19 days in United States Itinerary

Surrounded by mountain ranges, forests, valleys, beaches, and deserts, the metropolitan area of Los Angeles is home to over 17 million people.

Museum-lovers will appreciate Mission San Juan Capistrano and The Nethercutt Collection. Discover out-of-the-way places like The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens and Palm Springs Art Museum. Explore Los Angeles' surroundings by going to Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum (in Yorba Linda), The California Route 66 Museum (in Victorville) and March Field Air Museum (in Riverside). There's lots more to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of Glass Church / Wayfarers Chapel, examine the collection at Madame Tussauds Hollywood, learn about all things military at Battleship USS Iowa Museum, and get engrossed in the history at Skirball Cultural Center.

For maps, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Los Angeles trip itinerary website .

In October, plan for daily highs up to 82°F, and evening lows to 62°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Thu) early enough to travel back home.

A big city with a small-town feel, Portland is home to the country's biggest rose test garden, perched on a hill overlooking downtown.

Start off your visit on the 25th (Fri): browse the fresh offerings at Portland Farmers Market - Office Location, then examine the collection at Rice NW Museum of Rocks and Minerals, and then stroll around Peninsula Park and Rose Gardens. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: get engrossed in the history at Wells Fargo Museum, then take an in-depth tour of Oregon Jewish Museum and Center For Holocaust Education, and then wander the streets of Northwest (Nob Hill).

To see more things to do, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Portland trip maker website .

You can fly from Los Angeles to Portland in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and flight; or drive. In October, Portland is little chillier than Los Angeles - with highs of 66°F and lows of 49°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 27th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Seattle.

Nicknamed the "Emerald City" because of its abundant evergreen trees, Seattle is the cultural and business center of the Pacific Northwest, as well as a popular holiday destination.

Explore hidden gems such as Bruce Lee Grave Site and Pacific Bonsai Museum. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum and Griot's Garage. When in Seattle, make a side trip to see LeMay Museum at Marymount in Tacoma, approximately 1h 05 min away. There's still lots to do: see the interesting displays at Living Computers: Museum + Labs, take in the spiritual surroundings of Saint James Cathedral, stroll around Volunteer Park Conservatory, and take in nature's colorful creations at Seattle Japanese Garden.

For more things to do, photos, maps, and tourist information, use the Seattle trip planning site .

Getting from Portland to Seattle by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In October, daily temperatures in Seattle can reach 63°F, while at night they dip to 50°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Wed) to allow enough time to travel to Rapid City.

South Dakota's second-largest city, Rapid City has for many years served as a gateway to the West.

Mt. Rushmore Black Hills Gold Factory Tour has been added to your itinerary. The Journey Museum and Learning Center and Museum of Geology will appeal to museum buffs. Do some cultural sightseeing at Adams House and Firehouse Wine Cellars. Explore Rapid City's surroundings by going to Bridal Veil Falls (in Spearfish) and Days of '76 Museum (in Deadwood). There's much more to do: make a trip to Berlin Wall Exhibit, take in the exciting artwork at Suzie Cappa Art Center, explore the stunning scenery at Canyon Lake Park, and take an in-depth tour of Pawnseum.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, use the Rapid City day trip website .

Traveling by flight from Seattle to Rapid City takes 7 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Seattle to Rapid City. Traveling from Seattle in October, expect slightly colder with lows of 40°F in Rapid City. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Sat) so you can travel back home.