The 13 Best Places in the USA — West Edition
While I love traveling around Europe, that doesn’t mean I don’t have some favorite places in the USA.
And with this crazy pandemic, I know that many of us Americans will travel in our home country.
So this post is for my American friends for travel this year (and beyond) and it’s a post for those elsewhere in the world to come back to when they can travel to the USA.
In this particular post I’m honing in on destinations west of the Mississippi River.
And I’m only including places that I’ve personally visited.
So really, this post could be called “Lynne’s Favorite Places in the USA”.
There are soooo many more spots I could include on this list and I’ll drop some honorable mentions of places I want to visit at the end of the post.
Let’s get started on this American road trip!
PS Yes, there will be a USA — East Edition, so stay tuned!
But first — a map
So I’ve put all my favorite places in the USA — West Edition — on the handy dandy map below.
This way you can see where these fabulous destinations are located.
And yes, you could string some together for a nice road trip — which I’d be happy to help with!
I’m not going to go into a lot of detail on each place but rather give a bit of an overview and why I love it — and why I think it’s worth the time.
The Best Places in the USA — West
Having lived in Colorado for 15 years, I came to love the western part of the USA.
So much room.
So many gorgeous landscapes.
And a lot of diversity.
I think this list has a wonderful mix to it — and a little something for everyone.
Portland, Oregon
One of the few cities that makes my list is Portland, Oregon.
I had a friend who lived here for a few years so I visited 3 times and found that I really liked the city.
It’s easy to get around and has so many fun, cool, hip areas to explore.
The NW 23rd area (also known as Nob Hill) with its vibrant scene is a favorite of mine.
I remember we took the train one time which was awesome.
There is decent public transportation here so this makes Portland an accessible city.
There are eclectic shops, good restaurants, tasty brew pubs and a buzzy vibe.
Of course, there has been some unrest in the downtown area that started around the time of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations last summer.
So do check before you go to see what the latest is.
But I think this is a city that is very worthy of time and is, and will always be, one of my favorite places in the USA.
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Just a short trip from Portland is the start of the Willamette Valley.
The Willamette River runs south from Portland toward Eugene.
While the valley is 150 miles long, and has vineyards along a lot of it, my experience is with the area around Newberg and Dundee.
Newberg is definitely a great spot to base yourself for diving into the vines.
There are so many fabulous vineyards with outstanding wines in the area.
Pinot Noir is the star grape and wine — and Oregon Pinot Noirs from the Willamette Valley are stellar.
Many restaurants in the area focus on farm to table so the food is fresh and delicious.
For wine lovers, or folks that enjoy rural agricultural land and good food, the Willamette Valley is one of the best places to visit in the USA.
Tip: I highly recommend making an appointment for Styring, a very small winery.
Yachats, Oregon
I wrote an entire post on this wee town along the central coast of OR so I suggest reading that article for the full story.
But here’s why it’s one of my favorite places in the USA.
Yachats is peaceful.
It’s stunningly beautiful.
Cape Perpetua Scenic Area and Siuslaw National Forest are just a few miles south and are wonderful places to explore the great outdoors.
Heceta Head Lighthouse is just a bit further down the coastal highway.
There are tide pools, sandy beaches, gorgeous sunsets.
*Sigh*
I dream of the Yachats area often.
Put it on your USA West list!
Sonoma County/Healdsburg, CA
Full disclosure: I have not been to Napa.
But I feel like Napa has a hoity toity attitude — from what I hear.
And Sonoma is more relaxed.
The vineyards I visited in Sonoma certainly did not have a “you don’t belong here because you’re not bleeding money” feel to them.
The wines — Zinfandels, Pinot Noirs, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc — are amazing in Sonoma.
And the countryside is gorgeous.
I was staying just outside the town of Healdsburg with a couple of friends.
We loved Healdsburg with its town square/park, independent shops and good restaurants.
It makes a good base to explore the area.
For wine lovers Sonoma County is one of the best places in the USA.
San Francisco, California
Another city and one of my favorite cities on the planet.
Period.
I only had a couple of nights in San Francisco, but I loved everything about it.
