The ubiquity of American films means that landmarks and cities often make their way onto our ‘must-see’ travel list. The sheer size of the United States means that it has plenty of bucket list items on offer.
Almost too many to pick from. So, what are the best once-in-a-lifetime experiences in the land of the free? Bucket list locations may vary by individual depending on their interests. Some lean towards natural landscapes, while others prefer an iconic artificial structure.
Outdoor enthusiasts can’t go wrong with choices like Grand Teton National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Top picks for manufactured structures include Disney World, the Empire State Building, and Biltmore House in North Carolina.
So, make sure to add the following places to your list of American must-sees.
1. Statue of Liberty, New York
New York offers many bucket list experiences, but if you’re short on time, visit the Statue of Liberty. You can even climb to its crown via 162 steep, narrow stairs—reservations required. Explore the statue’s surroundings with harbor cruises, tours, or early access tours. For faster entry, buy tickets online.
Also, check out Central Park, the Liberty Island Museum, and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, which tells the story of 12 million immigrants from 1892 to 1954.
2. Niagara Falls, New York
The Niagara River, flowing through the U.S. and Canada, creates Niagara Falls, a must-see destination. Open year-round, visitors can view three falls at Niagara Gorge. Horseshoe Falls, the largest, is best seen from Canada.
For a different view, cross the Rainbow Bridge to see American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. For an up-close experience, take the Maid in the Mist boat or visit the Prospect Point Observation Tower for a full view of all three falls from the U.S. side.
3. Denali National Park
Alaska is often overlooked for bucket list experiences, but it’s home to North America’s highest peak, Denali (Mount McKinley). Visitors often tour Denali via cruise or land. Should you take an May cruise to Alaska or October, you increase your chance of seeing the northern lights in the wilderness area.
Though often cloud-covered, Denali’s snow-capped peak offers stunning views. The mountain is also a challenging climb for mountaineers training for Everest.
4. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The Grand Canyon’s vast beauty is best experienced in person, especially during sunset on a helicopter tour or walk. Plan ahead by marking key spots like the Skywalk and hiking routes.
Keep in mind altitude issues, long drives, and strenuous walks—this isn’t a day trip. Stock up on gas before arrival, and remember to stay hydrated and use sunscreen in summer.
If you prefer less crowds, consider a day hike. Travel sustainably to help preserve this top national park for future visitors.
5. Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Visiting Pearl Harbor near Honolulu is a humbling experience. The site commemorates the December 7, 1941 attack, which killed over 2,400 people. It serves as a memorial and a place to learn about the events.
Exploring the site takes a full day, but well worth it and very educational. The USS Arizona is complimentary, but there’s a fee for the USS Bowfin, USS Missouri, and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.
6. The White House, Washington DC
Washington DC boasts a diverse culinary scene and beautiful spring blooms. The White House, a must-see landmark, can be toured along with nearby attractions like the Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.
For nature lovers, Rock Creek Park, Kenilworth Park, and Aquatic Gardens offer family-friendly exploration.
7. Haleakala National Park, Hawaii
Hawaii offers stunning sunrise and sunset views, with Haleakala in Maui being a top spot. Sunrise is so popular it requires a reservation. The drive to the summit of Haleakala National Park takes 1.5 hours, passing through various climates.
Dress warmly as temperatures can range from 90°F at sea level to 50°F at the summit. At over 10,000 feet, Haleakala’s crater offers a moon-like landscape and hiking trails. If you miss the early sunrise, we found the sunset views just as breathtaking.
8. Road To Hana, Hawaii
A U.S. bucket list isn’t complete without a road trip, and Maui’s Road to Hana is a must. The journey, not the destination, is the highlight. While you can take a tour, renting a car at Kahului Airport. is ideal.
The 52-mile route has 620 curves and 59 bridges, making for a scenic, all-day adventure. Enjoy stops for waterfalls, turtle viewing, a lava tube, and banana bread. If you’re prone to motion sickness, use a patch.
9. Alcatraz Island, San Francisco
San Francisco, home to the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and Alcatraz Island, offers rich history. Once a federal penitentiary, Alcatraz is now a popular tour destination.
The three-hour prison tour includes a steep walk to the prison, where we explored at our own pace with an audio guide. Learn about famous inmates like Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly.
Arrive a few days early to explore San Francisco. A 3-day San Francisco itinerary lets you visit the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Alcatraz, and Fisherman’s Wharf.
10. Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is a city of extremes, with replicas like the Eiffel Tower, gondola rides, and dazzling neon lights. Even if you don’t gamble, the city offers star-studded shows, top restaurants, and world-class bars and clubs.
For a break from the Strip, visit Hoover Dam or Red Rock Canyon. Must-do experiences include seeing a Vegas show, watching the Bellagio fountains, and riding the High Roller observation wheel.
11. Joshua Tree National Park, California
Joshua Tree, a 800,000-acre protected area in Southern California, features striking rock formations and unique vegetation, with Joshua Trees being the highlight. Skull Rock, resembling a skull, and giant boulders offer great opportunities for rock hopping.
Despite its barren appearance, the desert is home to rabbits, coyotes, and mountain lions. If camping to enjoy the starry skies, be cautious of tarantulas, scorpions, and rattlesnakes.
12. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
With over three million acres of wilderness, cruising through Glacier Bay offers sightings of whales, bears, puffins, and harbor seals. Each visit provides unique discoveries. Most visitors arrive by cruise ship, with a park ranger providing commentary.
Margerie, John Hopkins, and Lamplugh Glaciers are the most scenic tidewater glaciers. The latter provides great calving action when the conditions are right. Keep binoculars ready for bears on the coastline or harbor seals on icebergs at John Hopkins Glacier.
13. Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
Four past presidents are immortalized in stone in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Standing 60 feet high and covering over 1,200 acres, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial took fourteen years to complete.
Designed by Gutzon Borglum, the colossal granite sculpture attracts over two million visitors a year – and you should be one of them. Gutzon selected Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt for the memorial.
14. Redwood National Park, California
Coastal redwood trees reaching for the sky can live for several hundred years. Their unique red hues and massive trunks are conversation starters. As the tallest trees on the planet, they can reach heights of almost 400 feet.
While there are many redwood forests around San Francisco, northern California offers a unique bucket list idea – driving through a towering redwood! Klamath Tree, Chandelier Tree, and Shrine Tree are the only ones that provide the drive-through experience.
15. Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Antelope Canyon was formed by erosion, creating a slot canyon. Comprised of Navajo sandstone, it exudes beautiful red and orange hues that are a photographer’s paradise.
Since the canyon lies on Navajo land, travelers can only access it on a tour and tickets often sell out. During the rainy season, the canyon fills with a torrent of water, making it extremely hazardous. That water erodes the walls, creating a smoother surface.
If you want those Instagram pictures, plan to travel in the summer months and on a sunny day. Without the sun, the sandstone won’t radiate its incredible warm tones.
16. Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone has over 500 geysers, with Old Faithful being the most predictable. It erupts every 90 minutes, shooting 3,700 to 8,400 gallons of water up to 100 feet high for up to five minutes.
For a less crowded experience, hike the one-mile, strenuous trail to Observation Point for a great view of the area.
17. Zion National Park
Utah is home to five National Parks; Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, Capital Reef, Zion, and Arches National Park. Given their proximity to each other, they can be visited on the same day.
Zion, Utah’s first National Park, makes this list for its diverse options of activities. River rafting, canyoneering, rock climbing, biking, and hiking – it’s all available for adventure seekers.
Zion is home to slot canyons, wading pools, and towering sandstone cliffs which beg to be captured on canvas. Its red, blonde, and salmon hues compliment the bright blue sky.
18. Times Square, New York
Times Square is known for its bright lights, constant crowds, and year-round energy, especially on New Year’s Eve. Grab a latte or enjoy a rooftop drink with a view. With attractions like Madame Tussauds, Ripley’s, and Broadway shows, there’s no shortage of things to do.
A mix of Vegas energy, costumed characters, and massive billboards, Times Square is chaotic but unforgettable. Once you’ve been, you can say, “Been there, done that!”
19. Big Sur, California
A Big Sur road trip offers one of the nation’s most scenic drives, stretching 90 miles from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon. With stops like Point Lobos, Garrapata, and Pfeiffer Beach, a quick trip could easily turn into an all-day adventure.
Stay longer to enjoy sandy beaches, cliffs, waterfalls, and numerous Big Sur hikes. The coastal highway is perfect for a camper van trip. Alternatively, there are some Big Sur accommodations around Carmel.
For another bucket list destination, head 200 miles northeast to Yosemite National Park.
20. Mardi Gras, New Orleans
Gold, green, and purple are Mardi Gras’ official colors, seen in garlands and floats. Celebrated in New Orleans since 1699, it’s now a legal holiday. While there, try a slice of King Cake, perfect with cocktails and the festive atmosphere.
New Orleans’ stunning architecture, especially in the French Quarter, offers plenty of places to stay. By day, it’s calm; by night, Mardi Gras brings vibrant energy.
21. Burning Man, Nevada
Burning Man is more about the experience than the destination. Held annually in Black Rock City, Nevada, the week-long festival attracts thousands who endure intense heat.
The event celebrates artistic self-expression with strict rules on environmental responsibility, gifting, and self-sufficiency. Wear organic cotton clothing brands to stay cool.
Attendees camp in tents or RVs and often use bikes to get around. Art installations are massive and creative, resembling Cirque du Soleil props. The festival ends with the burning of a giant effigy. Not for everyone, but even celebrities like Katy Perry, Elon Musk, and Mark Zuckerberg attend.
22. Monument Valley, Utah and Arizona
Monument Valley, spanning Utah and Arizona, features towering sandstone monuments up to 1,000 feet high. A popular filming location, it’s seen in movies like Forrest Gump and 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Most visitors drive the 17-mile scenic route, but consider staying at The View Hotel, the only accommodation inside the park, for stunning sunrises and sunsets. Alternatively, Golding’s Lodge is nearby, outside the park.
23. Key West, Florida
Key West, the southernmost point of the U.S., offers sunny weather and historic sites. Enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, or parasailing in its ideal climate.
Explore on foot or by bike, or take the relaxing Conch Train Tour, with stops at the Key West Aquarium, Truman’s Little White House, Hemingway’s Home, and the Lighthouse. Don’t miss a selfie at the Southernmost Point, but expect a wait. Finish with sunset views and shopping at Mallory Square.
24. Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Badlands National Park in South Dakota offers rugged canyons and vast grasslands, best explored over two days. Visit in spring or fall to avoid crowds and heat.
Spanning 200,000 acres, the park features stunning buttes, pinnacles, and the world’s richest fossil beds. Its salmon-striped peaks make it a must-see on any bucket list.
25. Salt Flats, Arizona
The Bonneville Salt Flats, stretching 12 by 5 miles, is famous for summer automobile races. When there’s no event, you can drive on the dry salt. Summer heat is intense, and there are no food or drink vendors, so bring plenty of water.
The salt crust is up to five feet thick in the center, tapering to under an inch at the edges. The harsh conditions prevent plant and animal life.
Final Thoughts
Life and travel adventures are meant to be fluid, and the destinations above are just bucket list ideas.
A road trip is one of the best ways to check off a U.S. bucket list. Whether it’s Route 66 or a national park, focus on what excites you. Plan your route, block out a few weeks, and start exploring.
