I've been to all 50 states. Here are 9 places that should definitely be on your 2026 travel bucket list.

SOURCE:Business Insider|BY:Emily Hart

In my opinion, Glacier National Park is one of the best places to visit in the US in 2026. Emily Hart After visiting all 50 states, I've narrowed down the places you should travel to in 2026. I recommend checking out cities like Charleston, South Carolina, and Anchorage, Alaska. Places like Western North Carolina and Northern New Mexico are also worth visiting. A new year means new opportunities to travel. And if you're anything like me, you're probably already thinking about where to go in 2026. After visiting all 50 states, there are a few places that have really stood out to me. If traveling more is one of your New Year's resolutions, I recommend checking out these nine incredible destinations. Idaho's Teton Valley is breathtaking. Emily Hart I love visiting Teton Valley, Idaho — the area located on the Western side of the Teton Mountain Range. Driggs, Victor, and Tetonia are all great little towns in the region. I especially love floating on the Teton River through Driggs and exploring downtown Victor. The area is also a great base for day trips to Grand Teton or Yellowstone National Parks, making it a quieter way to enjoy the Tetons without the crowds. I think Northern New Mexico should be on everyone's bucket lists. Raymond Douglas Ewing/Shutterstock Northern New Mexico is the place I've come back to the most over the last decade. The wide-open skies and landscapes are unlike anywhere else, making every visit feel completely unforgettable and unique. I recommend staying in Taos, Santa Fe, or Abiquiú. I always enjoy exploring the Ojo Caliente Hot Springs or hiking around Ghost Ranch — a national natural landmark and former home of Georgia O'Keeffe. Mendocino County in California is one of my favorite places to visit. Emily Hart Mendocino County in California is one of my all-time favorite places to visit. I love hiking through the coastal beauty of Russian Gulch and Mendocino Headlands State Parks, before glamping at Mendocino Grove. The town of Mendocino itself is full of charm — colorful storefronts, cozy cafés, and galleries tucked along tree-lined streets with an ocean view. It's the perfect mix of outdoor adventure and slow, small-town California coastal charm. Charleston, South Carolina, is full of charm. Gordon Bell/Shutterstock Charleston, South Carolina, is one of those cities I always find myself coming back to. I love wandering around the historic French Quarter and South of Broad areas, strolling along the Battery, enjoying Lowcountry cuisine, and browsing the boutiques and galleries. In my opinion, Charleston is one of the most charming places in the country. Glacier National Park in Montana feels magical. Emily Hart Although I think Montana is worth visiting in its entirety, I love spending time in Glacier National Park. The mountains are massive and create the kind of scenes that make you stop and stare. Whether I'm hiking along alpine trails (I recommend the Highline and Avalanche Lake trails), driving down the iconic 50-mile scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road through the park, or just pausing to take in the views at Lake McDonald, the landscape here never fails to amaze me. Cumberland Island, Georgia, is a unique place to visit. flashbacknyc/Shutterstock Cumberland Island, Georgia, is a wild and peaceful barrier island with 17.5 miles of undeveloped beaches and free-roaming wild horses. When I visited, I biked past the ruins of the 19th century Dungeness Mansion, explored the Plum Orchard mansion, and visited the First African Baptist Church, where John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette were married. Overall, it's a very unique, seemingly untouched place to visit. I love spending time in Western North Carolina. Jon Bilous/Shutterstock Western North Carolina is one of my favorite parts of the country. I love exploring the towns around Asheville — Hendersonville, Boone, and Brevard. The latter is my favorite, with the Brevard Music Center bringing classical performances to the mountains each summer. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation nearby. Between the waterfalls, hiking trails, and small-town vibes, it's a part of the state I keep coming back to. Anchorage is the perfect home base for a trip to Alaska. TripWalkers/Shutterstock I've visited Alaska many times and it's massive. Because of its size, though, it can sometimes be challenging to navigate, which is why I always recommend using Anchorage as a base. I love staying at the Wildbirch Hotel downtown, grabbing breakfast at Biscuit Club next door, or having pizza at Moose's Tooth before heading out on adventures. Plus, one of my favorite scenic drives of all time is just south of Anchorage along Turnagain Arm. I recommend stopping in Girdwood to stretch your legs and grab a beer at Girdwood Brewing. From Anchorage, I've also taken glacier tours out of Whittier, driven out to explore the charming village of Hope, and gone on trips to Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks. Between the wildlife, glaciers, and endless landscapes, it's a place that never stops amazing me. I think Coastal Maine is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Emily Hart As someone who's visited all 50 states, coastal Maine will always be on my short list for the most beautiful places in the US. I love starting my trip in the quaint town of Kennebunkport, visiting the iconic Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, and then making the drive to hike in Acadia National Park. If you have time, I recommend following the coast up to Lubec, the easternmost point in the continental US, for a taste of why this rugged, timeless coastline is so unforgettable. Read the original article on Business Insider

Emily takes a selfie in front of a mountain surrounded by a lake on a cloudy day. — In my opinion, Glacier National Park is one of the best places to visit in the US in 2026.
Emily Hart

After visiting all 50 states, I've narrowed down the places you should travel to in 2026.
I recommend checking out cities like Charleston, South Carolina, and Anchorage, Alaska.
Places like Western North Carolina and Northern New Mexico are also worth visiting.

