The Best Places to Visit in the United States in 2022 - Full-Time Travel

The Best Places to Visit in the United States in 2022

The Best Places to Visit in the United States in 2022

By Esme Benjamin

While putting a pin in our international travel plans the last couple of years was disappointing, there was an upside: we were encouraged to discover beauty and adventure closer to home, and for many of us it was a welcome reminder that you don’t have to go great distances to have great experiences. Perhaps that’s why the domestic travel trend shows no signs of slowing down this year. Whether you’re enticed by the great outdoors or excited about the return of big city travel, our list of the best places to visit in the United States in 2022 offers inspiration for your next adventure.

Acadia National Park | By Mick Haupt

Go Stargazing at Acadia National Park 

As the first place in the United States to see sunrise, Acadia National Park is a prime destination for self-declared “morning people,” (greeting dawn from the top of Cadillac Mountain is one of the park’s most popular activities).  But thanks to the Acadia Night Sky Festival, which celebrates its 13th year anniversary in 2022, it’s equally suited to night owls. Scheduled for September 21-25 (which also happens to be one of the best/least crowded times of year to visit Acadia), the festival celebrates the largest expanse of dark sky east of the Mississippi River with a program of workshops, speakers, good eats and, of course, stargazing galore. Stay tuned for announcements. 

Luxury wellness resort Sensai Lanai | By Robb Gordon

Discover Paradise Without the Crowds on Lanai Island

Hawaii has exploded in popularity since the pandemic began, consistently topping Google charts as the most searched U.S. vacation destination. If you’re feeling called to the Aloha state but don’t want to join throngs of other tourists, it might be time you considered Lanai. As one of the smaller and lesser visited islands, Lanai offers a more wellness-centric experience than its neighbors. Spend your days on chilled beaches and hiking trails, and your evenings eating and drinking alongside the locals. For a true wellbeing break book your stay at the Sensei Lānaʻi and take advantage of its customized health programs. 

New River Gorge National Park | By Tanya Dusett

Visit the USA’s Newest National Park in West Virginia

East coasters rejoice; in 2020 West Virginia got a new national park, and it’s well worth a road trip. The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve has relatively few hiking trails compared with other mountain-filled parks in the U.S., but it more than makes up for the fact with a wealth of adventure activities. Visitors can try mountain biking, white water rafting and even base jumping (each year in October brave souls can sign up to parachute 876 ft. from the New River Gorge Bridge down to the river). We suggest visiting in the fall, when bright foliage makes park views even more striking. 

"Greetings from NOLa" mural

Let Loose in New Orleans

Ask anybody who’s been to New Orleans about their experience and they’ll likely reel off anecdotes about raucous festivals, impromptu adventures and serendipitous encounters. NoLa knows how to party, but the pandemic really put a damper on its celebratory spirit. This year, it’s back with a bang. New Orleans residents say the 2022 Mardi Gras was comparable to pre-COVID times and one glance at the packed calendar of events suggests the city is regaining its famous insatiable energy. If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to let loose, a trip to New Orleans is the perfect excuse. 

Rainbow Row, Charleston | By Leonel Heisenberg

Visit Charleston’s International African American Museum 

Set to open in late 2022, Charleston’s International African American Museum will honor and explore the “cultures and knowledge systems retained and adapted by Africans in the Americas, and the diverse journeys and achievements of these individuals and their descendants in South Carolina, the United States, and throughout the African Diaspora.” It’s an important milestone for a city still reckoning with its past (including the fact that an estimated 40% of enslaved Africans arrived on American soil at Gadsden’s Wharf), and a must-visit for history buffs and culture aficionados everywhere. 

The Wave | By Gert Boers

Hike The Wave (If You’re Lucky)

With its undulating sedimentary rock formations in shades of cinnamon and biscuit, The Wave is a bucket list spot for hiking enthusiasts and photographers alike. It’s also one of the most exclusive outdoor spots in America; access to The Wave is granted via a daily lottery, with 64 permits issued at random by the US Bureau of Land Management (48 permits granted three months in advance for online applicants and 16 permits granted one day in advance for in-person applicants). If you’re lucky enough to win, you’ll be issued with a map (there is no defined trail and cell phone signal can be patchy) to begin your six-mile, round-trip hike to The Wave, on the border of Arizona and Utah. The best part? With visitors capped at 64 per day, you’re likely to have this magical place all to yourself. To visit this year, submit your lottery entry ASAP and keep everything crossed. 

Artist Way, Yellowstone National Park | Laura Nyhuis

Celebrate 150 Years of Yellowstone National Park

If you haven’t been to America’s first national park yet, make 2022 the year you visit. Yellowstone celebrated its 150-year anniversary this March, with a program of symposiums, conferences, parades and other celebrations which honor the beauty and ecological diversity of this special place. You could spend a week exploring the terrain of Yellowstone, from kaleidoscopic thermal pools and explosive geysers to golden grassland and wide rivers, but if you’re strapped for time prioritize hiking the rim of The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone––a pastel-hued canyon carved by the Yellowstone River. It’s blessed with continuous overlooks to soak up the awe, including the breathtakingly beautiful and aptly named Artist Point.  

Indiana Dunes National Park | By Esme Benjamin

Discover Blissful Beaches at Indiana Dunes National Park 

Time spent by the ocean provides a significant boost to our wellbeing, but jostling for space, competing speaker systems and guys hawking homemade cocktails can ruin the experience somewhat. For a less commercial, more chilled experience this year, consider a trip to Indiana Dunes National Park. Situated along 15-miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, the park boasts powdery golden sand framed by steep dunes (some up to 125 ft) etched with dog-friendly walking trails. With nine different beaches to choose from, you’ll have no trouble finding a peaceful place to unfurl your beach towel.

