Top 10 US travel destinations for 2012

Apr 5, 2012 4:52:55 PM

Robert Reid
Lonely Planet Author

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The US: it’s a big place, and there’s a lot of ground for travelers to cover. So what’s buzzing for travelers in the coming year? It’s an annual tradition at Lonely Planet to try to answer that question, so the editors in our US office put their travel-noggins together to carve out a list of what’s new, interesting, and in some cases likely to be overlooked by travelers both domestic and international. Here are our 10 top picks that should be on your travel radar in 2012:

1. US Virgin Islands

In a year when travelers are apt to still be watching their wallets, this is our #1 choice for an American tropical getaway. It’s eternally 80 degrees, rimmed with white-sand beaches on turquoise water, and, yes, it’s a US territory. Each of the US Virgin Islands has their own identity: if you want a break from resorts, St John is nearly two-thirds a lush national park with tent cabins amid trees and hikes to secluded beaches – this sadly may be the last year for the Maho Bay Camps, a long-standing eco-resort which is the place to stay if you’re watching your budget; or try the St John Inn which offers great-value rooms with kitchenettes. For more action, the previously inaccessible Hassel Island, now part of Virgin Islands National Park (St Thomas), can be explored by snorkel or kayak. And word is that the Captain Morgan Rum Distillery on St. Croix will open its new visitor center in spring 2012 – ahoy!

2. Hudson River Valley, New York

It should be a given that any visitor to New York City breaks for a day or two ‘upstate’ in the Hudson River Valley, a slice of rural Americana just north. It’s a real city break, with leafy drives, wineries and plenty of farm-to-table foodie options that draw even spoiled-for-choice Manhattanites away from the city. A favorite spot to stay is straight out of a B-52s video. No surprise. It’s former ‘52 singer Kate Pierson’s Lazy Meadow, a renovated ‘50s cabin complex near Woodstock designed by the same pals who did up the ‘Love Shack’ for the video.

3. Cincinnati, Ohio

Seen Cincy lately? The pretty city on the Ohio River – off the main cross-country interstates – gets bypassed by many road trippers, but it’s quietly transformed itself in the last decade into a worthy weekend getaway. Life centers around the river – much which can be seen by foot: river walkways are best on the Kentucky side, reached via a couple bridges including John Roebling’s Suspension Bridge (a prequel to his famous Brooklyn Bridge). Narrow, twisting (and steep) brick roads of the Mt Adams district lead past 19th-century Victorian townhouses and the free Cincinnati Art Museum, while the once-dangerous, emerging Over-the-Rhine, just north of downtown, is home to the Findlay Market and a sprawling collection of historic Italianate architecture. Best, though, is the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, open since 2004, on the banks of the river where many slaves escaped to freedom in the 19th century.

4. Four Corners Region, Southwest USA

The most popular attractions of the four states sharing a border in the southwest – Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah – typically cluster away from the four corners, but this underappreciated region is a geologic, archeological wonderland. Even with a 100-mile radius, you can see the sandstone towers of Arizona’s Monument Valley, Hollywood stars in their own right, seen on a 17-mile loop or by Navajo-led walks – pop into one of Utah’s national parks, see Colorado’s Mesa Verde’s abandoned cliff dwellings on self-guided walks, then straddle all four states at once.

5. Culebra, Puerto Rico

Image by fuzzzypics

Looking for a beach? Don’t forget Puerto Rico, just a short hop from the US mainland. The island is rimmed with great beaches, but the best – and still a secret to most visitors – is the world-class Playa Flamenco, on wee, offbeat, laid-back island of Culebra, 17 miles off Puerto Rico’s mainland. Reached by ferry or flight, Culebra is great for beach-hopping, snorkeling or hikes in a wildlife refuge. You can find beachside apartments for $150/night, including Villa Flamenco Beach, while the personable, cheaper Palmetto Guesthouse offers free water-sports gear.

6. California Gold Country

Tahoe and Yosemite gets all the mountain love in California, but an hour closer to San Francisco (and cheaper and less crowded) is Gold Country. Towns that ooze century-old ambience are strung out like throw-back pearls along Hwy 49, a fun drive that passes stops like Jamestown’s historic train, a tiny gold town called Volcano (with no volcano), wineries (some even consider the region a contender to Napa and Sonoma), caves, gold-panning spots and a good overnight choice: the artsy town of Nevada City. Winter is also a treat with snow parks for kids and Bear Valley for hard-core winter sports – plus there’s sledding options galore. That’s how the locals do it.

