9 Best US Travel Destinations that Aren’t National Parks

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This post is all about US Travel Destinations.

Looking for somewhere unique to travel? These US travel destinations are some of my favorites in the whole country, and I could not recommend them enough. 

You will fall in love with the US all over again! From sparkling lakes and white, sandy beaches to endless mountain ranges and vast, open desert. Whether you’re a family with kids or a solo traveler, there is something here for everyone.

Taking a step away from US National Parks, here are some hidden gems that many people miss! Most of these are free, and all of them are budget friendly! Be sure to read until the end as I’ve saved the best for last!

US Travel Destinations You Can’t Miss

Lake Tahoe – Travel Bucket List USA

California

Probably the most popular of the US travel destinations listed here, Lake Tahoe is breathtaking all year round. Whether you’re into sunny days on the lake or snowy mountains for skiing, Lake Tahoe is the place for you.

The drive around the entire lake only takes two hours, but there are dozens of viewpoints, state parks, cute towns, and hiking trails along the way. I have an entire blog post about my time in Lake Tahoe going over everything to see, do, and eat. There is literally tons to do here, so you’ll never run out of fun. 

Personally, I recommend going towards the end of winter like February or March as it’s warm enough to wander around, but the mountains still have snowy caps.

Stanislaus National Forest – Travel Destinations USA

California

One of the cheap places to travel in the US from this list is Stanislaus National Forest! Located just north of Yosemite, the views along the scenic route are jaw dropping.

You get the mountains and valleys of Yosemite without the entrance fee! Also, it never really gets that busy, so you have plenty of space to pull off at each viewpoint along the way.

It’s a great place to drive through or even camp, and I was very surprised to see so many bikers making their way up the mountain roads. With the steep inclines the trails are challenging but very rewarding.

Avenue of the Giants – US Travel Map

California

If you are looking for some giant redwoods, this is the place to go! Right before you hit the actual Redwoods National Park, take the exit signaling for the avenue of the giants. You’ll find yourself surrounded by huge trees on either side of the two-lane road rather than the boring highway continuing onto the national park.

But don’t worry, this road takes you right to the gates of the Redwoods National Park. The best thing about this road is that it’s free! 

Honestly, I think I spent more time on this road than I did in the National Park! The road has tons of pull offs, and you can wander freely through the forest even though none of it is marked as trails. Plus, there are no crowds, so enjoy the sounds of nature as you stare up at the sky-high trunks.

Silver Springs State Park

Florida

Want to see wild monkeys in Florida? This is the place to go! No, seriously there are monkeys hanging out in the swamps of this state park.

A failed amusement park experiment moved monkeys onto an island in the middle of the springs. Not knowing that monkeys could swim, the owners later found that all of their monkeys had abandoned the island to live in the nearby state park.

Even if monkeys aren’t your thing, and you are looking for a more traditional Florida experience, Silver Springs is still for you. The crystal-clear blue water allows great visibility for all kinds of wildlife.

I highly recommend renting some kayaks for a couple of hours to see what you can spot. My group was lucky enough to be in the water with manatees, turtles, and of course alligators!

If you’re looking for fun places to travel in the US, this should definitely be on your list!

Blue Springs State Park – US Travel Destinations Aesthetic

Florida

Running with the theme of wildlife, this US travel destination is the prime spot in all of Florida for manatees. 

During the winter, the manatees travel upstream into the Florida springs to settle into the warmer water for the season. This makes it the perfect time to see a ton of these adorable sea cows all together!

The trail around the springs is mostly flat and accessible for all ages. A great place for the whole family!

Gulf Shores – US Travel Destinations with Kids

Alabama

The next US travel destination bucket list spot is Gulf Shores, Alabama. If you’re looking for white beaches and amazing seafood, look no further!

A sharp contrast from the familiar Jersey Shore, Gulf Shores is the perfect beach town for a relaxing summer trip. There is also plenty to do here aside from the beach. 

Mini golf, movie theaters, outdoor concerts, delicious restaurants. This place has it all!

Merritt Parkway

Connecticut

Looking for some fall foliage? Here is where to find it! Even if this isn’t technically a “US travel destination,” it should definitely be part of the journey towards your final destination. Inspiration for fall foliage travel in the us can be found in my blog posts about Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. And don’t forget the places in between which I’ve written about here as well (Mystic and Westerly)!

But seriously, doesn’t the saying go “it isn’t about the destination, it’s about the journey”? I couldn’t agree more! This parkway sure does make a trip memorable.

Heading north towards, Bar Harbor, Maine, this was the first sighting of fall foliage on the trip! It was so exciting to see that we had planned our trip perfectly, and we wouldn’t miss the leaves change before they started falling off.

Not only is the foliage a perfect reason to go, but the roads are beautiful! I know that’s probably not what you’re looking for in a destination, but there’s the bridges and the little pull offs. It’s so cute!

Beartooth Highway Drive

Montana

Located right outside of the north entrance of Yellowstone, the most scenic drive in the US begins. Beartooth Highway Drive is my favorite place in all the US, and you can easily see why.

It’s free. It’s breathtaking. It’s easy. What else could you possibly ask for? Even after spending two days in Yellowstone National Park, I was blown away by the sights.

Also, you might even spot some wildlife! I got to see a couple of bison roaming around the little towns. Quite a spectacle if you don’t get to see any inside of Yellowstone. 

The views from this drive range from mountains to grasslands all varying in colors and beauty. If you are looking for one of the most amazing travel destinations, Beartooth Highway Drive should be at the top of your list.

A quick note is to definitely do your research before setting off on the drive. There is only one gas station on the entire route, so make sure to fill up right before you begin!

Scenic Byway 12

Utah

Finally, one of the most unforgettable drives of my entire life: Scenic Byway 12. Utah is already known for its stunning landscapes but driving off the beaten track will take you on a journey through untouched desert and jaw dropping views. You will literally not even want to blink because of how beautiful it is. 

On our road trip across the country, my best friend and I had to stop what felt like every five minutes just to take in our surroundings. We finally had to admit we would never get to our window.

And don’t miss the cows! You will see signs warning you that there are free range cows wandering around, and we were surprised to find a couple crossing the road right in front of us. Make sure to slow down and say hello!

I really cannot recommend this enough! Having never spent time in the desert, this was the perfect introduction to a place I knew I’d want to return to. 

Travel America!

And there you have it! The top places to travel in the US that aren’t national parks. I really enjoyed writing this one because so many people overlook these us travel destinations when planning their trips. 

You will be mind-blown to see the different landscapes each of these places has to offer! And even better, most of these places are near national parks, so you don’t have to journey far if you are already visiting the main attractions.

All these places are family friendly and perfect options for solo travelers. Also the majority of them are free, so a great choice for people on a budget!

Be sure to check out next week’s post all about the best US cities to travel to! Thank you for reading!

This post is all about US Travel Destinations.