The best things to do in United States is Discover the epic road trips, national parks, iconic cities, and best local experiences. Rob Annen / Pexels
20 Best Things to Do in United States
Imagine watching wild horses run free on a misty beach, snowmobiling past geysers in Yellowstone, or standing in four states at once with nothing but desert all around. From the bioluminescent bays of Puerto Rico to secret jazz clubs in New York, this country hides its best stories off the main roads.
This list is made for the wanderer who craves more than just a checklist, someone who seeks the hidden magic, the quiet thrills, and the kind of moments that turn into lifelong memories.
These handpicked experiences reveal a side of the United States. that’s hidden in plain sight: wild, soulful, and unforgettable. Whether you’re chasing northern lights or standing in four states at once, let this list be your offbeat road map to the real heart of America.
Here’s a curated list of the 20 best things to do in United States to help you make the most of your visit to this incredible destination.
Stargaze at the Grand Canyon under a moonless sky and see the Milky Way shine like never before. Ken Cheung / Pexels
1. Stargaze at the Grand Canyon (Arizona)
Most people rush to the Grand Canyon at sunrise or sunset, hoping to catch that perfect golden glow over the cliffs. But if you really want to experience something magical, go there at night, especially during a new moon, when the sky is at its darkest.
The Grand Canyon is actually one of the best places in the U.S. for stargazing, thanks to its remote location and clean, dry air. With almost no light pollution, the stars shine brighter than you can imagine.
On a clear night, you can see the Milky Way stretch across the sky like a glowing river, and countless constellations appear above the canyon’s silhouette. It feels quiet, peaceful, and almost unreal, like you’re standing on the edge of the Earth, staring into the universe.
Bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, then ferry back from charming Sausalito with stunning bay views. Daniil Vishnevskiy / Pexels
2. Cycle Across the Golden Gate Bridge (California)
While most people choose to walk or drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, riding a bike lets you feel the freedom and thrill of the journey in a whole new way. Rent a bike in San Francisco and pedal your way across the bridge, feeling the wind on your face and the views opening up all around you from Alcatraz to the endless blue of the Pacific.
The bridge feels massive under your wheels, and every stop gives you a different photo-worthy angle. Once you cross, you’ll glide downhill into Sausalito, a peaceful little coastal town with art galleries, cafes, and a relaxed vibe.
Once you’ve soaked in the charm of Sausalito, hop on the ferry back to San Francisco. The ride offers a stunning panoramic view of the city skyline, the iconic bridge you just crossed, and the glittering waters of the bay. It’s the kind of moment that ties the whole adventure together.
3. Attend a Secret Jazz Show in New York City
When you’re in New York City, it’s easy to get caught up in flashy Broadway shows or big-name concert halls. But if you’re craving something truly unforgettable, find your way to a secret jazz show hidden in a speakeasy-style basement.
These underground spots don’t have glowing signs or red carpets; sometimes you’ll enter through an unmarked door or even through the back of a bar. Inside, the mood changes completely: dim lights, cozy corners, and raw, passionate music that hits you right in the soul.
It’s not just about the sound; it’s about the atmosphere, the closeness of the crowd, and the feeling that you’ve stumbled upon something special. In that moment, it’s just you, the musicians, and the music—alive, honest, and unforgettable. That’s the real heartbeat of New York.
Chase the Northern Lights in Alaska for a magical show of dancing colors under icy, star-filled skies. Pixabay / Pexels
4. Chase Northern Lights in Alaska
If seeing the northern lights is on your bucket list, there’s no better place in the U.S. than Fairbanks, Alaska. From September to April, the skies often come alive with glowing ribbons of green, pink, and purple that dance across the darkness; it’s like nature’s own light show. But the experience doesn’t stop there.
After spending the evening watching the auroras, you can soak in natural hot springs, surrounded by snow and silence, with nothing but steam rising into the cold air. The contrast of warm water and freezing temperatures, with the lights swirling overhead, feels like something out of a dream.
It’s peaceful, magical, and deeply unforgettable Alaska at its wildest and most beautiful. And this is one of the best things to do in the United States.
