is a display of over eighty bonfires that are lit in orchestration with music, twice a month from May to October.
Book your stay at Best Western Airport Inn.
With more than 2,000 animals and 170 acres of scenic river views and historic landmarks, the impressive Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens in Columbia, South Carolina is a must-see. Attend one of their signature events such as Lights Before Christmas, Wine Tasting at Riverbanks Botanical Garden or Boo at the Zoo.
Book your stay at Best Western Executive Inn & Suites.
Where else can you find 60-ft-high granite sculptures of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln? Completed in 1941, Mount Rushmore is a monumental sight to see.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Rapid City Rushmore.
Nicknamed “Music City,” Nashville is bursting to the chords in all genres. Transverse Music Row to get a feel of the pulse of this Southern city. The street is famous for its plethora of recording studios, music production companies, record labels and radio stations.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Belle Meade Inn & Suites.
“Everything’s bigger in Texas,” as the saying goes, and Houston’s food scene doesn’t leave you hungry. If you’re a foodie, you must stop by for Tex-Mex, a style of cuisine that integrates flavors of the Southwest with Mexican characteristics dating back to the 1800s. Chow down on breakfast tacos or enchiladas at more than 500 Tex-Mex restaurants in Houston, Texas.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Downtown Inn & Suites.
Adventurers must travel to Moab, Utah, gateway to two national parks and stunning red rock landscapes. Catch a sunset and visit the famous Arches at Arches National Park or go hike to Islands in the Sky at Canyonlands National Park, the largest national park in Utah.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for Ben and Jerry’s ice cream! The chunks and swirls of these unique flavors are produced in Ben and Jerry’s first factory. The factory produces 350,000 pints per day, and you can visit the Scoop Shop to try new flavors.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Windjammer Inn & Conference Center.
Visit the historic home of America’s first President and first lady, George Washington and Martha Washington at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. This historic site was their residence in 1754 and is located on the banks of the Potomac River.
Book your stay at Best Western Mount Vernon/Ft. Belvoir.
With more than 30 wineries in walking distance, the little town of Prosser, Washington is a wine connoisseur’s heaven. Yakima Valley contains over 17,000 acres of vineyards and produces more than of Washington State’s wine grapes. Ready for a pour?
Book your stay at The Inn at Horse Heaven.
West Virginia is one of the best places in the world to go on a whitewater rafting adventure. Experience the famous “Gauley Season” on the Gauley River which has five rapids with a rating of “Class V” to make you scream your heart out.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Bridgeport.
For a kitschy museum stop, look no further than the Museum of Mustard, home to the world’s largest collection of mustards and mustard memorabilia. With over 6,000 mustards from all 50 states and more than 70 countries, you can celebrate this American condiment in style.
Book your stay at Best Western Premier Park Hotel.
Founded by Colonel “Buffalo Bill” Cody in 1896, the town of Cody, Wyoming is the Wild West. Cody is also home to the nation’s first national park, Yellowstone National Park, and the nation’s first national forest, Shoshone National Forest. Visit for a wild, outdoor adventure.
Book your stay at Best Western Premier Ivy Inn & Suites.