AD – This is a paid advertorial but all thoughts are my own
I’ve never been to the USA but there’s certainly a LOT of sights and attractions there that I’d want to see in my lifetime. I find the idea of going to the USA quite a daunting one. I can imagine it’s much more complicated than just jumping on the Eurostar to Amsterdam, what with everything you have to sort out, like a visa or an ESTA. I might be wrong though – perhaps the US in one of the easiest and most carefree holidays you can book!
Photo by Sara Hamza on Unsplash
So that being said, today I want to share some of the sights and attractions in the USA that I’d absolutely love to visit. They all look incredible on Instagram… but I’m sure there’s nothing quite like seeing it up close and in person.
Yosemite National Park
This is first on the list because it’s probably one of the first places I’d want to see. I’m a bit of a nature fiend. And I honestly can’t imagine myself being anywhere as beautiful as what Yosemite National Park looks like. You’re pretty removed from that world when you live near London!
Grand Canyon National Park
It’s not surprising to me why the Grand Canyon is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the USA. And I find it amazing how nature can have people flocking from all over the world to come and see it. I’d love to see the Grand Canyon for myself with its intricate and colourful landscapes.
Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is a VERY AMERICAN sight to see. So what better thing to witness when you’re in the country? Fun fact: I never thought Mount Rushmore was real. I just couldn’t comprehend how someone was able to carve so realistically and beautifully like that, into stone, on the side of a rock!
Photo by Mika Korhonen on Unsplash
Traveling to the USA with an ESTA
Traveling To the USA With an ESTA: For people like me, who would only want to travel to the USA for leisure purposes and on fun sight-seeing holidays, an ESTA would be the perfect option. An ESTA is digital travel authorization that allows you to travel to the USA without a visa. An ESTA is an easier, faster and cheaper alternative to having to apply for a regular visa and all it takes is an online application! For more information on travelling to the USA with an ESTA, check out the linked page!
Kennedy Space Center
The nerd in me would love to visit Kennedy Space Center. Although I’m not sure I’d have the guts to take part in the shuttle launch experience! But everything else, I think would be fascinating to see and to learn more about the history of space travel. Which blows my mind enough as it is!
Walt Disney World
I mean, obviously this was going to be on the list, wasn’t? Call me basic but yeah, I’d love to go to Walt Disney World – being a massive Disney fan. Arguably not the most historically rich or educational place on this list but definitely the happiest place on this list!
9/11 Memorial
I know this would be so emotional to see in person but I’d love to visit the 9/11 memories. At the very least, to pay my respects. As someone who lives in the UK, even all these years later, I don’t think we really understand the gravity of 9/11 unless you’re personally affected or see it in person. So I’d like to gain some perspective on the tragedy.
If you’ve been to the USA, I’d love to hear about the sights that you’ve seen and which ones were your favourites! Have you ever applied for an ESTA or taken the visa route?
I’ve only been to the USA once, to go to Walt Disney World in Florida as a kid! I loved it over there though, it’s so different in terms of culture (and weather!). There’s a lot I’d like to go see: I’d love to go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, to Yosemite cause it looks incredible, and to see New York cause I feel like you have to at least once right?! Once this is all over I’m hoping there might be some cheaper deals to go visit the US! x
I hope so too! Mardi Gras would be amazing!
In my opinion, the best way to see America is rent a car and do a road trip centered around our wonderful Interstate highway system,. Good luck with this idea given the Corona Pandemic has radically dampened plans for travel everywhere.
Gosh, where should I start? I have seen all the sites that you mentioned except Mount Rushmore, but that one is also on my list. I have been over 10 times to the US and lived in Idaho as an exchange student for one year. But to be honest I would not be able to tell you the best place. The US is a huge country and all states have something different and unique to offer. I loved the Space Center in Houston where history was made, I had such an inspiring day there; I love Florida for all the theme parks; New York is a must see; but then again Montana has also Yellow Stone National Park, which is amazing. Well, I think you get what I mean 🙂 And although I have been to 25+ states, there are so many more that I have not been to, but that I really want to see eg. Hawaii, Alaska, Arizona etc.
Wow that’s incredible!
Ahh I love America. Usually we go to Florida but I’ve also be to Texas twice too.
We visited the Kennedy Space Centre and the one in Houston too, both pretty cool.
https://littlemissmelanie.com/
Sounds fab!
I just got back from the US and I visited the Grand Canyon last week, my second time seeing it and I’m longing to go back 😍😍😍 it’s so beautiful!
I’d love to visit Mount Rushmore, that would be amazing, and also Washington DC and Colorado.
I’m also hoping to go back to LA next year 😍😍😍
I visited the 9/11 museum last year and I was in constant tears, it’s absolutely heartbreaking. Such a tribute, but so so emotional and uncomprehendable. I don’t think I could go back inside the museum itself, it’s definitely a must visit at least once, but it was such an emotional, heartbreaking experience I just don’t think I could do it again. It is needed at least once though, to pay your respects. And gosh if anything, it makes you want to hold on a little closer to the people you love and spread so much more love and light in this world. Be the change you wish to see ❤️❤️❤️ I’d visit the memorial fountains again though for sure (just outside the museum)!!! Also it’s so true about what you say about us here in the UK not being able to fully feel the impact, / gravity. To this day, it’s still such a pivotal moment in US history and whilst we can all grieve for those who lost their lives in this awful awful tragedy, unless we were personally affected we can never truly understand / feel the impact it had on the residents of the United States. On one of my Uber rides last week, our Uber driver was actually saying how he had a lot of respect for the Queen, and that a lot of the US residents absolutely love her because after the events of 9/11 she broke royal protocol to pay her respects. It’s something I need to youtube, but as a Brit, I had absolutely no idea about this but to the people of the US, it clearly means a lot ❤️
Anyway, on a lighter topic now but not to take away from the importance of what was previously discussed of course, yes yes yes to Disney World ❤️❤️❤️❤️ SUCH a happy, joyful place. I hope you get to visit!
