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The 25 best places to visit in the U.S.
Vacations are expensive. In fact, Americans often spend more on a week-long trip than they do on a month's rent or mortgage.
To make the most of your hard-earned money and precious days off, picking the perfect location is key. U.S. News & World report ranked the top vacation destinations across America for 2017. The ranking considered factors like hotels, dining and input from other travelers. You can read the full methodology here.
Here are the 25 best places to go:
25. Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park, which extends through Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, has hot springs, geysers and mountain views, plus hiking and other ways to explore.
24. Big Sur
HBO's recent show "Big Little Lies" was filmed at Big Sur, Calif . Its rugged coastline isn't for swimming — it's all about the views at spots like Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Sand Dollar Beach.
23. Savannah
Recently ranked by U.S. & World Report as the number one affordable honeymoon destination in the U.S., Savannah, Ga., has a popular restaurant scene, beaches and river views.
22. Denver
The city has attractions like the Red Rock Amphitheater for concerts and a thriving craft beer scene, plus hiking in the nearby mountains.
21. Park City
Beyond skiing and the Sundance Film Festival, Park City, Utah also has luxury resorts and an historic Main Street.
20. Asheville, N.C.
Among foodies, Asheville has been gaining a reputation as a hot spot. The city also has more beer breweries per capita than any other place in America.
19. Seattle
The laid-back city may have a reputation for grey skies, but it's also got diverse neighborhoods packed with coffee shops and restaurants, and there's easy access to outdoor activities.
18. Yosemite
A day trip from San Francisco, Sacramento or Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park is known for hikeable landmarks like Half Dome, Glacier Point and the John Muir Trail.
17. Charleston
The coastal city offers historical sites and period architecture, as well as some of the best southern cuisine .
16. Los Angeles
See celebrities in Hollywood, hit the beach in Venice or shop in Beverly Hills. L.A. is also known for its street vendors offering fusion food.
15. Miami
It's not just about the beaches, nightlife and restaurants — it also has a big art scene and museums that tell Miami's unique cultural history.
14. Boston
Go for the historical sites and stay for the chowder. Boston is also home to the Red Sox at Fenway, Faneuil Hall and plenty of college campuses.
13. Breckenridge
Once a Gold Rush town, now Breckenridge has 3,000 acres of mountain terrain for skiing.
12. Hawaii
Hawaii's Big Island is famously home to two active volcanoes, but it also has the unique green sands at Papakolea Beach and black sands at Punalu'u Beach.
11. Kauai
The oldest Hawaiian island is less touristy and more laid back. Expect lots of greenery, hiking and beaches.
10. San Diego
Visitors can spend a day at the beach or at the San Diego Zoo, and the evening at downtown restaurants.
9. New Orleans
Culture is the main attraction: from gumbo, beignets and creole cuisine to Jazz and blues to the architecture of the French Quarter and Garden District.
8. Washington, D.C.
Not far from landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, D.C. also has a growing bar and restaurant scene.
7. Sonoma
Brimming with wineries and vineyards, this Northern Californian town is more rustic than nearby Napa.
6. Grand Canyon
About 4.5 million people visit Grand Canyon National Park, each year. Bright Angel Trail on the South Rim is a tourist favorite.
5. San Francisco
Beyond its start-up mecca reputation, there's still lots of culture and diversity among the city's neighborhoods from the Mission to the Castro. Don't forget iconic sights like Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.
4. Maui
Maui has abundant seafood, scenery and beaches, plus the popular Haleakala crater and winding Road to Hana.
3. Honolulu - Oahu
Honolulu has a balance of urban and beach environments — Waikiki is a top attraction. The weather is pleasant year-round.
2. Philadelphia
While Philadelphia has a wealth of national history like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, the one-time home of Benjamin Franklin has evolved to a modern, lively destination.
1. New York
Manhattan offers Broadway theater productions, art galleries, shopping, world-class restaurants, parks and skyscrapers all in less than 23 square miles.
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