US Bucket List: 50 Things to See & Do in the US Before You Die

Have you ever wondered what the top tourist destinations in the United States are? If you’re looking to start your bucket of things to see in the United States before you die,  take a look at our list of 50 ideas.


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View the Best Mexican Restaurants Across America

Getting hungry while you roam the states? View our list of the best Mexican restaurants across the country.

View the Best Mexican Restaurants Across America


bucket list america
Photo Credit: Grand Canyon National Park Facebook Page

Grand Canyon National Park

20 S Entrance Rd, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023

The country’s most iconic national park, the Grand Canyon, encompasses over 277 miles.

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Photo Credit: Paul Revere House Facebook Page

The Freedom Trail

139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111

This 2.5-mile pathway passes over a dozen American landmarks including Paul Revere’s house and the Bunker Hill Monument.

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Photo Credit: Niagara Falls State Park Facebook Page

Niagara Falls State Park

332 Prospect St, Niagara Falls, NY 14303

One of the highest waterfalls in America, Niagara Falls is located near the Canadian border.

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Photo Credit: Central Park Facebook Page

Central Park

Manhattan, New York, NY

Stretching from 59th Street to 110th Street in downtown Manhattan, Central Park has been a New York landmark since the 1850s.

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Photo Credit: Visit Las Vegas Facebook Page

Las Vegas Strip

Las Vegas, NV

Featuring over 4 miles of upscale hotels and casinos, the Las Vegas Strip is one of the most popular tourist attractions in America.

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Photo Credit: Grand Ole Opry Facebook Page

Grand Ole Opry

2804 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TV, 37214

Showcasing the country’s best country music since 1925, the Grand Ole Opry features a weekly concert in the heart of Nashville.

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Photo Credit: The Alamo Facebook Page

The Alamo

300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205

A landmark from the Texas Revolution, The Alamo is a San Antonio destination to remember.

Photo Credit: Kentucky Derby Facebook Page

Kentucky Derby

700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40208

Horse racing’s flagship event at Churchill Downs is a classic American sporting event.

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Photo Credit: FrenchQuarter.com Facebook Page

French Quarter

New Orleans, LA

Famous for its vibrant nightlife and iconic buildings, Bourbon Street and the French Quarter in New Orleans is known as the home of Mardi Gras.

Photo Credit: Yellowstone Facebook Page

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park, WY

With parts spanning Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, Yellowstone National Park is a bucket list item that you should see in the United States before you die. This park is full of natural wonders like geysers, mountains, and lakes.

Photo Credit: Redwood National Park Facebook Page

 

Redwood National and State Parks

Northern California

Featuring some of the tallest trees on Earth, the Redwoods in Northern California can live for well over 1,000 years.

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Photo Credit: Mammoth Cave National Park Facebook Page

Mammoth Cave

1 Mammoth Cave Pkwy, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259

Truly one of the top things to do in America, Mammoth Cave is one of the world’s largest caves. Try not to get lost!

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Photo Credit: Wikimedia

Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco, CA

The Golden Gate Bridge is over a mile long and is recognized across the world as a symbol of the United States and California.

bucket list america
Photo Credit: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii, HI

Featuring two active volcanoes, this national park is one of the main attractions of the Hawaiian Islands.

bucket list america
Photo Credit: Via.com Facebook Page

Overseas Highway

Miami Beach & Key West, FL

Connecting the Florida Keys to the United States mainland, the Overseas Highway allows access to America’s largest area of coral reefs.

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Photo Credit: Skydeck Chicago Facebook Page

Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower

233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606

Get a birds-eye view of the Windy City from this breathtaking observation box on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower (or, as locals still call it, the Sears Tower).

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Photo Credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Facebook Page

Indianapolis 500

4790 W 16th St, Indianapolis, IN 46222

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts the Indy 500 every spring, and it’s a bucket list item for fans and non-racing fans alike.

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Photo Credit: Space Needle Facebook Page

Space Needle

400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109

A Seattle landmark, the Space Needle features an observation deck and was originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair.

Photo Credit: Route 66 Museum Facebook Page

Route 66 Museum

2229 W Gary Blvd, Clinton, OK 73601

Offering a personal journey along the country’s legendary highway, the Route 66 Museum pays homage to the Main Street of America.

Photo Credit: Arian Zwegers

El Capitan

Yosemite National Park, CA

A famous destination for work climbers, El Capitan is a 4,000-foot rock formation in Yosemite National Park.

Photo Credit: Disneyland Facebook Page

Disneyland

1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802

In operation since 1955, Disneyland is the original theme park and continues to be a popular tourist attraction for visitors from around the world.

Photo Credit: Death Valley National Park Facebook Page

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley, CA

Known for its extreme climate conditions, Death Valley is a desert between California and Nevada.

Photo Credit: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Facebook Page

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

1100 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114

Documenting the history of rock n’ roll, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a popular Cleveland attraction regardless of your taste in music.

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Photo Credit: Jacob’s Well Yelp Page

Jacob’s Well

1699 Mt Sharp Rd, Wimberley, TX 78676

One of the most dangerous, yet alluring diving spots in the world, Jacob’s Well is a karstic spring at least 140 feet deep, where divers can explore underwater caves at their own risk.

