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USA - Stateside Destinations Not to be Missed
27
items This list consists of places that were inspiring, amazing, or loads of fun, as we traversed the country! These are not the big names that everyone writes about, but rather unique or off -the-beaten-path places that offer a new perspective.
Sections
7
California
Georgia
North Carolina
Oregon
South Carolina
Tennessee
California
Best known for theme parks, Hollywood, beaches, Bay Area, and Sierra mountains. California has off the beaten tracks specialty places as well. I lived here off and on about 15 years. there is much to explore.
North Pacific Coast - The Redwood Forest on the California coast is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful forests I have ever explored. The first two photos are mine. If you're travelling the Pacific Coast, don't miss this majestic example of God's work.
Redwood National and State Parks (U.S. National Park Service)
Napa - A section on California wouldn't be complete with out the Napa Valley, the heart of the world reknowned wine industry! I worked in Napa for five years and drove by the wineries and vineyards every day. I was also there to witness the fires of ...
Visit Napa Valley
Sausalito - Take the ferry across the Bay to the Embarcadero in San Francisco. You'll pass the Golden Gate bridge and Alcatraz Island. Once you land on Pier 39, you can spend the day with everything you can experience, Fisherman's Wharf, the Aquarium... This way you can spend the day without having to drive in ‘The City’, as we used to call it.
San Francisco Bay Cruise | Blue & Gold Fleet Inc
San Francisco - If you've taken the ferry from Sausalito to the Embarcadero, you can then ride the cable cars to Chinatown and Ghirardelli Square for a tour of the chocolate factory, and back to Fisherman's Wharf to catch the ferry back to Sausalito. Nothing says San Francisco like riding the cable cars!
A Guide to Riding San Francisco’s Cable Cars
San Francisco - If you are of Irish blood, the United Irish Cultural center will be fun for you to go. When I lived in California I retained a membership to attend their guest speakers. You don't have to have a membership to eat in the restaurant or ...
Irish Center
Georgia
From the mountains to the Atlantic coast, Georgia is a beautiful state, rich in history and the last of the 13 colonies to be established. I have just started exploring this state, so check in periodically for new listing of adventures to explore.
Savanah - This tour was great fun and filled with so many ghost stories and historical trivia about the town. We got out at a couple of places including the graveyard. Even though we went in December, it was cold, but because it was a trolley tour as...
Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour (with Reviews)
The Old Town Trolly, hop-on-hop-off tours are worth every penny. It's a great way to see the town and hear its history, told by the locals. Savannah is a beautiful town, steeped in history. It's become one of my favourites!
Old Town Trolley Tours of Savannah
Savannah - This 30 acre Parisian-style park is surrounded by historical homes and can be breathtakingly overwhelming the first time you experience it. Allow time to relax and enjoy its beauty.
Things to Do in Forsyth Park: A First Time Guide
Don't miss out on this eclectic shopping experience along the waterfront. You can take the hop-on-hop-off trolly here, shop, and hop back on. If you decide to drive so you can take in dinner, there is good parking.
River Street Marketplace
North Carolina
Having great fun exploring my neighboring state. Our first adventure was to IKEA and our second major one was to Wegmans. Both are well worth the trip!
Ashville is a beautiful town home to a litany of must sees. One of the big attractions is the Biltmore Mansion, commissioned by George Vanderbilt, this 250 room castle with 65 fireplaces that sits on 8,000 acres. My sister and brother-in-law toured i... the trust spent thousands of dollars helping the community get back on its feet. It's a beautiful artsy town.
Explore Asheville
Charlotte - We just happened to get there on the weekly Friday Night Street Fair. The main street is blocked off the into the evening restaurants have street dining as well as the usual inside dining. Tents with musicians playing and the regular stre...
Live Friday Nights | Charlottes Got A Lot
Wake forest - This is a bit different type of recommendation. Wegmans is a grocery store on steroids! It's a combination of European bistros and market shopping, along with grocery shelves hosting unbelievable choices, including shelf after shelf of ...
