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The 5 Places I Want To Visit In The U.S.

"Better to see something once, than to hear about it a thousand times." - Asian Proverb

Alexis Hiatt
Aug 08, 2018
Florida State University
66
https://unsplash.com/photos/A-NVHPka9Rk
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During the summer of 2011, my family decided to take a road trip out West. We hit most of the major landmarks from Maryland to California including Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon and the Redwood Forest. Although I'd love to go back to these places, I'd also like to see the rest of the United States starting with these five.

1. New York.

I lived in Maryland for 16 years, yet I never had the chance to take the train to New York but I'd still love to go. There are dozens of museums to explore and plenty of people to try to avoid. Times Square, Central Park, and Union Station are just a few of the places to go to see crazy, unique people. I've only seen the Statue of Liberty from afar so of course, I'd like to see it up close. New York also has a lot of history within its city because of Ellis Island and 9/11.

2. Colorado.

I was recently in Colorado but I wasn't allowed to do much because of injuries so I'd like to go back at some point. With the beautiful scenery, Colorado makes for a wonderful place to hike and venture. Who doesn't want to run up all 2,744 steps of the Manitou Incline and hike four miles back down? There's also the 13.5-mile hike up Pikes Peak that can get your adrenaline flowing. Another fun adventure would be going to the Great Sand Dunes National Park or seeing a show at the Red Rocks Amphitheater. In the winter, skiing and snowboarding are great activities to partake in.

3. New Orleans.

The place in The Vampire Diaries and The Originals. Time to see the French Quarter and Bourbon Street just as the vampires did. Filled with museums and history, what better way to explore a town? With street artists, jazz and parades, the nightlife is one that doesn't compare to other places. Even cemeteries are well known in New Orleans and should be visited for their beauty and history. The best time to go is during Mardi Gras.

4. Oregon.

Visit Portland for the International Rose Test Garden, the zoo, drag queen shows or a naked bike ride. There's also plenty of nature to explore in Oregon including Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge which are two iconic features. The Painted Hills are one of the seven wonders of Oregon due to the beautiful colors that appear to change after each visit. Another Instagram worthy spot would be Thor's Well which is a natural hole on the coast of Oregon. Smith Rock State Park is a perfect place to try actual rock climbing and Umpqua National Forest is the place to hike and relax in the hot springs.

5. New Mexico.

There's plenty of monuments to visit including the White Sands National Monument, Four Corners Monument and El Malpais National Monument. White Sands is a great place for stargazing, Four Corners allows you to be in 4 states at once, and El Malpais is where you can walk across a lava flow. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is definitely something to check out. There are also plenty of places to take in the beauty of New Mexico including the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, and Sandia Peak Tramway. The Blue Hole has the clearest water in the state and the Carlsbad Caverns National Park is the perfect place for a cave tour.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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