The 20 best holidays in the US for 2025
It is no secret that everything in America is on a grand scale: go big, or go home. And the adage holds true for the enormously varied options for a holiday in the country. If it’s a beach holiday you’re after, from the golden sands of patrician New England to the wild volcanic stretches of Hawaii, there is no better destination.
Perhaps you’re drawn by the geographic stunts of the country’s dramatically varied landscapes: steaming geysers in Yellowstone National Park, the marvellous brown stripes of the Grand Canyon or the soaring snowy peaks of the Rockies. And then there’s the myriad cultural pursuits, from opera and museums in New York to theme parks in Florida, New Orleans jazz and Californian wineries.
If you’re thinking of heading to America in 2025, there are plenty of delights in store from Massachusetts to Michigan, Manhattan to Miami, and everything in between. Start by deciding what type of trip you fancy: do you want an expert-guided tour? A road trip? A city break? Or an exploration of the rugged coasts? Whether you’re travelling solo, with children or in a group, America offers nearly endless possibilities.
As the world is predicted to return to pre-pandemic travel levels in 2025, this might be the year to pursue a less well-trodden path, exploring a corner of the country you haven’t yet visited – perhaps the southeastern coastline, which is particularly beautiful in the shoulder seasons of late spring and early autumn. Or it may be time to book a once-in-a-lifetime cruise up the coast of Alaska, for a wildlife safari. Whatever you choose, from the Big Apple to Big Sur, adventure abounds.
Explore by:
Best for culture
1. The ultimate city break: New York
In terms of shopping, dining, museums, and architecture, the Big Apple is the best in class. Kirker’s six-night cultural tour, The Metropolitan Opera and Galleries and Museums of New York, departs on 10 March and 2 June, to coincide with debuts by young singers in the much-heralded production of La Bohème. The itinerary includes two further operas and visits to NYC’s best galleries and museums, including the recently reopened Frick.
How to do it
Kirker Holidays has trips from £4,339 per person for March 10 departure.
Plan your trip with our New York travel guide.
2. New World uncorked: Napa and Sonoma
If you’re intrigued by the Californian culinary revolution, started by Alice Waters but influencing some of Britain’s most successful restaurants, including the River Cafe, head to northern California. Take a tour that includes a cooking class at Cavallo Point, just by the Golden Gate Bridge, a meeting with a winemaker in Sonoma and a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Napa Valley.
How to do it
Scott Dunn offers a 9-night private tour, staying in luxury hotels, and including a private guide and international flights, costs from £5,800 per person.
3. Country, blues and jazz: Tennessee and Louisiana
America’s musical legacy has a colossal reach; head to the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville and then to Graceland, Elvis’s legendary home in Memphis, Tennessee, where you’ll also find plenty to explore in blues and soul. Led by an expert guide, you’ll then head to New Orleans, to experience its jazz scene.
How to do it
Intrepid Travel offers a six-night “Music trail” across Tennessee and Louisiana, including accommodation and many activities, from £2,259 pp (international flights extra).
4. The Old South: Carolina and Georgia
The charm and natural beauty of America’s southeastern coast are legendary. In this tour you will travel along lighthouse-lined coastlines to uncover the history, food and wildlife of the area. Charleston is regularly hailed as the culinary capital of the South; and you’ll be immersed in the rich culture of the Gullah Geechee, descendants of enslaved Central and West Africans.
How to do it
A seven-day tour with Trafalgar costs from £2,595pp, including six nights’ bed and breakfast (international flights extra).
Best road trips
1. Get your kicks: Route 66
Crossing eight states and covering more than 2,448 miles, Route 66 is the classic American road trip, following in the footsteps of early European settlers who went looking for adventure or a new life out West.
How to do it
Complete North America offers a 15-night fly-drive that includes flights, accommodation and car hire from £2875 in July.
2. Refined road trip: New England
If the classic romance of Route 66 is too much of a commitment to the road, consider the shorter distances of a road trip from Maine to Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the autumn months, when the leaves are in full fiery colour-changing glory. Take the time to explore the joys of revolutionary history and the grand Newport mansions.
How to do it
Original Travel offers a 14-day fly drive New England itinerary from £3,490 per person, including flights and accommodation.
3. Great Lakes: Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota
The Great Lakes are the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total area, and have served as the playground for America’s Midwest for generations. Start in Chicago and then set out on a 13-night road trip, exploring golden beaches, car-free islands, farmer’s markets, antiques shops and plenty of scenic highways.
How to do it
Bon Voyage has a two-week self-drive trip, including international flights and accommodation, costs from £2,995pp.
4. Dreaming: California
One should never play favourites, but if any state is worth a two-week road trip, surely it’s California. From the glorious beaches of LA to the awe-inspiring redwoods to the north, this is a classic way to see the diverse geography. Depending on your crowd, you can swap in Napa Valley for wine tasting, or an extra night in LA for theme parks.
How to do it
The American Road Trip Company offers a 14-night trip from San Francisco to LA costs from £1,799 per person, including flights, car hire and accommodation.
Best for nature
1. Mountain majesty: Yellowstone and the Rockies
The American West is a spectacular destination that combines stunning coastline, the magnificent Rocky Mountains and a few of America’s finest national parks. Visit Yellowstone and Glacier plus the richness of culture in the Pacific Northwest cities of Seattle and Portland, making this 16-night Seattle to Denver road trip a wonderfully varied itinerary.
How to do it
Complete North America offers a 16-night package includes Premium Economy flights, hotels and an upgrade to a SUV, from £3,479.
