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. 

Visiting the Florida Keys is like heading to your favorite Caribbean island without the need for a passport.

From the hot sun, beautiful beaches, and unforgettable sunset, The Keys are sure to charm its way into being your favorite semi-local location. Key West is the largest & most known island of the 1,700 archipelagoes that make up the Florida Keys but each island has so much to offer.

Not only do The Keys bring a unique vacation in your backyard vibe, but they’re also in a league of their own when it comes to sustainability and being eco-friendly. Here are ways you can have a fulfilling visit to Key West while knowing you’re doing your part to help the planet.

Day One

Morning

After landing at Key West International Airport, or driving in from Miami, check yourself into Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club. If you are looking for Florida hotels on a sunny tropical beach with gorgeous oceanfront accommodations and a sustainably operated resort with amenities for any traveler, look no further. Grassy Flats has an amazing pool, free wifi, a private bar, Barrel & Bale, it’s own beach, and a vibe reminiscent of staying at a friend’s house in the Caribbean.

After settling in, grab a quick breakfast at Midway Café and Coffee Bar and prepare for your ride out to your educational session with the Coral Restoration Foundation. Here you’ll engage with interactive exhibits that demonstrate the importance of global coral reefs and CRF’s initiatives and actions to restore coral reefs.

Following your lesson on whats going on with the coral reefs, you can head over to the Rainbow Reef Dive Center where you’ll embark on a one of a kind journey with CRF where you’ll get to snorkel, or dive if you’re certified, and get a first-hand look at the work they’ve done to rebuild and give new life to Florida’s coral reefs.

Afternoon

After working up that appetite, you’ll want to head over to have lunch at Snook’s Bayside Restaurant & Grand Tiki Bar where the lobster mac & cheese is absolutely AMAZING.

After lunch, drive down to Key West for a tour and cocktail-making session at Key West First Legal Rum Distillery with Paul Menta where you’ll learn the history of the mojito while learning to make it the authentic Cuban way. Paul and his wife Krystal are extremely educated and enthusiastic about their rums and will definitely have you side-eyeing mojitos made with syrup.

Evening

Now that you’ve gotten some liquid energy into your system, it’s time for the Mallory Glow Tour with Key West Hydrobikes! Hydrobiking is not only a great exercise but an amazing way to watch the sunset. No motors are used to they’re safe and great for both you and the sea life!

End your night with dinner and drinks at the beautiful First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery. The menu has so many good looking entrees that you’ll probably want to order a bunch to share with the table.

Day Two

Morning

Start your day with breakfast at Sunset Grille. They have an amazing view and menu.

After breakfast, it’s time to get muddy.

Up the Keys Eco Tours’ “voluntourism” allows groups to experience the Keys’ marine environment for a day. The operator has teamed up with the nonprofit volunteer Conch Republic Marine Army and Big Pine Kayak Adventures for guided tours and a kayak excursion. The Conch Republic Marine Army will detail the brief history of how Hurricane Irma has devastated the Keys and take you along the shorelines where you’ll help collect and remove debris that has been wreaking incredible havoc on the environment and ecosystem. You’ll want to bring water shoes along for this one.

Afternoon

After doing your part to clean up the coast, head down to Turtle Kraals for lunch. Conch is one of the major food groups of The Keys and Turtle Kraals is a great place to get a taste of some good conch fritters.

Right outside of the restaurant are the boat decks where you will meet up with Honest Eco for a dolphin watch and snorkeling. There’s nothing like seeing dolphins in their natural habitat and they are no stranger to Key West. During the tour you can see entire groups of dolphins playing around, throwing food to birds or teaching babies how to hunt. Honest Eco is a hybrid electric boat which makes them friends to the dolphins and other wildlife.

After all of these activities, you’ll want to get back to your hotel to refresh, get some rest and just take in the day you’ve had.

Evening

To wind the day down you can stay at Grassy Flats to check out their bar, amenities or take a dip in the pool – or you can visit Florida Keys Brewing Co. and take part in a paint & sip while trying out a flight of craft beers. Florida Keys Brewing Co. has an incredible list of beers (I recommend their jalapeno mango beer!)

Not too far from the beergarden is Chef Michaels’ where the menu is to die for. All of their fish is fresh and local which is a great way to end your stay.

Nearly 43 million Americans will kick off their summer with a Memorial Day weekend getaway. The vast majority of these travelers, more than 37 million, are planning to hit the road, according to AAA’s Memorial Day Travel Forecast.

