The more you travel around the United States, the more you realize there is so much left to discover. Each and every state is distinct—which, when you think about it, translates to a lifetime of exploration for anyone up to the challenge of diving deeper. You see it in the ancient petroglyphs tucked away in the landscapes of Arizona. You see it in the crawfish cuisine in deep Louisiana. You see it in the soaring skyscrapers in Manhattan. There is—truly—a tremendous amount of diversity here.
Simply put, you can’t easily categorize the best places to visit in the USA. For every rugged wilderness there’s a metropolitan epicenter, a beachside retreat for every desert dwelling. Likewise, no matter how niche or finicky of a traveler one might be, there’s a destination to suit every sort of personality. Ahead, 21 worthwhile locales to add to your bucket list.
Historic Churches in New Mexico
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Take a drive along New Mexico’s High Road to Taos and the state’s nickname (The Land of Enchantment) feels all too justified. The route, which connects Santa Fe to Taos, runs 56 miles along a winding road through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and is bookended by two striking churches: San Francisco de Asis Church and Santuario de Chimayo. The Southwest is best explored by car, making frequent stops at remote villages to appreciate Spanish colonial churches and indigenous Pueblo architecture.
Stay Here: Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection sits just a few miles outside of downtown Santa Fe in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo range and was once the private home of the first Archbishop of Santa Fe. Now, the luxury lodge (surrounded by 317 acres of forest) is a luxury retreat complete with all the details that make New Mexico distinct, from kiva fireplaces in the guest rooms to the SkyFire restaurant with its wood-fired cooking.
Wine in the Willamette Valley
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