Wegmans
Oregon
The Pacific Northwest - One of my favourite regions, and especially Oregon, after living their for 29 years. From its rugged coast, to majestic mountains, and the high desert in between. It may be overcast and rainy much of the year, but that's why i...
Portland - If you love books, this is your Disneyland! four stories of rare, used, and new books. It occupies a full city block in downtown Portland, making it the largest independent bookstore in the world! (per its own declaration) This bookstore i...
Powell’s City of Books - Portland's Used & New Bookstore
Portland area - I lived at the foothills of Mt Hood for many years. Timberline Lodge, built in 1937, was part of FDRs work program to bring the country out of the Depression. This magnificent 55,000 sq ft ski lodge is the epitome of craftsmanship and...
All Season Mountain Resort - Mt. Hood Oregon | Timberline Lodge
A whole group of us used to horse camp in Sisters every summer. The area is breathtakingly beautiful. Even in July, riding the tops of the mountains, you would still have patches of snow, yet we were riding in t-shirts! The town is like an old west t...
Explore Sisters, Oregon | The Old West, All Grown Up
South Carolina
My new residence since 2023 and vastly different from the West coast. Yes, I'm working on acclimating to the heat and humidity, but having great fun exploring this half of the country. So much history and beauty in contrast to the west coast, especia...
Charleston - Our family loved this hands-on exploration of history. It was a hot and humid day in June, but we were prepared with good walking shoes, handheld fans with water spritzers, and water bottles. LOTS of vertical ladders, but there is an ele...
Great value for history lovers and fun family outing! - Review of Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, Mount Pleasant, SC - Tripadvisor
Sullivan's Island - Off the coast of Charleston, a regular jaunt for us.Coming from the west coast, I was amazed the first time I walked on the beach in the ocean water. The Pacific is so cold, even in the summer, while the Atlantic is always warm, even in the winter! The town itlesf has lots to offer.
Home | Town of Sullivan's Island Official Website
Sumter - The Swan Lake Iris Gardens is a park that offers year round entertainment. All activities are free. In May there is the Iris Festival. In December they host the amazing Christmas Light drive through display. Year round you can walk through t...
Swan Lake Iris Gardens | City of Sumter, SC
Tennessee
Tennessee is state packed with things to see and experience. Her are some highlights from our trips through, from the Civil Rights movement of the 60s to music history. this is truly a state you need lots of time in!
Memphis - This was one of our stops from West Coast to East Coast sojourn. It was so impactful to stand there and see everything as it was on that fateful day, and listen to the recording of Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
Visit | National Civil Rights Museum
Memphis - The Blues Hall of Fame Museum is walking distance from the Lorraine Motel. It's well worth the time.
HALL OF FAME - MUSEUM - Blues Foundation
Memphis - We drove by Graceland on our journey through Tennessee, but didn't have time to stop here. Perhaps next trip.
The Elvis Experience
Nashville - We walked around the outside, but didn't have time for a tour. I plan on returning.
About - Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Nashville - We spent the evening walking the main street as music flowed from every bar. Then we dined on a rooftop restaurant to over see the happenings as we ate. Fabulous evening! Note - We did not stay in Nashville as one room was $500 for one ni...
Visit Music City
Nashville - The Gand Ole Opry, they were getting ready for something so we couldn't tour, but it was fun to be there and peek around, then go through the gift shop.
History
Utah
Salt Lake City - If you're into researching your family and are going through Utah, this is a must stop. All the staff and volunteers are so welcoming and want to help you. Different floors are dedicated to different aspects of research. Much of thei...
FamilySearch Digital Library
Park City is known for its excellent skiing, but we went through in the summer and had a great time at the park. There were water events going on and activities for children and adults as well as a museum. We had a great time.
Utah Olympic Park | Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation
Park City is gorgeous! Of course it's a hub for winter skiingm but we were there in the summer and visited the Olympic Park Village. There's a ski museum and we watched water ski jumping practice. Great fun!
Things to Do in Park City | Activities Attractions Guide