11 Top Places To Visit in the United States.

I am reading articles that state we need to visit what is in our backyards first before we explore the rest of the world.  Well for me Alaska is my state and very little of it has roads so its hard to see a lot of the state but I've seen quite a lot of the contiguous states.  Have you every wondered what places in the United States are considered the best to visit?

The list is not written up in any particular order and some of you may disagree with the choices.  I have friends who are Civil War Reinactors who plan to visit all the battle fields they can.  One friend scheduled a trip to New Mexico and his wife didn't realize there was a Civil War monument there.  She growled at her husband.

1.  The Grand Canyon which is absolutely beautiful and breath taking.  One of these days, I want to hike to the bottom, spend the night, then hike back up the next day.  I've been to the rim but never to the bottom.

2.  Hawaii. I love visiting Hilo on the big Island but most people tend to visit Maui or Waikiki on Oahu.

3.  Yellowstone Park with its geysers and mountains.  I'm told it is a wonderful place to visit.

4.  Yosemite is a day's trip from San Francisco so people can pop up and check it out.  There are several landmarks and hiking trails that are well worth checking out.

5. San Francisco with its trolley cars, the Exploratorium, the aquarium and Chinatown.  are among some of the best sites to check out.  Don't forget Alcatraz and Angel Islands along with the wine country just north of the city.

6.  New York City with its shows, museums, neighborhoods, Times Square, and Rockefeller Center.  So many things to do in a city that is awake 24 hours a day.  It is host to Ellis Island where many people came through on their journey to the New World.

7.  Orlando, Florida with Sea World, Disney, or Universal Studios that provide entertainment for all ages.

8.  New Orleans with its food and music is a must see place.  There are plenty of small dives with the best food.

9.  The redwood forests of northern California.  Those trees are so impressive but you need to be careful.  If you are driving on those small windy back roads, watch out for the occasional photographer who lies in the middle of the road to take a shot upwards showing the impressive height of the trees.

10.Washington DC for all its monuments and museums.  Just outside the city is a wonderful flight museum with helicopters, airplanes, and even a space craft or two.  You can see the White House, check out its food and have a great time.

11. Las Vegas, NV with all of its fancy hotels, gambling, food and craziness.  Someone described it as the party oasis of the world. The last time I was there, I found the cost of eating out to be quite reasonable and it was good.

I realize there are places I left off but every one has their own ideas of the top places and much of it is based on your opinion.  The last time I visited Washington DC, I went to see the "Voice of America" our shortwave radio station.  As for Las Vegas, I went for a conference so my view of places tend to be a bit skewed......LOL.  Do you have any places you think should have been on the list?  Let me know.