Despite what many news corporations may be saying, traveling to the United States is still a very popular activity. According to the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), the total number of international visitor arrivals to the United States in 2024 was 72,390,321.
This marks a 9.1% increase from 2023 and represents 91% of the pre-pandemic 2019 levels. These figures include arrivals by air, land, and sea from overseas countries, Canada, and Mexico, but exclude U.S. citizens and residents returning home. For context, December 2024 alone saw 6,456,562 arrivals, up 9.5% from the previous year.
Much of this travel was to the same places. These hot spots included Ney York City, Orlando and the California coast. But these places are really just “tourist taps”. They are very expensive to visit and don’t show you the best of what the country has to offer.
Traveling to a location like the Outer Banks in North Carolina will give you a unique feel of a classic beach on the continent of North America. See the famous wild horses, surfing Santas or visit one of the many locally owned and operated shops. Grab a smoothie in the Outer Banks to quench your thirst and get a healthy dose of vitamins.
Head on down to beautiful Savannah Georgia, which is only a couple hours’ drive, to visit the old south. This area is loaded with antique architecture and a charm you simply won’t find anywhere else in the world.
Finally, just a few hours south of Savannah is St. Augustine. St. Augustine, Florida, is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States, founded on September 8, 1565, by Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés under King Philip II. Named after St. Augustine of Hippo, it served as a strategic military outpost against French and British threats, with key landmarks like the Castillo de San Marcos fortress (built 1672–1695) and the coquina stone architecture reflecting its Spanish colonial heritage. Today, with a population of about 15,000, it’s a vibrant tourist destination known for its walkable historic district, the legendary Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, pristine beaches on Anastasia Island, and annual events like the Nights of Lights holiday illumination. Often called the “Nation’s Oldest City,” it blends history, culture, and coastal charm, drawing millions of visitors yearly.
If you still have time on your trip, you can then drive over to Orlando and deal with the crowds and overpriced everything there. I believe most people don’t get to see the best places in the United States because they simply don’t know about them. They leave thinking that Orlando represents the Southern United States and it most certainly does not.
In fact, I suggest staying away from tourists traps altogether. There are plenty of charming towns with lots to do which don’t cost a ton of money and are not overcrowded. If you have never heard of the charm of the southern United States, I suggest spending 15 minutes to Google and research. Your money goes much further and you will have to deal with less aggravation.
