'I’m a serial USA traveller. Here are my top recommendations.'

You know how every relationship always has that one person who plans everything when you travel? You know, the one person with the Excel spreadsheet who figures out exactly where you're going and when. Books all the hotels. Organises the transport. Checks you've got your passport, etc.

Well, my husband and I are both... not those people. Meaning? Whenever we travel, we tend to plan as we go. It sounds terrifying, I know. But trust me, it's the best way to discover hidden gems and go on a proper adventure.

Hear me out.

On our recent honeymoon, we arrived in New York City, found a bar in Williamsburg and both came up with a list of places we'd never been and always wanted to see. We've both been to the USA multiple times already, so we wanted to mix it up and explore places that were off the usual 'to-do' list.

And you know what? It's the best way to do it.

Journeying beyond the must-sees actually gave us a chance to discover a whole load of cool, unique and unexpected experiences and cultural adventures on a road trip less travelled. The USA is truly unmatched for hiking, natural wonders, national parks and adrenaline-filled experiences — it's a destination where you can experience it all, and there's something for everyone.

So, whether you're a first-timer planning a trip to the USA or have the itch to go back and explore more, this one's for you. Because there's truly so much more waiting to be discovered. Here are my top recommendations for anyone looking for a vibrant, exciting adventure.

San Diego, California.

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While San Diego wasn't initially at the top of my 'must-see' list, it ended up being such a good choice and I'd kindly like to go back, like, right now. Please.

It was relaxed but came alive at night with the Gaslamp Quarter offering up tons of nightclubs and honky-tonk bars — INCLUDING THE ONE FROM COYOTE UGLY (!!). IT WAS SO FUN.

There's so much to do and see here — I could've spent a whole month exploring and eating all of the food (the tacos are unreal).

While we were in San Diego, we also spent some time in Coronado, a picture-perfect resort island with quiet, pretty beaches (and yeah, I did the thing where I was like, "Imagine if we lived here? Should we live here?") and historic Old Town, where we ate so much delicious Mexican food that we could barely walk/breathe.

Yosemite National Park, California.

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Okay, but this didn't feel real?? The whole thing looked like a Windows backdrop??

We hiked right up to Half Dome (I'm not someone who hikes, and it was surprisingly doable), went on a couple of walking trails and took a million photos of El Capitan (my husband thought he was Ansel Adams), before spending the night in a cool little lodge just outside the park.

We only spent a few days here, and I feel like we could've spent at least five days to properly do it all — the National Park was breathtaking.

Just be wary of the altitude — we weren't prepared for this, and I genuinely felt like my head was going to explode on the way up there. Other than that, highly recommend!

New York City, New York.

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I've been to New York City a bunch of times, but every time I go, I like to stay somewhere different so that it feels like a completely new experience (we stayed with our friends in Rochester one time, and it felt like we were living in a storybook. So dreamy).

This time, however, we started off in SoHo (South of Houston Street) — and I loved every minute of it. It has tons of great shopping, cute cafes and every corner you turn there's a photo opportunity (so many cute stoops! And the fire escapes! Gah!).

Along with shopping, we basically lived at Fanelli’s (on the corner of Mercer and Prince Streets), drinking (early) cocktails, eating sandwiches, and eavesdropping on the roulette of tables around us. Lombardi's Pizza (on Spring Street, NoLita) was our go-to for pizza.

After a Rangers vs. Bruins hockey game at Madison Square Garden, we flipped a coin to decide our next destination!

New Orleans, Louisiana.

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Was it the tasty beignets? The Creole cuisine? The obscenely nice people? Maybe the fact that you can drink on the streets?

New Orleans (or NOLA) ended up being a seriously unreal experience and is now firmly on our 'must-see again' list — I'm so glad the coin flipped this way.

When you think of Louisiana or New Orleans, chances are you think of Mardi Gras. But trust me, it offers so much more than an (awesome) once-a-year party.

