Hello, my friends! I hope your afternoon is shaping up quite nicely and that your day is going well. (I figure that’s a better blog welcome than me crapping all over Tuesdays like I did in my morning post, right? Woooo Tuesday!)
I worked through the morning before taking a break to deliver lunch to the seniors on my Meals On Wheels route. Chili was on the menu for today which made me smile since I thought Ryan and I might be the only crazies to eat “summer chili” when it’s in the ‘90s in Florida.
Once I completed my route and dropped the empty cooler and some paperwork off at the senior services center, I drove home ready to make myself lunch since the smell of food in my car revved my appetite.
Lunch
Today’s lunch was a little unusual.
Mackerel!
I wasn’t sure what I was going to think about mackerel, but as a big fan of other forms of canned fish (tuna + salmon), I figured I would give it a shot. It ended up tasting an awful lot like canned tuna, so I treated it similarly and made myself a mackerel salad wrap with mayo, Dijon mustard, onion, green pepper and tomato.
Served with a side of roasted Brussels sprouts!
20 Places Every American Should See
As someone who loves traveling and exploring new areas, articles featuring “must see” destinations always catch my eye. A recent article from Budget Travel listed 20 places every American should see and I thought it was really interesting. I figured it might intrigue you guys as well!
According to Budget Travel these are the 20 places every American should see in their lifetime:
- Grand Canyon
- Yellowstone National Park
- Highway 1, California
- Magic Kingdom (Orlando, Florida)
- Times Square, New York City
- Las Vegas Strip
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- South Beach (Miami, Florida)
- French Quarter (New Orleans, Louisiana)
- Gettysburg National Military Park
- Nashville, Tennessee
- National Mall, Washington, D.C.
- Independence National Historical Park (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
- Taos Pueblo, New Mexico
- Fenway Park (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Civil Rights District (Atlanta, Georgia)
- Architecture in Chicago, Illinois
- Pearl Harbor
- Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
- Ellis Island, New Jersey
What do you think?
I was surprised to see Mount Rushmore left off the list! I feel like that destination makes nearly every “must see in America” travel list, though I’ve never personally seen it.
Question of the Afternoon
- What destination in the United States do you think should be added to the list? (It doesn’t have to be a widely acclaimed place, just somewhere you love!)
- If you could pick one destination from the above list to visit, where would you choose to go?
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
I would absolutely say The Grand Teton Mountains in Wyoming. I know, “Why Wyoming?” We camped in the national forest and could see the mountains from our site and they are absolutely breath taking! (Plus they are close to Yellowstone! Win-Win!)
I second Grand Teton National Park. Holy jeez those mountains are gorgeous!
I agree. The Grand Tetons are amazing!
As a European, definitely NYC and Vegas!
I can’t wait to see the Grand Canyon…I’ve been to Arizona so many times to visit family, but I’ve never seen the thing AZ is quite possibly most famous for!
You must! It’s the most humbling, awe-inspiring thing.
Denali National Park in Alaska. We did a family vacation in 2007 and the beauty of the whole state is amazing, but that park was breathtaking.
I agree! We did a family vaca in Alaska as well and I was amazed at how beautiful and intriguing the state is.
i would LOVE to go to alaska. my dad went years ago and still raves about it!
What time of year would be good to visit Alaska? My cousin is up there and I have been wanting to visit.
We visited in June and were there for the longest day of sunlight…it was light outside until 2:00 a.m, which was pretty darn neat! The weather is pleasant, but slightly brisk during the morning and evening.
I think the Everglades should be on there! I think they need to have more natural beauty and fewer monuments.
The Rockies in Colorado…one of the ski towns like Breckenridge or Keystone…breathtaking mountain views and fun activities during the summer and winter!
Whoo hoo I always love lists like this! I’d love to visit all of them, but Boston is next up on my travel list. I’d love to get out to Hawaii though!
I’ve heard the Art Museum in Philly is great. I ran up the steps Rocky style, but I haven’t visited it yet!
I lived in NY for 4 years and never made it to the MOMA. #pathetic
Um, yeah…. Yosemite duh! I went in the winter and it was AH-mazing 🙂
Jackson Hole, Wyoming is an incredible spot to see. 🙂 I absolutely love it. And Yosemite is a must! I’ve been to both Yosemite and Yellowstone, and Yosemite wins hands down for gorgeous views. It’s probably the prettiest place I’ve ever been!