7. Boulder, Colorado

The university town of Boulder is one of the most livable cities in US. Locals live with a mad crush on the outdoors, and adventure can be found at every turn. Main roads are filled with cyclists, except for the bustling ped-only Pearl St Mall lined with shops and great eateries and brewpubs. There’s also a bike path along Boulder Creek, which gets filled with tubers in summer. The Royal Arch Trail is a two-hour hike though a challenging red-rock canyon in town. And, in winter, don’t overlook Nederland’s goofy Frozen Dead Guy festival, 17 miles west.

8. Hawai’i: The Big Island

For too long, ‘Hawai’i’ has meant Honolulu, but a rise in direct flights from the US mainland to Kona, on the Big Island, mean the draw of this magical place has never been easier. Plan to stay as long as you can, considering its wide variety of attractions: Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Kealakekua Bay snorkeling, hikes into caves and waterfalls along the lava field at Hilina Pai, or just bumming on the island’s best beach at Hapuna.

9. Chicago

Chicago’s going to be busy in 2012, with G8 and NATO summits based here – though the main attraction lies outside politics. Instead, occupy the Magnificent Mile! Chicago has incredible art offerings at places like the Art Institute and Millennium Park, some of the country’s best restaurants and world-class festivals like Lollapalooza and Taste of Chicago. And the Obamas’ old neighborhood on the south side – Hyde Park – is seeing more visitors for its lakeside walks and a look at Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘prairie style’ Robie House, up this year for World Heritage Site status.

10. Yellowstone National Park

The world’s first national park – turning 140 next year – attracts nearly four million visitors a year, but just a trickle go in winter; consider it. Rates are lower (the Old Faithful Snow Lodge has rooms starting at $95, a fraction of summer rates), and the scenery has its own wintery majesty, when waterfalls turn to curtains of ice, geysers shoot higher and boiling rivers billow with steam. You can get about by ski shuttles, snowshoe (rangers lead free tours) or – best yet – cross-country skis, as hiking trails of all levels transform into some of the country’s best trails. Why wait for summer?

This article was updated in March 2012.

Ready to go?

There are tours and activities galore to make your American dreams come true:

Swim and snorkel at Trunk Bay.
Visit Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island.
Hike across Yellowstone, the Rocky Mountains and the Grand Canyon.

Read all about it

Hit the ground running with Lonely Planet’s USA’s Best Trips, packed with 99 themed itineraries across America to suit all travel tastes.

