Top Five Places in the U.S. to Visit in 2017

The US is full of all kinds of attractions and things to do, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t feel overwhelming at times. What’s worse is that sometimes you get all geared up to go on vacation, taking time off and looking up everything there is to do, but then you get to the location and it feels remarkably similar to what you left. The same strip malls dot the landscape, the same restaurants are all on offer. We’ll bring you 5 places that you should definitely see this year if you’re looking for something a little different.

The Grand Canyon

Whether you take a helicopter ride from Las Vegas or you head to this delightful destination yourself, this spot is truly like no other. If you’ve seen pictures or driven by impressive cliff formations and think that you already know what this place is all about, don’t be fooled. Absolutely nothing can compare to standing next to (or inside of) this truly amazing wonder. While there isn’t a lot to do in the surrounding towns in the most popular side of the canyon (the south side), Flagstaff, Sedona and Phoenix are not that far away. Plus, even if you didn’t visit the cities, you’d still find plenty to do at the canyon itself. From hiking to shopping, there’s definitely a way to make it exciting. Just make sure you comply with the new AZ car laws for 2017.

New York City

When you want a departure from the ordinary, this is definitely one place to go that doesn’t disappoint, especially if you are surrounded by drivers who have passed a defensive driving course. It may not be the hippest place on the travel lists (because, let’s face it, it’s normally talked about to death), but that doesn’t mean that it’s not worth seeing if you’ve never gone. NYC’s western counterpart Los Angeles is another place that is certainly a departure from the norm, but the problem is that the city is too spread out making it easy for tourists to waste time rather than have a good time. NYC is so concentrated that you’re practically guaranteed to have an authentic experience from wherever you are.

Salt Lake City

At around 11 p.m. on a Friday night, you’ll find….not a lot of people hanging out in downtown Salt Lake City. Liquor laws plus the morals of the city make it tough to really party when you’re there. But SLC has some of the best food you’ll ever eat, and it’s not all that far from Park City, where they held the Olympics. You would also be extremely smart to visit the major church while you’re there. You’ll know it when you see it.

Portland

This place is for the weird and the weird at heart. We’re not saying that it’s all unconventional, but it gets pretty close. From famous doughnut eateries to eclectic music shops to world-class hiking, there’s every reason to visit one of the greenest parts of the city. Check out the waterfalls, eat at some of the best Thai and pizza places, and then head back to your own neighborhood feeling somewhat dejected.

Newport Beach

This place is for the weird and the weird at heart. We’re not saying that it’s all unconventional, but it gets pretty close. From famous doughnut eateries to eclectic music shops to world-class hiking, there’s every reason to visit one of the greenest parts of the city. Check out the waterfalls, eat at some of the best Thai and pizza places, and then head back to your own neighborhood feeling somewhat dejected.