Get your planners out, and make sure to save this of places to travel in 2025! I have been a traveler since I was young. While every place I have been has impacted me for the better, there are certain destinations my soul longs to go back to. There are some places that just change you. Places that seem unreal, magical and peaceful. As you plan your destinations for 2025, save this list of places to travel in 2025 in the United States.
1. Gualala, California
Gualala feels like magic. Gualala, California is located off the Pacific Coast Highway 1, about 2 hours and 45 minutes north of San Francisco. While this coastal town may be small, it is packed with unique adventures! Gualala is best known for it’s magical views of the rugged coastline, and being shrouded under the Redwood forest. We visited the Gualala River Redwood Park. You can hike near the river, get up close to the Redwoods and even camp in this area. You can kayak, canoe and fish the Gualala River. Nearby is also the beautiful Dolphin Gallery and Gualala Arts Center for all the art lovers.
Gualala Point Regional Park is iconic for it’s diversity. Located where the Gualala River meets the ocean, this park is a day dream leading to meadows, Bluff Top Coastal Access trail, sea shells, driftwood and everything else magical. Gualala is also not short on delicious cuisine, with restaurants on the cliffs overseeing the ocean. VUE Kitchen is an iconic place to eat with a diverse menu. Gualala Seafood Shack features the best fish and chips. Trinks Cafe is a darling breakfast spot with the BEST food and views to the ocean.
An hour and a half north of Gualala is the famous Fort Bragg Glass Beach, featuring sea stones of all different colors. Thirty minutes north is the Point Arena Lighthouse, a must see attraction given the rugged coastline and panoramic views. Iconic shops to visit are Red Stella (clothing), Sea Traders (a unique store with everything), Four-Eyed Frog Books and the Garden of Buddha.
To plan your Gualala coastal road trip, check out my article, 10 Amazing Reasons to Visit Gualala, California.
2. Michigan’s M-22 Scenic Drive
Michigan’s M-22 Scenic Drive feels like a fairy tale. Out of all the places I have traveled, Michigan surprised me the most. The beaches feel like the Caribbean, as they are clear and turquoise. We started our adventure in Traverse City (off the M-22 drive), which is decorated with beaches, delicious places to eat and endless stores downtown (I suggest you park and walk!). Food places we suggest are Slabtown Cafe and Burgers, Rarebird Brew Pub, Oakwood, Frenchies (get there early!) and Good Harbor Coffee and Bakery. If you love ice cream, make sure to visit Moomers, but on the farm! You can eat ice cream with the cows.
If you go during the summer, I suggest you drive the Old Mission Point Peninsula. We enjoyed the Old Mission Point Lighthouse and beach. The water was very clear & shallow, but make sure to wear water shoes are there are broken shells in some areas. You can also go cherry picking along this route, walk lavender and wildflower fields. Make sure not to skip this one!
Along M-22, I suggest stopping at Leland fishing village. Not only are the views stunning, but so is the food-such as the Village Cheese Shanty. The famous Van’s Beach is located here as well, which was one of the most vibrant, white sandy beaches along Lake Michigan. Next, stop at Glen Arbor. You can park and walk the unique downtown. Make sure to stop at Cherry Republic for some free samples of everything cherry! The South Manitou Lighthouse is also nearby, as is Crystal River. Last, Empire is home to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. We hiked the Empire Bluff Trail for scenic views of the lake shore. You can also drive the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive if you prefer. You can also go to Lake Michigan Beach Park here.
For more details to plan your Lake Michigan adventures, check out my article 10 Things to See and Do in the Traverse City Area.
3. Sedona, Arizona
Sedona is feels unbelievable. When we visited, I couldn’t believe such a stunning place existed. Sedona may be one of the most famous places to visit in Arizona, famous for it’s red rocks and gorgeous hikes. Below is a list of famous hikes from Arizona. Some of these we experienced, others we have saved for next time (I mean, we need a reason to go back, right?). No matter which trail you are hiking, I highly recommend you figure out which hikes you want to do the most & get there early as parking fills up fast.
Two of the most popular hikes are the Devil’s Bridge and Bell Rock. You will need a Red Rocks day pass ($5) to access majority of these trails or an America the Beautiful Pass. I have linked All Trails Maps to each of the hiking trails on this list for you (click the trail name in bold).
Save this list of trails to hike: Bell Rock Climb, Birthing Cave, Cathedral Rock, Devil’s Bridge, 7 Sacred Pools, Boynton Canyon and Subway Cave. For more details about each hike, check out my article, Places to Visit in Arizona. Make sure to also visit the Honanki Heritage Site along Highway 89A in Sedona (another wonderful scenic drive). This is the location of ancient writings, and the entire area is stunning. Mesa Airport in Sedona will give you a wonderful view of all of Sedona and the Red Rocks. Last, we suggest you visit the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park- there is no other like it (and it’s free to enter!).
