These are the five most popular American destinations this year

Anyone planning to travel to America this year will want to add these 5 destinations to their list. From New Mexico, this year's massive art exhibit of 200 Native American artists, to a street art festival in Florida. These are five states that travelers might not visit first, but the possibilities are endless. From beautiful beaches to vibrant cities and from interesting sporting events to delicious cuisines. Visit the USA recommends 5 American destinations that should be on your radar in 2024.

1. Kansas City, Missouri: The city made famous by Taylor Swift

Kansas City has become famous since Taylor Swift, the queen of American pop and country music, moved in with her boyfriend and co-star Travis Kelce. The city is a sports mecca with over 200 fountains. For example, the first ever 'PickleCon' competition will be held in August. For those who are not yet familiar with this sport, it is reminiscent of Paddle and is one of the fastest growing sports in America. How is Kansas City current in the National Women's Soccer League?

They are coming to the new CPKC Stadium for their debut this year. The 11,500-seat stadium is the first in the world to be built for a professional women's sports team. The FIFA World Cup is also coming to Kansas City in 2026. Besides sports, the city has an amazing barbecue scene! Think restaurants that smoke everything from pork to beef and from chicken to jackfruit, mushrooms and fish. Barbecue enthusiasts should definitely travel to Kansas City in the fall. That's when The American Royal, the world's largest barbecue competition, takes place with over 0 teams and tens of thousands of spectators/tasters!

2. Santa Fe, New Mexico: America's creative melting pot

With a breathtaking backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe is mystical and eclectic. The area is known for its healing properties and is a spiritual retreat. Artists from all over the world also come to Santa Fe. Native American, Spanish, and Anglo-American cultures blend seamlessly to create a thriving creative community. An immersive art experience at the Santa Fe Georgia O'Keefe Museum (home of the Making a Life exhibit through March 2024) and the magnificent Meow Wolf, House of Eternal Return. With over 70 local and community-created rooms. Artists. The city is also home to the Santa Fe Indian Market, one of the world's largest and most prestigious Native American art shows featuring more than 200 tribal artists and eight Native American pueblos and the Santa Fe Indian Market (August 17 and 18, 2024). If you are a lover of art, culture and cuisine, you should definitely visit the Art + Soul Winter Festival.

3. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Where the old meets the new

Philadelphia, the birthplace of America and the first city on the World Heritage List, breathes history but exudes a contemporary and vibrant culinary and art scene. The Michelin Green Guide calls Philly “an open-air museum” thanks to more than 600 sculptures and statues and more than 4,400 outdoor murals. The Calder Gardens Museum will open in late 2024, honoring the impact three generations of the Calder family have had on Philadelphia.

The city is also known as a culinary hotspot. From street food to markets to BYOB restaurants, it's a foodie's paradise. Philadelphia's iconic foods include Philly cheesesteaks, hoagies, soft pretzels, popsicles and Tnick's Roast Pork Roast Pork Sandwich at Reading Terminal Market, one of America's oldest and largest public markets. For those with a sweet tooth, Billy Tastycake is available in all flavors from butterscotch to peanut butter.

4. St. Pete/Clearwater, Florida: From endless beaches to street art

St. Pete/Clearwater sits on a sun-drenched peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Travelers enjoy more than 30 miles of coastline, including national state parks like Honeymoon Island. Here nature lovers can spot eagles, great horned owls and turtles and walk through the pine forest. What about Caladesi Island? It is one of the few untouched islands on the Gulf Coast and is only accessible by boat. St. Pete is an art district with eight museums and 532 beautiful murals. Downtown St. Pete is gearing up for the 10th annual Shine Mural Festival in October 2024. It's worth it! Visitors can also explore the Dali Museum's unparalleled collection of works by Salvador Dali, including the recently launched Dali Alive 360° Dome, a multi-sensory immersive experience that surrounds visitors in 360 degrees of light and sound. Another must is the Imagine Museum with contemporary glass art from around the world, or the Chihuly Collection, the first installation of Dale Chihuly's art.

5. Asheville, North Carolina: The majestic mountain town

Nestled in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, surrounded by more than a million acres of protected wilderness and some of the highest mountain peaks in the East, Asheville is steeped in Appalachian history. Each summer, the Country Heritage Committee invites visitors and residents to participate in “Shindig on the Green,” a free festival that preserves traditional bluegrass music. The mountain town also offers spectacular hiking, biking, water rafting and horseback riding trails and the chance to spot wildlife from birds to bears and elk herds. And to complete the experience.

This spring, guests can sleep under the stars at Autocamp's new luxury Airstream Campground, a 15-minute drive north of the city, on the banks of the French Broad River. Campers can also choose the new LOGE Asheville, which will open its first location in the Southeast next summer. They've captured the iconic mountain lodge roadside motel with outdoor fire pits and bike racks in every room.