Popular Destinations

Explore popular travel destinations across the globe that promise unforgettable experiences and adventures. Find the start of your next vacation on Trip Canvas powered by AAA Travel.

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DESTINATIONLas VegasWith its neon flashin' and one-armed bandits crashin', this bright light city is bound to set your soul on fire. Gambling. Glitter. Sexy entertainment. Gourmet restaurants. Swanky shops. Nightclubs galore. It's all here in a 24/7 desert bacchanalia that on occasion makes Dionysus and his pals come off like amateurs. And when the tumblin' dice reward you with stacks of chips that are oh so nice, you'll sing “Viva Las Vegas!”

DESTINATIONOrlandoWalt Disney World® Resort opened in the Orlando area in 1971, setting into motion a Florida tourism boom of grand proportions. With the sister to the West Coast’s Disneyland® Resort in their back yards, devotees of all things Mickey Mouse east of the Mississippi no longer had to trek across country to tap into the magic. As Disney’s East Coast kingdom grew exponentially, so, too, did the competition that eventually transformed Orlando into one big theme park of a destination. Walt Disney World® set the bar for wholesome family fun and then raised it time after time with faster rides, cuter characters and livelier entertainment to captivate every age group.

DESTINATIONNew York CityLook down from the heights of the Empire State Building to gain a true sense of how the Big Apple's slices meld together — gaze toward Lower Manhattan, home of colorful Little Italy, bustling Chinatown and funky SoHo; turn around and glance toward Upper Manhattan, where Harlem's 1920s musical renaissance electrified the country; and in the center of it all, glimpse the rectangular forest of Central Park, playground for all cultures.

DESTINATIONNashvilleNashville is a city with melodious roots. Best known as Music City, USA, the capital of Tennessee is where honky-tonk singers become stars and where dreams of glitz and glamour become reality. It was during the 1960s that legendary Music Row was born, and today Nashville is home to a $5-billion-per-year recording industry.

DESTINATIONRomeRome has attracted visitors for over 2,000 years. It is one of the most magnificent and romantic cities in the world, boasting an attractive mix of grandiose sights, such as the Colosseum, Roman Pantheon, and Forum. Amidst the awe-inspiring ruins and charming piazzas, you can savour the delights of smooth gelato, frothy cappuccinos, delectable pasta and pizza, and exquisite wines, all contributing to the allure that draws over 10 million tourists annually in search of a taste of the Italian “Dolce Vita”.

DESTINATIONLondonLondon is the cultural, political, and economic heart of Britain, famous for its world-class museums, galleries, royal palaces, shopping destinations, West End theatre shows and award-winning restaurants. Whether you want to stay in a 5-star luxury hotel and sip Champagne on the London Eye or find a cheap hostel and stroll around one of London's beautiful Royal Parks, you're sure to find something that suits your budget and interests.

DESTINATIONBostonBoston calls itself “America's Walking City,” and with good reason: driving can be a challenge. What better excuse to park your car and explore on foot? There's history around every corner.

DESTINATIONMiami The appeal of greater Miami goes beyond sun-soaked beaches and a world-renowned climate. The relatively youthful destination also has diverse neighborhoods and a cultural richness suggestive of older, more established American cities.

DESTINATIONSan Diego San Diego calls itself “America's Finest City,” a difficult slogan to live up to, but one you'll likely agree with if for no other reason than the city's marvelous weather. This is sunny Southern California at its best; the region centered about downtown very rarely sees temperatures above 80 in summer and below 40 in winter—courtesy of prevailing Pacific Ocean breezes—and only about 10 inches of annual rainfall.

DESTINATIONDublinNatives abroad yearn for the pubs and the "craic" that teem in this ever-growing city. Known for its friendly folk, vibrant pubs, and deep-rooted appreciation for music, literature, and the arts, Dublin offers a warm welcome and a treasure trove of experiences for visitors eager to explore its charming neighbourhoods, historical sites, and fascinating traditions.

DESTINATIONHonolulu Regardless of where in the world you go, the mention of Honolulu conjures similar tropical images: swaying palms, wide beaches and rolling waves breaking on the surface of sparkling azure waters. The images don't lie: You step into a picture postcard the minute you set foot on the island of O‘ahu.

