The new year is coming fast! It’s an exciting time for new beginnings and a time to make good on that promise that you made yourself, you know the one, to travel more next year! Welcome 2022 with open arms, it’s time to start planning those epic 2022 trips! Here is some inspiration and a few ideas for making 2022 the best travel year yet!
Top 15 U.S. Destinations For 2022
1. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
2022 marks Yellowstone’s 150th Anniversary and while that’s a great reason to visit, it’s not the only reason. There is something special about Yellowstone, after all, this part of the Rockies is 75 million years old! There is so much to do and so many things to see that you don’t want to miss out on this American treasure in 2022.
Check Out: First Timers Guide To Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park Bucket List, One Day At Yellowstone National Park, Lamar Valley – A Guide To The Most Magical Place In Yellowstone, Is Yellowstone National Park Dog Friendly?
Need A Free Yellowstone Bucket List Checklist For Your Trip?
2. Sedona, Arizona
This small desert town in Arizona is home to vortexes and is known as a healing mecca in the U.S. The vortexes in Sedona give off all the good vibes and many head to this beautiful area to heal. New in 2022 is North America’s first ‘landscape hotel,’ the Ambiente. If the last few years have been particularly hard for you, then Sedona is the perfect place to visit in 2022.
Tip: It’s a dark sky area as well, so get out and check out the stars while you are there.
3. Bend, Oregon
Although Bend may be small, it’s pretty epic if you are artistic or outdoorsy. Marvel at the Cascade Mountains in the distance while you mountain bike or fly fish. Don’t forget to check out the Lava Tube Cave Tour! Another wonderful thing about Bend is the craft brewery scene and the shopping downtown.
4. Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is amazing to visit at any time of the year, but for a special treat visit in early March for the Food And Wine Festival. A little later that month all of those beautiful low country flowers will be in full bloom. The Holy City makes a great escape during those long northern winters.
5. Sante Fe, New Mexico
There is no question that you will find Sante Fe charming! It’s one of the oldest capitals in the country and has become the cultural and artistic mecca of the southwest. Check out both the art and food scenes here and make sure to eat at Native American restaurants. The city’s newest hotel pays tribute to indigenous cultures, so make sure to check out Bishops Lodge.
6. Stowe, Vermont
There is no place quite like Stowe in the fall and winter! Although Stowe is beautiful and charming at any time of the year, the beautiful colors during the fall season really make it a show stopper. Stowe is also home to one of the most popular ski resorts in New England, Stowe Mountain Resort. Making this town the perfect winter wonderland, as well! You don’t want to miss Stowe in 2022.
Check Out: One Day In Stowe, Vermont
7. Utah
Utah has so much to offer, including a whopping 5 National Parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonland, and Capital Reef. It’s also home to much of the Navajo Nation. Take a Monument Valley Jeep Tour or a Scenic Tribal Tour for some culture and history in Monument Valley. HIke Angels Landing at Zion or take in the beautiful Dead Horse Point State Park. Your options are seemingly endless in Utah, and if you love nature then you can’t miss this state in 2022.
8. Maui, Hawaii
If you are looking for a tropical paradise, then look no further than Maui, Hawaii. Maui is a natural oasis with stunning beaches and the Haleakala National Park, which is home to the Haleakala volcano. Home to the famous Road to Hana Highway, one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the U.S. Don’t forget to check out the magical pools and waterfalls of Ohe’o Gulch too!
9. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a must for both culture and fun. Check out the beautiful French Quarter, or the elegant Garden District. Don’t miss the lively and fun Bourbon Street or the amazing cuisine the city had to offer. For some extra fun take a Ghost Tour.
10. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a beautiful small city in the mountains of North Carolina. It’s home to the largest number of breweries per capita of any city in the country. Asheville has a very laid back attitude, its’ weird and that’s just the way they like it! Don’t miss the Biltmore Estate or driving part of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Check Out: How To Spend 3 Days In Asheville, North Carolina
11. Bar Harbor, Maine
If you are looking for a classic Maine get-away you can’t beat Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park in Maine. If you’re looking for picturesque harbor views, charming B&Bs, and all the lobster you can handle then Bar Harbor is for you. Grab breakfast and take in the beautiful harbor, stroll the ocean footpath, or wander around and window shop. Bar Harbor is quintessential Maine!
Check Out: 11 Fun Things To Do In Bar Harbor, 11 Can’t Miss Shops In Bar Harbor, Best Sunrise Spots At Acadia National Park, One Day At Acadia With Dogs
12. Deadwood, South Dakota
While Deadwood may not be on any other lists, it makes this list because it has so much to offer! Deadwood, South Dakota – chances are if you are visiting this wild west town, you are familiar with the HBO series Deadwood. Gunslingers, gamblers, and prospectors alike called this gold rush town home. Famous for both its gold rush history, as well as being the place where Wild Bill finally met his end. That’s right, this is the final resting place of Wild West legends, Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.
Check Out: 14 Fun Things To Do In Deadwood, South Dakota, Deadwood, South Dakota: History Nugget
13. Olympic Peninsula, Washington
Olympic National Park preserves one of the most beautiful forests in the United States. Located in northwest Washington the park covers over 900,000 acres. It has a rainforest, Hoh, and has tons of different wildlife to see including bear, mountain lion, Roosevelt elk, wolves, deer, and eagles. This is perfect for you if you are wanting to experience the best that nature has to offer.
14. Alaska
The last frontier offers stunning beauty and wilderness around every corner. You just can’t find a place like this anywhere else in the U.S. Whether you visit Denali National Park and put in for the annual road lottery or take in the grandeur of Misty Fjord Monument Park this place is absolutely gorgeous!
15. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
You may not have guessed it but Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited National Park in the United States. Spanning both Tennessee and North Carolina this part of the Blue Ridge Mountains is truly beautiful. The park gets its nuance from the thick blueish-grey mist that covers the valleys and peaks in this area. If you are looking for a beautiful mountain getaway then Great Smoky Mountains is for you!
Check Out: 14 Fun Things To Do In Cades Cove, One Day In Cherokee, NC, The Eeries Ghost Town In The Smokies, The Best Dog Friendly Hikes In The Smokies, 11 Must See Waterfalls In The Smokies, Is Great Smoky Mountain National Park Dog Friendly?
Make the most of the coming new year and hit the roads or the sky! You can’t go wrong with any of these 15 places but there are so many wonderful places to explore in the U.S. Where is your favorite place?
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