Perhaps you’re putting international travel on a back burner and concentrating more on exploring what the U.S. has to offer. You’ll be surprised to know how many historical and adventurous getaways our country has waiting to be discovered by more travelers. 

Forbes shared a list of 25 best places to visit in 2020 and they’re all based in the U.S. The writer, Laura Begley Bloom, spoke to travel experts and influencers to compile this incredible list. 

New Orleans, Louisiana

Not only is New Orleans a great destination to visit during Mardi Gras, but it has an abundance of festivals, delicious foods, and music to get you on your feet all night long. 

This year, the city will be hosting the Women’s Final Four games and the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship — so if you’re a sports fan, New Orleans is the place to be this year. 

Foodies should head to Bourbon Street where in addition to great food, there’s plenty of drinks and jazz music. 

If you’re into admiring beautiful homes, head to the Garden District where you can also find boutiques and antique shops. 

Vail, Colorado

Vail is perfect for family travel because everything can be found in one central location. Vail Village is a great town to visit and has heated cobblestone streets, coffee shops, eateries, and bars. 

The largest free transportation system in the country runs frequently here so you can travel from Vail Village to Lionshead Village and anywhere in-between seamlessly. 

If you’re into skiing, head to Vail Mountain which is open from November 15, 2019, until April 19, 2020. 

Hudson Valley, New York

New Yorkers love getting away from the hustle and craziness of the city to Hudson Valley for fresh air and relaxation. Located less than two hours away from NYC, Hudson Valley is comprised of small towns located east of the Hudson River. 

For amazing food, head to Lil’ Deb’s Oasis, where the chef-owners secured a nomination for the Best Chef: Northeast James Beard Awards last year. 

Legoland New York Resort will be opening this year for travelers to enjoy 50 rides and the New York City skyline made out of Legos.

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis is a great city to visit if you’re an avid music lover. Visit the Stax Museum which honors artists who created music that current artists are influenced by. 

This year, the Hattiloo Theater, known as the only freestanding Black repertory theater in five surrounding states, will open for its 15th season. 

Greenville, South Carolina

Although the U.S. has 35 Greenvilles, residents don’t want you to be confused. Greenville, South Carolina’s residents have so much pride and its home to the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

It is also home to the only BMW museum in North America and delicious homemade sourdough bread at Topsoil restaurant. 

Orlando, Florida

Orlando, the home of Walt Disney World, is amazing to visit no matter what age you are. There will be new attractions debuting in 2020 and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge just opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios last month. 

Other than visiting this epic theme park, head to Sixty Vines, a wine bar offering over 60 wines on tap. 

Sun Valley, Idaho

Sun Valley is known as the first ski resort in the U.S. and has been open since 1936. The town is still known for skiing today with the addition of restaurants, hotels, art galleries, and music festivals. 

Indiana

Indiana Dunes National Park will be opening this year, making it the newest national park in the U.S. Travelers will be able to discover beaches and the sand dune mountain, Mount Baldy. 

If you’re traveling with young ones, check out the Children’s Museum. The Madam Walker Legacy Center is another great museum to visit and honors Madam C.J. Walker, the first female African-American millionaire. 

Martha’s Vineyard

Hop on a 30-minute ferry from Cape Cod, Massachusetts and you’ll be transported to the beautiful town of Martha’s Vineyard. A hot spot for celebs like Spike Lee and the Obamas, the town is filled with high-end boutiques, art galleries, and fresh seafood. 

Key West, Florida

With a nickname like “America’s Caribbean”, Key West is perfect for a laid back getaway. 

Embark on a 90-minute sail to the Great Florida Reef with FuryWatersports where you can snorkel and experience the third-largest coral barrier reef system on the planet. 

You can also take a tour of the first legal rum distillery in Key West which is located in a former Coca-Cola bottling plant. 

St. Louis, Missouri

Besides Nelly, the most known landmark is the 630-foot arch which can be spotted above the Mississippi River. 

Travelers should visit the recently renovated Gateway Arch National Park, which recently went under a $380,000,000 renovation. 

For bomb food, try Rooster, whose brunch will satisfy your tastebuds. Clementine’s Creamery has delicious handcrafted ice cream and you can even try some of their spiked flavors. 

U.S. Virgin Islands

Although the U.S. Virgin Islands were hit with hurricane Irma and Maria, they have made enormous strides to make a comeback. 

Head to the swim-up taco bar located off the coast of St. John or head to Navy Beach in St. Thomas. 

Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale is the perfect location for art lovers with the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and the free experience of ArtWalk being recently opened. 

For ultimate self-care, head to Royal Palms Resort and Spa which just opened an 11,000-square-foot spa. 

Redding and the Shasta Cascades, California

Redding and the Shasta Cascade region are located in Northern California and is commonly referred to as “California’s Last Frontier.”

While here, you can experience 50 waterfalls, lakes, rivers, mountains, six national forests, and active volcanoes. Best of all, the sites are either totally free or inexpensive. 

