20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (2024)

(Last Updated On: March 30, 2024)

When it comes to vacationing, Americans have a unique flair for blending relaxation with a dash of the unconventional. From coast to coast, here are 20 amusingly American activities that capture the spirit of the U.S. vacation experience.

1. Take a Road Trip in a Massive RV

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (1)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Andrei Armiagov

Nothing says “American vacation” quite like hitting the open road in a home-on-wheels, complete with all the amenities of home, plus the ability to cook a full meal while someone else drives.

2. Visit Disney World or Disneyland

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (2)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Jerome LABOUYRIE

Embrace the magic of childhood dreams by spending a day (or five) at Disney, where adults are just big kids wearing Mickey ears and eating churros at 10 AM.

3. Attend a Baseball Game

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (3)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Joseph Hendrickson

Grab a hot dog and a cold beer, and soak in America’s pastime. Bonus points for catching a foul ball or getting on the jumbotron.

4. Eat a Deep-Fried Everything

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (4)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / DronG

State fairs are the place to discover that anything can be deep-fried, from Oreos to butter, proving American ingenuity knows no bounds in the culinary arts.

5. Take a Selfie at the Grand Canyon

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (5)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Maridav

Capture the grandeur of one of America’s most breathtaking natural wonders, ensuring you’ve got that perfect Instagram shot to make everyone back home jealous.

6. Go to a Drive-in Movie

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (6)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / BAZA Production

Experience movie-watching from the comfort of your car, a nostalgic nod to a bygone era of Americana, complete with popcorn and snuggling under the stars.

7. Celebrate the 4th of July Anywhere in the USA

From backyard barbecues to spectacular fireworks displays, celebrating Independence Day is a quintessential American experience.

8. Experience Las Vegas

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (8)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Iv-olga

Try your luck at the casinos, catch a world-class show, and marvel at the neon lights in this desert oasis of entertainment and indulgence.

9. Visit a National Park

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (9)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / anthony heflin

America’s national parks are its crown jewels. Whether it’s Yellowstone, Yosemite, or the Great Smoky Mountains, there’s no shortage of natural beauty to explore.

10. Eat Barbecue in Texas

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (10)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / rocharibeiro

Savor the slow-cooked, smoky goodness of Texas barbecue, a true American art form, and argue about which style is the best.

11. Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (11)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / FiledIMAGE

Stroll among the stars on Hollywood’s famous sidewalk, taking selfies with your favorites and marveling at the history of American entertainment.

12. See a Broadway Show in New York

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (12)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Wangkun Jia

Experience the magic of live theater with a Broadway show, where the talent is top-notch and the productions are unforgettable.

13. Participate in a Tailgate Party

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (13)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Golubovy

Experience the pre-game ritual of tailgating, where the food is grilled, the drinks are cold, and the camaraderie is infectious, all before the big game.

14. Take a Picture With Mount Rushmore

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (14)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Nagel Photography

Pay homage to four of America’s greatest presidents by visiting this monumental sculptural marvel set against the South Dakota sky.

15. Go on a Lobster Roll Quest in New England

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (15)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / RFondren Photography

Embark on a culinary adventure through New England to find the perfect lobster roll, a quest that combines scenic beauty with deliciousness.

16. Ride a Trolley in San Francisco

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (16)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / canadastock

Cling to the side of a historic San Francisco cable car, taking in the steep hills and stunning views of the Bay Area.

17. Explore the French Quarter in New Orleans

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (17)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / GTS Productions

Get lost in the vibrant streets of New Orleans’ French Quarter, where the music is soulful, the food is hearty, and the atmosphere is electric.

18. Witness the Niagara Falls

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (18)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Jamie Boggess

Stand in awe of the power and beauty of Niagara Falls, a natural wonder that straddles the border between the USA and Canada.

19. Attend a Country Music Concert

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (19)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Matushchak Anton

Let your hair down and enjoy the storytelling and soulful melodies of a live country music concert, an experience that’s as American as apple pie.

20. Visit the Smithsonian in Washington D.C.

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (20)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sean Pavone

Explore the vast collections of the Smithsonian Institution, where American history, culture, and scientific achievements are on full display.

An American Adventure

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (21)

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Pierrette Guertin

From the quirky to the quintessential, these 20 vacation activities capture the diverse and spirited nature of vacationing in the USA. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, there’s no shortage of uniquely American experiences to enjoy.

More Articles Like This…

Mastering Underwater Photography on Your Travels

One Day in…Ayutthaya, Thailand

Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations According to Tripadvisor 2024

The post 20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation was republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage.

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Monkey Business Images.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

Tips for Trip Success

Book Your Flight
Find an inexpensive flight by usingKayak, a favorite of ours because it regularly returns less expensive flight options from a variety of airlines.

Book Your Hotel or Special Accommodation
We are big fans ofBooking.com. We like their review system and photos. If we want to see more reviews and additional booking options, we go toExpedia.

You Need Travel Insurance!
Good travel insurance means having total peace of mind. Travel insurance protects you when your medical insurance often will not and better than what you get from your credit card. It will provide comprehensive coverage should you need medical treatment or return to the United States, compensation for trip interruption, baggage loss, and other situations.Find the Perfect Insurance Plan for Your Trip20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (22)

PassingThru is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

To view PassingThru’s privacy policy, click here.

+ posts

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (23)

Hazel Savage

+ posts

20 Most-American Things to Do on Vacation - Passing Thru - For the Curious and Thoughtful Traveler (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Chrissy Homenick

Last Updated:

Views: 5667

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Chrissy Homenick

Birthday: 2001-10-22

Address: 611 Kuhn Oval, Feltonbury, NY 02783-3818

Phone: +96619177651654

Job: Mining Representative

Hobby: amateur radio, Sculling, Knife making, Gardening, Watching movies, Gunsmithing, Video gaming

Introduction: My name is Chrissy Homenick, I am a tender, funny, determined, tender, glorious, fancy, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.