5. Explore the Caves Below Louisville (Kentucky)
Beneath the streets of Louisville, Kentucky, there’s an entire hidden world waiting to be explored: the Louisville Mega Cavern. This massive man-made cave system was once a limestone quarry, but now it’s been transformed into an underground playground unlike anything else in the U.S.
One of the most exciting things you can do here is go ziplining through the dark, high above the cavern floor. As you soar from platform to platform, the cool air rushes past, and glowing lights reveal the massive rock walls around you. It’s like flying through a hidden, underground world. It feels both surreal and thrilling, like flying through a secret underground city.
Beyond ziplining, the cavern also gives biking, tram tours, and even an obstacle course, all hidden beneath the surface of an ordinary city. It’s a mind-blowing mix of adventure, history, and pure fun.
6. Kayak Through Bioluminescent Bays in Puerto Rico
If you ever want to feel like you’re paddling through magic, head to Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays, especially in Fajardo or Vieques. At first, the water looks normal, but as you start to kayak, each stroke lights up the water with a blue-green glow.
It’s caused by tiny microorganisms called dinoflagellates, and when they’re disturbed, they shimmer like stardust beneath the surface. The best time to go is on a moonless night, when the darkness makes the glow even brighter and more surreal.
You’ll feel like you’re floating through liquid light, with fish darting under your kayak, leaving glowing trails behind them. It’s peaceful, otherworldly, and honestly one of the most unforgettable natural wonders you can experience.
7. Watch a Rocket Launch at Kennedy Space Center (Florida)
Visiting the Kennedy Space Center in Florida is already an exciting experience, but if you plan your trip during a live rocket launch, it becomes something unforgettable. As the countdown begins, there’s a quiet tension in the air, everyone’s eyes on the towering rocket.
Then suddenly, it blasts off with a deafening roar, and you feel the rumble shake through your chest, like thunder rolling under your feet. Flames and smoke fill the sky as the rocket climbs higher and higher, disappearing into the clouds.
It’s not just a cool moment; it’s watching real history unfold right in front of you. You realize how far human exploration has come, and it’s both inspiring and awe-inspiring at the same time. Whether you’re into science or not, it’s an experience that leaves you speechless.
8. Take a Road Trip on Route 50 – “The Loneliest Road in America” (Nevada)
Nevada’s Route 50, designated as “The Loneliest Road in America” by Life magazine in 1986, gives a remote drive through vast desert landscapes, open skies, and historic small towns with minimal traffic and modern distractions.
Unlike the crowded and commercialized Route 66, this stretch gives pure silence, wide-open desert landscapes, and a sense of freedom that’s tough to find anywhere else.
You’ll drive for miles without seeing another car, just endless sky, distant mountains, and the occasional ghost town or quirky roadside stop. At night, the skies explode with stars; it’s some of the clearest stargazing you’ll ever experience.
There’s something peaceful, even spiritual, about being so far from everything. It’s not just a road trip; it’s a chance to disconnect, reflect, and enjoy the kind of quiet that makes you feel truly alive.
9. Tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater (Pennsylvania)
Tucked away in the forests of Pennsylvania, Fallingwater isn’t just a house; it’s a living piece of art. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, this architectural masterpiece is built directly over a flowing waterfall, blending so naturally with the landscape that it feels like it grew there.
Inside, large windows and open spaces invite nature in, with the sound of rushing water echoing through the rooms. The best time to visit the United States is during fall, when the trees around it burst into fiery shades of red, orange, and gold, turning the whole scene into something out of a dream.
It’s the kind of place that makes you stop and admire how creativity and nature can exist in perfect harmony. Whether you love design, peace, or just beautiful places, Fallingwater is the kind of place you won’t forget anytime soon.
10. Sleep in a Treehouse in Oregon’s Forests
If you’ve ever dreamed of escaping into the woods and living in a fairy tale, spending a night in a treehouse deep in Oregon’s forests is as close as it gets. Near Silver Falls State Park, there are stunning, hand-built luxury treehouses tucked high up in the canopy, complete with cozy beds, wood-burning stoves, and giant windows that frame nothing but green.