DESTINATIONParisFew cities match the iconic status that Paris boasts in the imagination of travellers. In fashion, gastronomy, and the arts, she is queen. As you visit the different quartiers of the City of Light, her moods shift from gritty to sophisticated, from Haute Couture to punk. There is always something new to discover in Paris beyond the legendary sights and museums we all know so well. This fabled city has a way of getting under your skin and feeling instantly familiar to all who wander her hypnotic streets and linger at her inviting cafés.

DESTINATIONLos Angeles For much of the globe, the stereotypical perception of Los Angeles is one of a superficial city populated by movie stars, plastic surgeons and towering palms. But Angelenos know the entertainment capital of the world is much more than that. From its glorious natural surroundings and world-class tourist attractions to ethnic neighborhoods with their own unique character, L.A. is a wildly stimulating, very real city where fantasy just happens to be the signature export.

DESTINATIONSeattleSeattle is so scenically blessed it's almost laughable. Look to the west and the snowcapped Olympic Mountains frame your view. To the south lies 14,411-foot Mount Rainier, a majestic presence on the horizon despite it being 90 miles from the city. The sparkling waters of Puget Sound reflect the Seattle skyline and feature an intricate network of bays, inlets and islands large and small. Long, skinny Lake Washington is beautified by an almost continuous series of parks and greenbelts along its shore. And Seattle sits right in the middle of it all. The vistas are, in a word, awesome, and the city’s greenery is at the root of its nickname “The Emerald City.”

DESTINATIONWashington The nation's capital. It's a phrase that underscores Washington's global importance as a seat of government as well as its enormous appeal as a tourist destination. John F. Kennedy once said “Washington is a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm,” and although his tongue was no doubt firmly planted in cheek, there's no denying its twin roles: governing the nation while charming millions of visitors each year.

DESTINATIONTampa Historical preservation and a good measure of civic pride have contributed to a cultural richness that makes Tampa comparable in Florida to Miami. Consider vibrant, historic Ybor City, birthplace of Tampa's cigar industry and now its hot-hot-hot Latin-infused nightspot. For fun things to do, there is an eclectic mix of art, history and science museums that inspire adults and children to explore new horizons together while having loads of fun.

DESTINATIONGrand Canyon National ParkWriters can be forgiven for going overboard when describing a mile-deep, 277-mile-long gash in the earth with some of the planet's oldest rocks on display like a big, beautiful geologic layer cake. Awe-inspiring. Amazing. Breathtaking. The list of clichés goes on. Some 5 million people a year step up to the edge of this natural wonder, and when they first lay eyes on it, even those with a Rhodes Scholar's vocabulary can only muster words like “wow” and “awesome.” This is as it should be. This ain't no fairytale European castle. The Grand Canyon is Mother Nature showing you she's boss.

DESTINATIONChicago “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood,” advised one of Chicago's leading architects nearly a century ago. Chicagoans listened. You can't visit the Windy City today and find much that's small about it.

DESTINATIONCancunCancún today is a leisure destination for families, honeymooners, spring breakers and adventurers alike, welcoming more than 4 million tourists each year. Its prime location — at the northeastern tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula — gives travelers a taste of both the Caribbean and Mexico, along with plenty of American comforts. The English language is commonplace in Cancún, although Spanish might be spoken first. Dollars are routinely accepted, and stateside franchises like Starbucks are fairly easy to find.

DESTINATIONSan FranciscoCable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Transamerica Pyramid—San Francisco is a travelogue of iconic images. Even if you've never been to California, you've seen these seven hills in classic films and TV shows. For a first-time visitor, every sight is new but familiar. Who wouldn't recognize the lantern-strung alleys of Chinatown, the stately Victorian mansions of Pacific Heights or the serpentine twists of Lombard Street? Who hasn't sung the Tony Bennett song? Our photographic memories of San Francisco go back to the Great Earthquake of 1906, and more recently, Loma Prieta. Our cultural mileposts include the leather bars of Castro Street, the Latin taquerias of the Mission District and the incense shops of Haight-Ashbury (though the flower children sport more piercings and tattoos these days).

DESTINATIONDenverFrom the moment you step off the plane in the Mile High City, you realize there's something a little different in the air. Well, the air is thinner, of course, and flatlanders notice it's harder to breathe at first. After boarding the shuttle to Denver International's baggage claim, you may recognize the catchy Western musical jingle signifying the tram stops. Or, maybe it's the person beside you wearing the Stetson hat who grabs your attention. The airport in itself is a local destination—the white billowing tent of a roof architecturally interpreting the snowcapped peaks gracefully looming in the distance.

