Those who are well-traveled know that the earlier you plan your vacations, the more you are rewarded. Not only does it make financial sense to book your tickets early, but also logical sense, so that you have an idea of what you want to see and do when you get there. Let’s count down our updated list of favorites of this year. Each city on our list has been accounted for value, popularity, and exciting landmarks when determining their rankings. Enjoy!
This may surprise some, but Boston doesn’t get nearly enough credit for the level of travel-worthiness that it brings to the table. A city that has been so influential in so many ways, it is often taken for granted because NYC is a lot "bigger". Whether you are interested in the history of the jazz, punk, hip hop, or rock music scene or you have a penchant for Boston’s notorious seafood platter, here is a city you can fall in-love very easily before your vacation is over.
Texas is a true melting pot, once you get past all the country stereotypes, and Austin is the perfect example if you ever go visit. The city is synonymous with music, it hosts so many major events, the most famous of them being South By Southwest Festival. Of course, you can’t say you’ve been to Austin unless you’ve gorged yourself on their famous barbeque and Tex-Mex cuisine.
Not experiencing "The Big Easy" as an American is like neglecting to visit Rio De Janeiro as a Brazilian. The combination of history, culture, and the arts is as good as it gets in New Orleans. The people have faced so much adversity and yet you will never hear a word about it unless you ask them. They know the key to living life is smiling and spreading the love through all that they have to give. Be sure to visit and give a little back to them.
Colorado, in general, has always been a beautiful place to visit in America. It just so happens that they are also home to the best forms of self-medication in the form of beer, wine, and recreational marijuana. Don’t let the grown-up pleasures overshadow the fact that they have some of the best parks, museums, and outdoor fun for the family in the country.
Oregon might not be the state you think of when you’re considering your summer vacation, however, if you’re looking for a place to go where the partygoers are few and the pace is easygoing, Eugene is the perfect place to be. There are a lot of simple joys to be had in Eugene, without having to forfeit your modern amenities like most small towns. We also love the fact that everything is very affordable here, in contrast to its bigger brother in Portland.
Hawaii is akin to visiting another country, we are truly lucky to have this tropical paradise as one of our own in America. While visiting Hawaii isn’t going to be cheap, you experience there will always be rich and memorable. You’ll probably need to visit Hawaii a few times before you really need to look at a traveler’s guide. There’s an overwhelming about of places to photograph and get lost in Earth’s natural beauty, the same goes for the island’s residents.
If you missed out on the New Year’s celebration, don’t feel bad; it’s a great moment to be a part of, but the truth is that NYC is far more accessible after the holiday rush is over. Battle tourists and expensive rates during the travel season can prevent you from experience the beauty of Central Park, Broadway, the infamous SoHo district, and the hundreds of monuments littered in-between. The famous NY tours are at their best when the guides aren’t so packed and the New Year enthusiasm is in full-swing.
It’s a place where the reputation of fun is so massive that you don’t even really need to told why you should go, however, if you don’t have any interest in gambling, you might be conflicted. Vegas is synonymous with throwing away cash, however, their shows are just as legendary and will still be a good enough use of your vacation to warrant going. In reality, you don’t need to stay at a five-star hotel to have an authentic experience, there are plenty of affordable hotels and restaurants that can keep your trip within the average cost of most other major U.S. cities.
An outstanding place to visit during the spring or summer with the family. If you’re a beach bum, you’ll love the beautiful beaches of South Carolina and the iconic boardwalk that is lined with some of the best seafood in the country. Kids will never be bored, either, as there are plenty of parks and festivities within 10 mins from the beachside hotels. Spring breakers also enjoy Myrtle Beach, so if you’re up for some partying, it’s a good alternative to flying to Cancun.
If you’re any kind of movie or TV show buff, there’s enough of a reason to visit LA by that merit alone. Doing tours around the famous movie studios is sort of like going to your favorite theme park, but without all the nauseating food and kids getting in the way. The likelihood of you running into someone famous is practically guaranteed, whether you know them is another matter. The truth is, even without being Ga-ga over celebs, LA has some really great stops for all forms of art, whether that’s to sample their taco artists, musicians, art galleries, or performing artists.