The cable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge, the amazing restaurants, the eclectic mix of everything, the hills, the views…
It’s really an incredible city.
And it’s pretty compact so getting around is easy as it also has a good public transportation system.
San Francisco is a pricey destination, but I think it’s worth the splurge.
It really is one of my favorite places in the USA.
If you haven’t visited San Francisco, put it on your list as it’s a unique, special and amazing American city.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
“Holy shit!”
“Holy shit!”
Words left me when I first gazed out upon the Grand Canyon in the warm morning light.
My then boyfriend was driving (and laughing) and my face was glued to the passenger side window.
It was New Year’s Eve, there was a bit of snow at the top of both the North Rim and the South Rim where we were entering the park.
The Grand Canyon is truly grand.
Seeing it from above is awesome.
HIking to the bottom where the Colorado River runs through it is awesome plus amazeballs.
We actually spent a few nights camping at the bottom of the canyon as we rang in a new year.
It was about 50F at the bottom.
And the day we hiked out, it was snowing again (yes, even at the South Rim) and was probably about 25F.
My suggestions for this fantastic national treasure?
Do hike on the trails if you are able.
Just be prepared.
So it’s probably not a good place for newbie hikers.
Don’t go in summer as it will be crowded and it will be very, very hot if you hike to the bottom.
Spring and autumn are probably the best seasons.
Lastly, be prepared to be wowed.
The Grand Canyon is truly one of the best destinations in the USA.
Canyon Country, Southern Utah
I lumped all these together, but mainly I’m talking about the 5 national parks that are in southern Utah — Arches, Canyonlands, Capital Reef, Bryce and Zion.
Now, I have NOT been to Bryce so I won’t speak of it, but I hear it’s wonderful.
It’s on my honorable mention list.
Arches is the one just outside of Moab and the furthest east.
It’s quite accessible with some easy trails, rock formations — spires and arches — to see from the road plus a few longer hikes.
Delicate Arch at sunset is a treat — if a bit busy.
Canyonlands is one of my favorites.
There are 4 parts of it — Island in the Sky, the Needles and the Maze which are all connected.
I’m a huge fan of the Needles as I’ve hiked and backpacked in this area a couple of times.
Then there is Horseshoe Canyon which is a detached area and located down a dirt road (you only need 2 wheel drive) but takes about 2 ½ hours to get there.
But this is where the Great Gallery is.
What is this?
Well it’s an incredibly well-preserved site that includes both pictographs (painted figures) and petroglyphs (figures etched in the rock) that date back 4000 to 1500 years ago.
Whoa!
That is a long time ago.
Canyonlands is awesome.
Get out on the trails if you can as it’s really the best way to get up close and personal with all the geology.
This national park is truly magnificent.
Traveling west takes you to Capital Reef, another amazing national park.
I had just a wee bit of time here but this park tends to see less visitors.
But it has more cool rock formations and some good trails.
The area around Captial Reef and the main town of Hanksville is home to some kick ass slot canyons if canyoneering (canyoning) is your thing.
I did some canyoneering here with the then-boyfriend and love Leprechaun and Arscenic canyons.
But, these are technical slot canyons so, please no newbies, unless you are with experienced canyoneers!
Further west takes you to Bryce with its spires.
I so want to visit this park.
It looks amazing!
Then onto Zion National Park with it’s big red rock formations and the Virgin River running through the valley.
I hiked through the Narrows in the river one Thanksgiving weekend.
This was the first time doing something along the lines of canyoneering and it was so cool.
Zion is pretty popular so be prepared.
But it’s stunning.
I highly recommend going a bit out of season for these parks.
In fact, summer will be very hot, so I’d avoid summer if possible.
September through November are excellent times to visit some of my favorite places in the USA.
Ouray, Colorado
When it comes to Colorado, my home state of 15 years, I could put the entire state on this list.
However, I’m going to choose a few of my favorite places in Colorado.
And at the top of the list is what my friend Jenny calls “Actual Paradise”.
I would agree.
Ouray (pronounced yur·ei) is a small, old mining town in southwestern Colorado.
Telluride is the more famous neighbor over Imogene Pass with its glitzy ski resort.
