Best Vacations: Iconic Cities & Bucket List Activities You Don’t Want To Miss!
European cities, breathtaking mountains and alluring islands grab top spots on vacation lists.
Written By Elizabeth Von Tersch
With the busy summer travel season upon us, many Americans are ready to explore. If you’re one of them, the U.S. News Best Vacations rankings are here to help you find your ideal destination. Whether you’re looking for cities brimming with culture, yearning for white sand to sink your toes into or seeking family-friendly outdoor adventures, you’ll find it on our 2023-2024 ranking lists.
The U.S. News travel rankings methodology incorporates both user votes and expert opinion. With this year’s rankings, it’s clear that travelers are ready to take those bucket list trips after years of uncertainty, whether it’s to luxurious European destinations like Paris, Rome and the Swiss Alps, or far-flung remote islands such as Bora Bora and the Maldives.
It’s no surprise that the ever-popular Paris is the No. 1 destination on the World’s Best Places to Visit ranking. Beyond this city’s timeless appeal, including must-see architectural wonders and charming streets, Paris’ constantly changing culinary scene and museum exhibits make each visit feel like the first. Meanwhile, Montana’s Glacier National Park (the No. 1 Best Place to Visit in the USA) attracts outdoor enthusiasts with its striking glacial lakes, mountaintop treks and scenic drives.
The Turks and Caicos Islands (No. 1 on the Best Places to Visit in the Caribbean) are home to dreamy resorts perched on pristine beaches, crystal clear water and reefs waiting to be explored. Mexico’s No. 1 spot, the laid-back beach town of Zihuatanejo, offers an authentic alternative to the usual hot spots.
Whether you’re looking to spend well-earned vacation days close to home or you’ve saved up for an epic international trip, consult the U.S. News Best Vacations lists to find your next destination. Read on for more of the best places to visit below.
World’s Best Places to Visit
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1. Paris
2. Bora Bora
3. Glacier National Park
4. Rome
5. Swiss Alps
Best Places to Visit in the USA
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1. Glacier National Park
2. Maui
3. Grand Canyon National Park
4. Honolulu – Oahu
5. Yellowstone National Park
Best Places to Visit in Mexico
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Best Places to Visit in the Caribbean
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1. Turks & Caicos
2. St. Lucia
3. British Virgin Islands
4. U.S. Virgin Islands
5. St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Best Places to Visit in Canada
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1. Banff
2. Jasper National Park
3. Vancouver
4. Niagara Falls
5. Whitehorse
Best Places to Visit in Europe
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Best Places to Visit in Asia
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Best Places to Visit in Africa
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1. Serengeti National Park
2. Victoria Falls
3. Tanzania
4. Mauritius
5. Masai Mara National Reserve
Best Places to Visit in Central and South America
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1. Argentine Patagonia
2. Chilean Patagonia
3. Galapagos Islands
4. Torres del Paine National Park
5. Costa Rica
Best Places to Visit in Australia & the Pacific
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1. Bora Bora
2. South Island, New Zealand
3. Tahiti
4. Great Barrier Reef
5. Fiji
Best National Parks in the World
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1. Glacier National Park
2. Banff National Park
3. Serengeti National Park
4. Grand Canyon National Park
5. Yellowstone National Park
Best U.S. National Parks
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1. Glacier National Park
2. Grand Canyon National Park
3. Yellowstone National Park
4. Yosemite National Park
5. Zion National Park
Best National Parks in Canada
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1. Banff National Park
2. Jasper National Park
3. Yoho National Park
4. Waterton Lakes National Park
5. Kootenay National Park
Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA
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1. Bar Harbor
2. Telluride
3. Monterey
4. Nantucket
5. Jackson Hole
Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S.
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1. Grand Teton National Park
2. Moab
3. Glacier National Park
4. Cannon Beach
5. Sequoia National Park
Best Cheap European Vacations
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