North Dakota, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Pennsylvania: 2026 Destinations

National Geographic’s annual Best of the World list for 2026 names four U.S. destinations — North Dakota’s Badlands, Oklahoma’s Route 66 corridor, Maui, and Pittsburgh — each chosen for natural beauty, cultural revival, or resilient recovery.

These aren’t bucket-list clichés. The list leans into places where something real is happening: a presidential library rising on a butte, a historic highway approaching its centennial, an island rebuilding after disaster, and a post-industrial city reinventing itself block by block. If you’re planning 2026 travel in the U.S., these four spots deserve a close look — each offers a distinct kind of trip, and none requires a passport.

At a glance: four destinations, four directions

The table below gives a quick read on what each destination offers, why it made the list, and who it suits best. Details follow in the sections after.

North Dakota Badlands: bison, buttes, and a presidential library

Theodore Roosevelt first found solace in the North Dakota Badlands in 1883, and the landscape left a lasting imprint on his conservation ethos as president. That legacy takes physical form in 2026 with the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora on July 4 — a 93,000-square-foot facility perched on a butte, with a walkable roof covered in native vegetation that connects directly to a 1.3-mile trail leading into Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

The park itself remains one of America’s least-visited national parks, which means wide-open space and dramatic geology without the traffic jams. Little Missouri National Grassland nearby offers night-sky viewing and additional hiking. In Medora itself, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library anchors a cultural revival that includes the Medora Musical, an outdoor summer show blending western heritage and live performance under the Badlands sky, and the Pitchfork Steak Fondue — ribeyes skewered and sizzled over open flames.

Oklahoma Route 66: 400 miles of Mother Road nostalgia

Oklahoma holds the longest continuous stretch of Route 66 of any state — roughly 400 miles — and the highway’s 100th anniversary in 2026 gives travelers a reason to trace it end to end. The state has invested more than $82 million over the past four years to restore neon signs, refurbish mid-century motor courts, and preserve roadside attractions that define the golden age of American road trips.

Tulsa has branded itself the Capital of Route 66, and the Meadow Gold District along 11th Street delivers the revival in concentrated form: independent retailers, whimsical outdoor statues, art galleries, record stores, and western vintage boutiques. Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios sells vinyl records under a cosmic cowboy statue; Josey Records anchors the block with a large Rosie the Riveter figure. Further west, Pops in Arcadia stocks more than 700 bottled soda flavors, including beef teriyaki.

The First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City offers Indigenous history and culture as a counterpoint to the roadside nostalgia. The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton chronicles the highway’s past in a 1950s-style diner atmosphere, with a new exhibition launching July 2026 that traces how the road shaped the nation.

Maui, Hawaii: rebuilding with purpose and fewer crowds

The 2023 wildfires that devastated Lahaina caused more than $5 billion in damage and claimed over 100 lives. Tourism on Maui dropped sharply afterward and has not returned to pre-fire levels — which means visitors in 2026 will find a quieter island with more space and a chance to support recovery directly. Many Lahaina businesses have reopened, including Old Lāhainā Lū’au and Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate.

The classic Maui experiences remain. Haleakalā summit sunrise still delivers lava flows, craters, and panoramic views above the clouds. The Hana Highway snakes 64 miles to the remote east end, passing waterfalls, rainforest, and the black-sand shoreline at Waiʻānapanapa State Park. The island’s 120 miles of coastline offer snorkeling at Honolua Bay, surfing at Ho’okipa, and beach time at Kāʻanapali and Paʻiloa.

Resorts have invested in new amenities. The Grand Wailea now operates Hawaii’s largest spa. Wailea Beach Resort added an adults-only wellness sanctuary with an infinity-edge pool. Several hotels offer Mālama Hawai’i voluntourism opportunities — beach cleanups and native-plant restoration hikes that let visitors contribute to the island’s recovery.

Maui’s inclusion on the National Geographic list is partly about resilience: the island is rebuilding and inviting travelers to experience it with intention. For tips on getting there affordably, check our guide to finding cheap flights to Hawaii. For ideas on moving between islands without breaking the bank, our affordable island-hopping guide covers the options.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: steel town turned culture hub

Pittsburgh has spent the past two decades shedding its steel-mill identity and emerging as a city of art, green space, and neighborhood character. National Geographic’s 2026 nod recognizes that transformation — and several major openings give travelers a reason to visit now.

The Andy Warhol Museum’s $60 million expansion in the Pop District adds a new performing arts venue, complementing the existing galleries of Warhol’s work. The Carnegie International exhibition returns in 2026 to the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, which also house Impressionist paintings and dinosaur fossils under one roof. The Andy Warhol Museum anchors a district that now includes performance spaces and public murals.

The National Aviary, described as one of the city’s most underrated attractions, features free-flight habitats with hundreds of bird species in tropical settings. Pittsburgh spans 90 distinct neighborhoods — Squirrel Hill, the Strip District, Lawrenceville — each with its own restaurant scene and character. Downtown revitalization includes Market Square, where historic architecture frames outdoor dining, and the new Arts Landing park along the riverfront, which will host the NFL Draft in April 2026.

Before you go — four destinations, four planning angles

Which of these four is best for a first-time visitor?

That depends on what you want. Pittsburgh works as a long weekend city trip with solid public transit. Maui needs at least a week and a rental car. Route 66 in Oklahoma is a road trip best spread over two to three days. The North Dakota Badlands can be seen in two days but pairs well with a longer western road trip.

What’s the biggest downside of each?

North Dakota: limited lodging in Medora, especially around the July 4 library opening. Oklahoma Route 66: the full 400-mile drive requires planning between towns — services are sparse in stretches. Maui: still recovering from the 2023 wildfires; some areas remain closed, and visitor numbers are down, which means fewer restaurant and activity options than pre-fire. Pittsburgh: winter weather can limit outdoor exploring from December through March.

Do I need to book far in advance for any of these?

Yes for Maui and North Dakota. Maui’s Haleakalā sunrise requires a reservation, and good rental cars book up. For the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening on July 4, 2026, book Medora lodging as early as possible — the town is small and the event coincides with America’s 250th anniversary.

One list, four different trips

What links these four destinations isn’t a theme — it’s timing. Each one has a specific reason to visit in 2026: a library opening, a highway centennial, an island’s careful recovery, a city’s cultural reinvention. They don’t compete with each other. They answer different questions about what kind of travel you want this year. If you’re still deciding, start with the table at the top and let the kind of experience you’re after — wide-open space, roadside nostalgia, island quiet, or urban energy — point the way. For more on Hawaii’s evolving travel landscape, see our roundup of 2026 Hawaii travel developments.

References

National Geographic. “Best of the World 2026.” National Geographic Travel, 2026. ↗

TravelHost. “U.S. Best Travel Destinations — National Geographic.” TravelHost, 2026. ↗

Miles with McConkey. “Best US Travel Destinations 2026.” Miles with McConkey, 2026. ↗

Commstrader. “4 US Hotspots Just Made National Geographic’s Top Destinations List.” Commstrader, 2026. ↗

For more Hawaii travel planning, check our guides on Hawaii tourism trends and new ideas and Maui’s thrilling hike for those who fear heights. For a broader look at where travel is heading in 2026, our wellness and tourism news wrap covers the big-picture shifts.