2. Scale up: National Parks
Get up close with the marvels of the American West in a guided group tour through Yellowstone and Tetons National Parks. Your guide will show you dramatic jagged granite peaks hovering over vast forests and rivers below, jaw-dropping canyons, gurgling mud pots, geysers and endless wide-open spaces – some of the world’s greatest marvels.
How to do it
Trailfinders offers a 9-night guided group tour costs from £5,949 per person, including international flights, accommodation, a 7-night guided group journey, some sightseeing and 17 meals.
3. Walk the Wild West: Arizona to Nevada
If you really want to understand a place, it’s helpful to go by foot. A two-week walking trip across hiking in Bryce Canyon, Zion and the Grand Canyon national parks, and exploring the Capitol Reef and Yosemite, will give you an expansive view across California, Arizona and Nevada, bookended with visits to San Francisco and Las Vegas.
How to do it
Explore’s group tour costs from £4,195 pp, including accommodation, expert tour guide and transportation (international flights extra).
4. Town and country: NYC and Niagara
From the non-stop rush of the city that never sleeps to the roar of the incredible volume of water whirring over Niagara Falls 400 miles north, this week-long trip allows visitors to get up close to two inimitable American destinations. Adventure seekers might consider adding on a boat tour through Niagara’s whitewater rapids.
How to do it
America As You Like It has offers from £1,365pp (based on two sharing), including return flights, eight days car hire and seven nights’ accommodation.
5. Luxury Safari: Alaska
The northernmost and westernmost state is an untamed wilderness still, and it’s all there to explore. Take in mountains, glaciers and icebergs, while scouting for whales, moose, caribou, bison and bears. Accommodation is cosy lodges, ideally set up to take in night skies and the Northern Lights. Visit Kenai Fjords, Wrangell-St Elias and Denali, three of Alaska’s National Parks.
How to do it
Hayes and Jarvis offers this 11-day tour costs from £6,399 per person, and includes accommodation, excursions and transfers. International flights extra.
Best for adventure
1. Giddyup: Arizona ranch
White Stallion is a dude ranch set in 3,000 acres of wide-open land at the foot of the ruggedly beautiful Tucson Mountains, next to Saguaro National Park, halfway between Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. This charming, authentic setting is ideal for families, solo travellers or couples.
How to do it
The Healthy Holiday Company offers a seven-night all-inclusive stay costs from £4,690 per couple and includes meals, activities like horseback riding, rock climbing, shooting and more, plus international flights.
2. Theme parks and sun: Florida
The Sunshine State’s theme parks are next level, and sit on the bucket lists of many children. In Orlando, enjoy a VIP, queue-skipping experience at Disney World and Universal Studios. Then head to Palm Beach, where you’ll go behind the scenes at the Kennedy Space Center with a real-life astronaut. See Miami from the sea, in your own private yacht and meet alligators in the Everglades.
How to do it
Abercrombie & Kent helps families craft bespoke self-drive trips around the state, from £9,495 for a family of four, including flights, for a nine-day trip.
Plan your trip with our Florida travel guide.
3. Surf’s up: Hawaii
America’s great archipelago stretches across the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and has soft, golden beaches unlike any others. Evidence of the volcanoes that created these islands abound in the bubbling lava fields of Volcanoes National Park; the wild rainforests teaming with waterfalls and wildlife in much of the islands’ interiors make for a dreamy tropical break.
How to do it
Audley Travel offers a 17-day itinerary taking in Oahu, Kauai, the Big Island and Maui, bookended by stops in Los Angeles from £9,585 pp, including international flights.
4. Powder pursuits: Aspen
Originally a Victorian mining town, today Aspen Snowmass is one of the world’s greatest centres for winter sports, with its challenging runs across four interlinked areas, glamorous shops and high-profile visitors. Its A-list reputation has fostered a superb gourmet restaurant scene, and its pistes have excellent options for all levels.
How to do it
Trailfinders offers an 11-night “Aspen Snowmass Ski Holiday”, which includes accommodation in Denver and Aspen and a 7-day ski lift pass, from £2,825 per person, based on two adults sharing (international flights extra).
Plan your trip with our Aspen travel guide.
Best for rail and cruise
1. Natural wonders: Inner Passage
The most spectacular cruise in America is an ocean voyage around the peaks and glaciers of Alaska. Visit the 49th and largest state on this tour, which combines a week-long cruise along the coast of British Columbia and Alaska to explore some of the most exciting wilderness areas. See if you can spot moose, grizzlies, caribou, eagles and wolves in Denali National Park.
How to do it
AP Touring offers a 14-day trip costs from £5,295pp on an all-inclusive basis; flights and transfers are included in cruise holidays.
2. Historic highlights: East Coast by rail
If history and city breaks top your agenda, take to the rails and pop between Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. From the capital’s monuments, memorials and Smithsonian museums to Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell, New York’s Statue of Liberty, and Boston’s Freedom Trail, there’s plenty to see and do, and the rail travel cuts down on the hassle.
How to do it
Trailfinders has a 14-night holiday, including direct flights, 3 to 4-star hotel accommodation, rail transfers from £2,699 per person.
3. Historic river cruise: The Mississippi
The Mississippi River, which cuts the US down its centre, has long symbolised freedom. Take a cruise from the bluffs and blustery weather of the North to the bayous and warmer weather in the South, enjoying beautiful scenery and excellent bird watching as you glide along. En route, you will visit crucial sites in the American Civil Rights movement, as well as the heartland from which American folk, soul and jazz music comes.
How to do it
Viking River Cruises offers “America’s Great River”, a 15-night voyage St Paul, Minnesota, to New Orleans, from £10,595 pp (with flights).