4. National Parks of the West, Wyoming and Montana
Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Glacier feel like a daydream. These National parks feature a stunning cascade of mountains, pristine rivers and lakes and meadows of wildflowers. I love each of them for different things, and they all could easily be seen by planning a single road trip that loops between them. I would also suggest looping in the Beartooth Pass Highway that starts in Red Lodge Montana, and leads to the northeastern entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
First, Yellowstone is known for it’s features Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic. The Western entrance is nearest to these attractions, and parking fills up fast. We parked & walked through the trail touring us through the geysers while we waited for Old Faithful to erupt. Next, we walked Grand Prismatic, which was my personal favorite as the colors were stunning. Mammoth Hot Springs and Canyon Village are also worth seeing. If you enter through the less popular entrance from Beartooth Pass Highway, we found that we saw much more wildlife. We saw a brown bear eating a fish, foxes, deer and thousands of bison in the meadows. This entrance is much more quiet, so you will have a better chance to see wildlife.
Second, the Grand Tetons are located near Yellowstone. The Grand Tetons scenic drive is a 42 mile loop that takes you through the most scenic areas of the park. We hiked the famous Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point. If there is anything you do in Grand Tetons National Park, make sure you do this! Such a gorgeous view in front of the mountains and you also run into sparkling Alpine Lakes. Jackson Hole is located nearby, and would make the perfect place to stay during a visit.
Third, is the iconic Glacier National Park. Keep in mind, you need an additional permit to be able to enter. However, if you are not able to land a permit (they are challenging to come by), you can enter the park before 6 am or after 3 pm & get into all the attractions. I’d say go to Logan’s Pass first, as there is a lot to do in the area for hiking & the parking lot fills up very fast. We hiked through Hanging Gardens and Hidden Lake for the most gorgeous view. We saw an abundance of wildlife like mountain goats, deer, caribou, and other critters. We also drove to St. Mary’s Lake, which was a beautiful sight with the blue lake and mountains in the background. We also hiked the Trail of Cedars and iconic waterfalls trails. We stayed in St. Ignatius during our visit here.
5. Stinson Beach in California
Stinson Beach felt like peace. Located an hour north of San Francisco on the coast, this gardening community is truly all about a slow paced life, filled with being in the present and a lot of surfing! During our visit, we spent a lot of time on the famous Stinson Beach. The food here is unlike anything I have ever had, as all the ingredients from every restaurant is locally sourced. For breakfast, we visited the Parkside Cafe every day. It’s located a few steps from the ocean, and there is nothing you couldn’t get here that wouldn’t taste delicious. Bodega Beach & Breakers Cafe has some of the best tacos and seafood options around- all chef made to order. They also have delicious ice cream.
For outdoor adventures, we enjoyed hiking through the Muir Redwoods. This hike was like a fairy tale. You do need to buy a parking pass ahead of your visit. Muir Beach is also nearby, and there are places to have fires on the beach or hike some of the sand dune trails nearby. Located a just north of Stinson Beach is the iconic Point Reyes National Seashore. We went whale watching here and saw tons of gray whales & could even hear them sing! The Cypress Tree Grove Tunnel is also located right before you get to the lighthouse. There are also several beaches to choose from to explore.
For more details from our Stinson Beach stay, check out my article California Coast Road Trip Itinerary.
6. Custer State Park in Custer, South Dakota
No state park has ever made me feel like I was walking in a dream the way Custer State Park has. Our favorite part of Custer State Park is the iconic Needle Highway Scenic Byway Drive, which is also home to different views of the best sunsets! Needle Highway is a 14 mile stretch, but put aside extra time for your drive as there are a lot of curves, tunnels and overlooks. Here you can also hike to the famous Cathedral Spires and Black Elk Trail.
Wildlife Loop is 18 miles of rolling hills, grassland, prairie dogs, bison and other wild life. This drive keeps you on your toes as you never know what you will encounter! The best time to explore is around sunset and sunrise. If you explore late spring/early summer, you also get to experience the wildflowers decorating the hillside.
Custer State Park is adorned with 5 lakes, but Sylvan Lake is iconic! Located off Needle Highway, it’s a perfect place for swimming, there is a nearby campground, a great spot for fishing and water sport activities and home to a general store in the middle of the park. Not to mention, there are countless nearby trails that are an easy to moderate hike. Watching the sunset from here is one of my favorite memories of Custer State Park.
Plan your visit to Custer State Park with my article, 10 Reasons to Plan a Visit to Custer State Park.
7. Chincoteague Island in Virginia
Chincoteague Island brought out my inner child. I had grown up reading the book, Misty of Chincoteague, and being able to see exactly where she grew up was amazing. This island is quiet and slow-going, yet it boasts all the attractions any other island would. We stayed at SUN Outdoors, a guest suit right on the waters. We woke up to the most spectacular sun rises.