DESTINATIONNew OrleansForever altered by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, New Orleans was once called “The City that Care Forgot,” a nickname that aptly described its bon vivant atmosphere. It was always a melting pot of peoples and cultures, with diversity not merely recognized but celebrated. Out of this eclectic blend of French, Spanish and African influences came jazz, Cajun and Creole cuisines and Mardi Gras. Built in an improbable location—on a swamp in a bend between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain—the Crescent City nonetheless became one of the largest convention destinations in the United States, with millions of visitors each year.

DESTINATIONVancouverVancouver has won many accolades as one of the top cities in the Americas, and for very good reasons. Set against a backdrop of majestic snowcapped mountains, the city lies on a peninsula that juts into the Pacific Ocean. This spectacular setting allows for a plethora of outdoor adventures, including skiing, sailing, hiking, scuba diving, fishing and more.

DESTINATIONMontrealBienvenue! “Welcome” to Montréal. This vibrant city known for its joie de vivre is a treat for the senses. Visually, Montréal is stunning. Set on an island in the St. Lawrence River, the city is a photographer's delight. Its imposing modern skyline punctuated with skyscrapers confirms its status as one of Canada's leading contemporary, metropolitan areas. In contrast, the narrow, 18th-century cobblestone streets of Old Montréal (Vieux-Montréal) recall the days of Ville Marie, the city's original settlement.

DESTINATIONMyrtle BeachEnvisioning a year-round golfing resort on 65,000 acres of undeveloped oceanfront property, John T. Woodside built a luxury hotel and had a Scottish golf course architect build the area’s first course in 1927. The Depression waylaid Woodside’s plans for further development, and he eventually sold out. The venerable golf club, later renamed Pine Lakes, is now the centerpiece of Myrtle Beach golfing.

DESTINATIONPhoenix By Car Major highways make Phoenix readily accessible from all directions. The main route from Flagstaff and other points north is I-17, while the main route from the south and southeast is I-10. US 60, coming from the east, joins I-10 just north of Baseline Road.

DESTINATIONSalt Lake CitySalt Lake City is Utah's capital and serves as an all-purpose vacation gateway to the state's scenic national parks and recreational areas. You couldn't ask for a more impressive natural setting—Great Salt Lake spreading out to the northwest, the forbiddingly beautiful Great Salt Desert beyond and the snowcapped Wasatch Mountains towering in the background. It's no surprise that Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, or that athletes as well as more casual sports enthusiasts flock here to take advantage of the excellent recreational facilities.

DESTINATIONToronto A combination of modernity and Old World charm, Toronto plays the perfect host to visitors who want a big city but crave more than steel and glass. Examples of Toronto's desire to maintain its historical sites as well as its prominent position as a top urban destination are everywhere you look. Fort York National Historic Site, the 1793 birthplace of Toronto, stands guard just over a mile (2 km) from the CN Tower, one of the world's tallest buildings and free-standing structures.

DESTINATIONTokyoTokyo's technological leaps and passion for everything new have made the rest of the world sit up and take notice. A city made of smaller cities, Tokyo's neighbourhoods are individual and unique in what each can offer, from cultural sights to vast shopping malls. Get ready for a whirlwind of modernity and tradition in the neon-lit Japanese capital.

DESTINATIONAnchorageThe largest city in Alaska, Anchorage is home to nearly half of the state’s residents. With the icy waters of the Cook Inlet on one side and the dramatic peaks of the Chugach Mountains on the other, Anchorage serves as an ideal home base for adventure and exploration. The protective mountain barrier and proximity of the ocean also contribute to a surprisingly moderate climate, relative to most of Alaska.

DESTINATIONBarcelonaImpressive architecture and hip restaurants meet a sunny Spanish climate and beautiful beaches. This has transformed Barcelona, in just a few decades, from a rough port city into one of Europe's — if not the world's — premier destinations. Stroll along La Rambla and Passeig de Gràcia, admire Gaudí's masterpieces, visit the colourful Market of La Boqueria, lose yourself in the Gothic Quarter, bask in the sun at Barceloneta beach, and discover some of the city's vibrant late-night haunts while you're at it.