When you wake up, it’s to the sound of birds, rustling leaves, and filtered sunlight pouring through the trees. It feels like you’re part of the forest, perched in your own secret world.
Whether you’re sipping coffee on the deck or stargazing from a rope bridge, the whole stay feels peaceful, magical, and just a little bit like something out of an elf’s storybook. It’s not just a place to sleep; it’s an experience you’ll always remember.
11. Dance at a Honky-Tonk in Nashville (Tennessee)
Santa’s Pub, located in Nashville, Tennessee, is a well-known local dive bar housed in a double-wide trailer, famous for its year-round Christmas lights, affordable drinks, karaoke nights, and authentic honky-tonk atmosphere, giving a more genuine alternative to the tourist-heavy bars on Broadway.
Housed in a double-wide trailer and decked out with Christmas lights year-round, it’s got a cozy, no-frills vibe that locals love. Cold beer in hand, country music in the air, and karaoke echoing through the room—it’s the kind of place where strangers quickly feel like friends.
The atmosphere is easygoing, the crowd full of character, and there’s always someone ready to spin you onto the dance floor. It’s not polished or fancy, but that’s what makes it special. It’s a little slice of Southern charm where you’ll laugh, sing, and maybe even make a few new friends.
12. Wade into the World’s Largest Swamp – Atchafalaya Basin (Louisiana)
If you’re looking for something wild, mysterious, and totally unforgettable, head to Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin, the largest swamp in the United States. Stretching across a massive area of wetlands, bayous, and slow-moving waters, it feels like another world.
Hop on a guided swamp tour, where you’ll glide past eerie, moss-draped cypress trees that look like ghosts rising from the water. The Atchafalaya Basin is home to diverse wildlife, including American alligators, river cooters and red-eared slider turtles, large blue herons, and even bald eagles that nest in the area’s tall cypress trees.
But it’s not just about the wildlife; your guide will share stories of Cajun life, music, and deep traditions rooted in this watery landscape. The Atchafalaya isn’t just a swamp; it’s a living, breathing culture. Peaceful, a little haunting, and full of soul, it’s Louisiana at its most raw and real.
13. Snowmobile Across Yellowstone in Winter (Wyoming)
Yellowstone National Park in winter feels like a different world—peaceful, untouched, and wild in the best way. Instead of the usual summer traffic, you’ll find quiet, snow-blanketed landscapes where steam rises from geysers and waterfalls freeze into icy sculptures.
By snowmobile. Riding through the frosty wilderness, you’ll pass open meadows and forests coated in white and even spot bison, elk, and wolves moving freely across the snow.
The cold adds a crisp beauty to everything, and the silence makes the whole experience feel surreal—just you, the engine’s hum, and the wild heart of nature all around. It’s not your typical Yellowstone trip, but that’s what makes it unforgettable.
14. Walk Through a Lava Tube in Hawai’i (Big Island)
If you want to experience the true power of nature in Hawai’i, head to the Big Island’s Volcanoes National Park, where the ground tells stories of fire and time. One of the most unforgettable things you can do here is walk through an ancient lava tube, like the famous Thurston Lava Tube.
Formed by flowing lava hundreds of years ago, this tunnel once carried molten rock beneath the earth’s surface. Today, you can walk right through it surrounded by damp rock walls, tree roots hanging like vines, and the quiet echo of volcanic history all around.
It’s cool, slightly eerie, and totally fascinating. Far from the beach crowds, it’s a chance to step into a world shaped by eruptions, proving that Hawai’i is more than just paradise; it’s raw, powerful, and alive.
15. Watch Wild Horses Run on Assateague Island (Maryland & Virginia)
Assateague Island, located off the coasts of Maryland and Virginia, is home to a population of wild horses that roam freely across its beaches, marshes, and dunes. Stretching along the coasts of Maryland and Virginia, this barrier island is home to a population of feral horses that roam the beaches like they own the place.
