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TOP TEN Places in the USA I’d Like to Visit

June 27, 2012 by 28 Comments

In 2011, our family traveled the USA in an RV for 9 months. 20,000 miles. 30+ states. It was an experience we’ll never, ever forget.

Even with all that traveling, we still missed a ton.

This map is in our home office. We’re always dreaming of where to go next.

Here are the NEXT 10 places that I’d really like to see (in no particular order):

  1. Denver, CO
  2. Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
  3. Zion National Park, UT
  4. Yosemite National Park, CA
  5. the state of Alaska
  6. Niagara Falls, NY
  7. Boston, MA
  8. the state of Michigan
  9. Dallas, TX
  10. Glacier National Park, MT

What cities/states/attractions do you hope to visit in the USA someday? Give me your top 5 or 10. 

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  • http://www.discoverystreet.blogspot.com ruthy

    YES–go to UTAH…it was by far Andy and my favorite part of our road trip. It is exceptionally beautiful…we considered moving there.

    • Stephanie

      Good to know. Did you see Zion and Bryce Canyon? I’d also love to make it out to Salt Lake City someday. I’ve heard that the library system there is OUTSTANDING (and, of course, those things matter to this bookish girl). ;)

  • http://www.ngradstudent.blogspot.com NGS

    Oh, the sunsets in the northern half of the lower peninsula and the upper peninsula of Michigan are gorgeous. I was just in Michigan for the weekend and I had completely forgotten about the TREES and the SUNSETS and the WHEAT FIELDS at one point my mother just looked at me after I’d been going on and on about the beauty and said, “didn’t you grow up here?” She has a point, but I’d never really paid attention to just how pretty it was before.

    • Stephanie

      An acquaintance from high school is in Michigan for the summer. She’s been posting photos on Facebook and – my! – it’s beautiful.

  • http://rosiedreams.com jeanine

    So funny. I’ve been daydreaming about places my kids are excited and curious about. And although I’ve been to many of these, traveling is so different when you go as a family. Nothing like seeing something with fresh eyes and through a littles perspective.
    1. Washington DC (free museums!!!!)
    2. Niagara Falls (just finished reading Paddle to the Sea–awesome!)
    3. San Francisco (because we had so much fun there as a family last year)
    4. Idaho (because my daughter is absolutely infatuated with the state’s name for some reason)
    5. Hawaii (kids are dying to go there)

    • Stephanie

      I love D.C. Such a great city. There are so many memorials, museums, and public spaces (most of which are free). We hope to travel there again when our girls are older.

      Just added “Paddle-To-The-Sea” to my library list. Thanks for the recommendation!

  • http://theforgacsblog.blogspot.com/ Kendra

    I’ve been there twice but I highly recommend Mackinac Island to everyone! Check it out!

    • Stephanie

      I just googled it. Looks lovely – a nice retreat from city life. Have you been there with kids? Where did you stay?

      • http://theforgacsblog.blogspot.com/ Kendra

        Never been with kids but we cannot wait for our girls to be old enough to make that trip! We love that there are no cars. When we do make the trip it will be for either the 10K or half-marathon hosted there (quite hilly though!)

  • http://www.adventuresinbabywearing.com Stephanie Precourt

    Michigan is gorgeous- I definitely recommend you visit Southwest Michigan along Lake Michigan. I also am a huge fan of Boulder, CO and Estes Park (not too far from Denver). I really want to go to Hawaii. The un-touristy parts!

    Steph

    • Stephanie

      You’re lucky to live so near Michigan. Have you ever considered moving up north or do you prefer where you are in Indianapolis?

      Colorado is a wonderful state. Mountainous and diverse. We spent some time in Colorado Springs 5+ years ago for my cousin’s wedding. Loved Garden Of The Gods and Focus on the Family’s headquarters. We hope to go back again with kids.

  • http://www.imrunningonfumes.com Jan

    What a great list! I’m such a homebody but I do have a list of places I’d like to visit some day. When my kids are older. LOL

  • http://www.dellamarie.blogspot.com Della

    I’m not really one for outdoor adventure, but I LOVE Bryce and Zion’s. I’m from Utah, so I’ve been often, and have loved every trip. They are magnificent! Beautiful scenery, breathtaking views, fantastic hiking. My favorite trail in Bryce is the Navajo Loop, and there’s a challenging (well for me anyway) hike in Zion’s called Angel’s Landing that is a favorite of many. Anyway, it is safe to say that your next trip to Utah will not disappoint!

    My husband and I just moved to Maryland for grad school and we are excited to explore Wahington D.C., Baltimore, and Annapolis every chance we get. D.C. has always been my dream vacation, and I never thought I’d have such a great opportunity to go. Now it is just a short metro trip away and I feel so lucky to have the chance to see more than I ever would have been able to fit into a short vacation.