DESTINATIONAthensOne of Europe's Ancient capitals, Athens has undergone significant change in recent years. A modern metropolis with an old town feel, this is where antiquity meets futurism, and ancient monuments fuse with a trendy, cosmopolitan scene. Plaka neighbourhood is the heart of its historical centre, with labyrinthine streets leading to all manner of ancient wonders.

DESTINATIONFlorenceFlorence, the regional capital of Tuscany, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. It is acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and stepping onto its historic cobbles, it is easy to see why. Cradled between the surrounding hills, the city hosts some of the most famous works of art on the planet, and the whole of the city centre is packed with stunning palaces, churches, and monuments. The surrounding countryside is well-known for its rolling hills and its wine, particularly the Chianti area between Siena and Florence.

DESTINATIONAtlanta Atlanta is the capital of Georgia and the epicenter of the New South. While the city retains some of its small-town atmosphere in many ways—such homey neighborhoods as Virginia-Highland and Little Five Points, blooming dogwoods and azaleas that politely announce springtime and the genteel hospitality practiced by true Southerners—it is far from the sleepy Southern destination that Gen. Sherman burned to ashes in his 1864 March to the Sea.

DESTINATIONSan Juan San Juan, one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, is frequently overlooked as a stopover on the way to somewhere else, which is a shame because the 16th-century capital city has a lot to offer. In recent years, this Caribbean destination has undergone a modern resurgence, and it is well worth a longer visit. From the Spanish fortresses of Old San Juan to Isla Verde and the Condado beach hotels to the vibrant rain forests of El Yunque, the area offers enough history, scenery and attractions to satisfy the needs of any travel itinerary.

DESTINATIONPortland If you described Portland as a scaled-down version of Seattle you wouldn't be off the mark, as both cities share some very enticing similarities. They boast natural settings that showcase the Pacific Northwest's remarkable beauty. Each has a distant but unmistakable landmark: 14,411-foot Mount Rainier rising from Seattle's horizon, 11,239-foot Mt. Hood serving as Portland's backdrop. Water is a prevailing characteristic as well—as Puget Sound helped shape Seattle, so do the Willamette (pronounced “will-AM-ett”) and Columbia rivers define Portland. Both are decidedly pro-environmental, resulting in a bounty of urban parks and green spaces. Coffee on practically every corner? Check and check.

DESTINATIONPhiladelphiaMake Friends in The City of Brotherly Love

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ARTICLETravel for Retirees: Top Destinations Around the GlobeTravel for retirees shouldn’t be complicated. Read about the top destinations around the globe, from Portugal to Japan, plus helpful tips for planning your retirement trip.

EDITOR PICK5 Tips for Experiencing Key West on a BudgetYes, staying in Key West on a budget is possible! The world-class destination features plenty of free and affordable attractions for the whole family. Check out our tips for a budget-friendly vacation.

ARTICLE25 Most Iconic American Landmarks from Coast to Coast Discover 25 of the most iconic American landmarks from coast to coast. Explore natural wonders, historic monuments and cultural treasures.

ARTICLE24 Cost-Conscious Things to Do in HoustonPlan your itinerary with the top things to do in Houston while on a budget. Whether spending time outdoors or in an art venue, there’s lots to do in H-Town.

EDITOR PICK22 Best Warm Weather Destinations to Escape the Winter ChillEscape the cold and book some warm weather destinations to spend your winter. You’ve got options to spend time in warm weather, and we explore 22 of the best.

EDITOR PICK14 Free Things to Do in New OrleansWith music, attractions, events, great restaurants and shopping, there are tons of free things to do in New Orleans for any traveler.

ARTICLE15 Things to Do in Salt Lake City to Make Your Trip MemorableThere are many things to do in Salt Lake City — where should you start? We’ve compiled a list of the top 15 things to do to have a relaxing time in SLC.

ARTICLEThe Ultimate Malta Travel Guide for Your Trip AbroadPlan your perfect getaway to Malta with our guide, featuring top attractions, local tips, and the island’s must-see highlights.

ARTICLE25 Things to Do in Austin For Every Type of Traveler Finding the best things to do in Austin doesn’t have to be a tedious process; we’ve compiled the top 25 things to do so you can get packing and exploring today.

EDITOR PICK12 Best Places To Run in Chicago To See the Windy CityTake on the best places to run in Chicago with your running shoes and your favorite playlist. Whether a short sprint or a long dash, we’ve got you covered.

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