1. Visit at least one state on every side of the country. Bonus points if you make sure to hit the coastlines.
2. Camp in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. You won't regret the fresh air and beautiful scenery, flora, and wild life.
3. Visit the "Four Corners", which is the spot where four states (Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah) all meet. It's more of a novelty than anything, but nonetheless, it's a great stop.
4. Visit Washington D.C.. Be sure to check out the many Smithsonian museums along with the national monuments. There are a lot of tours available for places like the Capital building, and even the White House.
5. Drive at least part of Route 66. This major highway stretches for 2,448 miles and goes through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois. It is one of the most famous highways in the country, and it served as a major route for people traveling west.
6. Go to both Walt Disney World and Disney Land. This sounds over rated, but both of the theme parks are unique, respectively. There are Disney theme parks in other countries, but the US is the only country to have two parks within its borders.
7. Ski or snowboard in Colorado. This may also seem like an obvious stop, but you would be surprised at how many people have never been skiing or snowboarding. Don't worry, there are always lessons, starting at beginner levels. I promise that you won't be the only person there eating snow the first few tries.
8. Travel to Alaska to catch the Aurora Borealis, aka the Northern Lights.
9. Spend a day at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. You can tour the house and the entire estate, and enjoy complementary wine tastings. The town of Asheville has many lodging and food options of all sorts. Not to mention the gorgeous views and clear mountain air.
10. New Orleans during Mardi Gras. While there is definitely a bit of a stigma left behind by the violent crime during this huge party, it's still a special city and definitely a good stop as long as you stay on the beaten path.
11. Visit a canyon. There a many, besides the Grand Canyon, that you can choose from. Go into the belly of the earth and enjoy!
12. Yellowstone National Park. There are plenty of gorgeous sights to see, including Old Faithful, the famous geyser.
13. Go to New York City and explore! There are numerous museums, monuments, Broadway Shows, and Central Park among other fun things to spend money on!
14. Niagra Falls. There is a park in New York, and you can cross the border and see it from the Canadian side.
15. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. People jokingly call this area "the Myrtle Beach of the Smokies". There are a bounty of amusements, including Dolly Parton's theme park, Dollywood. There is something for everybody in these two tourist towns, nestled into the Smokey Mountains.