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Comments

21 December 2011 8:16AM seanmathew11 Report this comment
I will be going to Yellowstone National Park with my family in 2012.
28 December 2011 8:49AM jstoli13 Report this comment
I live in Cincinnati, and I have only one question ... could the Cincinnati visitor and travelers bureau not afford to pay for the #1 or #2 spot on this list?
28 December 2011 5:49PM kmcha90 Report this comment
As someone who lives near Cincinnati I hope you know there is more to do in Cincinnati besides visiting the 2 museums, Findlay Market and walking the bridges and along the river like you have listed. There are two professional sports teams and a few college teams, a museum center that includes an omnimax theater and a children's museum and the 2010 Greenest Zoo in America. If you would have included the rest of the tri-state area which is Northern Kentucky and part of Indiana you could have added Newport on the Levee and the Newport Aquarium, Florence Freedom, a minor league baseball team, Kentucky Speedway with all 3 Nascar series races and Indy car races and the casinos in Indiana. Cincinnati might be good list worthy once the Banks project and casino is finished but right now it would not be on my list of top travel destionations especially if that same list included Hawaii, Chicago, Puerto Rico and California.
29 December 2011 4:14AM pickles25 Report this comment
I definitely recommend seeing Cincinnati before Boulder. Go to Boulder if you want to see a bunch of Californians walking around in Patagonia mountain gear while shopping and fine dining. Also, if you like constant traffic jams and really rude people, definitely hit Boulder up.
29 December 2011 5:28AM walkaboutgreg Report this comment
Right 'pickles25'- Cincinnati before Boulder? Constant traffic... Rude people...? I don't think so, but we're fine keeping Boulder to ourselves...
29 December 2011 8:44AM bouldekickscinci Report this comment
I signed up just to comment on Pickles25 inane comment that Cincinnati is better than Boulder.
Sure, if you want to smoke something that makes you so crazy (as Pickles obviously has done) then go to Cincinnati.
If you want to hike, have beautiful weather, meet intelligent people, see great music, eat wonderful food, mountain bike, climb, etc then go to Boulder!
29 December 2011 11:15AM gyrofeather Report this comment
Where did you get your information about Cincinnati, a brief phone call to the Chamber of Commerce? Over-the-Rhine has been "emerging" for what seems like forever. It is definitely more dangerous than when I moved away 20 years ago. A friend had been killed late at night, leaving work, not long before. Now, it seems it's not difficult to be killed in broad daylight, a recent trend. The last 2 times I was in OTR, each time with 3 men, in the daytime, the MEN were scared. Cincinnati is a wonderful city, but just as you would with any travel, do your homework, and have a great trip.
29 December 2011 11:39AM raabeye Report this comment
The crazy thing about Cincinnati is the visitors appreciate it way more then the locals do. Its like everyone here hates it, but they won't leave. I don't understand.
No- it's not Bolder-there is way less marijuana smoke in the air here and people actually use deodorant- but for a Midwest adventure I can't think of a better place.
Things to do you can't find anywhere else:
Dine at a chili parlor. Its uniquely Cincinnati and all are fantastic.
The American Sign Museum. Best collection of Neon signs in the U.S.-in a new building. http://signmuseum.org/
Take a tour of the underground. There were over 50 breweries in Over the Rhine before prohibition. Many of the buildings are still there today, and below them is an underground maze of tunnels and storage cellars. A tour like nothing you will experience in ANY U.S. city. http://www.americanlegacytours.com/?q=tours/queen-city-underground/
29 December 2011 1:51PM racole12 Report this comment
Really?
I'm from Cincinnati (I live there now) and I have lived in Boulder and Denver for a combo of 3 years. It's not filled with "Californians walking around in Patagonia mountain gear while shopping and fine dining. Also, if you like constant traffic jams and really rude people" ... I'm SCARED to walk downtown Cincinnati, by myself, during the daytime!! I have been mugged in a garage in the daylight!! Boulder (or even Denver)... I have walked 8 blocks to the store or a meet-up place on my own, in the middle of the night without any fear. Whoever thinks negatively Boulder, obviously has never been there or in any part of Colorado.
29 December 2011 1:55PM racole12 Report this comment
Oh, just to add... there isn't really much traffic there in Boulder... most people ride their bikes to work or whatnot! I usually avg about 20 thousand miles a yr here in Cincinnati, which when I lived in Boulder I ended up only driving about 8k.
29 December 2011 3:14PM raabeye Report this comment
Bolder misses you racole12
30 December 2011 2:23AM econiko Report this comment
How petty to argue about what city is better! Boulder and Cincinnati are just two totally different places in the States, both with great things to offer travelers. I am from Cincinnati, and while I can't deny it is not always safe, I have never had a problem. The city is definitely on the up-and-up,and I know plenty of people that care a lot about making it a great place. I am personally looking forward to the Red's season this year-with the Banks improvement and the Christian Moerlein House it should be a fun experience; just one among the many downtown. There are so many wonderful, unique places in the States; that is what makes travel such an adventure! We all know tropical getaways are there, I think it is great that the places that we don't always think of first are also being highlighted by LP.
30 December 2011 7:57AM longduckdon Report this comment