Related Post: Here Are The Four Best Places To Visit In May

As more and more people choose to stay close to home for the long weekend, below is a list of destinations perfect for the road trip to get out of town to see some fireworks, have an adventure, and most importantly, to honor those who serve:

Related Post: What You Need To Know About Traveling This Memorial Day Weekend

New Orleans, Louisiana

One of the best things about visiting New Orleans is that there is something to do for everyone. New Orleans is a great destination for families, a romantic getaway and even a solo trip.

From the music, crowds, food, and drinks, the streets are always filled with activities to entertain you.

During Memorial Day Weekend visit, be sure to visit The National World War II Museum to remember those who died serving the United States.

In the Arsenal of Democracy Exhibit, you can learn more about Black soldiers fighting in a war during a time when many were also fighting for equal rights.

Chicago, Illinois

According to Skyscanner, Chicago puts on one of the best Memorial Day Parades in the country to honor the nation’s fallen heroes.

From there, visitors can hit the beach along Lake Michigan, tour one of Chicago’s many cultural museums, or cruise along on a boat for an architecture tour.

One of the city’s top attractions is Navy Pier, a six-block stretch of rides, restaurants, and entertainment that attracts more than 9 million people each year.

Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer events in Chicago starting with the Aon Summer Fireworks display on May 25. The Memorial Day fireworks show will begin at 10:15 p.m.

Key West, Florida

Key West boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. That’s why it comes to no surprise that Key West is a popular destination among tourists each year.

During your road trip, be sure to take in the beautiful backdrop during this scenic drive towards Mile 0, otherwise known as the Southernmost point of the United States.

Island organizers have a Memorial Day Remembrance celebration scheduled for May 27. In addition to Memorial Day events, there will be plenty of activities on the water, including a weekend crawl and barbecues on the beach.

Keep in mind that hotels can be pricey during Memorial Day Weekend. Stay in the surrounding Keys at night for the best rates on accommodations and venture to Key West during the day.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach consistently ranks as the top 10 family beach vacation spots in the U.S.

The reason? 

With 60 miles of sandy beaches,  malls, restaurants, and an amusement park, Myrtle Beach is another great place to travel during the long weekend, according to Skyscanner.

The Military Appreciation Days Parade will kick off at 10:30 a.m. at the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base known as the Market Common on May 25.

Austin, Texas

As the capital of Texas, Austin is known for its live music scene and amazing food.

Austin is perfect for anyone looking for an adventure outdoors, which you can find at Hamilton Pool.

Located about 23 miles west of Austin, Hamilton Pool Preserve is a natural pool that sits on more than 232 acres of protected land. It was created when the dome of an underground river collapsed due to massive erosion thousands of years ago.

Though stunning, a visit to Hamilton Pool comes with a few restrictions, including a reservation ahead of time.

To commemorate Memorial Day during your stay in Austin, the Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp Mabry is showcasing a Vietnam War living history demonstration on May 25 and 26.

If the beautiful atmosphere of Key West, Florida isn’t enough, this new hotel is offering you a two-in-one experience.

The Havana Cabana is the latest hotspot for travelers looking for a hotel with a Cuban themed flavor. Guests step back into time when they enter, with a 1957 Chevrolet parked outside the front doors, an outdoor bar for you to sip tasty mojitos and jam to Flamenco tunes. Filled with vibrant colors, the hotel has 106 rooms with breathtaking views and a pool for guests to catch a breeze. If that doesn’t make you feel like you’re in Cuba already, Cabana has something else for you.

RELATED: ‘I Ran Out Of Cash In Cuba’: A Cautionary Tale 

They offer day trips to Cuba but at a cost. For almost $1000, explorers can hop on a quick flight to the island. Tour guides take guests around to get a glimpse of the culture and history, stopping at museums like Finca La Vigia, where famous journalist Ernest Hemingway once lived. After that, patrons can have some fun at La Terraza de Cojimar, where there is a window named after Hemingway to pay homage. Visitors also travel to a pharmacy that was turned into a museum called Johnson & Johnson. The building, standing for over 100 years, used to produce medicinal oils, elixirs, insecticides, and perfumes.

Of course, anyone that goes over to the once-banned country has to get some Cuban cigars. A shuttle takes Cabana guests Old Havana to the Cigar and Rum Store to collect cigars and souvenirs to enjoy. Before they cash in on gifts, guests will stop at La Bodeguita del Medio, which is known as the birthplace of everyone’s favorite drink, the mojito. The very last stop is at Revolution Square, where some of the country’s most famous political rallies have taken place. Past leaders like Fidel Castro and Pope John Paul II gave speeches in front of the towering buildings. Messages like words ‘Fidel, Vas Bien,’ Spanish for “Fidel, you’re doing alright’ still appear on some buildings.