10 Great Destinations for US Travel Buddies
Where to Explore Next with Your Best Friends
These great destinations for US travel buddies include some of the most incredible places where the sights and experiences are simply best shared with friends. Whether you’re traveling as a pair with a good friend or as a group on a road trip, the thrills of exploration always get a boost with added camaraderie.
Traveling with friends has other obvious benefits. Besides sharing the bragging rights and bearing actual witness to the new places you’ve been, you can also usually cut the budget by sharing certain expenses like taxi rides. It can be a lot safer at times too. And, it’s simply more fun. Here’s a list of top destinations for your next shared adventure.
1. Aruba
A picturesque Caribbean island for a fun shared escape
Good for: Budget, Group, History
Friends traveling to Aruba are treated to a wonderful island getaway with its dazzling white beaches, colorful architecture, and vibrant art and social scenes. After frolicking in the sun, flyboarding over the blue Caribbean, or diving under the surface to discover shipwrecks, share a delicious dinner with sea views.
Those inclined towards adventure and discovery can find plenty of historical spots, such as the seaside Alto Visa Chapel. Simply strolling through the port city of Oranjestad treats you to Dutch colonial architecture and souvenirs galore at the Local Market. Aruba has many adults-only hotels and resorts, which are ideal for friends on a trip together. Read more…
Aruba
2. Fort Lauderdale
Beach parties and intriguing history
Good for: Budget, History, Photo
Fort Lauderdale and the stretch of white sand that borders the blue waves of the North Atlantic is home to some of Florida’s most famous party beaches. That’s one good reason for travel buddies to put it on their list for a fun shared getaway. Fort Lauderdale’s nightlife scene is also more affordable compared to other famous Floridian hot spots like Miami Beach.
Explore The Strip, The Entertainment District, Riverwalk Arts, and many nightclubs in the city for enduring memories. If you share an inclination towards arts and history, great spots to check out include the History Fort Lauderdale museum that’s also Boward County’s oldest hotel, together with the 1901 trading post known as the Historic Stranahan House Museum. Read more…
Location: Florida, USA
Fort Lauderdale
3. San Diego
A fun-filled Californian city
Good for: Families, Photo, Adventure, Group
San Diego is a top pick for friends looking for a place to escape together. For one, it has pleasant year-round weather. Then, there are gorgeous beaches along its 70-mile-long coastline, together with a great collection of fun attractions.
Once you’ve ticked snorkeling or spending time at the cove of La Jolla off your shared list, a popular attraction to hit is the famous LEGOLAND California. Here, you can relive your childhood playtime memories, admire the painstakingly built structures, and even go on Lego-themed thrill rides. You can also explore slightly beyond town with a scenic hour-long road trip to pine-forested Mount Laguna. Read more…
Location: California, USA
San Diego
4. Gatlinburg
Friendship shared among the Great Smoky Mountains
Good for: Photo, Adventure, Group
Gatlinburg, a mountain town serving as the “gateway to the Smokies”, has plenty to offer for friends sharing an adventure. Getting there is part of creating your memories as you enjoy the scenic drive through eastern Tennessee and along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
In town, get breathtaking views from the top of the 407-ft Space Needle observation tower or ride the 2.1-mile Sky Lift cable car to fun-filled Ober Gatlinburg. Downtown is filled with so many things for travel buddies to see and do. Share screams at Ripley’s haunted adventures, take photos with celebrities at the Hollywood Wax Museum, hit top game scores at the awesome arcades, and hunt for one-off keepsakes at Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair. Read more…
Location: Tennessee 37738, USA
Gatlinburg
5. New York
A city filled with fun and iconic sites
Good for: History, Photo, Adventure, Group
New York with its amazing skyline is one of the most fun-filled cities for traveling friends. Make sure you take photos at the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and the Empire State Building. Essential experiences include watching a Broadway show and exploring the urban expanse of Central Park, where you can go on guided bike tours or grab a photo of your pals in front of Belvedere Castle.
