Danielle JeanjaquetIt’s finally here: my USA travel bucket list for 2021! Boy, was this a hard list to narrow down, but considering we’re three months into the year, I tried to keep things simple. On this list, you’ll find 12 amazing United States travel ideas for this year.
With spring and summer upon us, a lot of people are planning their vacations. If you’re looking for a fun US travel destination or vacation idea, then this is the bucket list for you!
When planning this list, of course I had to keep in mind this year’s pandemic and travel restrictions. So, you’ll find that *MOST* of these USA travel ideas are friendly to social distancing and a little more outdoorsy.
(Stay tuned for the last bucket list item – it’s definitely NOT pandemic-friendly, but I’m manifesting that we return back to “normal” by the end of this year 🤞.)
If you’d like me to write a whole separate USA outdoor bucket list, please let me know in the comments!
Remember: there’s always a risk of getting exposed to illness while traveling, so please consult the CDC Travel Guidelines when planning your USA vacations.
I’m so excited to share this travel bucket list with you! It features amazing travel destinations all over the United States, with something for every kind of traveler.
Some of these travel locations I have recently discovered – others I have been dying to visit for years now! Here’s to hoping that 2021 might be the year that all of our travel dreams come true. If not, there’s always next year.
Without further ado, let’s jump into the first item on my 2021 USA travel bucket list: San Francisco.
#1. Drive over the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco.
While I’ve been to California many times to visit my family, I have never visited San Francisco. Can you believe it?! It’s about time I make my way there!
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic travel destinations in the United States, and that’s why I’m opening my travel bucket list with visiting this renowned landmark. There’s plenty of hiking and walking trails near and around the bridge, but just driving over all 1.7 miles of it would be enough for me!
#2. Get a tan on the white sand beaches of Miami.
Another destination on my USA travel bucket list that I have never been to is Miami, Florida. With all the snow and cold weather of the winter, I’ve definitely been craving some Florida sunshine.
Miami boasts of its beautiful, white sand beaches, and I’m ready to get my tan on (with plenty of sunscreen, of course). South Beach is probably Miami’s most iconic, but North Beach might be a more family-friendly option. Even though you’re in Miami, you can also find more secluded, uncrowded beaches, like at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.
No matter what, I’m definitely planning to end my beach day with some delicious Cuban food in town.
#3. Spend the night at The Plaza Hotel in NYC.
I subscribe to the belief that every travel bucket list should have a little luxury on it. Nothing crazy – just spending a night in one of the most fabulous hotels in New York City: The Plaza.
If you’re a movie-lover, you might recognize The Plaza as a prime location for many films: Home Alone 2, Eloise, Almost Famous, The Way We Were, Bride Wars, etc. I too would like to have my iconic movie moment by galavanting through the halls of the Plaza lobby, staying in one of their elegant suites, and strolling through Central Park (which is right across the street).
And, if you’re not feeling like spending the money to stay the night, you might just visit the Plaza Food Hall instead! Here, you’ll find tons of counter-dining options with all sorts of cuisines, and price ranges. It’s the best way to enjoy the glamour of The Plaza on a budget!
#4. Eat some signature Creole dishes in New Orleans.
What would be a USA travel bucket list without some delicious foodie options? (Honestly, a USA foodie bucket list should be its own post – I’ll get on that.) Lately, I’ve really been craving some delicious Louisiana Creole cuisine, and New Orleans is the place to be for that! New Orleans-style gumbo, jambalaya, po-boys, and beignets – everything makes my mouth water!
There’s so many restaurants in the French Quarter that do these Creole dishes right – Mr. B’s, Galatoire’s, Brennan’s, and more! I’m ready to visit New Orleans and try them all.
We can’t forget about New Orleans’ delicious Cajun food as well. It has a lot of crossover with Creole cuisine, but the culture and flavors are slightly different. I can’t wait to enjoy some spicy Cajun seafood too!
#5. Hike to a waterfall in Chattanooga.
I’ve driven through Tennessee many times in the past few years, and I’ve just fallen in love with the incredible Great Smoky Mountains.
That’s why I’m hoping for a visit this year to Chattanooga, Tennessee. While there’s plenty of fun outdoor activities to do and historical sites to visit, I definitely want to partake in Chattanooga’s hiking scene.
There seems to be an endless amount of trails in this area of the mountains, but I’m looking to find some of the Smoky’s most amazing waterfalls. It’s an easy hike to the beautiful Falling Water Falls, and Lookout Mountain also hosts Ruby Falls, a really unique underground waterfall. Another cool location I want to check out is Lula Falls, which is on a beautifully-kept land trust just 30 minutes outside of Chattanooga.
