Top 10 places 2011

 Here, Lonely Planet, we are passionate about travel. We use the day to think about the best places to go, and very often, wishing we were there. This year, we interviewed staff in our U.S. office to see what U.S. cities, states or regions, were on their list of 2011 and why. Here are the results, who knows the best way to travel. Read to find out what destinations in the United States will be hot next year!

1: Southern Utah

If you have never seen the incredible rock formations and colorful landscapes of southern Utah Canyonlands, they are missing one of the most fascinating landscapes of the USA. Utah is closer than ever to set foot on another planet, like the landscape is unlike anything seen in the rest of America.

Why go now? Southern Utah national parks such as Zion and Bryce Canyon is miraculously has not been overrun by tourists, not Europeans, Americans look forward to the discovery of one of the wonders of exceptional natural beauty and breathtaking views of the world. But this could change in the films of Danny Boyle's thrilling 127 hours with the addition of a new passion in the area. Just be careful not to hike alone!

2. New Orleans

Beloved New Orleans was struggling to attract tourists in the first years after Hurricane Katrina. But five years and millions and millions of dollars later, New Orleans recovered and tourism numbers are again approaching pre-Katrina levels. This year is a particularly good year to go: It's Tennessee Williams '100 birthday and also the 25th anniversary of Tennessee Williams / New Orleans Literary Festival, held in March. It is also the anniversary of 5 years in 'single version of "New Orleans Running of the Bulls" - style roller derby. Add in all the major music festivals and cultural restaurants and really, how can you not go to New Orleans this year?

3. New York City

New York was named No. 1 city in the world to visit in 2011 for Best Lonely Planet travel in 2011 and our staff based in the United States agree that is a destination for next year.

Since 9 / 11, the site of the twin towers of the World Trade Center stood as a closed hall, out of sight, painful gaping void. In the year changes, as the former site of WTC finally reopened to the public with the National September 11 Memorial. For all of New York, September 11, 2011 will be a crucial time.

The city is also experiencing a renaissance: the middle of the streets of Times Square was dedicated to pedestrians, 85 acres of the Brooklyn Bridge Park to see the old Piers converted into parks and homes, and generally loved the High Line elevated rail line in reinvention of a landscaped walkway, open another section of Chelsea this year. Brooklyn, Coney Island is also needed to stop $ 30 million renovation this summer. And on May 23, the second icon is a historic moment, when the New York Public Library turns 100.

4. Austin and West Texas

Our staff chosen because Texas is the most overrated and underrated state in the country. Overvalued, according to some, the Texans, and underrated by everyone else. Music, food resources, Texas is nothing small. Take the "Big Fun in Big Bend," one of our favorite road trips. From Fort Davis, wind up the road to McDonald Observatory Star Party for their outstanding, and be sure to stop one of the desert country, taking pictures along the road. Then south through a small Shafter ghost town, and Big Bend Ranch State Park and look for local Outfitter makes you journey along the Rio Grande River.

If you go in early November, the Terlingua International Championship Chili view attracts lovers of spicy food each year to 5000 the small town of 300. More on the way to Big Bend National Park has over 150 miles of trails to choose from - hit the track at the beginning and try the Hot Springs road to an outdoor thermal pool just a stone's throw from the border with Mexico.

And while the economy may dip in the rest, hotels sold out for 25 in Austin TX SXSW Music and Media Festival meeting in March. The attractiveness of the trio of musicians, fans of cinema and interactive children's magician, this is a huge, unique event.

5. Savannah, Georgia

April 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War. Although hostilities began in South Carolina, Savannah was the ultimate goal of the army of General Sherman as they walked to the sea but when he arrived, he was soft on her beauty and saved. There is no doubt that Savannah is amazing. Trees covered with Spanish moss, making it enchanted. Its compact historic center tips his hat to the 19th century roots, and is optimized at a leisurely pace on a bike ... but go with a buddy bike: the city is part of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and is supposedly full of ghosts.

