Things to do in 

United States

Find alternative things to do across the United States, swapping packed landmarks for local moments that feel grounded in place, from neighborhood studios to quiet shorelines and small-town trails.

Cultural experiences: In Santa Fe (1 hour from Albuquerque), sit with a folk artist painting saint images and try simple pigment work in a small studio near the Plaza; creative teens and couples love the pace. In New Orleans’ Tremé, drop into a brass band rehearsal with a local musician, a short streetcar ride from the French Quarter, with plenty of time to sit and talk between songs for seniors. In Detroit’s Corktown, print a Motown-style poster in a community letterpress shop 10 minutes from Downtown; families leave with something to keep. On St. Helena Island near Beaufort (2 hours from Charleston), join a Gullah Geechee heritage tour and taste okra soup in a church hall, guided by community storytellers.

Day trip ideas: From New York City, ride the Hudson Line to Beacon for DIA Beacon’s converted factory galleries and a riverside walk; couples linger over small tasting rooms and patios. From San Diego, head east to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for slot canyons near Borrego Springs and roadside metal sculptures families can seek out. From Seattle, ferry to Bainbridge and continue to Poulsbo on the Kitsap Peninsula for easy waterfront strolls and Nordic bakeries; seniors appreciate flat paths and benches. From Atlanta, make a day of Providence Canyon near Lumpkin, 2.5 hours south, where photographers catch rust-red overlooks and quiet trails.

Explore United States’ regions: In New England, base in Portland, Maine, for working waterfront tastings and island hops on Casco Bay, then drive to Essex north of Boston to shuck oysters on the tidal flats. In the Southwest, visit Taos from Santa Fe to walk centuries-old pueblos, then head to Sedona from Phoenix for red rock trails that end at creekside picnic spots. In the Pacific Northwest, follow makers from Portland, Oregon, to Astoria at the Columbia River mouth for studios, canneries, and river views. Across the Midwest, bike rail-trails from Madison into farm towns for relaxed brewery stops, then watch sunset on Lake Superior from Duluth’s Canal Park.

Travel tip: For a country this large, plan 7–10 days per region (New England, the Southwest, or the Pacific Northwest), or 2–3 weeks if you’re linking two regions with flights and a rental car.

More places to see in United States

Beyond New York City, you’ll find places that pull you into local life, from live-music streets to quiet rain forests and salt‑aired islands. These are easy to love on a first visit and even better with time.

New Orleans: Start with a morning beignet and café au lait at Café du Monde before the crowds swell. Ride the St. Charles streetcar past oak-lined avenues and hop off to wander the Garden District. After dark, follow the brass on Frenchmen Street, where small clubs like The Spotted Cat keep the music close and lively.

Santa Fe & Taos: Step into the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum when it opens, then stroll Canyon Road to pop into small galleries and courtyards. Later, drive the High Road to Taos and pause at Santuario de Chimayó, where candles flicker and locals stop in on their way home.

Olympic Peninsula: Hit the Hoh Rain Forest in the morning for the Hall of Mosses loop, cool and green under the maples. By late afternoon, watch waves slam the sea stacks at Rialto Beach and look for tide pools near Hole-in-the-Wall. Wrap up with salmon and a harbor view in La Push as the sky dims.

South Carolina Lowcountry: Grab coffee on Beaufort’s Waterfront Park and watch shrimp boats slide by. Pedal quiet streets under live oaks in Bluffton’s Old Town, then head to Hunting Island State Park for a lighthouse climb and a slow walk along the wide, shell‑strewn beach.

Seasonal activities

Spring: Watch cities thaw and bloom, from cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., to desert wildflowers across Arizona and California. Wander national parks as snowmelt swells waterfalls and trails feel calm, a gentle pace that suits photographers and many seniors. Families can chase kite days on breezy shores while couples linger in historic neighbourhoods and garden estates.

Summer: Head for beaches and lakes when long days invite swims, sailing, and sunset picnics, or trade the heat for mountain towns where alpine trails and cool nights make easy escapes. Celebrate Fourth of July fireworks, outdoor concerts, and night markets as cities stay lively well after dark. Couples slip to rooftop views while families map out coastal road trips, and luxury‑minded travellers unwind on private boat rides or quiet coves.

Fall: Follow blazing foliage through New England and the Appalachians, then sip fresh cider at harvest time in wine and orchard country. Wander farmers’ markets, craft fairs, and historic towns as crisp air returns, an easy‑going stretch that many seniors appreciate. Halloween parades and neighbourhood porch displays add a playful note for kids, while couples find calm in museum districts and small inns.

Winter: Settle into festive lights and holiday windows in New York, Chicago, and beyond, then skate, sip hot chocolate, and step into world‑class museums on chilly days. Chase powder in the Rockies and Vermont or fly south for gentle sunshine in Florida and the desert Southwest. Families find cheerful ice rinks and zoos with fewer crowds, and luxury travellers lean into cosy boutique stays and firelit lounges.

From Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans each winter to spring’s National Cherry Blossom traditions in D.C., the calendar fills with recurring moments worth planning around. Summer brings Pride celebrations in June, jazz and bluegrass weekends in cities and small towns, and dazzling Fourth of July fireworks on waterfronts and town greens. Autumn rounds out with state and harvest fairs and big‑city Thanksgiving parades, before neighbourhood light trails and New Year’s Eve celebrations brighten midwinter.