50 days in United States Itinerary

A rapidly growing city in central North Carolina, Charlotte is the state's largest urban center and a major regional hub for finance, industry, technology, and entertainment.

Discover out-of-the-way places like NASCAR Hall of Fame and McDowell Nature Center and Preserve. Take a break from the city and head to Crowders Mountain State Park and The Golf Club at Ballantyne. Get out of town with these interesting Charlotte side-trips: Concord (Zmax Dragway & Richard Petty Driving Experience). There's lots more to do: test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, take in nature's colorful creations at Wing Haven, take in panoramic vistas at Charlotte Douglas Airport Overlook, and sample the tasty concoctions at Wooden Robot Brewery.

To see maps, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Charlotte tour itinerary planner.

Frankfurt, Germany to Charlotte is an approximately 13-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Frankfurt to Charlotte is minus 6 hours. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Frankfurt in April, with highs in Charlotte at 26°C and lows at 11°C. You'll have a few hours on the 28th (Fri) to wrap things up before traveling to Ocracoke.

Ocracoke is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated town located at the southern end of Ocracoke Island, located entirely within Hyde County, North Carolina. Start off your visit on the 29th (Sat): tour the pleasant surroundings at Ocracoke Beach and then hike along Hammock Hills Nature Trails. On the 30th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: identify plant and animal life at Springers Point, then take in the exciting artwork at Over the Moon, then look for all kinds of wild species at Ocracoke Pony Pens, and finally contemplate the long history of Fort Ocracoke Monument.

To find maps, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, use the Ocracoke day trip planning tool.

Traveling by combination of car and ferry from Charlotte to Ocracoke takes 9.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight, bus, taxi, and ferry; or do a combination of train, bus, taxi, and ferry. While traveling from Charlotte, expect little chillier days and about the same nights in Ocracoke, ranging from highs of 23°C to lows of 14°C. You'll have a few hours on the 1st (Mon) to wrap things up before traveling to Charleston.

Many visitors describe their Charleston holiday as a warm embrace by an old, dear friend--who lived about 200 years ago.

On the 2nd (Tue), see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, then kick back and relax at Folly Beach Fishing Pier, and then ponder the design of Pineapple Fountain.

For other places to visit, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Charleston trip itinerary maker tool.

Do a combination of ferry and car from Ocracoke to Charleston in 10 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry, taxi, bus, and flight; or do a combination of ferry, taxi, bus, train, and car. In May in Charleston, expect temperatures between 32°C during the day and 20°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Tue) so you can catch the train to Savannah.

Georgia's oldest city, Savannah displays its colonial history proudly on every corner.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Wed): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Congregation Mickve Israel, then stroll through Wormsloe Historic Site, and then admire the majestic nature at Skidaway Island State Park. On your second day here, see the top attractions with Sightseeing Tours and then look for all kinds of wild species at Savannah National Wildlife Refuge.

To find reviews, photos, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Savannah online driving holiday planner.

Getting from Charleston to Savannah by train takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive. May in Savannah sees daily highs of 33°C and lows of 20°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Thu) so you can fly to Orange Beach.

Orange Beach exists solely as a tourist beach town, with a permanent population of less than 6,000.

Start off your visit on the 5th (Fri): kick back and relax at Alabama Point East, then kick back and relax at Orange Beach Waterfront Park, and then head outdoors with Outdoor Activities. On the 6th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour, then look for all kinds of wild species at Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Fort Morgan Road Trail.

For more things to do, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Orange Beach tour site.

Traveling by flight from Savannah to Orange Beach takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Savannah to Orange Beach, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. May in Orange Beach sees daily highs of 31°C and lows of 20°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to New Orleans.

Known for its Creole cuisine, rich musical tradition, and nearby swamps and plantations, New Orleans is one of the nation's oldest cities.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Ultimate Swamp Adventures and The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA. Change things up with these side-trips from New Orleans: Biloxi (Beau Rivage Casino & IP Casino Resort). Spend the 8th (Mon) exploring nature at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Next up on the itinerary: appreciate the extensive heritage of Garden District, sample the fine beverages at Old New Orleans Rum Distillery, relax and rejuvenate at The Sweat Social, and try to win big at Harrah's Casino New Orleans.

To see where to stay, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, use the New Orleans trip planner.