But, as the southern Belle with a split personality, this great historic city is also running rampant debauchery public. Savannah loves sinful pleasures, so that the Parmesan cheese, bourbon cocktails or a bump and grind and local festivals. A rare place where the South Sherman is not a dirty word.

6. Denver, Colorado

Another Sesquicentennial - bet you did not know it was 150 years for the Territory of Colorado. Maybe you did. Colorado Gold Rush began in 1861 and brought an influx of settlers in the region. We are pleased that the Colorado is now much easier to get it as some of the best skiing in the country with over 26 stations including the ballroom at the foot of the slopes of the first Viceroy Snowmass.

Although Boulder is often all the love we recommend Denver. This bright clean mile-high city is located in the beautiful mountains still abound urban delights. The Denver Art Museum designed by Daniel Libeskind, an architectural feat is where you can see modern art and historical exhibitions. The shopping area near 16th Street has some fabulous shops, including Tattered Cover, one of our favorite independent bookstores in the United States. AND IM Pei, who designed the Louvre pyramid, has also designed several projects in Denver and the Mile High Center and Courthouse Square. It's like Paris in the west.

7. Northern California

Our office in the United States is located in Northern California so we are biased. But nobody can deny that Northern California is like no other place in the country. Come to beautiful nature, amazing food, organic wineries, micro-brewery business, nature, beaches, and you may find yourself staying for a long time. And what about the World Series champion Giants? Their first home game is April 8th!

Personally, we recommend: Big Sur, Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Santa Cruz, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Yosemite National Park, Monterey Bay Aquarium in San Francisco burritos and Taco trucks in Oakland, Eastern Sierra Hot Springs , Mount Shasta, hunting mushrooms in the forests, and visit the local cheese. Hey, if you need more suggestions, ask us!

8. Grand Canyon National Park

Many national parks came to our list, but the Grand Canyon National Park has prevailed over the rest. A perennial favorite and a gem of a system of national parks, Grand Canyon has recently opened Phase V of the new Grand Canyon Greenway Trail. With its opening, there is now a continuous, paved, accessible trail all the way from Grand Canyon South Kaibab Trailhead Village. Both banks of the Grand Canyon offers a completely different experience, and when they are more than 200 miles away by road, is rarely visited the same trip.

Most visitors opt for the South Rim, which offers easy access, most of the structures and views of the park, which is famous for. Silent North Rim has its own charm, 8200ft altitude, the temperature of the radiator support Wildflower meadows and tall, is often of poplar and spruce. For many, the Grand Canyon is crystallized in the final destination trip to America. If you have not, do not wait another year.

9.  Palm Springs, California

When the Northern Californians do not want to escape the cold and fog for a taste of summer, head to Palm Springs. Mutta Palm Springs Resort is not just dogs. Nearby Joshua Tree climbing and excursions to satisfy any wildergeek want. And the Coachella Festival was held the likes of Prince, The Cure, and Jay-Z.

In particular, as the week of the annual Palm Springs modern. He events across the city celebrate all things mid-century clothing, cars, architecture, music, food. We have no details of the event next year, but it seems that you can cook a tribute to midcentury fashion this year. Men crazy, right?

10. Hawaii

Flights to Hawaii may seem expensive, but when you step back and compare them with tickets for the South Pacific, Hawaii is a tropical paradise at affordable prices. From serendipity and planning, Hawaii is almost perfect target. This is a fascinating multi-cultural society, which has its roots in Polynesia, Asia, North America and Europe, and reflects the nature of the most lush and divine. Hawaii is a trek or city carved rock reef dives in the morning and drinking Mai tais slack-key guitar at sunset. That slurping juicy papaya with hibiscus flowers in their hair, is a Pacific Rim cuisine, fiery volcanoes, and whales cavorting. Hawaii offers something for everyone, even if you hate beaches. And 2011 is 70 years old Pearl Harbor.