North America does not ask you to choose between cities and nature. Within a single continent, you can stand at the edge of a canyon carved over five million years, walk streets that have barely changed since the 18th century, and watch bears cross a mountain road at dawn. The places to visit in North America in this guide cover that full range: eight destinations, each one different from the last.
What are the Best Places to Visit in North America?
Each of these eight destinations shows a different side of the continent, and together they give you a complete picture of what a North America holiday can look like.
New York City, USA
New York rarely disappoints, and it often exceeds expectations entirely. Even a week here feels short because this place keeps you hooked in multiple ways. Whether it is the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which anchors the city's cultural history, or the scenic Brooklyn Bridge, you will find various things to do in New York.
- Best For: First-time visitors, culture, food, architecture
Banff National Park, Canada
Banff sits in Alberta's Canadian Rockies, and honestly, no photo prepares you for it. The park covers 6,641 square kilometres of glacial lakes, jagged peaks, and pine forests. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake get all the attention on Instagram, and yes, they're worth it. Drive the Icefields Parkway at dawn, and you will likely spot elk grazing by the road, maybe a grizzly if you are lucky (from a safe distance, of course).
- Best For: Mountains, wildlife, hiking, winter skiing
Tribe Travel Tip: The Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper is one of the most scenic drives anywhere in North America. Allow a full day and stop frequently.
New Orleans, USA
New Orleans is unlike any other city in the United States. The French Quarter's 18th-century architecture, the live jazz spilling out of every open doorway, and a food scene built around gumbo, beignets, and po'boys make it one of the most distinctive places to visit in North America for anyone who values culture alongside scenery.
- Best For: Jazz, Creole food, colonial architecture, festivals
Grand Canyon, USA
The Grand Canyon is 446 kilometres long, up to 29 kilometres wide, and over 1,800 metres deep. The South Rim is the most accessible section, with several viewpoints within walking distance of each other and multi-day rim-to-rim hikes for those who want to go further.
- Best For: Natural wonder, hiking, sunrise and sunset views
Quebec City, Canada
Quebec City, founded in 1608, is the only walled city in North America north of Mexico. Its Old Town, known as Vieux-Québec, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Landmarks like the Château Frontenac, the Plains of Abraham, and the cobblestone streets of Petit-Champlain make the city feel more European than American.
- Best For: European atmosphere, history, architecture, French culture
Maui, Hawaii, USA
Maui is home to two landscapes you rarely see in one place: beautiful white and black sand beaches along the coast, and the dormant volcano Haleakalā, which rises 3,055 metres inland. The Road to Hāna, a 64-kilometre drive through rainforest and past waterfalls, is one of the Pacific’s most scenic routes.
- Best For: Beaches, volcanic landscapes, snorkelling, whale watching (winter)
Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains, so you can ski in the morning and kayak in the afternoon. Stanley Park, with its 405 hectares of forest and a 9-kilometre seawall, is considered one of the world’s best city parks. For local food, Granville Island’s public market is a top spot.
- Best For: Outdoor activities, mountain scenery, food scene
Chicago, USA
Chicago’s skyline along Lake Michigan stands out among American cities, and its architecture is best explored on a walking tour. The Art Institute of Chicago has one of the top Impressionist painting collections outside France. Deep dish pizza and the city’s food scene are also great reasons to visit.
- Best For: Architecture, art, food, lakeside setting
Plan Your North America Holiday with Holiday Tribe
The places to visit in North America mentioned here are spread across three time zones and two countries, so the order you visit them is important. Pairing New York with New Orleans is different from visiting Banff and Vancouver together, and your best plan depends on how much time you have.
At Holiday Tribe, we build North America holidays that make the most of the time you have rather than leaving you doing five cities in seven days. Talk to a Holiday Tribe advisor to start planning yours.