Ouray is not a ski town.
So it has a more real, local feel to it which is why I love it.
There are loads of trails for hiking, 4 wheel drive routes for off roading and there is ice climbing in winter.
Ouray also has a fabulous hot springs pool.
I’ve been in the pool as snow falls on you and the mountains surrounding you.
Bliss!
Ouray is one of the best places to visit in the USA.
Period.
Tip: Visit in winter for snowshoeing or ice climbing; summer for hiking, 4 wheel adventures and wildflowers; autumn for the first 2 above plus vibrant autumn colors.
American Basin, Colorado
Not far from Ouray is the town of Lake City.
Now I’m not as much a fan of this town as Ouray.
But about 20 miles or so via dirt road (4 wheel drive might be needed or at least strongly recommended) is the incredible American Basin.
If you time it out and can go in July this glacial basin will be loaded with wildflowers.
Colorado columbine, Marsh Marigold, Parry’s Primrose, owl’s clover, larkspur, monks hood, Sneezeweed, Old Man of the Mountain, king’s crown, rose crown, elephant’s head, gentians just to name a few!
You can park along the road and then hike up to Sloan’s Lake.
The views are stunning from this trail.
And if you want to summit a 14er then make the trek up Handies Peak.
At 14,058 it’s one of the easier 14ers to tackle.
I love this destination in the heart of the San Juan mountains.
American Basin is one of the best places in the USA.
Crested Butte, Colorado
I have so many fond memories of Crested Butte.
I visited in summer and autumn and it never disappointed me.
Summer means wildflowers blanketing the mountain valleys.
Autumn means all those aspen trees are wearing their bright yellow colors.
Crested Butte is near Aspen.
But it has a much more chill vibe, a hippy vibe really.
There is the town and the mountain town of Mt Crested Butte.
Mt Crested Butte is really more condos and hotels for the ski and snowboard crowd in winter.
The heart of town is lined with eclectic shops, outdoor shops with rental gear, restaurants and cafes.
If you drive up to Mt Crested Butte and beyond, you head toward a little settlement called Gothic.
The valley along here is gorgeous with mountain peaks all around, the East River running through.
If you go out of the heart of Crested Butte, you head toward Kebler Pass.
This is THE drive to make in autumn as the road is lined with aspens.
There are loads of trails for hiking and mountain biking.
I love Crested Butte.
It’s truly one of my favorite places in the USA
Jefferson County/Golden, Colorado
This is my old home.
For about 13 out of the 15 years I lived in Colorado I lived in Golden which is the county seat of Jefferson County.
Now, I know.
You may be thinking this is the home to Coors beer.
And you are correct.
The brewery sits in between North Table Mountain and South Table Mountain along the banks of Clear Creek.
But there’s more to Golden.
Much more.
Denver is just 15 miles away.
But Golden feels like a small town rather than a suburb.
There are several craft breweries that popped up after I moved away.
Golden City was there but now there is Mountain Toad and Cannonball Creek, just to name a few.
Clear Creek runs right through the heart of town so it’s a fun place to hang out in summer with people tubing down the river.
Kayakers love paddling it during the spring run off.
There’s a fabulous trail along the river that you can take all the way to Denver.
I did a lot of running on that trail as I trained for 2 different marathons.
Colorado School of Mines, a small college, is right in the heart of town.
So Golden has a certain energy to it with the student population.
There are dirt trails everywhere for hiking and mountain biking.
You can rock climb on North Table Mountain or further up Clear Creek.
Further afield in Jefferson County are the wonderful county parks which are called Open Space.
White Ranch, Matthews Winters, Apex, Mount Falcon, North Table, South Table … these are all very close to Golden and part of Jefferson County Open Space parks.
There are more!
This was an awesome place to live.
I miss it.
I just have so much love for Golden.
One of my absolute favorite places in the USA.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
One of the best national parks in the USA is Rocky Mountain National Park.
It’s one of the more popular parks for sure.
So that means summer is busy.
If you do visit in summer, then get to the park and hit the trails early.
Sunrise is amazing and it’s quiet on the trails first thing in the morning.
