10 Great Destinations for US Travel Buddies

Friends travelling to Aruba are treated to a wonderful island getaway with its dazzling white beaches, colourful architecture, and vibrant art and social scenes. After frolicking in the sun, flyboarding over the blue Caribbean, or going under the surface to discover shipwrecks with your dive buddy, try your luck and share the winning thrills at any of Aruba’s glitzy casinos.

Those inclined towards adventure and discovery can find plenty of historical spots, such as the seaside Alto Visa Chapel. Simply strolling through the port city of Oranjestad treats you to Dutch colonial architecture and souvenirs galore at the Local Market. Aruba has many adults-only hotels and resorts, which are ideal for friends on a trip together. Read more…

Fort Lauderdale and the stretch of white sand that borders the blue waves of the North Atlantic is home to among Florida’s most famous party beaches. That’s one good reason for travel buddies to put it up on their list for a fun shared getaway. Fort Lauderdale’s nightlife scene is also more affordable compared to other famous Floridian hot spots like Miami Beach.

Explore The Strip, The Entertainment District, Riverwalk Arts, and many nightclubs in the city for enduring memories. If you share an inclination towards arts and history, cool spots to check out include the History Fort Lauderdale museum that’s also Boward County’s oldest hotel, together with the 1901 trading post known as the Historic Stranahan House Museum. Read more…

San Diego is a top pick for friends looking for a place to escape together. For one, it has pleasant year-round weather. Then, there are gorgeous beaches along its 70-mile-long coastline, together with a great collection of cool and fun attractions.

Once you’ve ticked snorkelling or spending time at the cove of La Jolla off your shared list, a popular attraction to hit is the famous LEGOLAND California. Here, you can relive your childhood playtime memories, admire the painstakingly built structures, and even go on Lego-themed thrill rides. You can also explore slightly beyond town with a scenic hour-long road trip to pine-forested Mount Laguna. Read more…

Gatlinburg, a mountain town serving as the ‘gateway to the Smokies’, has plenty to offer for travel buddies sharing an adventure. Getting there is part of creating your memories as you hit the road and enjoy the scenic drive through eastern Tennessee and along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

In town, get breathtaking views from up high at the top of the 407-ft Space Needle observation tower or ride the 2.1-mile Sky Lift cable car to fun-filled Ober Gatlinburg. City centre is filled with so many things for travel buddies to see and do – share screams at Ripley’s haunted adventures, take wefies with ‘celebrities’ at the Hollywood Wax Museum, hit top game scores at the awesome arcades, and hunt for one-off keepsakes at Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair. Read more…

New York with its amazing skyline is one of the most fun-filled cities for travelling friends. To tick off the list are wefies against the Statue of Liberty, Times Square and the Empire State Building. Also must-dos are watching a Broadway show and exploring the vast urban expanse of Central Park where you can go on guided bike tours or set up the tripod and timer before Belvedere Castle.

Watching a game together at the NYC Yankee Stadium is sure to provide an unforgettable baseball experience. On the novel side, fans of NBC’s hit TV show Friends can check out the real Central Perk at 199 Lafayette St. It features a coffee shop and a museum of show props and souvenirs. Read more…

Yellowstone National Park continues to invite awe with its breathtaking landscapes and with jewels such as the Old Faithful Geyser and Grand Prismatic Spring. Travelling to the park with a buddy or as a group ensures you have reliable witnesses and fun friends to tag on that enviable Instagram post with these natural wonders (do take selfies or wefies from a safe distance). For some history, discover the wonderfully preserved landmarks in Mammoth Hot Springs Historic District.

You can plan a camping adventure in the neighbouring communities and forests outside the park. Sharing the trip helps you save on your travel budget, and you can also opt for a stay in any of the closest towns near the East Entrance of Yellowstone, such as Cody. Read more…

Chicago offers wonderful choices of attractions for friends sharing a trip, ranging from renowned places for art and history to dedicated fun spots on Lake Michigan. Hours and hours of fun await at Navy Pier with its thrill rides. The same can be said for Millenium Park, where you can watch theatre shows, skate at an ice rink, and take your group shots at the mirror-surfaced Cloud Gate landmark.

Chicago is also great if you and your friends are looking for some wondrous walks and outdoor adventures. Join an architecture tour to see more of the city’s modern marvels or go on a lakeside bike ride. You can even hike through several state parks with forests, wetlands, and waterfalls – all have well-marked trails and lookout posts. Read more…

A trip to Napa is more fun with friends. You can opt for a road trip together and drive through the heart of Wine Country with stops at various vineyards for wine tours and tastings. Alternatively, hop on the Napa Valley Wine Train together in vintage Pullman cars.

In the charming city centre area, stop by the Oxbow Public Market to buy and sample local cheeses and other fresh produce. The streets are graced by old architecture hailing from the late-1800s and early-1900s. There’s a riverfront promenade for fun shopping and dining. When the sun comes down, enjoy the arts scene at the Napa Valley Opera House. Read more…

Nashville is home to legendary country music and what better to sing along to well-known Johnny Cash hits than with a band of close friends? It’s one of the best places to go for a touch of Southern charm and some good old-fashioned vibes. Lovely bars all over town feature live country music. You can wear your cowboy hat and explore city centre together in a vintage convertible and make your own lip-synced country music video.

Pay tribute to local greats at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, historic Ryman Auditorium, and the Johnny Cash Museum. For travel buddies with a penchant for the great outdoors, be rewarded with the gorgeous scenery of Nashville after a hike around Radnor Lake. Read more…

New Orleans is the place to visit with your besties, especially if you share a love for jazz. The birthplace of the genre has countless jazz clubs around town. But the city has more to offer circles of friends than music scenes. You can celebrate together during the extravagant, 2 week-long Mardi Gras.

Rich in history, the city streets are graced by numerous 18th-century buildings to admire. You can even learn about voodoo and go on a guided, hair-raising tour of some of the world’s most haunted buildings and cemeteries! Alternatively, spend your evening gaming and sharing a date with lady luck at New Orleans’ 4 cool casinos. Read more…