9 best US holidays for the ultimate American experiences

Metropolitan city breaks, beach holidays and adventures in the Wild West all await across the Pond

With so many states to choose from, the US offers unforgettable experiences and activities, stretching all the way from Alaska to Hawaii.

The idea of America, and what constitutes the perfect American adventure, varies wildly depending on where you go (and what you’re into).

Visitors can lose their inhibitions at famous festivals like Burning Man or Coachella, watch global sports events, seek for thrills at out-of-this-world theme parks and chase exhilarating once-in-a-lifetime moments on iconic road trips down Route 66 or while spending days hiking in Yellowstone National Park.

And then there are the white-sand beaches – prolific down both east and west coasts – plus a plethora of big-hitting city break destinations, ranging from the famed skyline of New York City to the healthy-living, celebrity-spotting possibilities of LA; from the party and arty vibes of Miami to the music-steeped old worlde charm of New Orleans.

Here’s a fine-tuned list of American highlights to inspire the ultimate holiday in the USA and give travellers a taste of some of the best bucket list adventures.

Road trip on Route 66, Chicago to Santa Monica

As road trips go, Route 66 and its 2,400-mile stretch from America’s east to west coast is the mother of all journeys across the States. The iconic highway is packed with attractions, endless desert, farmland and hills, making the drive the destination during exhilarating days on the road. From Chicago to Santa Monica, America’s most famous road trip is the ultimate US experience for petrolhead travellers lusting for authentic small towns, classic movie motel stays and dynamic landscapes unlike any in Europe.

How to do it

Wine tasting in Napa Valley, San Francisco

For those with a taste for the finer things in life, Napa Valley, a renowned Californian wine country destination with family estates, vineyards and gourmet produce, is a haven for aspiring sommeliers. Think intimate world-class tastings with experts, behind-the-scenes tours and samples of the famous cabernet sauvignon under the backdrop of impressive architecture and hilly countryside. Jump on the Napa Valley Wine Train for a 36-mile round trip of the most celebrated vineyards and wineries.

How to do it

Visit iconic landmarks in New York

The poster child of American life, New York is synonymous with soaring skyscrapers, educational museums and endless excitement. Famous landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and Central Park rise above the busy streets as part of the iconic skyline –head to the Top of the Rock for the best views of the city. Visitors to the Big Apple can get a taste of classic NYC cuisine at constantly evolving bougie restaurants, musical diners, hole-in-the-wall sandwich and pizza shops and hot dog stands, in between seeing some of the finest art in the world at the city’s superlative galleries such as the Guggenheim and MoMA.

How to do it

Hike in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park is 2.2 million acres of ecosystems, dramatic rock formations, active geysers and alpine forests. The bucket list travel destination isn’t short of activities: hikes to hot springs and Old Faithful, white-water rafting rivers and skiing holidays in the winter greet outdoor enthusiasts headed to the great American wilderness. Abundant wildlife such as bison, wolves, bears, elk and cougars call the park home, and even within the area’s vast boundaries, travellers can often spot Yellowstone’s own “Big Five” animals along the way.

How to do it

Explore Alaska, Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula

The largest and most northern state in the US, Alaska blends icy landscapes with alpine forests and mountain ranges, making it a secluded wilderness of unspoiled natural beauty. On land and at sea, rugged scenery and nature are there to be explored through a wealth of guided and self-guided tours on which you can trek, cycle and fish your way beyond metropolitan America.

How to do it

Discover the Deep South, Nashville to New Orleans

North America’s south coast is home to buzzing cities, with some of the richest political, musical and culinary history on the continent. From the “Music City” of Nashville, the epicentre of country music, to the civil rights past of Memphis and the intimate jazz bars and gastronmic delights (including jambalaya) of New Orleans, there’s plenty to experience. Head to the south in February to join in with the famous New Orleans Mardis Gras celebrations and parade.

How to do it

Trail cities and ranches in Texas

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Drive to Hawaiian highlights

Holidays to the tropical gem of America’s west coast, Hawaii, offer white sand beaches, dramatic volcanic landscapes and isolated archipelagos blanketed in dense rainforests and azure oceans. Dubbed the “Aloha State”, the paradise island 2,000 miles from mainland America is a nirvana for holidaymakers looking to lay back and relax. From Hawaiian Luau’s to hula dancing, idyllic shores fringed with palm trees await.

How to do it

See Hawaii’s highlights with Audley Travel on a self-drive tour to Kilauea Volcano, Maui’s golden beaches and snorkel spots to see the Aloha State’s lively marine life. The 13-day tour from £8,980pp includes international flights, vehicle hire, all resort accommodations and activities – a drive down the otherworldly Road to Hana is a standout moment of the trip.

Experience the Las Vegas nightlife

The Bellagio fountains, crowded casino tables and decadent buffets epitomise life in Las Vegas. The world-famous Nevada city boasts nightlife unlike any other to entice 21st birthday parties, stag and hen dos and whirlwind weddings to the wild party scene downtown and tomfoolery on the iconic strip – there’s even a zipline to get you from A to B. Take a city break to the notorious “Sin City” to watch musical residencies including Adele, entertainment shows such as Cirque du Soleil and dance the night away under flickering neon signs.