If you are thinking of taking a tour around the United States, then it is likely that you are already dividing it up in your head into the different states that you would like to check out. This is generally the easiest way to go and to ensure that you are going to get to see as much of the country as possible. One of the amazing things about the U.S. is how diverse it is as a place. You can see a whole range of different kinds of places across its vast expanse.

No matter what kind of cityscapes, landscapes you desire to see or people you would like to meet. You will almost certainly find them somewhere in the country. But, it is worth thinking about which states are worth traveling to first so that you can be sure of seeing the main sights first and foremost. I'm sure every person in every state in the U.S. will have a thing or two to say about their own state. So I'm here to help you sort that all out because there are well over 50 (if you also count the territories) places to check out in the United States. Let’s take a look at some of the best states to put at the top of your bucket list.

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New York

You really can’t travel around the US and overlook New York state (especially NY city - it is the quintessential modern American city).Of course, everyone knows the city well, and that has to be one of the main reasons to visit the state too. However, there is much more to the state of New York than first meets the eye. You will easily be able to spend a long time in the city itself. You will find that it is hugely entertaining and one of the cultural highlights of the world. But on its borders, outside the city walls, you will also find plenty to be getting on with too.

One of the major sights in the world can be found here - the famous Niagara Falls. It alone should be enough to convince most people that this state is worth a visit or two. But you might also want to see the Thousand Islands, a stunning natural landscape and one of the best sights the state has to offer. So make sure it is one of the very first you visit to get it out of the way.

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Arizona

Going much further south, you will also find another interesting state - Arizona. You might not have heard as much about Arizona as some other states. The truth is that it is one of the most beautiful parts of the country and there also happens to be a great variety in the kinds of activities you can carry out there.

Whether you want to just chill out and relax at Havasu Falls or you are looking to have a little more of a wild time, you will be able to find it all here. You can pop over to the old city of Sedona, known for its many spiritual gurus, and get to experience a little of the New Age side of the country. Or if you prefer, you could just while away the days traveling through its many deserts - just remember to pack your bag well first and take plenty of water.

All night long

Illinois

Probably the number one reason for visiting Illinois is the famous city of Chicago, and as it happens this is definitely still one of the absolute top spots anywhere in the US, and almost in the entire world. So what exactly does Chicago have to offer? For a start, one of the most vibrant nightlife of anywhere in the world, with so many different kinds of music and performance venues that you will feel spoilt for choice.

You can also expect to be able to gorge yourself on some of its famous pizza, arguably the best in the US, or try out its amazing coffee. For any showstopping tour of the US, you absolutely have to make sure that you visit Chicago, and it’s still definitely the best that Illinois has to offer.

^{The city of Seattle}

Washington

There are some places where you just can’t avoid them if you want to be able to say that you have visited the USA, and the state of Washington has to be one of them. If you have not spent a decent amount of time in Washington state, then you really haven’t seen the US, and you might be surprised at just how much there is to do there. It is a large state, and there are some pretty incredible natural sights for you to see if you do go. But one of the main things that people want to see in Washington has to be the city of Seattle.

This itself is enough reason to want to see the state of Washington, and it is arguably one of the cultural highlights of the entire United States in Seattle you can see the birthplace of grunge, drink some of the best coffee in the world, and even take a tour of the so-called Silicon Valley, the home of the major technology corporations. It is a famously rainy place to be, but that shouldn’t deter the keen traveler from taking a look, and if you re in Washington anyway then you absolutely have to make sure you see Seattle at least once.

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Florida

If what you are really looking for is just a classic holiday in the sun type of time, then you might want to think about visiting Florida during your tour of the US too. This is the true sunny state, and it’s one you can’t really overlook if what you are looking for is the sun, surf, and sand. Of course, it is also one of the biggest states, so you will need to make sure that you have set aside plenty of time with which to explore this beautiful part of the country.

But no matter how long you have to spend there, you will be able to enjoy relaxing and enjoying yourself on the beaches or staying in some of the country’s fanciest and finest hotels. No trip around the US is complete without visiting Florida.

^Yosemite

California

Often called the Golden State. California has it all. It's the wild-wild-west, the surfer's paradise, home of the Golden Gate Bridge, and Yosemite National Park. It's one of the very few places in the United States where you can ski or snowboard and on the same day go down to the coast and catch a few waves to surf!

The biggest tree by volume, the oldest individually living tree, and the tallest tree in the world are found only in California. It's the last frontier during the development of the United States and it's ripe with history and intrigue. The state boasts incredible sunshine and one of the only few states in the United States that can produce wines that will give French wine a run for its money.