Scenes from Bear Camp | courtesy of Natural Habitat Adventures

Go Bear Spotting at Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

Alaska's remote location and huge swathes of untouched wilderness make it an absolute dream for adventurers. Cruises to the beautiful Kenai Peninsula are set to make a comeback this year, but for a more sustainable and immersive experience of Alaska we recommend heading to Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. Thanks to its legendary salmon run, this four-million acre pocket of Alaska is prime brown bear territory, and now you can get a front row seat to all their activities at Natural Habitat AdventuresAlaska Bear Camp. Led by a team of bear naturalists, this four-night, once-in-a-lifetime experience provides guests with intimate proximity to one of America’s most beloved species. 

Las Vegas | By Stephen Leonardi

Catch a Show to Remember in Las Vegas 

Those early pandemic photos of the deserted Las Vegas Strip are a distant memory two years on, as a plethora of new openings and exciting entertainment residencies bring visitors flocking to Sin City once again. Hot tickets include Adele, John Legend, Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood, Sting, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga and Usher. Peruse dates and book shows at the newly opened Resorts World Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, and (our favorite venue) Park MGM’s Dolby Live.

A lucky snorkeler watching a MASSIVE fever of Mobula Rays glide past him during a trip with @bajarawtours. The Mobula migration is in full effect right now in Baja. Every year from April to June, you can witness huge congregations of these animals along the shores of the peninsula. It`s truly an incredible thing to see.

Reel: @wandering.westerner
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Quang Phu Cau Incense Village is a traditional craft village located in Quang Phu Cau Commune, Ung Hoa District, Hanoi, Vietnam. The village has a long-standing history of producing high-quality incense sticks, and it is considered one of the oldest and most famous incense-making villages in the country.

Reel: @travelmina_
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An English fairytale in Canterbury. A wonderful spot for a picnic especially when the sun is shining.

Reel: @pocketwanderings
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As the only Hindu region of the predominantly Islamic Indonesian archipelago, Bali is an island rich with festivals and spiritual rituals – many of which visitors are welcome to respectfully participate in. After rinsing yourself under the holy spring water which cascades through a series of waterspouts, you will emerge feeling cleansed in body and soul.

Reel: @lksjohan_ljc
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Our team & @sassafranski just finished a whirlwind road trip throughout the state of Kentucky visiting some of the best museums and cultural destinations in the state. Below are some of our favorites stops that should be on your list next time you visit.

🚘 OWENSBORO, KY
Stop 1: @bluegrasshall
Stop 2: @owensboromuseumoffineart

🚘 PADUCAH, KY
Stop 3: Paducah Floodwall Murals
Stop 4: Guided Tour of Metropolitan Hotel

🚘 BOWLING GREEN, KY
Stop 5: @downing_museum
Stop 6: Bowling Green Murals

🚘 LOUISVILLE, KY
Stop 7: @flame_run_gallery
Stop 8: @frazierhistorymuseum
Stop 9: @oldlouisvilleky Walking Tour
Stop 10: @speedartmuseum

Visit @kytourism for your next trip to the Bluegrass state! #TravelKY #partner
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A hidden gem in Saudi Arabia, AlUla is a place where ancient history meets modern luxury. Reel: @hobopeeba ...

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Welcome to Season 4 of The Trip That Changed Me! Our first guest of the new season is @lauriewoolever, writer, editor, public speaker, a graduate of the French Culinary Institute (now the International Culinary Center) in New York, and former assistant to @anthonybourdain, with whom she co-wrote several books.

In this episode, Laurie shares memories from Sri Lanka, where she joined Bourdain (or “Tony,” as she affectionately calls him) on a shoot for the TV show “Parts Unknown.” For Laurie, this trip was part business and part pleasure; an opportunity to explore the lush island nation with her friend and mentor while working on a story about Sri Lankan home cooking, but it was especially significant because she was newly sober. Navigating triggers and travel rituals that involved alcohol was challenging, but the experience shifted Laurie’s perspective. To her surprise, the world was bigger and better without the booze.

🎧 Link in bio to listen to an interview full of wonderful, personal anecdotes about Anthony Bourdain the traveler, plus loads of insider tips that food-obsessives will appreciate.

Cover Art: @nelsonknatalie
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This enormous staircase took 200 years to complete. With 691 steps, it has nine decorated levels with pyramids and statues called the Courtvard of the Kings. It crosses the hill to reach the Santuário Nossa Senhora dos Remédios.

Reel: @bokehm0n
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Morning swim @borgobastiacreti

Reel: @victorsfitz
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Surround yourself in a picturesque scenery of cherry blossoms, tulips, pansy, viola and more at the rainbow colored flower field at Hinoyama Koen Park.

Reel: @1min.traveller
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Town between the mountains 🌊

The settlement of Ponta do Sol was founded around 1425, shortly after the discovery of the island by Portuguese settlers coming from Minho, the Beiras and the Algarve.

Reel: @ilya.somewhere
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From the picturesque canals of Friesland to breathtaking Flevoland, and the stunning Weerribben-Wieden National Park, there`s so much to explore in The Netherlands.

Reel: @kuhrmarvin
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Known for its colorful houses built on steep cliffs overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, Positano is a small town located on the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy. Some people might consider it overrated because of its popularity and high prices. However, others might argue that its beauty and charm are worth the cost and crowds. Tell us, what do you think about Positano as a summer destination?

Reel: @rflcpl
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