It’s easy for Americans to overlook the beauty of their own country. Many of us might consider the U.S. to be culturally and aesthetically vapid, but it is anything but.
During our time in Utah, I realized that there is still so much richness within American borders that remain to be discovered. Tour guides stumble upon petroglyphs and fossils on a regular basis. There are free-range cows, real cowboys, and places named after old-time outlaws in the Wild West.
I think many Americans also forget that tourists regularly pour into our country from all over the world. The U.S. is a coveted destination for many. And if we are at all down on America for lack of intrigue, we should reconsider.
5 Reasons to Travel Within the U.S.
1) Good roads.
Grab your friends and go on a road trip– there’s likely a scenic place not far from you! Many of the roads in the U.S., especially those around national parks, are well-maintained and dotted with gas stations, restaurants and motels. If you don’t mind driving, there is so much you can enjoy just by getting on the road.
2) Variety of accommodations.
Sure, there are cheaper destinations around the world, but it’s not terribly difficult to find diverse accommodations in the U.S. Whether you select an AirBnB apartment near a city or opt for the campground, you’ll likely find a good place to lay your head.
Furthermore, many Americans are growing interested in ecotourism, bed and breakfast, and even couchsurfing. The variety is just going to grow from here!
3) Diverse communities.
There are surprising pockets of culture all around the U.S., and one can’t simply generalize about any single location.
Within the U.S., it’s not hard to find local food, art, and traditions that are unique to that place alone. Anyone who thinks the U.S. is a cultural wasteland could not be more wrong. And many of these fascinating enclaves are accessible to visitors, too.
4) Save on flights (plus cheaper domestic flights!)
Local airlines such as Southwest make it easier to fly within the U.S. So, if you’re worried about the prices of transportation when it comes to travel, and you live in the U.S., then there’s no excuse not to stay here.
That said, if you’re not living in the U.S. but would like to visit, many domestic flights are relatively affordable. There are also train systems (some are better than others) that make domestic travel even more possible.
5) An abundance of travel resources and uncrowded spaces.
It’s hard to find Yosemite Valley uncrowded, but there are actually many beautiful sites in the U.S. that are. And, you won’t have a hard time finding them, as each destination has many books and online guides ready to help.
If you’re up for doing the research, then going almost anywhere in the U.S., and having a great time, is possible. There’s an abundance of information, price points, travel styles within each region, and you’re bound to find the one that’s right for you.
I love traveling within the U.S. I’ve been lucky enough to live on both coasts, but there is still so much left to see. Forget my international travel bucket list; I need to create one for the U.S. alone!
*These are our own photos, not stock photos. Please borrow and share as such!
