We live here. We eat here. We sleep here. However when we travel throughout the United States we tend to see only the biggest and most popular cities – often forgetting about the many incredible sights and attractions that make this country one of the most visited in the world. Rediscover your backyards and explore the land of the free and the home of the brave in a new way this year – with Avoya Travel / American Express’ expert guide on ways to see the U.S.A. like a local!

1. San Francisco, California

If you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to check out the Golden Gate Bridge, the Twin Peaks, and more. On Trafalgar’s 9-day Adventures in the Wild Northwest itinerary, choose to walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, which connects the city with Marin County. From the bridge, enjoy views of Alcatraz Prison, the city of San Francisco, and the beautiful bay – and make sure to bring a camera for these photo opportunities and a jacket as well; it gets chilly! During your down time, take a cab to the Twin Peaks for the best panoramic views of the entire city and beyond. The next day, head north with your Trafalgar guided vacation group to Northern California Redwood National Park to see the iconic Redwood trees – over 300 feet tall and more than 1,000 years old.

Eat Like a Local: San Francisco is known for its focus on health, organic cuisine, and incredible restaurants. Visit Nopa for an authentic San Francisco experience and sample their organic wood-fired dishes.

2. Portland, Oregon

Before heading to the bigger city of Portland, your guide will take you to the town of Tillamook. Avoya Travel / American Express guests can tour the Tillamook Creamery where farmers in the 1800s set up to breed dairy cows, ultimately creating the famous Tillamook food products that we all know and love today. Sample the cheese from the factory or choose from over 30 flavors and enjoy an ice cream cone. From there, journey to Portland to explore the hip, Willamette River-front city on Trafalgar’s 9-day Adventures in the Wild Northwest itinerary. During your guided vacation city orientation, wander around Portland to see famous sites such as the International Rose Test Garden, make a pit stop at a local café to sample some of the best coffee in the nation, and check out the Portland Farmers Market to collect some snacks or veggies and see why Portland is often named the ‘Greenest City in the U.S.A.’ 

3. Seattle, Washington

Known as a city of unique and diverse personalities, Seattle continues to be a favorite destination for Avoya Travel / American Express guests. Enjoy a relaxing ferry ride across Puget Sound to the Emerald City. Explore the vibrant Seattle community on Trafalgar’s 9-day Adventures in the Wild Northwest itinerary and stop at Pike Place Market, the U.S.A.’s oldest farmers market. There, see the first ever Starbuck’s location and have fun with the exciting street performers that entertain on the street. End your time in Seattle with a trip to the top of the Space Needle – an iconic landmark of the Pacific Northwest that provides incredible views of the city. 

Eat Like a Local: In your spare time, visit Pike Place Chowder for their award-winning chowder, an American favorite, right in the heart of the Pike Place Market.

Visit these attractions of the West and more of the United States with 8+ day U.S.A. guided vacations with Trafalgar!

4. Washington D.C.

This district is the hub for Presidents, politics, and the White House. However venturing to a smaller neighborhood in Washington D.C. – Georgetown – home to the prestigious Georgetown University, will show travelers a new side of our nation’s capital. On Insight’s 16-day Best of Eastern Canada and U.S.A itinerary, Avoya Travel / American Express guests will get to see a new side of Washington D.C. with free time to explore the Georgetown area. Walk the streets of Georgetown and check out boutiques, trendy lounges, and an array of incredible restaurants. Head over to one of the many massive oak trees at Georgetown University to enjoy a good read. Spend some time at the Georgetown Waterfront for beautiful vistas or kayak on the Potomac River. When you’ve seen the neighborhood of Georgetown, sneak over to the Spy Museum, just 20 minutes away to learn about famous FBI cases, observe and handle real spy equipment such as a pen or lipstick gun. Play around with interactive displays to get a feel for what it was really like to be a spy in the ‘50s.

Eat Like a Local: Try the crab and artichoke dip at Clyde’s – located in the heart of Georgetown. For a sweet ending, check out Baked and Wired, the locals’ favorite place for a cupcake!

5. Savannah, Georgia

Home of Food Network star Paula Deen and some of the best sweet tea and peaches around, Savannah is a quaint town, easily accessible through Insight’s 8-day Southern Elegance itinerary. On your guided vacation, you’ll have the opportunity to tour the Owens-Thomas House, originally built as a home in the 1800’s and is now a museum displaying important architecture, art, and furnishings from the English Regency period. From there, check out River Street and the many restaurants and shops, followed by leisure time where Avoya Travel / American Express guests can wander the city on their own – maybe even stopping to see where the famous ‘bench scenes’ were filmed in Forrest Gump. End your time in Savannah with a group trip to Paula Deen’s restaurant, The Lady’s Sons, and indulge in some home-cooked Southern grub.

