They call her America the beautiful for a good reason. Miles upon miles of scenic byways, captivating historic monuments, and miraculous geological structures that are certain to drop jaws make this splendid country a memorable place for a sightseeing tour. There is so much to see, it's tough to know where to begin. Start your journey here. These are the 10 most spectacular sightseeing tours in the USA.
The historic and charming Mackinac Island sits just between the Lower and Upper peninsulas of Michigan on Lake Huron. There isn't a more fitting way to experience it than in a horse-drawn carriage. Book your spot with Mackinac Island Carriage Tours for roughly two hours of museums, a butterfly conservatory, an awe-inspiring limestone arch, and much more.
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Niagara Falls is a bucket list essential and one of the best ways to witness it is aboard the glorious Maid of the Mist. Journey into the basin of Niagara Falls State Park's Horseshoe Falls aboard the boat and get a close-up look at the roaring waters plummeting from 167 feet above. The tour starts at the observation tower and a souvenir rain poncho is provided. Note: You will definitely be getting wet on this excursion.
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Another one to add to the bucket list: The Northern Lights. This mystical and magical phenomenon can be seen in Alaska with Fairbanks being a prime location. Book an overnight adventure with the Northern Alaska Tour Company. You can choose from two, three, four, and five-night adventures. The more nights you stay, the better your chance of seeing them. During these tours, guests will explore the Yukon River and the sprawling Brooks Mountain Range in search of those dazzling shimmering lights.
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What better place to learn a bit of history than in the U.S. capital? There are so many famous monuments to see…but let's shake things up a bit. Old Town Trolley Tours hosts a "moonlight" evening tour to see all of the famous monuments of Washington, D.C. Hop on a trolley and see Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and more, under the stars.
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If fall is your season, you must experience the grandeur and grace of New England during those autumn months. The tour company Tauck puts on one of the best fall foliage tours New England has to offer. This huge tour takes place over the course of 12 days and moves through a variety of sites in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The itinerary includes sights such as the Omni Mount Washington Resort in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, a schooner cruise in Bar Harbor, Maine, and all of the vibrant leaf peeping in between.
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You'll be transported to another world at the sight of colorful hot air balloons dotting the New Mexican sky. Embark on a whimsical journey with the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. On this five-day tour, guests will get to witness the opening ceremonies of this renowned balloon celebration. A local balloonist will provide historical context about the sport of ballooning. Later, you'll pay a visit to the International Balloon Museum, stop into the Pueblo Cultural Center, and enjoy a guided trolley tour of Santa Fe.
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It's the most famous highway in the world. It's the Mother Road. It's Route 66. Spanning nearly 2,500 miles through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois, this historic route is so quintessentially American. Join Two Lane America for a 13-day adventure that starts in Chicago. Guests will join a 15-car caravan with step-by-step directions including many pitstops along the way for photo-ops and activities. All you have to do is provide the vehicle. Highlights of the tour include Gary's Filling Station in Missouri, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, the Grand Canyon, and the Santa Monica Pier.
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Step out of the city and onto a boat to venture to Stellwagan Bank Marine Sanctuary. Here, guests will have the opportunity to see whales, dolphins, sea birds, and other ocean creatures thriving in their natural habitats. New England Aquarium naturalists guide the trip and tell you all about the different species of whales, which include humpbacks, finbacks, minkes, and the endangered right whales.
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Get ready to explore the Grand Canyon's splendid South Rim. Take your tour any time of year because the South Rim offers some spectacular sights no matter the season. Wildflowers in the spring, autumn aspen leaves in fall, and a white dusting of snow in the winter. The tour company Papillon will take guests aboard a helicopter to soak up sights of the Canyon that just can't be seen anywhere else.
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The iconic Yellowstone National Park covers 2.2 million acres in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Not only are there massive expanses of natural sights to behold including pine forests, geysers, and the Rocky Mountains, but the abundance and diversity of wildlife is astonishing. On this 10 to 12-hour tour with Brush Buck, guests will get to see wolves, elk, bison, bears, and more.
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