Denver, Colorado

In 2019, there were 32 million visitors to Denver. The city is known for its food truck culture, street art, and live music. 

It also is in close proximity to hiking trails and bike paths. 

If you’re a beer lover, there are hundreds of breweries and more pop up every day. 

Southern Utah

Zion National Park has recently celebrated 100 years of being open and is the gem of Southern Utah. Another great place to visit in this are is Bryce Canyon National Park, the second oldest national park in the state of Utah. 

Southern Utah is only a few hours away from Salt Lake City and is close to Las Vegas so you can travel to multiple places while vacationing here. 

Lake Tahoe, California

Lake Tahoe was the host of the 1960 Winter Olympics and known for its top of the line ski resorts and relaxed mountain culture. 

Lake Tahoe is perfect for those who love nature and also has luxury resorts, casinos, camping, fishing and golfing. 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee has been put on the map recently because of the 2020 Democratic National Convention and it’s placement on Airbnb’s top destination to visit in the world for 2020. 

Milwaukee is also home to Summerfest, the largest music festival in the world, Milwaukee Art Museum and Harley-Davidson Museum. 

McCall, Idaho

The state of Idaho has everything you can ask for: nature, adventure, and great beer. Located about an hour away from Boise, McCall has about 3,200 residents and is great for biking and zip-lining. 

Luckily, McCall isn’t a common area for tourists yet, so you can truly enjoy the authentic essence of this charming city while visiting in 2020. 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia was one of only two locations in the U.S. picked for the National Geographic’s Best Trips of 2020 list. 

Philly is a great city for art, fashion, eateries, and history. 

Miami, Florida

Miami has been a hot spot for years but this year the Raleigh Gardens will be hosting an art experience by the beach, making it the largest-ever outdoor public show by artists Claude Lalanne and Francois-Xavier Lalanne (Les Lalanne). Admission is free and you’ll see over 40 sculptures and objects by the artistic duo. 

Another art space is El Espacio 23 which has thousands of paintings, sculptures, videos and photographs collected by billionaire Jorge Perez on his travels around the world. 

The Museum of Grafitti recently opened in the artsy area of Wynwood and it’s the first museum to honor the pioneers of graffiti. 

San Juan, Puerto Rico

2020 will be the continuation of the celebration of the 5000th anniversary of San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. 

El Distrito will be opening this year and will offer a multi-sensory experience. Spoon Food Tours will offer travelers a foodie experience through Old San Juan or around the countryside on a party bus. 

Head to the Ron de Barrillito Visitor Center to sample the oldest rum in Puerto Rico. 

Plymouth, Massachusetts

There will be festivals and events this year to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower landing at the Plymouth.

You can tour the Plimoth Plantation and see a replica of the Mayflower, which brought the colonists to the U.S. in 1620.

Today’s Plymouth is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and views of the harbor where pilgrims once lived. 

Los Angeles, California

Known for the infamous Hollywood sign is the city of LA. 

Don’t sleep on the food scene in LA, 12 restaurants in West Hollywood were given Michelin awards in 2019. It is also home to Gilles @ Montage Beverly Hills, a restaurant opened by the youngest chef to receive a Michelin star. 

This year will mark the 50th anniversary of LA Pride, honoring the LGBTQ community. 

The Ozarks

The Ozarks are surprisingly becoming one of the fasting areas in the country for Americans to vacation. 

Silver Dollar City is a theme park which will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2020. 

Travelers can also visit the Aquarium at the Boardwalk, WonderWorks (science indoor amusement park) and Big Air Trampoline Park. 

Earlier this year, Black Restaurant Week debuted in the Midwest highlighting black-owned businesses and restaurants in Indianapolis. It was a great way to attract local customers and spotlight the abundance of black excellence in the city. From a Mexican-fusion restaurant to murals of Jazz legends and African art, these are the black-owned spots to spend with.

Start your morning at Maxine’s.

The breakfast at Maxine’s Chicken and Waffles looks so tempting. The Chicken and waffles is a crowd-pleaser, along with their menu of other southern comfort foods that will remind you of Sundays at grandma’s house. Maxine’s is also available for catering in Indianapolis and surrounding areas. 

Tour Indiana’s historical buildings and parks.  

Visit the Landmark for Peace Memorial sculpture at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. The monument was dedicated to the Kennedy King Memorial Initiative. It’s also the spot where Kennedy gave an impromptu speech about King’s death.

Freetown Village Living History Museum educates guests on African American history and culture through live art exhibits, educational workshops, and the collection of artifacts. Through community partnerships, Frederick Douglass Park offers a variety of programs for people of all ages.

Play some games and eat.

Lvl Up is a game lover’s dream. Business owners Tony Jones and Sami Ali created this dope space for gamers to meet, socialize, and play games together. The walls are lined with images of Pacman, Mario Kart, and Friends, Street Fighter, Sonic and more.

