Travel Tips for Must-See Places in the USA
Travelling in America doesn’t have to break the bank – if you want to explore on a budget, our Wild Packs USA travel guide has you covered. We have compiled a handy list of travel tips and tricks to get you to those bucket list destinations without added financial stress.
Budget Transport
- For flights, use comparison sites like Skyscanner or Kayak to find the cheapest options.
- Amtrak is a long-distance intercity train network with cross-country fares as little as $236.
Low-Cost Attractions
- Out of 400+ national parks in America, only 108 have entrance fees. They are a perfect free attraction, especially for nature lovers!
- Museums such as the Queens Museum in New York and the Broad Museum in California offer free tickets or pay-what-you-wish admission.
- For creatives or theatre fans, there are a multitude of free art galleries across the states – or you can enter the New York Broadway ticket lottery for a chance at discounted tickets!
Affordable Accommodation
- Budget hotel chains such as Travelodge and Super8 are cost-effective for overnight stays – you can use comparison sites like Trivago to find the best prices.
- Put those camping skills to use by using sites such as Hipcamp to find private camp spots, starting at $40 a night.
- Use Airbnb and researching local B&B options for finance-friendly stays.
Top 10 Places to Visit in the USA for Young Adventurers
We have gathered the top 10 places to visit in the USA for your solo adventure, all within a reasonable travel distance from Wild Packs summer camps – make sure to check out our camp directory to see the locations we offer!
- California - this oceanic state is perfect for solo travel, with plenty of must-see places like Los Angeles and San Diego, as well as gorgeous beaches and nature reserves.
- Utah - with violent crime rates being 37% lower than the national average, Utah is the perfect safe place for solo travel. It's packed with scenic drives, vast hiking trails and charming small-town exploration.
- North Carolina - if you consider yourself a foodie, North Carolina is the place for you. Famous for its barbecue and seafood dishes, combined with gorgeous cities like Charlotte, it’s a hot solo travel spot for young adults.
- New York - it is no surprise that New York is an extremely popular bucket list destination. Packed with iconic attractions such as Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park, it is considered one of the must-see places in the USA.
- Chicago - The Windy City is an excellent place for solo travel due to its walkability and history. Known for its vibrant music scene and gorgeous architecture, it is the perfect tourist-friendly destination.
- San Francisco - San Francisco is a creative’s paradise. Famous for its exuberant art scene, you can visit galleries such as the stunning Palace of Fine Arts - or for more of an outdoorsy break, Muir Woods National Monument is home to the oldest trees on earth.
- Wisconsin - known as ‘America’s Dairyland’, Wisconsin is the cheese lover’s dream destination. It is home to 50 state parks and an extensive list of wildlife, making it the perfect spot to continue your camping adventures.
- Massachusetts - Massachusetts has many exciting attractions such as the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile route connecting 16 nationally significant historic sites. It is the perfect place for history lovers and solo tourists.
- Vermont - famous for its agricultural history and friendly natives, Vermont is an ideal destination for solo travel. See the stars in Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium or enjoy the views at one of the local mountain resorts.
Outdoor Explorers: Must-See National Parks to Visit in America
Yosemite National Park: California
Yosemite National Park is one of California’s greatest sights – located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, it’s known for its towering, ancient sequoia trees and gorgeous cliffs and valleys. It covers an area of 759,620 acres and has a selection of exciting outdoor activities for all seasons:
Zion National Park: Utah
Zion National Park is recognised as Utah’s first national park, with the area’s history dating back to 1909. Enjoy a leisurely scenic drive through Zion Canyon’s remarkable red cliffs, or have a stroll along the Virgin River to discover beautiful waterfalls and unique hanging gardens. Noteworthy activities include:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park lies along the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. The park is famous for its biodiversity and extensive range of plant life and is the most visited national park in the US, boasting 13,297,647 visitors in 2023. Here are some enticing attractions:
Did You Know? At Wild Packs, we offer a variety of adventurous roles for our summer camp job positions. Coach climbing, become a lifeguard, teach dance and so much more – have a look at the summer camp positions Wild Packs offers. |
City Breaks: Bucket List Destinations for Urban Exploration in the USA
New York City
New York City is one of the most popular places to visit in America – with over 8 million residents and 800 languages spoken, it is among the world’s major commercial and cultural locations. Bursting with exciting historical and artistic activities, it is the perfect place to start your solo expedition in the States:
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is home to the nation’s multimedia industry, hosting more museums than any other city in the USA and a 75-mile coastline stretching from Malibu to Long Beach. With 49.1 million visitors in 2023, it is extremely tourist-friendly and has a wide range of invigorating activities:
Chicago
Chicago is the third largest city in the US, famed for its stunning skyline and lively cultural scene. Its motto translates from Latin meaning ‘city in a garden’, attesting to its beautiful nature parks and public gardens. Here are some fun areas to explore on your visit:
Hidden Gems: Underrated Places to Visit in America
Now that we have been through some of the well-loved, tourist-heavy attractions to visit in America, let’s dive into some hidden gems that are still absolute must-see places in the USA.
The Aroostook Valley Trail
The Aroostook Valley Trail is a 28-mile wonder that connects 5 towns in northeastern Maine. This transformed railroad bed path passes along the beautiful Aroostook River and provides a perfect corridor for a range of sports. Try your hand at ATV driving, hiking or even cross-country skiing on this scenic Maine trail!
Door County: Wisconsin
Door County is the easternmost county in Wisconsin, known for its long shoreline and glorious nature parks. It is a dream for nature lovers, with its Peninsula State Park hosting many adventurous activities. Go shipwreck diving, hunt for wild mushrooms or fish in Door County’s beautiful marinas on your solo travel journey!
Treasure Island: San Francisco
Treasure Island is one of San Francisco’s best-kept secrets – it is an artificial island located in San Francisco Bay, easily accessible from the city. With local distilleries spanning 1800 square feet, public art and quirky flea markets, it is the ideal break from the hustle and bustle of the city while still hosting amazing culture. Take in the beautiful city views and explore Treasure Island on your travels!
Wild Packs USA Travel Guide: Packing Checklist
About to embark on your journey across the States but aren’t sure what you might need? We have created this nifty summer camp packing checklist that you can follow to reduce that packing stress:
Start Your American Adventure: Travel with Wild Packs
Are you ready to embark on the ultimate adventure across the USA? With Wild Packs, you can tick off those bucket-list destinations while building career skills, making lifelong friends and unlocking core memories.
Whether you want to see iconic landmarks, hike through breathtaking nature or explore vibrant cities, Wild Packs can help you get there. Explore our summer camp options today!