Downtown Cincinnati is 10 blocks away from OTR. I have never been afraid to walk alone in downtown. From newport over the bridges all the way up to 5th/6th street are safe. As far as OTR just stay on vine and you will be fine. Their is so much to do in Cincy and if your looking for a good night life the Nati can hang with the best. Newport has a great Beer house called the Hofbräuhaus which serves beer brewed in house. Then after that you head up to Mt.Adams which over looks the cities skyline. Then around 12 you head into downtown for the nightclubs. Now say you just want to hit some dive bars, well just head on over to Mainstasse, Cliftion, or Northside all of which are a short cab ride from one another.
31 December 2011 7:53AM civ_iv_fan Report this comment
I never thought I would see so many people arguing about Boulder v Cincinnati. Yet, I am inclined to comment having been both a Coloradan (Durango) and a Cincinnatian.
It is seriously apples and oranges. Boulder offers outdoor activities, hiking, mountain biking, freedom of movement, open spaces, mountains etc. Cincinnati offers architecture, historical relevance, old-world type culture, urban form, diversity, and a certain amount of off-the-beaten-pathness. Neither can compete with the other in these respects. They are, of course, unique.
They are totally different animals. Neither should be ranked over the other. Do both, do neither - do what you like!
4 January 2012 10:02AM stevecordova Report this comment
I LOVE Boulder! Their Facebook ain't half bad page either. http://www.facebook.com/boulder.colorado
8 January 2012 2:01AM movealot Report this comment
If you are coming to Cincinnati then you need to make an effort to visit the Creation Museum. Millions of people have been through there and can't be wrong about what a great place it is to visit.
8 January 2012 2:19AM tssk10 Report this comment
I've been to the Creation Museum and liked it a lot. The displays were great and informative. I enjoyed walking the grounds too.
8 January 2012 3:43AM livelongandprosper Report this comment
This is a site about fun things to do. There is fun stuff anywhere you go! Even in places with crime! Where can you go in the world that is crime free? You just need to be careful and use commen sense. Okay so, the reason I even wanted to comment was to add my 2 cents regarding some of the wonderful destinations listed. I have been to almost all of the places listed. One area that recently has started to get recognition is California's Gold Country Region. It is beautiful, relatively easy to get to from most major city in the state and has diverse recreational activities...almost anything you can think of, you can do in the Gold Country. The wine is wonderful and wherever you have wine...you have great food. There are tons of options for lodging, anything from budget-friendly motels to the most lavish accomodations one can imagine...so if you're looking for somewhere to go for a weekend or for a week, do some research and check out CA's Gold Country. Worth the time to see!
10 January 2012 7:42AM pcolinhill Report this comment
Having been to three of the four main Hawaiian island (no Kauai yet), I have to say the big island has hands down been my favorite. With a wide variety of things to do you could stay there for weeks and not repeat yourself. Avoid Honolulu. Choose Kona instead!
11 January 2012 7:38AM monicanation Report this comment
Great Article and thanks for the mention! just a note that Kate is anything but a "former" singer - the B52's released their new album Funplex recently and are still tour around the world. PBS is currently sponsoring their newest LIVE album released in January 2012.
11 January 2012 9:22AM strgyn Report this comment
Being a Realtor in the Hudson Valley, I couldn't agree more with this list! I have lived here for 20 years and love it!! I am also a friend of Kate's and so proud because she worked her wig off for that place to take off like it has! The HV is the greatest place to visit and even better to live!
12 January 2012 5:58AM fauxclaud Report this comment
Love seeing the Hudson Valley on the list! As much as i DO love the B52's and have stayed at Lazy Medows, too, I have to say that we have a LOT more here than just Kate! Check out the Chronogram (in priont or online) for a great list of cutural things to do and the Emerson Resort & Spa is a MUST (just west a bit from Kate's place!)
AND.. Chicago IS happening this summer when the Adoptee Rights Deomstration hits the National Convention of State Legislators! Once again, adult adoptees and supporters will try to educated legislators and demand that their Civil rights get restored!
17 January 2012 3:47PM trapperlarr Report this comment
I love the Gold Country area. There is a lot of area to explore, and much of California's history was made there. It is not too far from Sacramento, and I try to squeeze in a trip to the city as well and see Sutter's Fort and the Railroad Museum, among other things. I have always found it best to stay around Citrus Heights, just east of Sacramento, where I can rent a metal detector and pick up a goldpan or lightweight sluice, and then take some day trips into the foothills. The roads are pretty good, and you can find lots of great areas to explore just off of the main freeways going into the Sierra Nevadas, I80 and Hwy50. It is amazing also how much of the area has been converted to wine cultivation. It is not unusual as you crest a hill to find a big valley in front of you full of grapevines. Much of the wineries offer wine-tasting opportunities, too, but mainly on the weekends.
17 January 2012 11:22PM gregpad Report this comment
Hudson Valley offers so much right outside NYC - it's a "hidden gem." Mountains and hiking in the summer, berry picking & winery tours in the summer, apple picking and music in the fall, shopping and snow sports in the winter! For your family/beginner skiing and snowboarding pleasure check out mtpeter.com in Warwick NY. The nearby town of Warwick is quaint place to spend a day or a week!
20 January 2012 7:15AM cincyrobmeg Report this comment