#6. Walk the historic Freedom Trail in Boston.
We’re taking it back up North with this next US travel bucket list item: Boston, Massachusetts. I’m a big history nerd, so I love stuff like the Freedom Trail. Still, even people who aren’t that into American history can enjoy this tour around Boston.
Not only does this 2.5-mile trail feature 16 iconic locations significant to United States history, but it is also an amazing way to see the city, with plenty of fun shops and eateries to stop by along the way.
You can sign up for a guided tour, download an audio guide, or just walk the trail yourself! For the latter, you may want to download a map or brochure of the historical sites first.
#7. Watch Old Faithful erupt at Yellowstone National Park.
I’ve been seeing a lot of Pinterest pins on Yellowstone lately, so of course I’ve been dying to go. My family took us on a big vacation to Yellowstone National Park when I was little, but I don’t remember much. (Just the bison blocking the road we were driving on once. That was an exciting/scary experience for a 6 year old.)
I think it’s about time that I return to Yellowstone, and there’s one iconic site in particular that I’m looking forward to seeing: Old Faithful. This famous geyser erupts about 20 times a day, and these eruptions have a 90% accurate prediction rate. So, it’s pretty easy to catch Old Faithful going off when you’re visiting Yellowstone!
#8. Enjoy a night of outdoor theatre at the MUNY in St. Louis.
Maybe you’re not super into the natural or historical sites, and you’d rather dive into the art scene instead! Theatre is a great way to do that, but with Broadway closed until further notice, outdoor shows are the way to go this year.
The St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre is America’s oldest and largest outdoor theatre, and they put on some stellar shows each summer. Their outdoor seats can hold up to 11,000 people, with 1,500 of those tickets offered for free on a first-come, first-serve basis. Way to make art accessible, MUNY!
The MUNY is planning to move forward with their 2021 season, including smash hit musicals like the Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, Chicago, and more! Single tickets go on sale at the beginning of June.
#9. Warm up in the hot springs of Arkansas.
Who knew that Arkansas had their very own hot springs? I didn’t, until recently (thanks again Pinterest). The city of Hot Springs, Arkansas might be the perfect place in the USA for a spa vacation. It’s known for its naturally heated hot springs that create thermal baths you can actually swim and relax in, if regulated.
You can visit Hot Springs National Park for free, which houses the thermal springs that supply these waters. In the town itself, you’ll find Bathhouse Row, where you can enjoy a spa day or bathe in the hot spring water in a variety of historical bathhouses.
#10. Sip some wine in Napa Valley.
I don’t think anyone is surprised that California is on this US travel bucket list twice. There’s just so much to do there! Maybe I can visit Napa Valley after I stop by the Golden Gate Bridge.
If you’re looking for another relaxing vacation, Napa Valley in Northern California might be a good place to try. These world-famous hillside vineyards are some of the best places to enjoy a wine tasting. I’m particularly excited to try out the region’s Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as their Chardonnay.
The region also boasts of their amazing restaurants and lavish resorts. This could be an amazing destination for a couples vacation or girls weekend!
#11. Get into the holiday spirit at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville.
I love traveling at the beginning of December because everyone is starting to get into the holiday spirit, and there’s so many amazing Christmasy destinations to visit!
One such place is the grand Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. The Biltmore is the largest privately-owned house in the United States, and its gardens and grounds are almost as beautiful as the mansion itself.
And, they sure know how to do Christmas right! They host both a daytime Christmas celebration, as well as Candlelight Christmas Evenings, with the entire house decked out in holiday lights and candles.
While tickets are a bit on the pricey side, it’s a holiday celebration I’ve got to enjoy at least once!
#12. Spend New Year’s Eve in Times Square.
For the last item on our US travel bucket list, we’re heading back to New York City for the biggest New Year’s Eve party in the country.
This year may not have started on the right foot, but I’m hoping that throughout 2021, we’ll see things moving in the right direction. I really have no idea when the pandemic will end or how long it will last. Still, I believe it’s important to be hopeful during these tough times, even when it comes to traveling!
So, if all goes according to plan, maybe we will be able to gather in large groups again by the end of this year. And that’s why I’m hoping that this year ends with a big NYE party in Times Square, watching the ball drop and counting down ’til midnight.
And, if it doesn’t work out, let’s just all agree that watching Ryan Seacrest hanging out in NYC on TV still counts as crossing this item off our bucket list, at least for now.
And that’s all for my 2021 USA travel bucket list! What travel ideas or United States destinations would you add to this list? And which of these places might you be visiting this year? Let me know in the comments below!
Have you visited any of these destinations? What USA travel spots are on your bucket list?