From bopping into jazz bars on Frenchman Street to rolling down the Mississippi River on a steamboat during sunset (which was also alive and kicking with drinks and a jazz band), we even went on a ghost tour (NOLA is SPOOKY, you guys), did some voodoo shopping and took a full-blown swamp tour to spot 'gators, because obviously.

The food in the South was incredible (my mouth is watering just writing about it), and there was just so much to do and see. In fact, we originally went there for three days and extended our stay to five days because it was JUST SO GOOD. The perks of planning as you go, friends!

We stayed at the Four Seasons and it was probably the nicest accommodation of our entire trip. Like, it was FANCY. White fluffy robes, spas, five-star restaurants, mimosas for breakfast — the whole deal.

Fort Collins, Colorado.

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We spent a few days in Fort Collins before heading up to a nearby ranch for a wedding — and it was one of the prettiest little towns I've ever been to. I genuinely felt like I was in a movie.

The town has a college football vibe (you gotta go to a game, go Rams!), and is full of craft beer, bars, music and really tasty meats.

We spent a lot of time exploring Old Town — one of the prettiest downtowns. In fact, I'm pretty sure Old Town inspired Disneyland's Main Street, which should give you a good idea of just how cute it is. 

Along with tons of breweries, there are heaps of local shops and boutiques with handmade goods, and some cool thrift stores selling vintage sportswear (still regret not buying a very specific shirt).

Fort Collins is also big on bikes, and it's a really easy way to get around town (it's relatively flat and the bike lanes are nice and wide), as well as explore some scenic trails. We picked up a couple of bikes from where we were staying and cycled around the Poudre River and Spring Creek. So. Beautiful!

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

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The Rocky Mountain National Park was epic. Would do again. Many, many times over. We arrived in Denver and took a day trip up to the National Park (took about an hour and a half) and what. a. time.

It was so pretty! My husband saw snow for the first time! I nearly cried at a baby chipmunk!

Crossing the Continental Divide, we drove the Trail Ridge Road (one of the highest points) — from the rushing rivers to the snowcapped mountains and dramatic canyons — it almost didn't feel real. We also walked some of the flat lake trails like the Lily Lake Loop and Bear Lake Trail (great for beginners).

At the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, there's also the historic village of Estes Park, which has a lot of great shopping and restaurants in a kind of alpine resort-style setting. You know what it also has? The Stanley Hotel — the *actual* hotel inspired by Stephen King's The Shining. And yes, we paid a visit!

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Side note: When we developed my husband's film, the entire roll we took in the hotel was black, and I'll never stop thinking about it.

We also went through towns like Boulder and Lyons on the way back to Denver — and it was just a treat. Photos don't do it justice!

While in Denver, we stayed at The Oxford Hotel — the oldest hotel in Denver. With an incredible art déco style makeover in the 1920s, even if you don't stay there, you just gotta have a look or a cocktail in its iconic Cruise Room bar, which was modelled after a lounge on the Queen Mary. So cool.

Arizona.

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We flew into Phoenix and stayed a couple of nights in Desert Ridge at the JW Marriott before renting a car and taking a road trip through Arizona to see the Grand Canyon (because, iconic natural wonder).

This was probably one of the highlights of the trip — driving through Navajo land and seeing the red rock canyons, towering sandstone masterpieces and ancient ruins was like nothing I've ever seen before.

In addition to the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, we visited the Grand Canyon, walked some of the small trails and just took it all in, sitting and saying to each other, "How weird that we're actually here?!"

We also camped/glamped with Under Canvas in a beautiful forest at the South Rim entrance to Grand Canyon National Park (right along Route 66). It was a one-of-a-kind experience and the perfect way to explore the beauty and adventure of such an iconic natural wonder.

We drank wine under the stars, had s'mores by the fire, and listened to an old Western singer sing and play guitar before slipping off into our comfy tent.

Okay, but can I do it all again?

Have you been to the USA before? Have you explored any of these destinations? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

To plan your next trip to the USA, explore Visit The USA.

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