Traveling by car from Orange Beach to New Orleans takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and bus; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Expect a bit cooler weather when traveling from Orange Beach in May: highs in New Orleans hover around 24°C, while lows dip to 24°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Wed) so you can fly to Galveston.

An old colonial city and a busy cruise ship port less than an hour's drive from Houston, Galveston sits on Galveston Island and serves as a popular vacation destination for both domestic and international travelers.

On the 11th (Thu), stop by Nana's Attic, then identify plant and animal life at Armand Bayou Nature Center, then sample the tasty concoctions at Galveston Island Brewing, and finally explore the different monuments and memorials at Old City Cemetery. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 12th (Fri): get to know the fascinating history of The Strand, then visit East End Historic District, and then get outside with Outdoor Activities.

For reviews, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Galveston online tour itinerary maker.

You can fly from New Orleans to Galveston in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. While traveling from New Orleans, expect a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Galveston, ranging from highs of 32°C to lows of 25°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Sat) to allow time to fly to Austin.

Despite its laid-back college vibe, Austin is an influential center for politics, technology, film, and music.

Kick off your visit on the 13th (Sat): look for gifts at Antonelli's Cheese Shop, then let little ones run wild at Play for all park, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, sample some tasty brews at Bike and Brew ATX, and then pause for some photo ops at Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue.

To see more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Austin trip builder tool.

Traveling by flight from Galveston to Austin takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Galveston in May, expect slightly colder with lows of 21°C in Austin. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Mon) early enough to drive to Marfa.

Marfa is a city in the high desert of the Trans-Pecos in far West Texas, located between the Davis Mountains and Big Bend National Park. Kick off your visit on the 15th (Mon): take in the natural beauty of Chinati Hot Springs.

To find where to stay, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Marfa road trip site.

Traveling by car from Austin to Marfa takes 7 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Traveling from Austin in May, plan for slightly colder nights in Marfa, with lows around 10°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Tue) early enough to drive to Big Bend National Park.

Situated where the Rio Grande River takes a big southerly dip in West Texas, Big Bend National Park covers a massive expanse of desert, woodlands, and grasslands full of rivers, limestone canyons, and high mountains.

On the 17th (Wed), stroll through Chihuahuan Desert, explore the striking landscape of Dug Out Wells Picnic Area and Nature Trail, and then hike along Ernst Tinaja Trail. Keep things going the next day: trek along Cattail Falls Trail, then hike along Lower Burro Mesa Pour-off Trail, and then take in the dramatic natural features at Tuff Canyon Trail.

To find ratings, photos, and tourist information, read Big Bend National Park visit planner.

You can drive from Marfa to Big Bend National Park in 3 hours. Prepare for a bit warmer weather when traveling from Marfa in May: high temperatures in Big Bend National Park hover around 39°C and lows are around 22°C. You'll set off for Santa Fe on the 19th (Fri).

Santa Fe continuously ranks among the world's top holiday destinations, attracting visitors with its unusual combination of scenic beauty, rich history, cultural diversity, and high concentration of performing arts venues, fine restaurants, and interesting attractions.

Start off your visit on the 20th (Sat): trek along Dale Ball Trails, look for all kinds of wild species at Randall Davey Audubon Center, and then identify plant and animal life at Santa Fe Canyon Preserve.

For ratings, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Santa Fe online day trip planner.

Getting from Big Bend National Park to Santa Fe by car takes about 9.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of car and flight. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Big Bend National Park to Santa Fe due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Big Bend National Park in May, things will get colder in Santa Fe: highs are around 26°C and lows about 7°C. You will leave for Mesa Verde National Park on the 21st (Sun).

Whereas most national parks are primarily devoted to showcasing unique and special landscapes, Mesa Verde National Park focuses on ancient human habitation.

On the 21st (Sun), make a trip to Park Point. Keep things going the next day: delve into the distant past at Cliff Palace, then take a memorable drive along Ruins Road, and then explore the striking landscape at Square Tower House.

For other places to visit, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Mesa Verde National Park trip site.

Drive from Santa Fe to Mesa Verde National Park in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of bus and car. Traveling from Santa Fe in May, plan for slightly colder nights in Mesa Verde National Park, with lows around 3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Wed) so you can travel to Grand Canyon National Park.

