- Destination -

The United States

From the skyscrapers of NYC to the red rocks of Utah, the U.S. is a buffet of culture, nature, and neon. National parks? Check. Wild road trips? You bet. Burgers the size of your head? Oh yes. Whether you're hunting craft brews in Portland, hiking Yosemite's jaw-dropping trails, or chasing UFOs in Roswell (hey, I won't judge), the USA's got enough stories to fill a suitcase - and then some.

Destinations

Travel Tips, Blogs & Itineraries

Best Time to Visit

Northeast (New York, Boston, Washington DC)

Spring (April–June) and Fall (September–November) when the cities bloom and the autumn leaves turn Instagram gold. Summers can be hot and muggy, but this is still my favorite time to visit because I love sunshine! Winters can be, well, frigid.

Southeast (Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas)

Late fall to early spring (October–April) when humidity takes a vacation and hurricane season is safely at bay. Summers are hot and steamy, but hey, that’s what beaches are for!

Midwest (Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis)

Late spring (May–June) and early fall (September–October). Winter? Let’s just say unless you’re building a snowman, you might want to skip it.

Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas)

Fall (September–November) and spring (March–May) when the desert heat won’t fry your flip-flops. Summer can reach serious oven status.

West Coast (California, Oregon, Washington)

All year, depending on what you’re after! Spring and fall bring the best weather for cities and hikes, summer is glorious on the beaches, and winter is perfect for Northern California wine country.

Rocky Mountains (Colorado, Utah, Montana)

Winter (December–March) for ski enthusiasts; summer (June–September) for hikers and national park junkies.

Alaska & Hawaii

  • Alaska: Summer (June–August) for long days and mild temps.

  • Hawaii: Spring and fall (April–June, September–November) when it’s less crowded and still warm.

Top Things to Do

Embrace the road trip. Rent a car and hit the highways—some of the best experiences hide between the big cities.

National Parks Galore

  • Yellowstone: Geysers, bison, and a whole lotta “wow.”
  • Grand Canyon: A mile-deep wonder that defies description.
  • Yosemite: Granite cliffs and giant sequoias—photographer’s dream.
  • Great Smoky Mountains: Misty mornings, fall colors, and black bears, a personal favorite.
  • Zion: Red rock canyons perfect for adventurers.
  • Glacier: Alpine lakes and epic hiking.
  • Rocky Mountain: Majestic peaks and elk galore.
  • Acadia: Rugged coastlines and New England charm.
  • Arches: Over 2,000 sandstone arches—nature’s playground.
  • Everglades: Alligators, mangroves, and subtropical swamps.

City Adventures

  • New York City: The city that never sleeps—or stops surprising.
  • Los Angeles: Laid-back vibes with a side of Hollywood glam.
  • Chicago: Deep dish, skyline, and a lake that feels like an ocean.
  • San Francisco: Foggy hills, Golden Gate, and cable cars galore.
  • New Orleans: Jazz, beignets, and enough soul to fill a saxophone.
  • Austin: Live music capital with BBQ and a “keep it weird” vibe.
  • Seattle: Coffee, rain, and a thriving arts scene.
  • Miami: Beachy bliss with Latin flair and art deco cool.
  • Boston: History, sports, and that irresistible accent.
  • Las Vegas: Neon lights, big bets, and endless entertainment.

Road Trips

  • Route 66: Nostalgia, neon, and quirky roadside attractions.
  • Pacific Coast Highway: Cliff-hugging views and ocean breezes.
  • Blue Ridge Parkway: Scenic Appalachian magic, especially in fall.
  • Overseas Highway: The Florida Keys—where the road meets the sea.
  • Great River Road: Follows the Mississippi—history and blues.

Music Festivals & Fairs

  • Coachella (California): Sun, sound, and celeb sightings.
  • SXSW (Texas): Music, film, and tech all in one.
  • Mardi Gras (Louisiana): Beads, brass bands, and big fun.
  • Lollapalooza (Illinois): Epic beats by the lake.
  • Burning Man (Nevada): Art, dust, and radical self-expression.

Travel Information

Plane, Train, Automobile

Whether you’re chasing the bright lights of New York City or that off-the-beaten-path diner in Kansas, the USA makes getting there an adventure all its own. Touch down at the big hitters like JFK, LAX, or Chicago O’Hare—think of them as your travel launchpads. Domestic flights are everywhere, but if you want to take the scenic route, Amtrak’s long-haul train rides let you soak up the rolling hills, deserts, and small towns you might otherwise miss (pro tip: snag a window seat). For the ultimate road trip? Rent a car and get lost on Route 66, or take the Pacific Coast Highway—trust me, I’ve done it, and it’s worth every mile.

Cruise Ship

Ports like Miami, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle welcome cruise travelers in style. You can dock in bustling cities, hop off for local excursions, and reboard with a sunburn and a smile. Popular cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian) make it easy to start or end your journey by sea, perfect for those who want to see the skyline from a deck chair with a piña colada in hand.

Plane

Make Dynamic

Train

Make Dynamic

Automobile

Make Dynamic

Cruise Ship

Make Dynamic

I wasn’t expecting much. I just needed dinner. 🍽️ Kome ended up being one of the best meals of the entire trip.

Wood-fired everything. A menu that actually makes you read it twice. A vibe in Pietermaai that feels nothing like a tourist restaurant and everything like somewhere locals actually go. I didn’t rush. I didn’t check my phone. I just ate, start to finish, and enjoyed every single second of it.

If you’re in Curaçao and you only have one nice dinner make it this one.

#curaçao #travelling #travelvlog #musttryrestaurant #visitcuracao
Renting a golf cart in Bimini was genuinely one of the best decisions we made the entire cruise, and if you have a stop there, I cannot recommend it enough.

✨ Off the ship and behind the wheel within minutes 
✨ Multiple beaches, food stops, and random pull-offs 
✨ Zero tour schedules, zero waiting on strangers 
✨ Just the island, at your own pace

Honest caveat: if you prefer a guided experience with everything planned out, a tour might suit you better. But if you like doing your own thing? This is it.

Everything you need to know about renting, where to go, what to budget, and our favorite stops, is linked in bio. 🔗
If you go to Bimini and don’t get conch salad… what are you even doing? 🐚

I’m not exaggerating when I say this ended up being one of my favorite parts of the whole trip. It’s a local staple, and after talking to enough people on the island, I realized fast, Bahamians have very strong opinions about where to get the best one.

So we made it a mission.

We tracked down the three spots that kept coming up over and over again, and I tried them all so you don’t have to guess.

Full breakdown is linked in bio. 🔗

#travel #travelblogger #bimini #bahamas #conchsalad

Follow Me @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.

My Exact Packing List

I use this packing list for every trip — grab it and make packing way easier.

Embark. Explore. Eat.

Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.

© Travel with Wendy
Site Credit // SouthMade