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Colorado

Colorado is consistently ranked among the country's healthiest and most active countries, and holidays here frequently reflect it. Perhaps the most obvious reason to see Colorado are the mountains -- the majestic Rocky Mountains to be specific. With a total of 53 fourteeners, the mountains in Colorado are amazing to look at and fun to ski or snowboard down from. Speaking of skiing, the ski resorts that dot Colorado's Western Slope are among the very best in the world.

Colorado also receives around 300 days of sunshine per year. This makes it the perfect place to visit all year round. The state also sees over 300 inches of snow in the mountains(perfect for ski season). However, winters aren't so bad down in the towns making it easy to get around. Plus, the changing seasons offer a number of the most beautiful scenery in the country - especially in the fall.

^{The Subway in Zion National Park in Utah.}

Utah

A couple of steps on the mirror-like grounds of the Bonneville Salt Flats or through the prismatic, 15-mile-long canyon tunnels of Buckskin Gulch will have you questioning whether this is the likes of our own planet or the landscape of a distant galaxy. Scenic drives pass through aspen forests and petrified sand dunes, revealing millennia upon millennia of history; all the while, astounding rock formations in Monument Valley and San Rafael Swell abound.

Towering sandstone formations in Arches, white domes and monoliths in Capitol Reef, pinnacles and twisting canyons in Canyonlands, steep red cliffs in Zion, and a sprawling landscape of spire-shaped hoodoos in Bryce Canyon make Utah a destination for those books.

^{The Valley of Fire State Park is a reserved state park a few miles from Las Vegas.}

Nevada

Las Vegas? Known as the ultimate adult's playground, Las Vegas is a city that beckons visitors from all corners of the planet. Las Vegas is the place to come to if folks want to party. Besides the plethora of nightclubs across the Las Vegas Strip. The hotel pools and day clubs allow visitors to party 24 hours a day.

Nearly everyone's been to Las Vegas one way or another. But, The Silver State delivers far more than Las Vegas. There are often opportunities to enjoy most places outside of Las Vegas practically all to yourself. Minutes from town, you can be hiking in Red Rock Canyon or The Valley of Fire which surely doesn't hold back on its attractiveness. This makes Las Vegas the perfect jump-off point for a tour of the Southwest's most memorable Organic attractions.

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Hawaii

Ask any American you know what dream vacation they want to take in their lifetime and odds are they'll say Hawaii. Each year over 8-million visitors is expected to arrive in Hawaii, nearly 60% of who arrive from the US mainland. These visitors will average 9-10 days in the islands and spend a total of over $14-billion bucks for their trips. Many will take the opportunity to visit more than one of the Hawaiian Islands.

No Hawaiian island is like any other. Kaua'i is lush and green with the amazing sea cliffs of the Na Pali Coast and the Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Maui has 'Iao Valley, the Hana Coast and Haleakala, the House of the Sun. Hawaii Island, the Big Island, has the stark beauty of its volcanic landscapes. It has amazing waterfalls, and the Waipio Valley, where you can descend 2000 feet to ride horseback through taro fields and tropical rainforest to a black sand beach.

With over 750 miles of shoreline and over 400 named beaches, all of which are public beaches, you're sure to find a beach in Hawaii that's perfect for you and your loved ones. In Hawaii, you can also choose the color of your beach. There are white sand beaches, yellow sand beaches, black sand beaches, red sand beaches and one green sand beach.

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Alaska

When it comes to breathtaking natural landscapes and intimate encounters with a multitude of wildlife. There isn't any other place quite like Alaska. Famous as "The Last Frontier". Alaska might have only recently been admitted into the union as the 49th state but it certainly jumps directly to the very top in terms of amazing beauty. Many people venture to Alaska to find the jaw-dropping scenery of unspoiled nature. It boasts majestic mountains, glaciers, fjords, crystal clear lakes, waterfalls, the National Parks, and of course the Aurora Borealis.

Cruising along the Inside Passage and visiting the distant villages with picturesque backdrop was among the highlights of our trips. Some towns, like Sitka, are only accessible by air or water. The state of Alaska is more than double the size of Texas. It is larger than the 22 smallest countries added together. Nevertheless, Alaska is home to just 710,000 people, and half of these reside in Anchorage, the state's largest city. Just 20 percent of Alaska is accessible by road.

WHICH U.S. STATE ARE YOU GOING TO VISIT FIRST?

^{The article was originally published @ Always Wanderlust}

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