Grand Rapids and Michigan's Gold Coast topped Lonely Planet's top 10 list of U.S. destinations for travelers to explore in 2014. Grand Haven Lighthouse is shown here.
Top U.S. spots for 2014 —
Grand Rapids and Michigan's Gold Coast topped Lonely Planet's top 10 list of U.S. destinations for travelers to explore in 2014. Grand Haven Lighthouse is shown here.
Courtesy of Experience Grand Rapids
This often-overlooked part of the Midwest is a treasure trove of white sand beaches, wineries, breweries and culture. With more than 25 craft breweries in the Grand Rapids area, including Founders Brewing Co. (shown here), the town can rightfully claim its place as hub for excellent beer.
1. Grand Rapids and Michigan's Gold Coast —
This often-overlooked part of the Midwest is a treasure trove of white sand beaches, wineries, breweries and culture. With more than 25 craft breweries in the Grand Rapids area, including Founders Brewing Co. (shown here), the town can rightfully claim its place as hub for excellent beer.
Courtesy of Experience Grand Rapids
Yosemite National Park, which is still recovering from a fire and the economic impact of the federal government shutdown, attracted 3.8 million visitors in 2012. It was the third-most-visited national park in the the country.
2. Yosemite National Park, California —
Yosemite National Park, which is still recovering from a fire and the economic impact of the federal government shutdown, attracted 3.8 million visitors in 2012. It was the third-most-visited national park in the the country.
Courtesy Aaron Keigher
Yosemite will be celebrating its 150th birthday next year. The park was originally protected by President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the Yosemite Grant in 1864, giving the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove to California to be administered. It became a national park in 1890.
Yosemite National Park, California —
Yosemite will be celebrating its 150th birthday next year. The park was originally protected by President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the Yosemite Grant in 1864, giving the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove to California to be administered. It became a national park in 1890.
California Travel and Tourism Commission/Andreas Hu
Runners and tourists alike are expected to fill the streets for Boston's 2014 running of the marathon. Shown here is the 1999 race.
3. Boston —
Runners and tourists alike are expected to fill the streets for Boston's 2014 running of the marathon. Shown here is the 1999 race.
Courtesy Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau
Part of the Freedom Trail, Boston's Faneuil Hall has served as a meeting hall and marketplace since 1742.
Boston —
Part of the Freedom Trail, Boston's Faneuil Hall has served as a meeting hall and marketplace since 1742.
Courtesy Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Monterey Bay Aquarium will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year.
4. Central Coast, California —
The Monterey Bay Aquarium will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year.
California Travel and Tourism Commission/Blaise
Big Sur is a spectacular highlight on the drive of Highway 1. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is shown here.
Central Coast, California —
Big Sur is a spectacular highlight on the drive of Highway 1. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is shown here.
California Travel and Tourism Commission/Blaise
The Sandy Castle project started as an idea in February to help Point Pleasant Beach and the greater Jersey Shore community recover from the effects of Superstorm Sandy.
5. Jersey Shore —
The Sandy Castle project started as an idea in February to help Point Pleasant Beach and the greater Jersey Shore community recover from the effects of Superstorm Sandy.
Kena Betancur/Getty Images
From elegant natural beauty to the kitsch of old-time beach towns, Jersey Shore has it all. Shown here is Barnegat Lighthouse, a historic landmark on the northern tip of Long Beach Island.
Jersey Shore —
From elegant natural beauty to the kitsch of old-time beach towns, Jersey Shore has it all. Shown here is Barnegat Lighthouse, a historic landmark on the northern tip of Long Beach Island.
The J.C. Memorial Fountain (shown here) may be the best known of the city's fountains but visitors will find fountains all over Kansas City.
6. Kansas City, Missouri —
The J.C. Memorial Fountain (shown here) may be the best known of the city's fountains but visitors will find fountains all over Kansas City.
Courtesy Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association
The 100th anniversary of the start of World War I will be marked at the city's National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.
Kansas City, Missouri —
The 100th anniversary of the start of World War I will be marked at the city's National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.
Courtesy Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association
Cumberland Island is a magical Southern getaway and national seashore.
7. Cumberland Island, Georgia —
Cumberland Island is a magical Southern getaway and national seashore.
Courtesy of the National Park Service
Cumberland Island's First African Baptist Church, which dates back to 1893, hosted the wedding of the late John F. Kennedy Jr. and the late Carolyn Bessette.
Cumberland Island, Georgia —
Cumberland Island's First African Baptist Church, which dates back to 1893, hosted the wedding of the late John F. Kennedy Jr. and the late Carolyn Bessette.
Courtesy of National Park Service
A city built on gambling and entertainment, Las Vegas is expanding into other activities designed to attract visitors.
8. Las Vegas —
A city built on gambling and entertainment, Las Vegas is expanding into other activities designed to attract visitors.
Brian Jones/Las Vegas News Bureau
Fremont East District is a six-block district that attracts pedestrians to its street life, restaurants, lounges, retail and entertainment.
Las Vegas —
Fremont East District is a six-block district that attracts pedestrians to its street life, restaurants, lounges, retail and entertainment.
Brian Jones/Las Vegas News Bureau
Let the crowds go to Colorado for that state's powder. If you're looking for a less expensive and less crowded vacation, Sun Valley could be your alternative.
9. Sun Valley, Idaho —
Let the crowds go to Colorado for that state's powder. If you're looking for a less expensive and less crowded vacation, Sun Valley could be your alternative.
Courtesy Visit Sun Valley
In summer, Sun Valley is blooming with gorgeous nature and outdoors activities.
Sun Valley, Idaho —
In summer, Sun Valley is blooming with gorgeous nature and outdoors activities.
Courtesy Visit Sun Valley
Enjoy a local and quiet version of Hawaii when you stay on Lanai.
10. Lanai, Hawaii —
Enjoy a local and quiet version of Hawaii when you stay on Lanai.
Hawaii Tourism Authority/Dana Edmunds
On the island of Lanai, you can see the valley view toward the nearby island of Molokai.
Lanai, Hawaii —
On the island of Lanai, you can see the valley view toward the nearby island of Molokai.
Hawaii Tourism Authority/Dana Edmunds