Eat Like a Local: Pop in to B Matthews Eatery on Bay Street, the oldest tavern in Savannah, for an unforgettable breakfast or brunch!

See Washington D.C, Savannah, and an array of other quaint towns across the United States with 8+ day U.S.A. guided vacations with Insight Vacations!

6. Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Grand Canyon is often a site that everyone has heard about and knows about but strangely few Americans have yet to see it in real life. On Brendan’s 8-day National Parks Wonders itinerary, Avoya Travel /American Express guests can view the Seventh Natural Wonder of the World – The Grand Canyon – and all of its glory plus visit an array of other scenic surroundings. During your time at the Grand Canyon, a local guide will educate you on the incredible geology – over two billion years old – within the canyon. 

7. Yellowstone National Park

Visit Yellowstone National Park, an important ecological hub and widely known natural wonder with Brendan’s 8-day National Parks Wonders itinerary. Don’t miss the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone – a breathtaking canyon of waterfalls – and of course, Old Faithful. See this geyser shoot water nearly 130 feet in the air which occurs approximately once an hour, every hour since its discovery in 1870. 

Experience the natural beauty of these treasured National Parks of the United States and beyond with 8+ day U.S.A. guided vacations with Brendan!

8. Waterbury, Vermont

Enjoy the small town feel of the United States’ less-traveled cities during Contiki’s 13-day Eastern Escapade itinerary. Contiki is just for travelers aged 18 – 35 and this itinerary will take you to an array of destinations, including the quaint town of Waterbury, Vermont, home of Ben and Jerry’ s Ice Cream Factory – one of America’s favorite ice cream companies. Begin you tour at the ‘Cow Over the Moon’ theater where Avoya Travel / American Express guests will watch a brief film on the creation of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, which started with two friends – Ben and Jerry – in Burlington, Vermont back in 1978. The two set up shop in a newly renovated gas station and by 1982, Ben and Jerry packed up and moved to a larger location to accommodate the growing supply and demand of their ice cream. After the film, continue on to the production room to get an up close and personal look at how the ice cream is processed and packaged and end the tour in the Flavoroom to sample the flavor of the day. 

9. New Orleans, Louisiana

Explore the eclectic city of New Orleans to experience the French and Caribbean influence on New Orleans’ one-of-a-kind culture. On guided vacations such as Contiki’s 14-day Eastern Discovery itinerary, for 18 – 35 year olds, you can sign up for a class at the New Orleans’ Cooking School to learn how to make famous dishes such as gumbo, shrimp Creole, and bread pudding. Wander the streets of this cherished city and listen to the musical styling of local jazz musicians and grab some beignets to go. In addition, your guide will take you to the Garden District Mansions and the French Quarter and the evening will come to an end with a beverage on the famous Bourbon Street. 

Drink Like a Local: Grab a craft cocktail like a Pimm’s Cup at the Columns Hotel, a gorgeous and historic hotel bursting with intricate molding and eclectic art inside.

10. Dallas / Ft. Worth, Texas

Grab your boots and head to Dallas / Ft. Worth Texas! Start your day in downtown Dallas and tour the Sixth Floor Museum to learn about President John F. Kennedy’s life and assassination. After the history lesson, do some shopping at Neiman Marcus’ headquarters store and splurge on a purchase from one of the six stories inside. Next, on Contiki’s 26-day Grand Southern itinerary, for 18 – 35 year olds, you will visit Ft. Worth, where Avoya Travel / American Express guests can really get a feel for this Southern state. Explore the Ft. Worth Stockyards and if you’d like, experience a real rodeo complete with bronco riding, calf roping, professional cowboys, and more! 

Eat Like a Local: Sample queso, steaks, and more at Uncle Julio’s, a small chain of restaurants located in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area for a unique and delicious Tex-Mex feast.

See New Orleans, Dallas, Ft. Worth, and more incredible cities of the United States with like-minded travelers your age with 8+ day guided vacations with Contiki!

Traveling the world is wonderful and important, but sometimes staying in your own backyard can be just as beautiful and rewarding. Call an Avoya Travel / American Express Guided Vacation Specialist today and learn about all of the ways to see the U.S.A. like a local!