10 Favorite American Cities to Be a Tourist

Alaska’s largest city serves as a gateway to the great outdoors. Visit from September to April to see the Northern Lights or plan your trip between April and September to experience the Midnight Sun—when Anchorage enjoys more sunlight than any of the other 49 states.

Use Anchorage as home base for biking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, salmon fishing at Ship Creek, hiking in the Chugach Mountain Range and whale watching in Turnagain Arm. Book a day cruise to the Kenai Fjords, do some flight-seeing over Denali National Park and keep your eyes peeled for moose and bear in the wild.

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, Asheville appeals to tourists of all types. From craft beers to artisan crafters, the nation’s largest private residence to secluded state park hiking trails, the Paris of the South offers something for everyone in your crew.

Arrive in autumn to bask in the glory of the changing colors in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests as you drive along the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway to the Biltmore Estate. Warmer months afford access to the French Broad River and its tributaries: perfect for fly-fishing, whitewater rapid riding, stand-up paddle boarding and sliding down at 60-foot natural waterslide.