A new year means new opportunities to travel. And if you're anything like me, you're probably already thinking about where to go in 2026.

After visiting all 50 states, there are a few places that have really stood out to me. If traveling more is one of your New Year's resolutions, I recommend checking out these nine incredible destinations.

Idaho's Teton Valley is breathtaking.

Emily stands in a field at sunset with mountains in the background. — Emily Hart

I love visiting Teton Valley, Idaho — the area located on the Western side of the Teton Mountain Range.

Driggs, Victor, and Tetonia are all great little towns in the region. I especially love floating on the Teton River through Driggs and exploring downtown Victor.

The area is also a great base for day trips to Grand Teton or Yellowstone National Parks, making it a quieter way to enjoy the Tetons without the crowds.

I think Northern New Mexico should be on everyone's bucket lists.

Large rock formations and mountains dotted with bushes. — Raymond Douglas Ewing/Shutterstock

Northern New Mexico is the place I've come back to the most over the last decade.

The wide-open skies and landscapes are unlike anywhere else, making every visit feel completely unforgettable and unique. I recommend staying in Taos, Santa Fe, or Abiquiú.

I always enjoy exploring the Ojo Caliente Hot Springs or hiking around Ghost Ranch — a national natural landmark and former home of Georgia O'Keeffe.

Mendocino County in California is one of my favorite places to visit.

Emily holds a cup of coffee while sitting in a chair under large trees. — Emily Hart

Mendocino County in California is one of my all-time favorite places to visit. I love hiking through the coastal beauty of Russian Gulch and Mendocino Headlands State Parks, before glamping at Mendocino Grove.

The town of Mendocino itself is full of charm — colorful storefronts, cozy cafés, and galleries tucked along tree-lined streets with an ocean view. It's the perfect mix of outdoor adventure and slow, small-town California coastal charm.

Charleston, South Carolina, is full of charm.

A row of pastel-colored houses in Charleston. — Gordon Bell/Shutterstock

Charleston, South Carolina, is one of those cities I always find myself coming back to.

I love wandering around the historic French Quarter and South of Broad areas, strolling along the Battery, enjoying Lowcountry cuisine, and browsing the boutiques and galleries.

In my opinion, Charleston is one of the most charming places in the country.

Glacier National Park in Montana feels magical.

Although I think Montana is worth visiting in its entirety, I love spending time in Glacier National Park. The mountains are massive and create the kind of scenes that make you stop and stare.

Whether I'm hiking along alpine trails (I recommend the Highline and Avalanche Lake trails), driving down the iconic 50-mile scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road through the park, or just pausing to take in the views at Lake McDonald, the landscape here never fails to amaze me.

Cumberland Island, Georgia, is a unique place to visit.

Trees with winding branches and hanging moss hang over a path. — flashbacknyc/Shutterstock

Cumberland Island, Georgia, is a wild and peaceful barrier island with 17.5 miles of undeveloped beaches and free-roaming wild horses.

When I visited, I biked past the ruins of the 19th century Dungeness Mansion, explored the Plum Orchard mansion, and visited the First African Baptist Church, where John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette were married.

Overall, it's a very unique, seemingly untouched place to visit.

I love spending time in Western North Carolina.

A three-level waterfall surrounded by trees. — Jon Bilous/Shutterstock

Western North Carolina is one of my favorite parts of the country. I love exploring the towns around Asheville — Hendersonville, Boone, and Brevard.

The latter is my favorite, with the Brevard Music Center bringing classical performances to the mountains each summer. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation nearby.

Between the waterfalls, hiking trails, and small-town vibes, it's a part of the state I keep coming back to.

Anchorage is the perfect home base for a trip to Alaska.

anchorage Alaska — TripWalkers/Shutterstock

I've visited Alaska many times and it's massive. Because of its size, though, it can sometimes be challenging to navigate, which is why I always recommend using Anchorage as a base.

I love staying at the Wildbirch Hotel downtown, grabbing breakfast at Biscuit Club next door, or having pizza at Moose's Tooth before heading out on adventures.

Plus, one of my favorite scenic drives of all time is just south of Anchorage along Turnagain Arm. I recommend stopping in Girdwood to stretch your legs and grab a beer at Girdwood Brewing.

From Anchorage, I've also taken glacier tours out of Whittier, driven out to explore the charming village of Hope, and gone on trips to Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks.

Between the wildlife, glaciers, and endless landscapes, it's a place that never stops amazing me.

I think Coastal Maine is one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

Emily sits near a cliff in Quoddy Head State Park in Maine. — Emily Hart

As someone who's visited all 50 states, coastal Maine will always be on my short list for the most beautiful places in the US.

I love starting my trip in the quaint town of Kennebunkport, visiting the iconic Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, and then making the drive to hike in Acadia National Park.

If you have time, I recommend following the coast up to Lubec, the easternmost point in the continental US, for a taste of why this rugged, timeless coastline is so unforgettable.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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I've been to all 50 states. Here are 9 places that should definitely be on your 2026 travel bucket list.