Photo Credit: Vali Facebook Page

Vail Ski Resort

Vail, CO 81657

One of the largest ski resorts in America, Vail Ski Resort is a world-class ski destination in the Colorado mountains.

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Photo Credit: Disney World Facebook Page

Disney World

Orlando, FL 32830

With four different theme parks, Disney World is one of America’s most popular tourist attractions.

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Photo Credit: Wikimedia

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500

The home of the President of the United States has been in use since 1800 and is an iconic American landmark.

Photo Credit: Iowa State Fair Facebook Page

Iowa State Fair

3000 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317

A tradition started in 1854, the Iowa State Fair is held over 11 days in August and attracts over a million people per year.

Photo Credit: Fenway Park Facebook Page

Fenway Park

4 Jersey St, Boston, MA 02215

The oldest stadium in Major League Baseball, Fenway Park opened in 1912 and is located in a Boston neighborhood.

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Photo Credit: Powell’s Book Facebook Page

Powell’s City of Books

1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209

Powell’s City of Books is the world’s largest independent bookstore and is a distinguished Portland tourist attraction.

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Photo Credit: Millennium Park Facebook Page

Millennium Park

201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602

Located near The Loop in downtown Chicago, Millennium Park features several famous structures such as “The Bean.”

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Photo Credit: Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465

An open-air theater built into a beautiful Colorado rock structure, Red Rocks is an unforgettable venue for a concert.

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Photo Credit: Times Square Facebook Page

Times Square

Manhattan, NY 10036

Famous for its bright lights and crowded streets, Times Square is a major Manhattan intersection that’s been featured in countless movies.

Photo Credit: Smithsonian Facebook Page

Smithsonian Museums

Washington, DC

The Smithsonian Institute offers over 11 museums and galleries on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

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Photo Credit: Statue of Liberty Facebook Page

Statue of Liberty

New York, NY 10004

A neoclassical landmark dating back to the 1880s, the Statue of Liberty is a true American bucket list destination.

Photo Credit: Hollywood Walk of Fame Facebook Page

Hollywood Hall of Fame

Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA

More than 2,500 notable figures are honored on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.

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Photo Credit: The Hoover Dam Facebook Page

Hoover Dam

Nevada, 89005

Assembled during the Great Depression, the Hoover Dam provides power to several states and is toured by over one million people each year.

Photo Credit: The Masters Facebook Page

The Masters Tournament

2604 Washington Rd, Augusta, GA 30904

The most famous golf tournament in the world is held annually at Augusta National Golf Course during the first week of April.

Photo Credit: Cedar Point Facebook Page

Cedar Point

1 Cedar Point Dr, Sandusky, OH 344870

Featuring some of the biggest roller coasters in the country, Cedar Point is an amusement park in Ohio that opened over 150 years ago.

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Photo Credit: NASA Facebook Page

Kennedy Space Center

Merritt Island, FL 32899

The Kennedy Space Center in Florida is one of NASA’s main launch centers and includes a massive Visitor Complex.

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Photo Credit: Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau Facebook Page

Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island, MI 49757

Sitting between the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan, Mackinac Island is famous for its historic dining and boating attractions.

Photo Credit: Mall of America Facebook Page

Mall of America

60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425

Complete with roller coasters, aquariums, and around 500 shops, Mall of America is one of the largest malls in the world.

Photo Credit: Chicago Cubs Facebook Page

Wrigley Field

1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613

A classic baseball experience on Chicago’s north side, Wrigley Field has been in operation since 1914.

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Photo Credit: Zion National Park Facebook Page

Zion National Park

Springdale, UT 84767

Known for its iconic steep red cliffs, Zion National Park in Utah contains beautiful rock formations along a river.

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Photo Credit: The Gorge Ampitheatre Facebook Page

The Gorge Ampitheatre

754 Silica Rd NW, George, WA 98848

Located in a scenic mountain range, The Gorge is often voted one of the best outdoor music venues in the world.

Photo Credit: Empire State Building Facebook Page

Empire State Building

20 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001

Construction on this historic skyscraper began in 1930, and it continues to be a symbol of the Big Apple.

Photo Credit: Dallas Cowboys Facebook Page

AT&T Stadium

1 AT&T Way, Arlington, TX 76011

Home of the Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium is the biggest professional football stadium in the country and the best place to catch an NFL game.

Photo Credit: Philippe Moussette

Northern Lights

Alaska

Visible from many places in the beautiful state of Alaska, the Northern Lights are one of nature’s most incredible phenomena.

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Photo Credit: The Napa Valley Facebook Page

Wine Country

Northern Bay Area, CA

One of the premier wine-growing regions in the world, Wine Country in California is a bucket list experience for tourists worldwide.

Photo Credit: Badlands National Park Facebook Page

Badlands National Park

South Dakota

With dramatic rock formations and canyons, Badlands National Park is one of the best natural parks in the country.

 

So, what’s on your bucket list of things to do across America? Let us know in the comments below!

 

 

 

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