Lonely Planet Ultimate USA Travel List

What's the #1 travel experience in America?

For the first time, the experts at Lonely Planet have ranked the top 500 unmissable experiences and hidden gems across the USA - to create the ultimate hitlist.

Lonely Planet's Ultimate USA Travel List is the regional follow-up to our bestselling Ultimate Travel List and the must-own bucket list for both travellers to the USA and residents who want to discover their country’s most iconic sights and activities.

With inspirational photos, insightful commentary and details of how to visit each place, this is your essential guide to exploring the very best of the nation’s travel experiences, from the classic to the quirky.

Whatever your interests, there’s a memorable experience awaiting you:

National Parks

Be awed by nature’s power at Grand Canyon National Park, ArizonaFeel humbled by geological giants at Yosemite National Park, CaliforniaDrive through dreamy landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park, UtahThrill at the might of lava at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai’iFamily Fun

Relish the mountain-themed amusements at Dollywood, TennesseeImmerse yourself in marine life at Monterey Bay Aquarium, CaliforniaFeel the magic at Walt Disney World, FloridaSoak up the nostalgic, kitschy charm of Coney Island, New YorkMuseums & Galleries

Appreciate human creativity at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkLearn important lessons at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington, DCThink of the victims at the September 11 Memorial and Museum, New YorkFind your inner rock god at the Museum of Pop Culture, WashingtonRoad Trips

Enjoy the ups and downs of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, MontanaTravel through US history on the Colonial Parkway, VirgininaSnake past scenic peaks along the Beartooth Highway, MontanaGape at grand peaks on a Continental Divide drive, Colorado Eating & Drinking

Tuck into Seattle’s smorgasbord at Pike Place Market, WashingtonGraze gourmet treats at LA’s Original Farmers Market, California Imbibe Appalachian moonshine at Sevier Distilling Company, Tennessee Indulge your gourmet side at Chelsea Market, New YorkEntertainment

Tap into musical history at New Orleans’ House of Blues, Louisiana Cheer for the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, Illinois Dig the acoustics at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, Colorado Speed like a demon at NASCAR Racing Experience, Florida Plus many more!

Discover the rankings and over 450 additional recommendations inside the book!

About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveler since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travelers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day.