Unique places to visit in the USA during your Bridge USA Cultural Exchange Program offers you the opportunity to check out some of the country’s most distinctive locations to visit in the USA, and there is so much more to see beyond New York and Los Angeles! Whether you are a Work and Travel participant planning your US experience or an Exchange Teacher on summer vacation, here is a list of 15 of our unique places to visit in the USA.
1. Duluth, Minnesota
Explore the historic Duluth port and Canal Park area, where you can observe ships travel in and out of the harbor, visit maritime museums, and experience waterfront cuisine. Don’t neglect to take a saunter along the Lakewalk for breathtaking views of Lake Superior.
2. Gulf Shores, Alabama
Immerse yourself in nature with a kayaking adventure along the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. Paddle through tranquil waterways, wetlands, and coastal woodlands, keeping an eye out for native wildlife such as herons, crocodiles, and dolphins.
3. Okoboji, Iowa
Step back in time at the classic car museum in Okoboji, where you can observe a collection of vintage automobiles spanning decades of automotive history. In the evening, witness a performance at one of the area’s summer theaters, featuring live music, comedy, and drama under the stars.
4. Rapid City, South Dakota
No visit to Rapid City is complete without seeing the iconic Mount Rushmore, where you can marvel at the massive statuary of four of America’s most influential presidents. For a family-friendly excursion, travel to Dinosaur Park to encounter life-sized dinosaur monuments and experience panoramic views of the metropolis.
5. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Spend a day of excitement at Myrtle Beach’s arcades and entertainment centers, where you can play games, ride go-karts, and enjoy amusement park attractions. For a more cultural experience, investigate the local art galleries exhibiting a broad variety of artwork from accomplished local and regional artists.
6. Sevier County, Tennessee
Take a scenic journey on the Gatlinburg Sky Lift to experience magnificent vistas of the Great Smoky Mountains and the surrounding area. Afterward, test your putting skills at the whimsical mini-golf courses of Crave Golf Club, featuring themed holes and interactive challenges.
7. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Explore the sites of Wisconsin Dells onboard a delightful trolley excursion, where knowledgeable advisors will lead you on a journey through the city’s history and monuments. Cool off from the summer heat with a coolest places to visit in the USA to one of the area’s many water parks, offering exhilarating attractions, meandering rivers, and splash areas for all ages.
8. Jackson, Wyoming
Experience the exhilaration of bull riding and barrel racing at the Jackson Hole Rodeo, offering an unforgettable evening of cowboy tradition and entertainment for all ages. Also, be sure to explore the majestic majesty of Grand Teton National Park, where towering peaks, alpine lakes, and abundant fauna await amidst breathtaking mountain vistas.
9. Moab, Utah
Enjoy a round of disc golf amidst breathtaking red rock scenery at Old City Disc Golf, offering a challenging and picturesque course in the center of Moab’s historic downtown. Cast your line into the legendary waters of the Colorado River and haul in a memorable capture amidst the breathtaking arid landscapes of Moab, offering world-class fishing opportunities for fishermen of all talent levels.
10. Estes Park, Colorado
Discover the natural marvels of Rocky Mountain National Park, where scenic drives, alpine trails, and wildlife encounters await amidst the breathtaking majesty of the Rocky Mountains. Journey into the cosmos at the Estes Park Memorial Observatory, where guided astronomy sessions and powerful telescopes provide an immersive experience of the night sky amidst the tranquil mountain setting of Estes Park.
11. Umpqua National Forest, South Oregon
Oregon is famous for so many things. Just some of them are vibrant and always green Portland, Mt. Hood, Columbia River Gorge scenic journey, verdant clear lakes, rivers, magnificent cascades, hot springs, mountains, and much, much more. But not many travelers know about Umpqua National Forest in Southern Oregon. This lesser-known destination probably has the largest quantity of peaceful wetlands and deafening waters that you can visit.
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12. Lava Beds National Monument, California
Oh, California. Only this one state contains so much and offers so many activities to a traveler. Lava Beds National Monument is another Unique places to visit in the USA that not many people know about. Visitors to California usually go to Pacific Coast Highway, Sequoia, Red Rocks, Yosemite, Death Valley and Joshua Tree national parks omitting historically and geologically rich land in the North.
13. Rocky Mountains National Park, Colorado
Alright, this park is not really among the unique places to visit in the USA. It is not less-visited among Americans. Quite on the contrary, they adore it, know well and return again and again. However, visitors from other countries often don’t add it to the list of national parks to see. Usually, they venture out to national parks in California, Montana, and Utah. Not many of them think this park is worth the visit.
14. Eastern Sierra Nevada in California
As with Lava Beds National Monument, Eastern Sierra Nevada in California is a jewel site in the U.S. that will shock your mind. Everyone praises Highway 1 along the coast but not everyone devotes enough attention towards highway 395.
15. Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota
I imagine North Dakota is probably one of the last few states you intend to visit in America. Overall, the state does not have as much to offer as some other states. Still, there is so much grandeur this national park conceals. We visited it on one of our mid-west road excursions and this location came as a complete surprise!