Top 9 Must Visit USA Destinations for 2022!

2022 is shaping up to be the year that the world can slowly get back to normal, and so why not celebrate with a weekend away with the family to a destination that you might not have thought about before?

The USA has some incredible cities and towns that might not have hit your radar, so here are our Top 9 Must Visit USA Destinations that you should be experienced at least once!

Historic Ybor City, Florida

Image Credit: Ybor City

When Family Days Out personally visited the Tampa area, we had no idea Historic Ybor existed, until we walked into this area that suddenly transformed into character, history, electric energy...and even Street Cars and chickens roaming!

It surprised us, in a very good way, and to this day remains one of our favorite places we have visited.

It's Tampa Bay's National Historic Landmark District (only one of three in Florida), and really cherishes and celebrates its Latin history, culture and traditions with cobblestone streets and old cigar factory buildings that still stand today. The town was founded in 1886, and already by 1900, it was the "cigar capital of the world".

You can learn all about the history at the Ybor City Museum State Park!

For more fun things to do in Tampa with kids, click HERE

Sedona, Arizona

Image Credit: Visit Sedona

Sedona is simply one of the most stunning landscapes in the country. The striking red rocks and beautiful formations are the very first thing that will amaze you as you arrive in the town, but it won't be the last!

Sedona is an incredibly spiritual town, but it's also great for those families who love to get out in nature. There are plenty of opportunities for hikes (and those who want to be challenged can hike to the top of the various rock formatioms, such as Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock), and mountain biking opportunities too.

If you want to see Sedona with some adventure thrown in, Jeep Tours are hugely popular in the area, as are Helicopter Tours, and if you want something different, check out the UFO Tours! The Starzing Tours are second to none too!

For more fun things to do in Sedona with kids, click HERE

Deadwood, South Dakota

Like something out of the movies, Deadwood really will take you back into the days of the Wild West. The town's heyday was from 1876 when the town was born, after keen prospectors came across a gulch full of dead trees and a creek full of gold.

Notable residents included Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock. In fact, Wild Bill Hickok was only in town a few weeks, before he was famously playing poker holding A's and 8's (now known as the "Dead Man's Hand") and was then shot from behind.

In fact, you can still see a sign marking that original location where the shooting happened, and learn all about it at the nearby Adams Museum

Deadwood also features some other great attractions to get you into your Wild West mood like Broken Boot Gold Mine and the Days of '76 Museum

For more fun things to do in Deadwood with kids, click HERE

Cody, Wyoming

Similar to Deadwood, Cody in the stunning landscapes of Wyoming is another great option if you want to immerse yourselves in the Wild West days gone by.

Old Trail Town is certainly a highlight for any visit, as all of the 26 buildings you'll see (as well as original horse drawn vehicles too!) were built between 1879 and 1901, and re-located to this location to give you an incredible sense of the 19th century.

Named after William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, who helped found the town in 1896, the town offers some really fun things to do with kids, including nightly summer rodeos, gun fight re-enactments and cowboy music! Also another fun way to immerse yourself in the history is to visit places such as Buffalo Bill's Historical Center as well as visiting places such as Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel, which Buffalo Bill himself built in 1902, and named after his daughter. Don't miss the delicious food here (including a very famous prime rib buffet!) 

For more fun things to do in Cody with kids, click HERE

Mystic, Connecticut

Image Credit: This Is Mystic

This stunning Connecticut town was once a significant Connecticut seaport with over 600 ships built from 1784, and for the subsequent 135 years. The town itself was settled in 1654, and today still retains much of that historic, seaside charm.

Your days here will just be relaxation, walking, eating amazing seafood, and checking out the local attractions, such as Mystic Seaport Museum, and Mystic Aquarium, or perhaps enjoying a boat ride with Mystic Boat Adventures. With such a rich history, it would be a shame to visit Mystic without exploring attractions such as The Denison Homestead Museum and the Mystic Museum of Art

Make sure you stop at Mystic Pizza! Not only does it serve incredibly delicious pizza, but it's also recognisable from the Julia Roberts film Mystic Pizza!

For more fun things to do in Mystic with kids, click HERE

Astoria, Oregon

Image Credit: Astoria Oregon

If you don't think you know Astoria, you actually might and just not realise it! Whilst Astoria is a charming village on the coast of Oregon, it's beauty is also the reason many movies have been filmed here!

Have you seen Free Willy, Kindergarten Cop and of course, The Goonies? Yep! Even Short Circuit, Into The Wild, Free Willy 2.... all Astoria! It's also said that Clark Gable had his first acting work in Astoria Theatre in 1922!

You can learn all about the films at the Oregon Film Museum

Another reason to visit Astoria is the history. The town was founded in 1811, and is actually the oldest city in the entire state of Oregon, AND was the very first American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains - all of which can be learnt at the Heritage Museum

For more fun things to do in Astoria with kids, click HERE

Olympic National Park, Washington State

Image Credit: NPS

What really surprised us when Family Days Out visited Olympic National Park, is just how much of a beautiful, tranquil true rainforest it felt - and rainforest is actually one of four regions within the park - the Pacific coastline, alpine areas, the west-side temperate rainforest, and the forests of the drier east side.

Located on the Olympic Peninsula, it's a nature loving families dream. Hiking, skiing, wildlife viewing, biking....whilst so close to urban areas, you'll feel miles away - especially with it's 73 mile wilderness coast and the park itself spanning nearly a million acres.

More of a nature getaway than a "here are fun things to do with kids" option in this list, but it truly is a stunning part of the USA - so much so it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

Estes Park, Colorado

Image Credit: Visit Estes Park

Just 70 miles from Denver, Estes Park is Colorado's original playground. You really feel you are in the heart of the Rockies, and there are plenty of outdoor adventures to be enjoyed, from fishing, white water rafting, and our personal favorite - horseback riding with companies like Sombrero Ranches

Don't miss a visit to the Stanley Hotel - best known as Stanley Kubrick's inspiration for his classic movie The Shining! 

As much as there are outdoor adventures to be had, Estes Park also has plenty of galleries, shopping, events and so many options to enjoy delicious food!

Settled in 1859 and incorporated in 1917, Estes Park lies along the Big Thompson River and is the headquarters for the Rocky Mountain National Park. 

For more fun things to do in Estes Park with kids, click HERE

Moab, Utah

Image Credit: Moab City

Moab is home to the stunning Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park so get ready for some incredibly breathaking scenery! Not only is Moab a great base for the national parks, but there are some fascinating things to do in Moab itself.

You might recognise the scenery from films such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crucade, and Thelma & Louise, and some very famous John Wayne westerns, and a visit to Red Cliffs Lodge Movie Museum can tell you all about it through some pretty cool movie memorabilia!

In Moab, you get small town hospitality, the beautiful waters of the Colorado River (which is THE river that runs through the Grand Canyon!) and beautiful red rock landscapes - all the makings of an amazing experience for the family!

For more fun things to do in Moab with kids, click HERE

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We hope you have enjoyed our Top 9 Must Visit USA Destinations for 2022 list - if you have any more suggestions you feel should be on this list, don't forget to comment below!