Best destinations for first-time travelers in North America
Best destinations for first-time travelers in North America
North America offers a comfortable starting point for many first-time travelers, particularly those already familiar with English speaking countries.
The United States and Canada both have reliable infrastructure and widely spoken English, which removes a lot of the friction that can come with a first international trip. Mexico adds an easy international option too, with a short flight from much of North America and well established tourist areas that ease travelers into a different language and culture. National parks are especially beginner friendly, with visitor centers, marked trails and rangers on hand to answer questions. Guided tours remain a popular choice for travelers who want structure built into an otherwise independent trip. Ride sharing apps also make getting around most major cities fairly simple.
The destinations on our list for North America reflect that same balance of familiar comfort and gentle cultural difference.
Lists by region
City in Canada
Toronto
A vibrant mix of cultures and skyline
On the northwest shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto has the CN Tower, the St. Lawrence Market and a ferry to the Toronto Islands, all reached by subway or streetcar. Niagara Falls is about 90 minutes away, which makes a day trip easy and gives first timers a famous sight to add.
City in Mexico
Cancún
Sun, sea and ancient wonders
On the northeastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun has a long strip of hotels between the Caribbean Sea and a lagoon, with calm turquoise water and powdery sand. Many resorts include meals and trips to Maya sites such as Chichen Itza and Tulum, which suits travellers who want a simple plan.
City in Mexico
Oaxaca
Colonial Charm and Rich Traditions
In a high valley in southern Mexico at about 5,000 feet, Oaxaca has a walkable colonial centre, markets full of chocolate and chiles and the Monte Alban ruins a short drive away. Cooking classes teach mole, the rich sauce the region is known for, which suits travellers who want one clear theme.
City in United States
Denver
Sunshine, Culture and Rocky Peaks
Locals treat the Rocky Mountains as a weekend backyard, so day trips to Red Rocks Amphitheatre or Rocky Mountain National Park are easy for visitors too. Downtown is compact and often sunny while a free shuttle bus runs along the 16th Street Mall, a pedestrian street of shops and cafes.
National Park in Canada
Jasper National Park
Untamed Wilderness and Starry Skies
Quieter than Banff and much bigger, Jasper National Park has the same mountains and turquoise lakes with fewer crowds. Elk wander through town, the Maligne Lake boat trip passes tiny Spirit Island and the night skies in its dark sky preserve are excellent for stargazing.
City in Canada
Vancouver
Where mountains, ocean and city life meet
Summer in Vancouver has long, mostly dry days, so the Stanley Park seawall, the Granville Island market and the city beaches are pleasant to visit on foot or by bike. In winter Grouse Mountain is about 30 minutes from downtown, so skiing and city sights fit into one trip.
City in United States
Austin
Live music, lakes and local flavor
The Congress Avenue Bridge in downtown Austin has a large colony of Mexican free tailed bats that stream out at dusk from spring to autumn. The compact centre also has live music clubs on Sixth Street and food trucks, so first visitors can see a lot on foot.
City in United States
Seattle
Where nature and innovation converge
Fishmongers tossing salmon across the counter and the smell of fresh coffee are part of Pike Place Market, a harbour side market open since 1907. The Space Needle, ferries across Puget Sound and views of Mount Rainier on clear days are all within easy reach of downtown.
National Park in Canada
Banff National Park
Majestic Peaks and Turquoise Lakes
Railway workers found the hot springs at Cave and Basin in 1883, which led to the creation of Canada's oldest national park around them. Today a town with shuttle buses and clear signs makes it easy to see turquoise Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Rocky Mountains without a complicated plan.
City in Canada
Quebec City
Old World Charm in North America
Like a small city in France, Quebec City has stone walls, narrow lanes and the Chateau Frontenac hotel above the St. Lawrence River, yet English is widely spoken and the old town is easy to walk. Dinner often means crepes or tourtiere, a French Canadian meat pie.
City in United States
Boston
Historic charm meets modern innovation
The smell of bakery bread in the North End and the sound of church bells drift along the Freedom Trail, a 2.5 mile line of red bricks. It passes 16 historic sites such as Paul Revere's house. Boston is small and walkable while the subway, called the T, covers the rest.
City in United States
San Diego
California's perfect weather playground
Balboa Park has more than a dozen museums and gardens with the San Diego Zoo on its edge, so first visitors can fill a day with one stop. Beaches such as La Jolla Cove, with its sea lions, are a short ride away while sunny days are common most of the year.
City in United States
San Francisco
Iconic bridges, rolling hills and vibrant culture
Unlike sprawling American cities, San Francisco fits in an area of about seven miles by seven, so visitors reach the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown by cable car, streetcar or bus. Fog often sits over the bridge on summer mornings, so layers of clothing are a smart choice.
City in United States
Savannah
Southern Charm, Moss-Draped Squares
General James Oglethorpe founded Savannah in 1733 around a plan of small park squares. Twenty two of those squares remain, shaded by oaks hung with Spanish moss, so a first visit is a simple walk between benches, fountains and historic homes along quiet streets in the old district.
City in United States
Chicago
Skyline, Deep-Dish and Jazz Nights
From June to September, river boat tours past the skyscrapers run daily and the lakefront paths and beaches are open, which makes it a comfortable time for a first visit. The Millennium Park sculpture called the Bean is a short walk from the elevated train, known as the L.
City in United States
New York City
Five boroughs of skyline, food and museums
Steam rises from street grates while vendors sell roasted nuts and hot pretzels and the noise of taxis and subway trains never fully stops in Midtown. First timers can cover the Empire State Building, Central Park and Times Square with a weekly subway pass and a lot of walking.
City in Mexico
Puerto Vallarta
Beaches, sunsets and vibrant streets
Walking the Malecon, the seaside boardwalk with sculptures, at sunset is the local evening habit, while from late October to June the Wednesday art walk opens galleries in the old town. Banderas Bay is calm, mountains rise behind the town and cobbled streets are easy to follow, so a first visit feels simple.
City in United States
Washington, D.C.
Capital of History and Culture
Free admission is a long tradition at the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall, so visitors can move between the Natural History Museum and the American History Museum without tickets. The Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol and the White House are linked by flat walking routes and the Metro.
City in Mexico
Mexico City
Vibrant Culture, History and Street Food
The Zocalo, one of the largest city squares in the world, has the cathedral on one side and the ruins of the Aztec Templo Mayor beside it. A first visit can start with 700 years of history in one walk. Taxis and a cheap subway make getting around simple.
City in Mexico
Playa del Carmen
Beach bliss meets Riviera Maya buzz
From December to April the weather is dry and sunny, which is ideal for walking down Fifth Avenue, a pedestrian street of cafes and shops. Ferries to Cozumel for snorkelling leave often while cenotes, natural freshwater sinkholes, are a short ride inland for a cool swim.
City in United States
Nashville
Music, hot chicken and honky tonks
The Grand Ole Opry began as a radio show in 1925 and the city is still called Music City, with free live bands playing every night in the honky tonk bars on Broadway. First visitors can add a tour of the Ryman Auditorium and a plate of hot chicken, the spicy local speciality.
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