When we think of the USA, it’s often the best-known places which immediately spring to mind: New York, with the bright lights of Times Square; California, with iconic Highway 1 coastal drive and the Hollywood Hills; or perhaps Orlando, with its legendary theme parks.
However, there is no end of destinations waiting to be discovered by UK visitors, who will be rewarded with less crowded attractions and the feeling that they have left the beaten track and discovered something a little different.
Here are a few suggestions:
With a dramatic coastline traced by Highway 101, not to mention the state’s many scenic byways, Oregon is the ultimate road trip destination. Visit in summer to enjoy the wide sandy beaches and the great outdoors or opt for ‘the fall’ to view the changing colours of the autumn foliage. With majestic, towering forests, it’s no wonder Oregon is one of the USA’s top timber producers.
Portland is an easy gateway, served by direct flights with British Airways from London Heathrow. Spend a couple of days in this laidback city adjusting to the time difference; explore the different neighbourhoods, try out the signature food trucks and perhaps take in a classic American sport.
Willamette Valley, Oregon’s wine country, is around an hour’s drive away, where you’ll find over 50 wineries, many of which are family-owned and focused on sustainability. The region is particularly famous for its cool-climate Pinot Noir.
Heading inland, more picturesque scenery awaits, with pretty towns and soft-adventure experiences, from kayaking to mountain biking. The clear waters of Crater Lake are breathtaking, with viewpoints along the 33-mile Rim Drive which circles the lake, formed 7,700 years ago by a volcanic eruption.
Back on the coast, sample outstanding seafood, including the Dungeness Crab and catch sight of passing whales during migration seasons. It’ll come as no surprise to discover that many famous films were shot here in the ‘Beaver State’.
Home to five national parks and roads which stretch on forever, there is no shortage of outdoor space in Utah, the ‘Beehive State’.
The state capital, Salt Lake City, is reached by direct flights with Delta from London Heathrow and provides a stress-free arrival experience, without the typically long immigration queues and just a short drive from downtown. The city is easy to navigate, thanks to a free tram system and friendly locals. Visit Temple Square, which is home to the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Temple Square is due to emerge from its renovation in later 2027, but other attractions include the Church History Museum and Salt Lake Tabernacle, home of the famous choir. Beyond the city, the Salt Lake and Antelope island are well worth visiting.
But it’s undoubtedly the national parks which are the main attraction here. Moab is the state’s adventure capital and base for exploring Arches National Park, with its 2,000 natural rock arches, plus nearby Canyonlands. Capitol Reef’s rock domes were once likened to Washington, D.C.’s Capitol Building, hence the park’s name. For an unforgettable experience, trek through the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon on horseback before hiking the narrows in Zion National Park. All of this under a blanket of stars, since Utah is also internationally renowned for its dark sky parks.
Utah is usually explored as a self-drive holiday, but other options include incorporating the Canyon Spirit train or hiring a motorhome. The winding roads are also on many motorcyclists’ bucket lists!
When we talk of the ‘Deep South’, it’s often the states of Louisiana and Tennessee which enjoy the limelight; however, to overlook Alabama would be remiss. Include this charming state in a wider Deep South multi-centre or take the time to enjoy it as a standalone itinerary.
Accessed via Atlanta, Birmingham showcases the industrial heritage and Civil Rights history, which can be discovered further in Montgomery, where Rosa Parks made history.
Huntsville is a must-do, as it is home to the US Space & Rocket Center – the largest space museum in the world, with exhibits showing the evolution of space travel and guided tours with former scientists.
Alabama’s music legacy is unrivalled, as the birthplace of some of the nation’s most iconic bands and musicians. A private tour of Muscle Shoals Sound Studio allows you to stand in the same spot as legends from Cher to the Rolling Stones, while a visit to Alabama Music Hall of Fame, plus the iconic FAME recording studios, will complete your visit.
Down in the south, Mobile, with its ornate architecture, has its own Mardi Gras and, in fact, is where the tradition started. The USS Alabama battleship museum is stationed here, with Dauphin Island just off the coast.
“I am utterly obsessed with the USA! Whatever type of holiday experience you're looking for, you will find a state to suit. There is always something new to discover and no sooner have I returned than I'm planning my next visit.”
Sarah Gibbons, Senior Product Manager, USA, Bermuda & Mexico
Ask your travel agent to contact LUSSO, and together we will create a bespoke luxury itinerary to experience a different side of the USA. Our latest travel brochures are a good place to start, along with any current special offers on our website.