Where is fab in the USA?

[ElizabethinherGermanGarden]

I know there's a huge choice!

DSD has shown an interest in going to America next summer for a holiday. I've only been to north California coast, but she and DP have been to LA and New York, Boston, Cape Cod etc. DSD will be 21 next year, so we're not talking theme parks and doesn't have to be child-friendly.

I love holidaying with both of them and would be interested to try somewhere new - I usually default to Greece. If you've been somewhere that you think would be fab for two weeks in August (school holidays only for me), please suggest.

What do you want? big adventures? outdoorsy? Cities?

I live in the US so have done a fair few holidays. I haven't yet done Alaska, would love to do it, but it pretty much means a cruise to access the main attractions.

Do you care about weather? I live in Michigan. It can be hot, sometimes humid, or pour down. But, it generally is more reliable for sun than the UK. Touring around Lake Michigan is a 'thing' and includes Chicago (big city, obv.) sand dunes, waterfalls, country life, beeches, wine area - very varied, but a lot of driving and booking ahead for accommodation.

Yellowstone is completely worth it, and you can spend several days there to see it, then drive over to the Grand Tetons.

Yosemite also amazing, and you can kind of include San Fran if willing to drive.

Southern Utah is astoundingly beautiful with several national parks if you want nature. Not much in the way of city life, although you can experience Salt Lake City for a day if you want.

You can also do Vegas, Death Valley and Grand Canyon as a loop with some driving.

Washington DC. Amazing museums & monuments.

New Orleans. The downtown area is touristy but fun, the live music scene is amazing and the local Cajun food culture is unique and a must-try.

It depends what you like doing. I’d say Maine, specifically Mount Desert Island, but if you aren’t outdoorsy, it won’t be your ‘thing’.

If people are going to experience something about the United States, I would pick a National Park. They are true treasures. Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon get the most publicity and it is well deserved. Glacier in Montana is truly amazing.

The Wild Animal Park in San Diego is also a unique experience and a good anchor for a more urban holiday.

Yellowstone and the Tetons would be high on my list too. Cowboy bars in Jackson Hole are a bonus.
I love the Pacific Northwest: Oregon and Washington state have some incredible scenery.
Also agree regarding Southern Utah, the National Parks there are stunning as is Monument Valley on the border with Arizona but it will be HOT in August.
Maine has a gorgeous coastline and lots of great seaside towns.
Colorado is also beautiful.

Southwestern national parks - Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion national park, monument valley . You can fly to LV and fly out of Colorado or SLC.

Thank you for all these suggestions. It's great to have different ideas as I don't have a fixed idea about what I want - I just need starting points for googling!

California road trip- San Diego up to San Francisco - with stays in San Diego, Newport Beach , Los Angeles/Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, Monterrey, Carmel and SF

What @Crikeyalmighty said. Although don't spend too much time in LA it's a shit hole!

We did this trip 10 years ago and aside from LA it was amazing

Also Deep South is incredible!

She'll be 21 - go to Vegas for a weekend! I thought it'd be awful but loved it! It's like another world, and feels very safe.

Agree Yosemite is incredible.

We lived in the US for a few years and had the incredible opportunity to visit lots of states and cities we'd never normally be able to.
My favourite places are New Orleans, Washington DC and San Diego. Driving from San Francisco to Yosemite was a memorable trip. There are so many places to visit you're spoilt for choice. Happy planning!

I know the states well. I'd vote for Moab. It's really something. White water rafting, beautiful hikes, quirky town.

I’m biased because I spent time growing up there and my parents still have a lake house there, but a tour of the South. Start in North Carolina where you have amazing places to stay in the mountains like Asheville, Boone and Blowing Rock then go across to the coast and you have the Outer Banks which are barrier islands protecting the coast. There are great towns to visit like Wilmington (the location for One Tree Hill if she’s familiar) and travel about the different islands. Then drive down the coast to places like Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA and you can finish up in Florida to see Kennedy Space Centre. I did this with friends a few years ago (mid twenties) and they all had a great time. We finished up watching a Space X rocket launch which was amazing!

As they've done the East coast and you the West - how about Santa Fe? Summer is the off season but it's a unique and interesting place.

Another vote for North Carolina and surroundings. I live in Asheville and it has a lot of attractions.

@Whatelsecouldibecalled Ooh you see I'm very fond of Laurel canyon in LA and Santa Monica too . Large parts aren't nice but some bits are I even enjoyed the kitsch open top bus trip through Beverley hills etc I'm very partial indeed to Santa Barbara!!

DH and I fancy Arizona or Yellowstone next time we go. Wildlife and amazing scenery.

We had a fab holiday in Arizona…walking, great scenery…

but classic California road trip hard to beat. We used trailfinders to book ours.

San Diego was great, lots and lots to do. As was Palm Springs.

@Crikeyalmighty yes in fairness it was a bit of a generalised statement. Some bits of LA were ok. Santa Barbara I agree. Downtown and Hollywood etc. awful!!

If people are going to experience something about the United States, I would pick a National Park. They are true treasures. Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon get the most publicity and it is well deserved. Glacier in Montana is truly amazing.

I agree with this. Hawaii is also an amazing experience.

Oh I loved LA I did a Hollywood homes bus tour, walk of Fame, took in a Lakers game, Rodeo Drive, Universal Studios. Loads of fun seeing so much famous shiz in real life. Some areas were a bit dodgy though, and hideous traffic!

maybe Nashville and Tennessee? Or DC, Maryland and Virgina/West Virginia. Blue Ridge Mountains are spectacular.

Texas. There's so many options but loops from Austin - Houston - San Antonio or Houston - Dallas - Austin are amazing. Cowboy towns, cities, rodeos, beautiful swimming holes, BBQ, tacos and local beers 👌