Watching a baseball game together at the NYC Yankee Stadium is sure to provide an unforgettable experience. On the novel side, fans of NBC’s hit TV show Friends can check out the real Central Perk at 199 Lafayette St. It features a coffee shop and a museum of show props and souvenirs. Read more…
Location: New York, USA
New York
6. Yellowstone National Park
Wonders of nature in the country’s first national park
Good for: Adventure, Budget, Group, History
Yellowstone National Park continues to inspire awe with its breathtaking landscapes and gems such as the Old Faithful Geyser and Grand Prismatic Spring. Traveling to the park with a friend or group ensures you have shared witnesses to these natural wonders. Make sure you take any group photos from a safe distance. For some history, discover the wonderfully preserved landmarks in Mammoth Hot Springs Historic District.
You can plan a camping adventure in the neighboring communities and forests outside the park. Sharing the trip helps you save on your travel budget, and you can also opt for a stay in any of the closest towns near the East Entrance of Yellowstone, such as Cody. Read more…
Location: Wyoming 82190, USA
Phone: +1 307-344-7381
Yellowstone National Park
7. Chicago
Good times in the Windy City
Good for: Adventure, Group, History, Photo
Chicago offers wonderful attractions for friends sharing a trip, ranging from renowned places for art and history to dedicated fun spots on Lake Michigan. Hours of fun await at Navy Pier with its thrilling rides. Or, head to Millenium Park to watch a theater show, skate at the ice rink, and take your group shots at the mirror-surfaced Cloud Gate landmark.
Chicago is also great if you and your friends are looking for some scenic walks and outdoor adventures. Join an architecture tour to see more of the city’s modern marvels or go on a lakeside bike ride. You can even hike through several state parks with forests, wetlands, and waterfalls, all have well-marked trails and lookout posts. Read more…
Location: Illinois, USA
Chicago
8. Napa
Sharing the joys of wine country
Good for: Food, Group, Photo
A trip to Napa is more fun with friends. You can opt for a road trip together and drive through the heart of Wine Country with stops at various vineyards for wine tours and tastings. Alternatively, hop on the Napa Valley Wine Train together in vintage Pullman cars.
In the charming downtown area, stop by the Oxbow Public Market to buy and sample local cheeses and other fresh produce. The streets are graced by old architecture hailing from the late-1800s and early-1900s. There’s a riverfront promenade for fun shopping and dining. When the sun comes down, enjoy the arts scene at the Napa Valley Opera House. Read more…
Location: California, USA
Napa
9. Nashville
Honky-tonks are best served with your closest buddies
Good for: Adventure, Group, Photo
Nashville is home to legendary country music and how better to sing along to well-known Johnny Cash hits than with a band of friends? It’s one of the best places to go for a touch of Southern charm and some good old-fashioned vibes. Lovely bars all over town feature live country music. You can wear your cowboy hat and explore downtown together in a vintage convertible and make your own lip-synced country music video.
Pay tribute to local greats at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, historic Ryman Auditorium, and the Johnny Cash Museum. If your group has a penchant for the great outdoors, you’ll be rewarded with the gorgeous scenery of a hike around Radnor Lake. Read more…
Location: Tennessee, USA
Nashville
10. New Orleans
From rich jazz history to extravagant celebrations
Good for: Group, History, Photo
New Orleans is the place to visit with your best friends, especially if you share a love for jazz. The birthplace of the genre has countless jazz clubs all around town. But the city has more to offer circles of friends than music scenes. You can celebrate together during the extravagant, 2 week-long Mardi Gras.
Rich in history, the city streets are graced by numerous 18th-century buildings to admire. You can even learn about voodoo and go on a guided, hair-raising tour of some of the world’s most haunted buildings and cemeteries. Alternatively, spend your evenings enjoying the fabulous cuisine which is a mix of French, African, and American cultures. Read more…
Location: Louisiana, USA
New Orleans
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