first time in the USA where should I go ?

[Sigarms]

2 weeks on one trip, my highlight on one camping trip when I went by myself in Utah.

Long story, I knew there was an animal around me. Took me about 4 hours to take this one "not so good" picture (back then, pic taken by my old Nikon I lugged around as cell phones weren't known for taking decent pictures LOL)

It was a black bear.

When you're from the east coast, it's kind of weird having to climb rocks to stalk an animal. I actually came down from the rock in the upper right hand pic attached and sneaked around "on the ground" to find him.

I stopped and ask if Black bears were common in the area (I wouldn't think so) and the park ranger got more excited than I was when I told him I saw one (still had to develop the film when I got home LMAO).

May not notice it, but an amazing horizon beyond the rocks the bear is stepping on.

 

[MTGreen]

What do you and your wife like doing? Id suggest flying into either phoenix or Vegas then doing the Grand Canyon

Phoenix in July is a special kind of hell at 118+ degrees F

 

[jyoutz]

Phoenix in July is a special kind of hell at 118+ degrees F

Yep, but northern AZ and southern Utah are thousands of feet higher than the desert country around Phoenix and usually in the 70/80s range during the summer. The Grand Canyon north and south rims are heavily forested.

 

[jfsawatzky]

Phoenix in July is a special kind of hell at 118+ degrees F

Yes it is… and do not be fooled when someone mentions it’s a dry heat so it feels better. It does NOT feel any better because it’s not humid … it’s still bloody hot

 

[scootr]

Visit San Diego, Walk the beaches at La Jolla. Get a window seat and fly over the Grand Canyon and the Glamas sand dunes coming in... Enjoy your trip

 

[MTGreen]

There's lots of fantastic outdoor things to see in July. Here are a few of my preference:
1) Yellowstone
2) Grand Canyon
3) Niagra Falls
4) Yosemite and sequoia area (natural and historical)
5) West coast beaches
6) Chesapeake Bay area (natural and historical) & bridge/tunnel
7) Florida everglades (if you can tolerate the humidity) & beaches/keys

Indoor or indoor/outdoor city things to see if you happen to like people:
1) Washington DC area / Smithsonian (historical and architectural)
2) Las Vegas strip (concentrated money built to impress)
3) Manhattan (architectural and understand why most of us don't live there)
4) Any of the various big ticket theme parks like Disney, Six Flags, etc.

 

[kenmbz]

Phoenix --Sedona-grand canyon-route66-bryce, zion, antelope canyon,arches

Northern CA - Yosemite--Sequoia-San Francisco-Monterrey-Carmel-Big Sur along the coastal highway.

Many of our US trips take two weeks.

Yosemite is 2 weeks and need to make reservations .

Many hotels inside the parks are big $ and book up, but camping or RV rental can be a good alternative.

Florida - Miami to Key West. Diving, snorkeling, jet skis, boats. Alligators and fan boats. And if you see "Florida Man" you will have a story for the grand kids.

NY- Niagara to NYC via watkins glen and driving down the hudson river towns.

It would probably take me a week just to list the cool trips.

I got married in Vegas 20 years ago and used to love it (I don't gamble) but now it is horrible and we could not wait to get out of there. Too sleazy for us now, even compared to 20 years ago.

 

[Sigarms]

3) Niagra Falls

I lived in upstate NY as a kid and moved back in my career. Never went to Niagara falls when I lived there or as a kid. Took my boy up last year because we had to split vacations between the wife and I because my dad was living with us. Since we were in the Finger Lake region, my boy wanted to go to Niagara.

DO NOT GO ON A HOLIDAY!!

We went early August, week day. I paid for a tour. I'm glad I did.

When I saw the crowds on a weekday, the tour guy said this was nothing.

Will say the next time we ever go up there, I'll get a passport and do the Canadian side. Way much cooler on the Canadian side IMO. Ironically, when I lived in NY, I was only a short drive from the Canadian border and never needed a passport back then.

 

[jjeff]

If you go west fortunate your going through in July heat not March snow. Banks were over 10' tall in the elevations supposed to put tire chains on several times driving thru Utah and Colorado mtn passes, little did they know I grew up and learned to drive in a snowbelt . Lots of national parks several hundred miles from Vegas, As others mentioned national parks are amazing. You might enjoy it more (or I would) if your not trying to cram everything in time allotted, Enjoy your trip wherever you may roam.

 

[Torvy]

Dry heat absolutely does matter. I lived in Vegas for 7 years. It is hotter there than here, but was more bearable there. Hot, sure, but humidity makes it so much worse.

If you want cooler weather and some entertainment... I recommend checking into Summerfest in Milwaukee on the shore of Lake Michigan. Home | Summerfest, The World's Largest Music Festival

An alternative if you want to make life a bit more risky...https://www.tastesofchicago.com/

If you are into baseball, there are 3 MLB stadiums in the 97 or so miles from Milwaukee to Chicago.

Lots to see all over.