Can’t wait to read all your blog posts once you visit these awesome destinations 😍 Enjoy!
Wow, sounds like you’ve had some incredible experiences at these places! Makes me want to visit them even more now! xxx
The Rock n Roll Museum it might be called Rock n Roll Hall of Fame can’t remember. It’s in Ohio and it’s definitely worth a visit. I went there for a trip for a class in college it’s so cool to see all the musical history. . Also don’t know if anyone is into baseball or the movie The Field of Dreams the field they use is in Iowa (where I live) I think it’s some small town no one has heard of I want to say it’s called Dyersville but I could be wrong.
Thanks for the recommendations.
There are so many places here I want to see, I don’t even know where to start.
That being said, I have been to the 9/11 memorial and it was amazing, and sad at the same time. I never felt the way I did before, and haven’t sense.
Sounds like a really emotional place x
Mount Rushmore is my dream destination!! x
Traveling around the US is as easy as climbing into a car and driving around. It also helps to plan what you want to see because you can spend as much or as little time in any city and still enjoy it. Go to my site and see some things you can do. Go to buffalotraveler.wordpress.com
I’ve never been to the States, but there are so many places there that are on my bucket list! Yosemite and Disney World are definitely two of those places.
I thought you were from the states tbh!
Mount Rushmore is such a national treasure! Yosemite is gorgeous, you’ll be blown away when you do get to see it someday!! I would also love to go to Ground Zero one day. Although I was only 1, almost 2, at the time, I grew up with that tragedy & have been incredibly moved by it throughout my lifetime. I’d love to go to Boston for all the history!! Those original 13 colonies are chock full of it, and I can’t wait to see them all one day.
You’re so lucky that you’re closer to all of these places than I am!!
I’m not gonna lie to you, I absolutely love travelling the US! I have been to Nashville in recent years and it was incredible, you’d love it!
Rosie
Oooh Nashville I bet that was amazing!
The last time I was at Disney was back in 1998 so it’s been a LONG time! I wish I could go back to see Magic Kingdom and all of the new rides! One day I’ll save up enough. I’d also love to see 9/11 Memorial to pay my respects, Broadway, San Francisco and more!! Maybe we’ll get a press trip there one day! xD
Daisy xoxo | TheDeeWhoLived
Maybe! Fingers crossed!
I would have been disappointed if Disney wasn’t on here to be honest!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Haha I know right!
Mount Rushmore just looks incredible! I would love to go!
I know, bet it’s incredible to see in person.
There are so many places in america I want to visit! I have been to new york and florida before xx
Bet they were fab x
The Grand Canyon really is incredible! I always shrugged it off as being too ‘popular’ but we took the time to visit while in the Vegas area to see friends… Let me tell you, seeing that view firsthand completely changed my view! I couldn’t believe how incredible it was!
Wow sounds amazing!
I’m dying to see the Grand Canyon, it’s never been somewhere that fits in with previous US travel plans but I think it might warrant a trip alone at some point x
Sophie
Oh I agree I think I’d go just for that alone!
I want to visit New York for my 30th next year and see the 9/11 memorial. I would love to go to Disney World too! These other ideas are great sights to see! There is so much to see. I always think it’s quite daunting with travelling there. So I would have to make sure I was organised so I was less anxious. Thank you for sharing your wish list! X
You are not 30 next year! Oh my god I thought you were younger than me and I’m 27!
Yeah I turned 29 last month. 🙈 x
There are so many places I’d love to visit in America x
I want to visit Las Vegas and New York. I want to be a proper tourist and see everything!
I don’t think I’d enjoy Vegas tbh!
Out of all these I’ve only seen the 9/11 memorial which is very emotional but a great visit. I highly recommend. New York in general is so incredible don’t think you could get bored of ever going there I cant wait to go back. xxx
I bet it’s really emotional x
It’s so touristy but I LOVE the Universal Studios parks! But Disney was a bit toooo much for me, so rammed and noisy! It’s my aim to see more of America in the next couple of years, I also want to see Yosemite.
Becca | http://www.beccaloisblogs.co.uk
Ahhh yeah that’s my own concern with that one!
I’d love to visit Yosemite, it’s been on my wishlist for so long! The photos you see are just so stunning xx
I know almost don’t look real!
I’ve been to the US once with my friends. We stayed near San Francisco and spent one day in L.A. too. It was one of my favourite holidays to date but I hated the travel part – airports trigger my anxiety, even small ones. I was worried that I didn’t have my passport or ETSA paperwork in hand, knowing full well I did. And don’t get me started on security! 😥 I’d say it was worth it though and I’d like to explore more of the US. All the sites you’ve listed here are on my own wish list, along with The World of Coca-Cola lol.
Ah I totally relate. I reckon I’d be the same in airports x
Definitely agree with the first two! I’d also love to visit the Nevada desert and Yellowstone. I’d never actually heard of ESTAs before so I’ll remember that for if we ever go out there!
I’d really love to visit the 9/11 Memorial too. New York has been on my list for ages but so has Disney World. I feel like it’s something EVERYONE has done haha. I imagine it’s just so magical xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
Haha I know right!
Cool list. Getting into USA is not that difficult but depending on the airport you fly into expect delays. Security as you can imagine is tight. Fingerprints and a few scans need to be taken.
Definitely the strictest security checks I’ve ever been through.
That all said, amazing country, amazing food, service and people.
Book in advance to get good deals.