I'm afraid that the author is a little mis-informed. We moved back one year ago after 15 years of being away. With that said...we have moved again. Cincinnati is a great place to visit; but, my conscience wouldn't allow them to get by with titling Over-the-Rhine (OTR) as "while the once-dangerous, emerging Over-the-Rhine". In one month, I saw two murders on my street alone! There were innumerable murders that occurred all around us while we were living there. We knew many people that had been mugged, robbed, beaten and the list goes on and on. Perhaps P&G got to Lonely Planet. They are trying to revitalize it; but, there is so much work to do. Over-the-Rhine does have some remnants of beautiful architecture, but most has been redone by 3CDC (a non-profit basically owned by P&G, USBank and other major, corporate organizations). I say all of this to say...see OTR take caution doing so. Happy & safe Journeys!
20 January 2012 12:09PM swampeastmike Report this comment
Boulder, Colorado.
Yes, an interesting place to visit and learn why Mork from Ork was not considered unusual.
IMHO there are far better places to visit in Colorado.
23 January 2012 8:08AM outpost Report this comment
Cincinnati? C'mon....seriously?!
23 January 2012 8:24AM fromafaaar Report this comment
Says a lot about Lonely-$promo$-Planet. They just completely lost my trust and presumably a lot more seasoned travelers'.
23 January 2012 8:32AM geejulia Report this comment
Cincinnati #3. Hehe...Good one!
27 January 2012 12:31AM hvgardencalendar Report this comment
There are so many fantastic reason to visit the Hudson Valley. (I moved here myself 10 years ago because I wanted every day to be like vacation!) And what a wonderful destination for traveling gardeners! Whether you are planning your trip specifically around visiting gardens, or you like to hit up a few flowery sites in between hiking and great eating - check out non-profit website Hudson Valley Garden Calendar to find out what's going on while you're here!
http://HVGardenCalendar.com/
18 February 2012 9:20AM zabler812 Report this comment
We're from Chicago and travel to Cincinnati every year for a long weekend, it's a 5 hour drive for us so it's a good distance for a long weekend.
We always have a great time in Cinci. We're never at a loss for something to do; Cinci Zoo, Museums, Red's Baseball, Bengals Football, the best Oktoberfest, Riverboat dinner cruise to name a few things. Across the River into Kentucky there's the Aquarium, and the historic MainStrasse Village. Being from Chicago we know that every city has its good, bad and real bad areas. You have to be aware of your surroundings no matter where you are.
I wouldn't even compare Cinci to Boulder they are completely different. Boulder is a fun visit too! I just have to give Cinci some love given all the negativity here.
10 March 2012 11:02AM samcanada Report this comment
I think it's funny that a few of the people defending Boulder were spelling it "Bolder". English lesson aside, an honourable mention should go to Point Roberts, Washington. It's a sleepy corner of Washington state cut off by the Canadian border. Excellent to relax in for a few days, with a decent beach and good crabbing and fishing. The south beach house restaurant is delicious as well!
16 March 2012 7:44AM evangeline22 Report this comment
Personally, my family adores Jackson, Wyoming. It is such an underrated destination. There are fantastic hotels and restaurants, plus hiking and other great things to do outdoors. The Grand Tetons are just gorgeous. Our favorite hotel is the Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa , here is a review plus another Wyoming restaurant- http://lechictravel.com/2012/02/272/
16 March 2012 7:45AM evangeline22 Report this comment
sorry! wrong link - <a href='http://lechictravel.com/2012/02/272/> Le Chic Travel </a>
27 March 2012 8:58PM lee_ly Report this comment
So interesting! I found article about top 10 tours in South America in www.triroute.com. I think its worthy to read http://triroute.com/top-10-tours-in-south-america
29 March 2012 6:34AM hellotravellers Report this comment
Nice artical, I like your website. Lot of information in your website. Please learn about more travel destinations in India, USA, Africa, Europe all around world. visit
www.hellotravellers.com
4 April 2012 1:16AM ea4907 Report this comment
Well, before 9/11 my wife and I have been visiting the US pretty often, we even spent our honeymoon in Hawaii. My first "far away" vacation was LA and Las Vegas in the early 80s and we always loved to come, from California to NY and Florida to Washington DC. But since then we do no not feel welcome anymore, we feel mistrusted and we haven't been visiting ever since, sorry guys. And I know what I'm missing ...
4 April 2012 4:42AM mayso Report this comment
Sad not to see Death Valley mentioned by name in the Top 10 US Destinations article. We only had two half days there - and they weren't enough to see all of it. The bits we did see were amazing. It was so different from anywhere else we've ever been. We had such admiration for the first settlers, who went across it and the mountains beyond to the West Coast.
5 April 2012 1:45PM jessysmith Report this comment
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6 April 2012 1:51PM jabrother Report this comment
Louisville is a better Cincinnati than Cincinnati. Louisville is just a much more interesting river town with it's own vibe.
17 April 2012 9:47AM johnpascoe Report this comment
This doesn't sound very much like 'Top 10 spiritual sights of the world'. LP need to sort out their emails...
17 April 2012 9:22PM globoo Report this comment
An amazing US destination Jackson Hole, Wyoming, check this article out: such a good read
http://jetsetunemployed.com/2012/04/05/trip-down-memory-lane/
15 May 2012 2:19AM Kajax Report this comment
I think you left out an iconic island paradise also part of the United States: Hawaii! I think it is one of my top three favorite places. One of my favorite activities is <a href="http://www.hawaiipackandpaddle.com">kealakekua bay snorkeling</a>. They have such beautiful and diverse wildlife. Thanks for the post!