I’d go back to Times Square!!! Where would you choose?
lake tahoe! although maybe that’s just because I live here!
oh my gosh, lake tahoe is GORGEOUS. i went when i was in high school (maybe middle school?) and was blown away.
I agree!!! I may be bias though because I got married there!!!
I would say Crater Lake in Oregon. Or Yosemite National Park in California. So so so so gorgeous! This is a cool list though. I have always wanted to go to New York but have never been so I would definitely choose Times Square!
Oh my gosh, that’s what I was going to put! Crater Lake is absolutely breathtaking, especially if you stay in the lodge with a room overlooking the lake and there’s a lightning storm. Unreal. 🙂
That would be AMAZING to see the lake with a thunderstorm!
Any place in Hawaii! Maybe watching the sunrise from Haleakala volcano would be a great spot. Not really “budget travel” but definitely a must see.
Haha – that’s what I was going to say! My favorite hawaii spot was the Napali Coast on the island of Kauai – unreal!
I would say Cannon Beach or Bandon on Oregon Coast with the beautiful seastacks, but I’m an ocean lover!
I’d choose the French Quarters, as it’s not like any other vacations I go on!
I completely agree! I just got married out in the Columbia river gorge in Washington state, and we went to cannon beach as part of our honeymoon. It was unlike any other beach we’ve been to, and Haystack rock was amazing!! I loved getting close up and checking out all the tide pools at the bottom. I was blown away by all the starfish that were stuck to the rocks…half our honeymoon pictures are starfish 🙂 I think Oregon as a whole is gorgeous (mt hood was awesome too!)
Your wedding and honeymoon sound incredible! I agree- Oregon as a whole is amazing.
I can definitely vouch for Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons – both are absolutely stunning.
For New York, I wish they included something less tourist-y (the Village, the High Line in Chelsea, even Central Park). Times Square is certainly interesting but it’s not really a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Also, I’d include anything in San Francisco – such a beautiful city!
I haven’t been to most of those place, but of all the places I have ever been, Yellowstone is hands down the most gorgeous. I’m not really a nature person, but its just so amazing there. It is so cool seeing all the animals, and there is a lookout place called Artist Point…it is so beautiful!! Everyone should go there and just spend a day driving around!
I’m currently driving across the country and my next stop is Nashville! I’ve been before but it’s a fun town! I think Niagra Falls should be on there too.
I’d love to go to Nashville– I have family there too so I’ve always wanted to visit haha
Definitely the Golden Gate Bridge!
I would say Lombard Street in San Francisco! The whole place is beautiful and driving there is so cool!
Honestly, there’s a few of these I could go without. Personally I’d rather look at the Grand Tetons, go to Wrigley Field or the Gulf Beaches of Florida than go to a museum.
I have wanted to see the Grand Canyon for years but I would also like to travel out east and see the National Mall. It is hard to pick one location 🙂
I think everyone should see Vermont in the fall. I may be biased because I grew up on the VT border of NY, but I love the foliage and the weather 🙂
I’ve always wanted to see the Grand Canyon & Pearl Harbor too!
I think Yosemite would be amazing too!
I’ve never had the mackerel. But I buy the sardines in a can and eat about 2-3 cans per week (so convenient). They just come in spring water though.
So cool….as a NON-American (i’m canadian) I’ve been to 4 of these places:
Times Square, New York City
Fenway Park (Boston, Massachusetts)
National Mall, Washington, D.C.
Architecture in Chicago, Illinois
and I’ve passed thru Nashville, TN (so it’s like a half mark!)
My most favourite place in the US though is Venice, Florida 🙂
my family loves venice beach, too! we’ve found some AMAZING sharks teeth there!
Pikes Market in Seattle. I’m dying to visit Seattle and would absolutely love going to the Market!
I’ll throw in my vote for San Francisco–Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, Lombard Street, Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf–so much to see!
YES, definitely San Francisco!! I lived there for a while and the whole city is incredibly awesome and beautiful!!
The Rocky Mountains should be on that list!
Mackerel, huh? How does it compare–nutritionally speaking–to tuna, salmon or sardines, I wonder?
My vote is for the Rocky Mountains! I love, love, love it there!!!
Niagara Falls!!
I would definitely go to Fenway Park! I’ve been to Boston but only for indoor track nationals and would love to experience the city.