Or go in autumn.
September is awesome with the bull elk bugling trying to attract the ladies and the trees wearing their bright autumn colors.
When I first moved to Colorado, I lived in Boulder which is only about an hour to an hour and a half away.
I spent a lot of time in Rocky Mountain — all seasons — photographing, hiking, just getting to know the park
It was my place for those first 2 years, my home.
So my love of this national park runs deep.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
There is a wow factor to Grand Teton.
If you are coming from the south, across the flat plains of Wyoming then you see this mountain range just popping up in the distance, seemingly out of nowhere…well, it’s jaw dropping.
This is another famous national park although its neighbor, Yellowstone, is more so.
Getting out on the trails is the best way to experience this park.
Yes, there are drives you can make and lakes to hang out by — or swim in if you’re brave enough.
But I did a backpack trip and was treated to seeing moose and some amazing scenery.
I have to admit, my favorite place was Ansel Adams overlook which is something you can drive to.
The Tetons and the Snake River at sunrise — just me and my camera and the spirit of my hero.
*Sigh*
More fond memories.
Grand Teton is one of the best places to visit in the USA.
Period.
Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico
Full disclosure: I spent a quick 48 hours between the 2 so I know I have not seen much.
But I hit Taos first and loved the bohemian, artsy feel of this town.
I had to go to San Francisco de Asís Mission Church which Ansel Adams photographed which I also photographed.
Yes, that famous photographer again.
Santa Fe is definitely bigger than Taos and has lots of art galleries, restaurants with good southwestern style food and also an artsy vibe.
Again, my time here was quick.
At the time I went, a while back, the Georgia O’Keeffe museum was just located in Abiquiu outside of Sante Fe.
Now there are museums in Santa Fe proper.
I am such a fan of her work and her life that visiting the museum was a must for me.
And it’s fabulous.
For folks who are into art and that bohemian vibe, and who love that southwestern style, Taos and Santa Fe are the best places to visit in the USA.
My list of Honorable Mentions better known as the places I want to visit
This is a long list for sure with some specific and some less specific destinations.
- Yosemite National Park, CA
- Joshua Tree National Park, CA
- Anywhere in Northern CA for the redwoods
- Big Sur, CA
- Crater Lake National Park, OR
- Southern Coast of OR
- San Juan Islands, WA
- Olympic National Park/Forest, WA
- Mt Rainier National Park, WA
- Glacier National Park, MT
- Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
- Mesa Verde National Park, CO
- Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO
- Yellowstone National Park, WY
- Badlands National Park, SD
- Lakes of MN
- Dream trip — leisurely drive of Pacific Coast Highway from WA to CA
Thoughts on the Western USA
It’s been 10 years since I moved back to my home town of Cincinnati, Ohio — East of the Mississippi.
And I’ve always missed the western USA.
It’s different with a different vibe, especially when you get into the mountain west versus the west coast.
Yes there are those iconic destinations such as the Grand Canyon.
You can see a lot from just a road trip.
But my advice is to get out on foot or a bicycle or skis to really dig into the nooks and crannies.
There is so much to see, so much to experience and getting out into the landscape is a great way to appreciate it all.
If you’re thinking about a western USA trip, then do consider using any of the travel planning services I offer to help you plan that trip.
Happy USA West Travels!
Please note that Wander Your Way does not recommend travel at this time due to the current global health situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, many destinations and attractions found on this website will not be operating although some places have opened. Please stay up to date using official sources like the WHO and CDC.
I do plan to continue to write about incredible destinations and to offer tips on travel to Europe, so that you will find some solace in these posts — so you dream about travel and learn about travel. This way when we can all travel again, you’ll be ready to go! For now, stay home (or close to home) and stay safe!
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This post gets better and better! The USA has SUCH stunning areas to see the wilderness and go hiking! All those mountains, sunsets and beeeautiful views. If you have to be stuck somewhere in this pandemic, this is a pretty good place to be.
Yes. I only wish I was still living in Colorado!
It looks like there are a lot of beautiful spots to explore on this side of the states! I really like the rolling hills in Willamette Valley.
The Willamette Valley is really beautiful.