The size, shape, and color of Grand Canyon National Park combine to leave an impression on visitors as deep as the canyon itself.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Wed): explore the stunning scenery at Inner Canyon, take in breathtaking views at Yavapai Point, then look for gifts at Lookout Studio, and finally examine the collection at Kolb Studio. On the next day, take some stellar pictures from Trailview Overlook, explore the stunning scenery at Hermit Road, and then get great views at The Abyss.

To find reviews, traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Grand Canyon National Park road trip website.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Mesa Verde National Park to Grand Canyon National Park. Expect slightly colder evenings in Grand Canyon National Park when traveling from Mesa Verde National Park in May, with lows around 0°C. You'll have a few hours on the 26th (Fri) to wrap things up before traveling to Bryce Canyon National Park.

You can find hoodoos--rock pillars formed by erosion--all around the world, but those of Bryce Canyon National Park remain the standard bearers thanks to their bright red color, tall stature, and arrangement in large amphitheaters.

Get in touch with nature at Navajo Loop Trail and Sunset Point. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Rim Trail and Bryce Amphitheatre. There's lots more to do: get a dose of the wild on Red Canyon Trail Rides, hike along Queen's Garden Trail, take in the dramatic natural features at Three Wisemen, and take in breathtaking views at Ponderosa Canyon.

To see photos, ratings, maps, and other tourist information, read Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary planner.

You can do a combination of bus and car from Grand Canyon National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park in 7.5 hours. While traveling from Grand Canyon National Park, expect a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Bryce Canyon National Park, ranging from highs of 20°C to lows of 0°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Las Vegas.

Nicknamed the "Entertainment Capital of the World," Las Vegas sits in the middle of a desert in the southern section of Nevada.

Kick off your visit on the 30th (Tue): see American Adventure Tours and then take in breathtaking views at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Here are some ideas for day two: stop by The LINQ Promenade, then take the plunge with a skydiving experience, and then identify plant and animal life at Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

To find ratings, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Las Vegas day trip website.

You can drive from Bryce Canyon National Park to Las Vegas in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or fly; or do a combination of car and bus. The time zone changes from Mountain Standard Time (MST) to Pacific Standard Time (PST), which is usually a -1 hour difference. Prepare for much warmer weather when traveling from Bryce Canyon National Park in May: high temperatures in Las Vegas hover around 36°C and lows are around 20°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Thu) early enough to travel to Death Valley National Park.

Extreme heat and dryness create extreme landscapes in Death Valley National Park.

On the 1st (Thu), explore the stunning scenery at Mosaic Canyon, take in the awesome beauty at Panamint Range, and then explore the stunning scenery at Twenty Mule Team Canyon.

To see reviews, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Death Valley National Park tour itinerary tool.

Traveling by car from Las Vegas to Death Valley National Park takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Las Vegas in June; daily highs in Death Valley National Park reach 43°C and lows reach 23°C. You will have some time to spend on the 2nd (Fri) before leaving for Yosemite National Park.

Massive granite mountains, towering waterfalls, groves of Giant Sequoia trees, and wilderness as far as the eye can see distinguish the landscape of Yosemite National Park.

Start off your visit on the 2nd (Fri): take in the dramatic natural features at Glacier Point. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 3rd (Sat): explore the striking landscape at North Dome, explore the striking landscape of Bridalveil Fall, get great views at Yosemite, Tunnel View, then identify plant and animal life at Nature Center at Happy Isles, and finally admire the sheer force of Vernal Fall.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Yosemite National Park vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

Explore your travel options from Death Valley National Park to Yosemite National Park with the Route module. When traveling from Death Valley National Park in June, plan for a bit cooler days in Yosemite National Park, with highs around 30°C, while nights are colder with lows around 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Mon) so you can travel to San Francisco.

San Francisco is a top holiday destination featuring scenic beauty and great ethnic and cultural diversity.

Kick off your visit on the 5th (Mon): indulge your senses at some of the top wineries in the area. Keep things going the next day: indulge your taste buds at Food & Drink, then enjoy breathtaking views from Coit Tower, and then immerse yourself in nature at Marin Headlands.

To find ratings, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the San Francisco travel planner.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco. Traveling from Yosemite National Park in June, you will find days in San Francisco are a bit cooler (25°C), and nights are somewhat warmer (15°C). Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Wed) so you can fly back home.