6 Top US States to Visit for International Tourists

Written by Guest Writer 

The US states are a very popular destination for both national and international tourists! Statistics show that in 2018, international visitors to the United States reached 78 million and that figure is estimated to grow to 89 million by 2022!

There are many reasons why people travel to the U.S. that you may not automatically think of if you live here. Some travel for business or to tour its major attractions which include Disneyland Parks, Hollywood, Las Vegas casinos, National Parks, etc.

If you’re traveling to the United States or are planning a trip here I can guarantee you’ll not be disappointed by what this country has to offer! 

For international travelers, to gain entry into the country you’ll need a valid passport, a US visa and you might have to fill an EVUS enrollment form that determines your eligibility to travel to the US.

But don’t worry, that’s not the hard part! The hard part is deciding where to go! Being a large country with 50 states and over 300 million people, deciding what and where to go during your trip can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, I will make it easier for you to plan your trip!

In this article, I will show you some of the places you can visit and activities to do there.

Let’s get into it.

New York

Everybody wants to go to New York. The Big Apple has been featured in tons of movies, and is a must visit city otherwise your trip to America would be incomplete. 

In New York City, you can visit the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Empire State Building, Wall Street, United Nations Headquarters, the new World Trade Center, and Times Square. You can also visit Broadway or go for a music concert; there are many held in the city by famous musicians, or wine and dine at five-star restaurants around the city.

Niagara Falls — three massive waterfalls in Buffalo, New York should be in your itinerary when you’re in this American city as well. The falls receive over 14 million visitors annually making them one of the world’s most visited tourist’s attractions!

The Corning Museum of Glass in Finger Lakes is also located in New York, and is actually one of the top visited destinations by Asian tourists in the U.S.!

Washington D.C

Washington D.C. is the capital city of the US and where you will find the White House, where the U.S. president lives (when he’s not at his penthouse in New York or mansion in Palm Beach).  You can take photos outside the White House, or schedule a tour inside of it, which will surely make your trip memorable. 

To learn more about American history you can also visit the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, and The National Archives. A trip to Capitol Hill, the home of the U.S Congress will also be worth your time.

Florida

If you’re looking to have the perfect beach holiday in the U.S. then head over to Florida. The Sunshine State has year-round warm weather, amazing beaches and tons of outdoor activities you can enjoy. 

In 2018 Florida was voted the number one place where US travelers would love to spend their summer. That shows you how awesome this state is! If you decide to make a trip to Florida, here are some places you can visit for some R&R:

• New Smyrna Beach. The sunsets in this city are intense. During the day you can swim and surf at the beach or play some beach volleyball. If you’re into art there are a number of art galleries you can visit. 
• Key West. Happy hour at this island starts at 3p.m, this goes to show you how laid back the place is! I recommend you visit the Key West Aquarium where you can feed sharks and enjoy marine life displays. 
• Amelia Island. Apart from just chilling on the pristine beaches, you can try kayaking or play a couple of rounds of golf. The island also has amazing seafood which you can enjoy while taking a sunset boat cruise. 
• Palm Beach Island. Home to the rich, famous, and legendary, but also accessible to tourists wanting a truly posh and fabulous American experience. Recognizable figures like the Kennedy’s, Audrey Hepburn, the Pulitzer’s, and even Donald Trump have had homes on the island, and it’s where you’ll find Worth Avenue, which is the equivalent of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

Hawaii

This is another wonderful U.S destination to take a beach holiday! The state has over 100 islands but only seven are inhabited. Some of the Hawaii islands include Hawaii, which is the biggest, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau and Kahoolawe.

The weather in Hawaii is beautiful all year round so you can plan a trip there at any time. Activities you can indulge in when on holiday in Hawaii include whale watching, surfing, touring volcanic sites and sunbathing at the beach. There’s also some of the most stunning hikes to do, including the famous Stairway to Heaven.

Hawaii is also the place where the 44th President of the United States Barrack Obama was born. So when you visit the island you can get to see where he grew up!

California

LA is the second largest city in the United States and a huge tourist magnet (also where Alyssa, the founder of this website has a home base!). In 2017 close to 48 million people visited Los Angeles and the City mayor hopes to increase this number to 50 million by 2020. 

So what do all these tourists do when they visit LA.? Here are some of the activities you can spend your time doing:

• Visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame and take photos next to stars with names, hand, and footprints of your favorite actors and musicians.
• Go up to the famous Hollywood sign you have seen in hundreds of movies if you’re willing to hike (see this post for hiking directions).
• Go to the venue where the Oscars are held annually, Dolby Theatre.
• Chill at Venice Beach and peruse the quirky art stands along the boardwalk.
• Take photos at the famous Melrose Avenue wall murals.
• Window shop (or for real shop) at the luxury stores on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
• Have dinner and a movie at The Grove.
• Have some fun at Universal Studios where you can ride movie themed rollercoasters like Transformers-The Ride 3D and The Jurassic Park Ride.

Of course, there’s tons of other things to do in California as well! There’s San Diego, San Francisco, Napa Valley, and let’s not forget, some of the most famous National Parks!

Nevada

I couldn’t finish this article without mentioning the US state where Sin City, as Vegas is popularly known, is located in Nevada! The city is widely known for its gambling scene but it has a lot more to offer than that. When you visit this vibrant city you can enjoy its lit nightlife, attend riveting concerts and performances, go to the city’s theme parks or attend endless pool parties.

Las Vegas is all about fun, fun and more fun, that’s why it has been dubbed the entertainment capital of the world. So when you make a trip there be prepared to have a blast, and remember what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Nevada is also home to some stunning National Parks as well like Death Valley, and is very close to the famous Grand Canyon!

Final Words

These are some of my top picks for places to visit in the U.S. It may not be possible to visit all the places I have mentioned in one trip because the areas are large and offer a lot of things to do. 

To make it easier to decide where to go ask yourself what type of holiday you want. If you want to have a beach holiday visiting Hawaii or Florida will be a better plan.

Wherever your travels take you hope you have a good time!

Disclaimer: This post is in collaboration with and written by a guest writer for EVUS, however all content has been edited and approved by Alyssa Ramos, founder and editor of MyLifesAMovie.com