  • Melinda J

    My list is about activities rather than places. I want to go somewhere to view the Northern Lights. I want to go on a cruise. I want to go whale watching. I want to experience a really good water roller coaster. I want to go to a health detox spa. I want to see a fully-staged Cirque du Soleil performance (a permanent installation rather than a touring group). I want to wander museums quickly until I find one painting or piece that I love, and then I want to sit in front of it on a bench for as long as I like. I want to take a ride in a fighter jet. …

    Luckily I get to do my favorite things every day, like giggle with my son and hold hands with my husband, so I don’t want these other things with great fervor. But I’m hoping to check some of them off the list soon. :)

    • Stephanie

      What a poetic list. I love your penchant for “stillness.”

      What water roller coasters have you heard about?

      • Melinda J

        They’re starting to pop up in a few different places. I think that Schlitterbahn is the one that first caught my eye. There is one on the newest Disney cruise ship as well.

        • stephsday

          A roller coaster on a cruise? What will they think up next? ;)

  • Melinda J

    When you visit Southern Utah, I’ve found a motel that you might like. It’s in St. George rather than Cedar City, so it’s not as convenient to the national parks, but the rooms have plenty of space, there is an indoor pool, an outdoor playground, and a small indoor playground, and the prices are really decent.

    Motel: http://www.budgetinnstgeorge.com/index.html
    You can get a substantial discount with this coupon book: http://dixiedirectcard.com/2012/index

    I also recommend the Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City if the timing of your trip works out right. We used to go see plays on school field trips. It’s a favorite memory.

    Shakespeare: http://www.bard.org/

    PS: The one thing we haven’t found in Southern Utah is a good laundromat. The one at the motel was out-of-service when we were there, and the public places were truly awful.

    PPS: This hotel in Cedar City has an indoor pool and their laundry was nice. It’s a very new property and was quite comfortable: http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-cedar_city-utah-UT114

  • http://macyfron.com Lucy

    Most of the National Parks are on my list, especially those out west, since I haven’t been to any of them. I would also love to go to Niagara Falls, Portland, San Diego, Chicago, coastal Maine, the Grand Canyon, and I’m sure a zillion other places I can’t think of right this second.

    • Stephanie

      The Grand Canyon is worthwhile, for sure. “Awesome” in the true sense of the word. I’d like to hike all the way to the bottom with Tim when our girls are a bit bigger.

      I’d also like to spend more time in Portland. We passed through there last fall, but it would be nice to “linger.”

  • Cheryl

    Boston is very nice and bursting with history! I would recommend several things: 1) walk the Freedom Trail. 2) Quincy Market. 3) Museum of Science- my personal favorite. 4) New England Aquarium and 5) Museum of Fine Arts.

    If you have time, other awesome things the “Cheers” Bar, Sam Adams Brewery (I think you need a reservation though), Make way for Ducklings statue and book, Duck boat tour, Fenway Park, Old North Church…

    http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60745-Activities-Boston_Massachusetts.html

    Have a great time!!

    • stephsday

      We recently checked out “Make Way For Ducklings” from the library! How interesting to hear that there is a statue in tribute to the story. Was that book based on an actual event?

  • Janelle@GraceTags

    We’re planning on moving to Dallas in three years. I’m so excited to relocate!

    Janelle {Nell}

    PS
    Your daughters are soooo adorable!

  • http://stellarspark.com Maria

    I’ve never thought much about Alaska or Michigan, but other than that, your list is similar to mine! I asked my 4 yo if he’d rather go to Disney next year or to “the mountains” like Mommy does on geological excursions, and he said hands down, “mountains first, then Mickey!” It goes to show how great these kinds of destinations are for family trips, and I can’t wait to go on our adventures together.

  • Ashley

    Please let us know when you plan to visit Michigan! It is an amazing state with wild adventures just waiting for all of us to explore. The beaches and lakes stretch as far as the eye can see, the forest is majestic and full of life, not to mention the apple orchards and the colors of the leaves when the air gets cool and crisp…oh the endless possibilities!

    Our list for the next year:
    1) New York City-During Christmas time
    2) New Jersey- Kenz wants to go to the Cake Boss bakery
    3) Wisconsin
    4) Portland, Oregon
    5) Boston, MA
    *We are going to Niagara Falls in just a few weeks!

    • stephsday

      Will do! It sounds like you’re settling in there quite nicely. Whereabouts in the state are you?

      Know that your charming, cheerful personality is missed here in Arizona.

      What in particular do you want to see in Wisconsin?

      • Ashley

        We are in West Michigan:)

        My sister just moved to Wisconsin and she loves it. She said that the cheese there is incredible and quite inexpensive. You can buy amazing, cheese plates at restaurants. I love good cheese with wine. She also lives on a beautiful lake and I look forward to reading in her back yard, listening to the waves hit the beach.

        I miss you and am excited to stay in touch via your blog(s)