Ten minutes from Chincoteague Island is Assateague Island, boasting 37 miles of beach shore line and the famous wild horses that play on the beach. We spent a lot of time on the beach, but there is also hiking trails, wildlife loop and the 142-foot Assateague Lighthouse. On Chincoteague Island, you can visit Misty’s farm. If you have kids, make sure to take them to Maui Jack’s Waterpark, Funland Amusements or a water pony tour.
Our favorite places to eat were the Rope walk Restaurant, where you can dine on the sandy beach. The Village Restaurant has amazing seafood. Amarin Coffee USA was our favorite places to grab and go coffee and pastries. If you are an ice cream lover, the Island Creamery and Mr. Whippy’s is divine! Keep in mind, there are tons of food places here and farmer’s markets as well.
8. Road Trip Vermont
Vermont feels like when times were more simple. With a lack of advertising and chain restaurants and an abundance of nature and local food joints, Vermont is one of a kind. If you go in the spring, you get to experience the waterfalls at their prime. If you go in the summer, you pick the best time for swimming where ever you’d like. If you go in the fall, you get the colors, and winter has it’s own charm with the ski slopes.
We started off our road trip in Jamaica, where we stayed in the Green Mountains, and hiked Hamilton Falls. The Workhorse Cafe and Honey Pie are divine places to eat in the area. Next, make sure to check out Ludlow. Go to The Hatchery for a bite to eat, then hike Buttermilk Falls. Your next stop will be Woodstock, famous for all it’s covered bridges and a darling downtown. Our personal favorite is Stowe. We spent a lot of time here at the Mad Cap Cafe and hiking Bingham Falls and Moss Glen Falls. We also checked out the Ben & Jerry’s Graveyard and Cider Hollow Mill.
A trip to Vermont would be incomplete without exploring Burlington. Right away, we knew we wanted to park and walk the pedestrian Church Street. Church Street Marketplace runs through the center of downtown, the entire district is full of small, locally-owned boutiques, restaurants, bars and creatives.
For more details from our Vermont road trip, check out my article, the Ultimate Vermont Travel Bucket list.
9. Carmel By the Sea, California
Carmel by the Sea feels like a European fairy tale. This picturesque town is located on the Monetary Peninsula in central California. If you are planning a California road trip, make sure to plans some adventures near Carmel by the Sea! Known for it’s turquoise blue waters, fairy tale cottages and scenic bluffs, like the Big Sur bridge. Add these iconic destinations in this article to your road trip adventure near Carmel by the Sea.
In between Big Sur and Monterey, you will find our favorite nature reserve in all of California- Point Lobos. The entrance to Point Lobos Nature Reserve is 3 miles south of the fairy tale town of Carmel by the Sea, on the iconic Highway 1. It opens at 8 am and closes at 5 pm, with holidays and weekends being busy. We went around 1 pm on a Thursday and were able to find lots of parking. Passenger cars are $9 per vehicle.
If you want an overall shopping adventure near Carmel by the Sea, a walk down Ocean Avenue will be well worth your time. Sloping from the highway down to the beach, Ocean Ave is Carmel by the Sea’s main downtown main street. We just parked and walked all over downtown viewing art galleries, family owned boutiques, wine cellars and candy stores.
Of course, when visitors come to Carmel, they most likely are hoping to see some of the fairy tale cottages created by Hugh Comstock, a toy maker and builder. Today, 21 of his original cottages still exist in Carmel, making up homes, stores, inns and galleries. Some of the notable cottages to see are the Hansel & Gretal cottages, Obers House.
There are two more outdoor adventures you can’t miss. First is the famous Big Sur Bridge. You can park and explore around the area. The view is absolutely unmatched. Next, if you like turquoise blue waters, check out Carmel Beach. Perfect for swimming or surfing, this spot sports a sandy white beach and walking trails to downtown.
To plan your visit, read my article 10 Lovely Adventures Near Carmel by the Sea.
10. Oregon Coast Drive
California isn’t the only state with gorgeous, rugged coastal views. Oregon’s complete coast is nothing by beautiful nature spots inviting to all. Our Oregon coastal drive felt like being in love-with nature, the towns and yourself.
We stayed in Tillamook and Oceanside, which is the northern half of the Oregon coast. Oceanside is home to tons of attractions, such as Oceanside Beach with the Hidden Tunnel, home to Three Arches Rocks. Off the Tillamook coast is the Three Capes Scenic Loop, which is pretty easy to follow with all the signs. You can get some of the most beautiful views of the landscape & it eventually leads you down to a steep, forested area in Oceanside known as Cape Meares. We spent a lot of time here to see the overlooks (you can get a great view of most of the coastline as well as Three Arch Rocks here), the iconic lighthouse and the Octopus Tree, a Sitka spruce which has grown in the most unique of ways! This is also an area where you can get a great view of wildlife along the coast.