Enjoy Mexican fused lunch at Comida

Executive chef and co-owner of Comida, Lance George, whips up Mexican & BBQ cuisines inspired by a multitude of cultures. The restaurant has become the talk of the town since opening last February and featured on WISH-TV. They also host mini-concert series and live performances. 

Experience African art at and murals of local Jazz legends.

Indiana Avenue Cultural District boasts a collage of local jazz musicians like Jimmy Coe, Slide Hampton, Wes Montgomery, and more. There’s a three-story mural along Massachusetts Ave in the arts district of renowned poet Mari Evans. Since opening in May, Kuaba Gallery has kept an ever-changing collection of African art, paintings, and sculptures like Martine Bachelart’s Riverwalk exhibit. Space is also available to book for music artist showcases and pop-ups. 

Finish the night with live music and teatime. 

Owned by former WBNA player Tamika Catchings, Tea’s Me Cafe hosts regular poetry readings, discussions, and live music performances while offering worldwide beverages for a premier tea experience. It’s a nice wind down from the day. 

In honor of the second annual Fresh Fest Beer Fest , a collaboration between Drinking Partners and Black Brew Culture to honor Black beer culture,  here’s a list of Black-owned breweries you should know.

Related Post: The Best Black-Owned Breweries In The U.S

Band of Brothers Brewing Co.

Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama,  Band of Brothers Brewing Company is the third craft brewery in the area.

Founded by Jeremiah Donald, Jeremy Donald and Quinton Brown, the building itself highlights their hard work, love for, and dedication to the art of brewing craft beer.

Here is where you will find the largest taproom in Tuscaloosa where live music, games, and entertainment just adds to your experience. 

The Cultured Kombucha

Cultured Kombucha is brewed in Washington, DC and is a woman and minority-owned business.

The creators believe that all communities should have access to and knowledge of internal health and wellness.

“We brew this kombucha for culture, and for those who might otherwise overlook probiotic benefits. We’re bringing a tribe of good cultures to a belly near you,” a statement reads on the company website.

What’s brewing?  The company has seasonal rotations, but as of now,  Tropic Like It’s Hot, Bug A Boo, and Golden are currently the flavors on tap.

18th Street Brewery in Gary, Indiana

A trip to Belgium is what sparked 18th Street Brewery’s owner, Drew Fox, interest in brewing beer from his home in 2008.

A  Kickstarter campaign to raise money is how his company transformed from kitchen brew to a taproom with more than 100 beers.  

Today, 18th Street is the second largest brewery in Northwest Indiana. Their beers range from saisons to double India Pale Ales to double milk stouts to pilsners and lagers.

Did we mention you can find their brew in Denmark?  

Ukhamba Beerworx

And because we’re talking international,  if you just so happened to be in Cape Town, South Africa, then be sure to visit Ukhamba Beerworx.

As Cape Town’s first Black-owned craft brewery, the owner Lethu Tshabangu is introducing visitors to traditional African beer.

Instagram | @ukhamba_beerwork

DaleView Biscuits and Beer

Turns out a Father’s Day gift for Christopher Gandsy was the best thing his family could buy.

That home brew kit his family purchased turned into a restaurant and [soon] brewery named after the predominantly black neighborhood in Columbia, South Carolina he grew up in: Dale View.

Dale View is where Gandsy remembers tasting one of his grandmother’s biscuits that he describes as “the first step on a magic carpet ride through her hot Southern Kitchen.”

A long way from home in Brooklyn, Gandsy is breaking bread and bringing southern charm in the form of beer with visitors to introduce them to his side of Dale View.

An investigation is underway into the death of an Indiana toddler who fell from a cruise ship after the child’s grandfather lost grip while holding her near a window.

The one-year-old girl died after falling from an 11-story Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas while the ship was docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as reported in USA Today.

Puerto Rican safety officials told a local newspaper that detectives are gathering evidence to determine whether to file negligence charges against the grandfather who has been identified as Salvatore Anello.

The toddler was aboard the ship with her two siblings, parents, and four grandparents.

South Bend, Indiana police department confirmed that officer Alan Wiegand is the child’s father through a tweet Monday morning:

“The South Bend Police Department offers its sincerest condolences to Officer Alan Wiegand and his family during this difficult time following the tragic loss of their child while in Puerto Rico. The department asks the community to pray for the entire Wiegand family as they grieve and to respect their privacy.”

Royal Caribbean officials told The Indianapolis Star that they are “deeply saddened” by Sunday’s accident.

“We’ve made our Care Team available to assist the family with any resources they need,” Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Melissa Charbonneau stated. “Out of respect for their privacy, we do not plan to comment further on the incident.”

The child’s death has sparked controversy on social media with users questioning why the child was close to a window on the cruise ship, to begin with.

In an interview with NBC News, however, the grieving family said that her grandfather was in a children’s play area where he placed the child on a railing he thought was behind glass to look outside.

The family’s attorney is questioning Royal Caribbean’s role in the child’s death.

“Why in the world would you leave a window open in an entire glass wall full of windows in a kid’s area?” the family’s attorney stated on NBC.