For many people, a trip to the USA is a once in a lifetime experience. Plenty of time is spent in big cities such as New York, San Francisco and Austen. Some even party it up in Las Vegas, Miami or in the French Quarter of the Big Easy (New Orleans). However, very few people know about the best islands in the USA.
In this article, we provide some insight into some of the USA other tourist attractions.
When visiting the USA, make sure that you are using a USA prepaid SIM card.
The Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands are probably the best known islands that belong to the US.
A state themselves, there is more to the Hawaiian Islands than the island of Hawaii (known as The Big Island). the island of Oahu has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and is a training ground for many of the USA’s surfing champions such as Kelly Slater. Many tourists flock to Hawaii to view the unique landscapes that were created by dormant volcanoes. One such tourist attraction can be found on the island of Maui where volcanic activity formed black sand beaches that are popular among tourists.
Hawaii offers both a party atmosphere and a clean living lifestyle that is attractive to many tourists. Don’t be surprised if you stumble across a juice bar or two or get offered a bowl of poke which is one of the most popular native Hawaiian dishes.
Rhode Island, Rhode Island
Rhode Island is the smallest state in the USA (by area) and is the seventh least populous with just over 1 million residents.
While Rhode Island is the smallest state, it has rich historical significance in the history of the country and attracts many tourists who want to learn more about the building of the nation. The State Capitol Building is made of white marble and has the fourth largest self supported marble dome in the world. Rhode island is also home to the oldest Baptist Church in the USA which was founded in 1638.
Rhode Island receives a healthy traffic of tourists who are visiting New York or New England.
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Nantucket is an island that is about 50 km south of Cape Cod in the state of Massachusetts.
Like Rhode Island, Nantucket played a significant role in the history of the USA and was a town that held great importance to early settlers. Nantucket was a significant whaling island and the disastrous final voyage of the Nantucket whaler Essex was the inspiration for Herman Melville’s classic novel Moby Dick. Melville’s characters Ahab and Starbuck are both from Nantucket.
Many people travel to Nantucket for solitude and to relive what life was like in parts of the USA that had significant British settlements prior to the American Revolutionary War. It is easy to see why Nantucket is one of the best islands in the US.
Top Sail Island, North Carolina
Top Sail Island in North Carolina is a popular islands among US citizens and is one of the many locations where locals own holiday homes. Popular HGTV progamme, Beachfront Bargain Hunt, often features homes in Top Sail Island.
The main settlements on the island are North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Topsail Beach. Along with its thick maritime forests, Topsail Island is also a sanctuary for sea turtles and known for its beautiful beaches.
Galveston Island, Texas
Texas may be known for its flat landscape and massive ranches which are the heartland of the USA’s southern livestock farming industry. However, Galveston Island is a welcome break from country life.
A barrier island within the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston Island has a party atmosphere with party boats going in and out of the island day and night. Fine dining restaurants and some of the state’s best shopping can also be done on the island.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
Like many other islands in the USA, the Outer Banks Islands played a significant role in the early settlement of the country by Europeans.
The Outer Banks was the site where the first child of English settlers was born in the USA. The Outer Banks is also significant in that it is the site where the famous Wright Brothers made their first flight in a controlled heavier-than-air vehicle in 1903.
Navigating the waters of The Outer Banks is treacherous and the many shipwrecks that are found near the island gave it its nickname of Graveyard of the Atlantic. Infamous pirate Edward Teach (better known as Blackbeard) raided the North Atlantic and Caribbean from his base on The Outer Banks.
From an historical perspective, The Outer Banks are some of the best islands in the US.
Long Island, New York
The USA is home to just over 43% of the world’s golf courses. Despite being 120 miles long, Long Island has 145 golf courses which makes it a golfers paradise. This of course depends on the weather as hurricanes are often found on the island.
Long island has a lot more going for it than its golf courses. The island is famous for its shopping and is dotted with a number of marina’s boardwalks and restaurants that provide a perfect escape for those who want to hop onto a ferry and escape New York city. The Long Island Lighthouse can be found on the far end of the island. With its laid back lifestyle it is easy to see why the island lays claim to being the origin of the Long Island Iced Tea.
Whidbey Island, Washington
The USA has long been an attractive destination for nature lover wo want to experience what life was like when wilderness dominated the landscape. Whidbey Island provides rare insight into this way of life.
The island is home to a population of 67 000. It is estimated that 29 000 residents live in rural locations. Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve is a rural historic district that preserves and protects the historical record of Puget Sound exploration and settlement. Travellers to the reserve can visit historic farms, still under cultivation in the prairies of Whidbey Island, that reveal land use patterns unchanged since the 1850s settlers.
Nature lovers often identify Whidby Island as one of the best islands in the US.
Key Biscayne, Florida
For those who want a change of pace, Key Biscayne Island has plenty to offer.
For beach lovers, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is famous for being one of the top ranked beaches in the United States of America. A mile of Atlantic beachfront offers snorkeling and swimming opportunities, as well as tours of the lighthouse and keeper’s quarters.
Just north of Key Biscayne is Miami Beach which has a vibrant night life and celebrity residents.
Kodiak Island, Alaska
For those who want to rough it and are not afraid of cold weather, Kodiak Island is calling.
Kodiak Island is mountainous and heavily forested island just off the coast of Alaska. The island has many deep bays that provide sheltered anchorages for boats. The island is popular among boating enthusiasts because these bays are surprisingly free of ice. The southwestern portion of the island is part of Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge.
Kodiak Island is also the native home of the Kodiak Grizzly Bear which, along with the Polar Bear, is the largest land predator in the world. The largest recorded male that was spotted in the wild weighed 751 kg and had a hind foot measurement of 46 cm (18 in).
As you can see, there is more to the USA than the big cities that are found on the mainland. The best islands in the US offer a change of pace and a laid back lifestyle not usually associated with many states in the country.
Top 10 Best USA Islands to visit in 2022 FAQ
- How many islands are in the USA?
According to the US Geological Survey, there are 18 617 islands in the USA.
- What is the number one island in the USA?
The number one island in the USA are the Hawaiian Islands.
- Are there any islands in the United States?
Yes. A number of states have several islands that belong to the USA. These were important in the early settlement of the country by European settlers.
- What is the biggest island in the USA?
The biggest island in the USA is Hawaii.
- What is the smallest island in the United States?
The smallest island in the USA is Rhode Island.
Related Articles