If you like cheese or dairy, you will love Tillamook, famous for their creamery. We had a lot of laughs at the Blue Heron French Cheese Company. Not only is it a cute area, but you have adorable farm animals that greet you along with a peacock who guards the entrance to the Candy Shop. We were able to sample some unique cheeses, dips and jams as well as shop. There is a delicious restaurant on site with great subs.
Exploring the charming town of Cannon Beach is a must-do if you are visiting the Oregon coast. Cannon Beach is home to the famous Haystack Rock (they filmed scenes here from The Goonies), which is larger than life (pictures do not do it justice!). Hug Point many not be as known as the Haystack Rock beach area, but I fell in love with this area. I suggest you go here when the tide is low so you can access the hidden beach with the secret waterfalls and countless sea caves.
Are you a fan of The Goonies or Twilight? Then Ecola Park and Indian Beach are a must-see for you! The entrance is located in Cannon Beach. Follow the signs of HWY 101, which will lead you to a small, winding road up into the forest of Ecola Park. This drive will take you to Indian Beach. You will see a parking lot overlooking the ocean and have access to walked down to Indian Beach from here. Near Astoria, check out the Peter Iredale shipwreck on the beach.
View our 6-day Road Trip Itinerary Along the Oregon Coast to plan your visit!
11. Moab, Utah
If you are looking for an awesome base camp as you explore two of Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks, consider paying a visit to the small, charming town of Moab. Moab is a town where you can park and walk the down town to make sure you don’t miss a thing! We decided to have some drinks at Spoke downtown. They have a menu with a little bit of everything. Next, we explored some of the shops downtown. We loved all the desert vibes and outdoor themed shops. If you need to refuel with coffee, the downtown shops are near the Moab Coffee Roaster.
A must see spot in Moab is the food truck court! They have cuisine for EVERYWHERE, including a nice misting station for hot, summer days. We ended our day with Hawaiian Shaved Ice-a perfect treat after hiking over 12 miles!
Nearby are three incredible attractions: Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park. Highlights of Arches National Park are Highlights are Landscape Arch in (50 minute hike) near Devil’s Garden, Delicate Arch (3 mile round trip hike), Balanced Rock, Eden’s Garden, Double Arch and Windows Section. I was able to climb up Double Arch and sit in the window area to watch the sunset. It was one of my favorite parts of our road trip.
Canyonlands is divided up into four sections, Needles, The Maze, The Rivers and Islands in the Sky. Needles is home to stunning pinnacles and longer hiking trails. We visited the Island in the Sky area, home to canyon overlooks, hiking trails and a 34 mile scenic drive. Nearby is Dead Horse State Park, known for it’s incredible overlooks of the Colorado River.
12. Eureka Springs, Arkansas
If you are looking to spend time in a small town that feel artsy, is unique and immersed in nature, Eureka Springs is for you! Some neat outdoor adventures are Blue Springs Heritage Center, Eureka Springs Safari Zoo, Roaring River State Park (20 minutes away) and Leatherwood Lake. Our favorite adventure was to walk downtown Eureka Springs to see the historical buildings, climb the iconic staircases and explore the unique shops. Our favorite food stops were the vegan Bombadils, The Spring on Main (our favorite!), Red’s Pizzeria and even a Funnel Cake Shop!
Thorncrown Chapel is an iconic destination for any visit to Eureka Springs. Thorncrown Chapel is an iconic site to see, standing more than 40 feet in the air, nestled in woodland. Over 7 million people have visited Thorncrown Chapel to take in its beauty. It’s free to enter & you are welcomed to sit in & take in the panoramic views. Nearby is the Razorback Tower, a 100 ft. observation tower where visitors can get the bird’s eye view of the Ozarks. Located off scenic 62, on the south side of Eureka Springs, this climb is not for anyone that fears heights! It costs $1 (in quarters) per person to climb the tower. There is also the Razorback gift shop located nearby.
Read my article, 12 Incredible Things to Do Near Eureka Springs, to plan your visit.
BONUS: The North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota
You didn’t think I’d make an ultimate destinations list in the United States and leave out Minnesota’s North Shore, did you? I absolutely am in love with the North Shore of Minnesota, and every time I go, it feels healing. I have written countless blog articles about our visit to the North Shore, and each one is different from the next. Choose your article for your own customized adventure along Minnesota’s North Shore of Minnesota:
- Bluefin Bay Stay (spring time): Things to Do During a North Shore Weekend Getaway
- The Ultimate Itinerary for a Summer Visit on the North Shore
- Fun Things to Do During a Winter Vacation Along Lake Superior
- 4 Day Road Trip Itinerary Along the North Shore
- 20 Fun Ways to Experience Grand Marais, MN
- 10 Fall Destinations in Minnesota for Fall Colors
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