I would add Venice Beach, California. It’s a great view with a different experience! There are so many homeless people who try and engage you in just conversation or buying something. The culture is pretty cool as well.
I’m surprised Mount Rushmore isn’t on there either! I’ve been there 3 times in my lifetime (I live in MN) and thought it’s nothing too exciting it’s definitely a hot spot when I hear of ‘must see’ American places…
Hawaii (Pear Harbor) is at the very top of my own Travel Bucket List!
ironically, i don’t know many new yorkers who don’t go out of their way to avoid the holy heck out of times square!
Charleston! I cannot believe I spend the first 23 years of my life without visiting such a glamorous and southern city. Everyone should experience it at least once.
I’ve only been to two of those places – Vegas and Chicago. I would love to go to Times Square, NY one day!
I would add Niagra Falls to the list.
Have you ever seen the Air Force Academy Chapel? It’s amazing! My husband went to school there and I paused to gawk at it every time I visited him. I really like all of those places on the list!
I’ve been to 12 out of 20 on the list. Surprisingly enough, I have not been to the Grand Canyon and I live in Scottsdale, AZ (about 3.5 hours away).
I’ve been to 14 of the 20 on the list. The place on the list that I haven’t been to, but would like to go is Pearl Harbor. The #1 place on the list that everyone should see is the Grand Canyon. I agree that Niagra Falls should be on the list ahead of several places that are on there.
We took a Chicago architecture boat tour during my bachelorette weekend, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone!
I also think that people should see the view from the top of the Empire State Building at night. It literally took my breath away.
wow I’ve been to 9! (well Vegas is booked for sept). I think more places in Cali should be added- mainly since I’ve never been.
Definitely need to add Niagara Falls! I live only an hour away and while I don’t get there too often I’m always in awe of this incredible natural wonder-plus, the area surrounding has amazing little shops, hotels, restaurants and a great casino!!
As for where I’d like to go from the list…hmmm, I’d have to say the Grand Canyon. I’ve seen pictures and stories from friends and family members but I’ve never been.
Bridgette
I definitely think that the U.S. side of Niagara Falls should be on the list. You just can’t pass up a natural wonder like that!
That’s quite a list! Of those places listed I have only been to the following:
Grand Canyon
Hollywood Walk of Fame
French Quarter (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Ellis Island, New Jersey
Looks like I have some traveling to do!! ha!
The Golden Gate Bridge is a must see! I would love to go Ellis Island and look at my family’s names.
I love that part of Florida!
Seaside and Seagrove are my favorite.
Any beach in the panhandle of Florida, but specifically Crab Island in Destin. I still can’t believe people don’t realize we have such amazing sights so close to us.
Here’s a picture:
http://yummyjerky.com/blog/news/yummy-jerky-goes-boating-on-floridas-beautiful-emerald-coast/
I’m visiting friends in Florida and we had chili for dinner last night! Haha
I think Central Park should be added to the list! It is so beautiful!!
I’ve been to most of the places on the list but I would love to visit the French Quarter!!
I dont blame you for feeling this way! I lived in florida most of my life and when friends wanted to go to south beach for the weekend I was always hesitant. Culture shock to the max even though it was only an hour away from naples where i lived and so materialistic!
Yes! However I did enjoy the fact that there was a MAC store, Sephora, and a 2 level Ulta very close to each other 🙂
South Beach? Oh, no no no. Maybe for city dwellers, but this little country girl went to Miami (and South Beach) and lets just say I never want to go back. Never in my life has a homeless person harassed and chased me because I ignored him! In SC they sit on the side of the road quietly with their signs! I had such a case of culture shock that I couldn’t enjoy my vacation. I was nervous any time I was out of my hotel, even in the day time. The trip was Sunday-Sunday and by Tuesday I was over it!
I know some people really enjoy it, but it’s hard for me to see how! I have ruled it as the more worldly people who are having a good time there. It was just not for me.
I’ve been to 7 places on the list:
1. Highway 1, CA
2. Magic Kingdom
3. Times Square
4. Hollywood Walk of Fame
5. National Mall
6. Fenway Park (lived in Boston for 15 years and am a Red Sox fan!)
7. Architecture in Chicago (I did the boat tour and it was amazing. I love Chicago!)
I have always wanted to go to Ellis Island. I live two hours from NYC so I really should make a trip down there. Las Vegas is on my list of places to visit in the near future. 🙂