It’s especially magical at sunrise, when the sky turns soft pink and gold, and you catch sight of these beautiful animals trotting along the shoreline, their manes blowing in the sea breeze. There are no fences or crowds, just the peaceful rhythm of waves and the quiet awe of watching nature unfold.
16. Stand on the Four Corners Monument (AZ, NM, CO, UT)
The Four Corners Monument marks the exact point where the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah meet—making it the only place in the United States where four states come together at a single point.
The monument is managed by the Navajo Nation and features a bronze marker set into the ground, where visitors can stand with their hands and feet in all four states at once.
The surrounding desert landscape is wide and peaceful, and there’s also a Navajo-run trading post nearby where you can browse handmade jewelry, crafts, and fry bread.
It’s not a big, flashy attraction, but that’s part of the charm. It’s a quick stop that gives you a taste of Native American culture, a quirky travel memory, and a rare “I did that!” moment all in one.
17. Experience the Wave in Arizona (Coyote Buttes North)
The Wave is a sandstone rock formation located in the Coyote Buttes North area of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, near the Arizona-Utah border, known for its striking, wave-like patterns and vibrant colors.
But getting there isn’t as simple as showing up. To protect this fragile landscape, only a small number of permits are issued each day through a lottery system, making the experience even more rare and special.
If you’re lucky enough to get one, the hike to The Wave is a challenge, but every step through the desert feels worth it when you finally stand in the middle of those ancient, flowing rocks. It’s peaceful, powerful, and feels like a secret world few ever get to see.
18. Watch Fireflies Synchronize in the Smoky Mountains (Tennessee)
Every June, something truly enchanting happens deep in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee: thousands of fireflies begin to flash in perfect sync, lighting up the forest in a glowing rhythm. This rare event, called synchronous firefly mating, lasts for just a couple of weeks and draws nature lovers from around the country.
As the sun sets and the woods grow quiet, the tiny lights begin to appear, not randomly, but blinking together like a slow, pulsing heartbeat. It feels almost otherworldly, like watching a living, breathing light show created entirely by nature.
You can experience it best by reserving a spot through the National Park Service’s lottery system near Elkmont, where it’s dark enough to see the full magic unfold. It’s peaceful, fleeting, and unforgettable—one of those moments where you simply stop and stare in awe.
19. Take a Lighthouse Keeper Tour in Maine
Standing tall on the cliffs of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Portland Head Light was commissioned by George Washington and began guiding ships in 1791, making it the oldest lighthouse in the state and a symbol of maritime history.
Climbing the spiral staircase to the top, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean crashing against the rocky shore. But for a truly unforgettable experience, some lesser-known lighthouses offer overnight stays in the keeper’s quarters.
Imagine waking up to the sound of waves and seagulls, sipping coffee while the sun rises over the water, and feeling completely disconnected from the noise of the world. It’s part history lesson, part coastal escape, and a chance to step into the quiet, steady rhythm of lighthouse life.
20. Explore an Ice Cave in Washington’s Mount Rainier
Tucked away on the upper slopes of Mount Rainier, the Paradise Glacier Ice Caves form when melting snow and ice carve intricate tunnels beneath the surface, revealing shimmering blue chambers that feel more like a hidden realm than something found on Earth.
These caves usually form in the summer, when warmer temperatures start to shape the glacier’s surface into stunning frozen corridors. Walking near them feels surreal, with cold air rushing out and soft light bouncing off the icy walls in shades of crystal blue.
But these caves are also incredibly fragile and ever-changing, so checking current safety conditions is a must. They’re too unstable to enter but even viewing them from a safe distance is a powerful reminder of nature’s beauty and constant transformation.
The official travel website endorsed by the U.S. government for exploring the best things to do in the United States is VisitTheUSA.com, which serves as the nation’s official tourism portal.
GUIDED BY EXPERT
Yoga within Travel the perfect flow of Experience
Explore wellness in anywhere
by
Explore Related Articles
LEAVE A COMMENT
Error: Contact form not found.