A new year means new opportunities, especially when it comes to travel. With 2024 on the horizon, it may be time to start planning that next big trip. That being said, deciding where to go is an overwhelming task, but we’re here to help. In hopes of guiding you toward your next adventure, the Discoverer has compiled a list of our staff’s favorite locations worth seeing for yourself. Here’s our top 20 picks for places to visit in 2024.
Paris, France
Arguably the biggest event of the coming year is the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. This historic athletic competition takes place between July 26 and August 11, marking the first time the Olympics have returned to the French capital since exactly one century ago. Organizers are in the midst of planning and constructing a series of arenas showcasing the best the city has to offer, including an outdoor volleyball court located at the base of the Eiffel Tower. The Olympic marathon is also set to emanate from Hôtel de Ville, which has served as Paris’ City Hill since 1357. If sports aren’t your thing then maybe it’s worth visiting Paris next winter, as restorations of the Notre Dame Cathedral are projected to be completed by December 2024.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park exemplifies the tremendous beauty of the western United States, combining the region’s impressive topography with its vast and varied wildlife. Established as a national park in 1929, the area is highlighted by the 13,700-foot-tall Grand Teton looming overhead. Visitors can choose from a wide array of activities ranging from a hike through Cascade Canyon to taking a ferry across the glistening Jenny Lake. If you’re lucky, you may even come across bears, moose, and elk in their natural habitat, though be sure to maintain a safe distance. For history lovers, stop at nearby Mormon Row. This former homestead dates back over a century and is one of the most spectacular locations in the park to witness the sunrise.
Mazatlán, Mexico
On April 8, 2024, a rare celestial event known as the Great North American Eclipse is set to take place across the continent. While cities such as Montreal, Canada, and Dallas, Texas, offer great viewing opportunities, one of the best places to witness this rare sight is Mazatlán, Mexico. Back during Mexico’s last major eclipse on July 11, 1991, Mazatlán welcomed countless sightseers who are likely to flock here again for this historic event. This total solar eclipse will reach its peak for around four minutes and 18 seconds, and will best be witnessed around 11:09 pm local time.
Faro, Portugal
Nicknamed the “California of Europe,” Faro, Portugal, is a beachy paradise on the Iberian Peninsula. For many years this destination required a connecting flight if traveling from the United States, but no longer. Beginning in May 2024, American tourists can reach Faro on direct flights originating in New York City. Upon arrival, you’ll be transported back in time as you walk down the old city’s cobblestone streets and gaze upon Faro’s medieval architecture. There are also plenty of stunning mosques and cathedrals dating back as far as the 13th century, plus plenty of delicious seafood served up at local establishments to delight any palate.
Berlin, Germany
2024 marks a notable year for the people of Berlin in a number of ways. For sports fans, Berlin’s former Olympic Stadium is set to host the final match of the prestigious UEFA European Championship soccer tournament. This incredible sporting event has been contested between Europe’s best since it was founded back in 1958. 2024 also marks the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, which reunified Germany. Local officials are planning to host a ceremony to commemorate the occasion on November 9, with plenty of exhibitions and guided tours to follow.
Dollywood, Tennessee
Dollywood theme park has been a mecca for fans of the country music superstar Dolly Parton since it was renamed in her honor back in 1986. Located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Dollywood recently unveiled a brand new 302-room accommodation known as the HeartSong Lodge & Resort — taking its name from her 1994 song “Heartsong.” With Dollywood’s 40th anniversary set to occur in 2026, Parton hints that other future changes may be coming to the park in anticipation of the big event, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for more.
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Beginning in 2024, Americans will be able to fly direct to Mongolia’s capital city of Ulaanbaatar. While visiting Mongolia previously required lengthy layovers in nearby countries, traveling to this Central Asian nation will now be simpler than ever. Ulaanbaatar exemplifies the rich cultural history of this great nation, and is home to the largest Buddhist monastery in the country — Gandan Khiid — which includes the tallest indoor Buddha statue anywhere in the world. Another notable site found in the capital is the Mongolian National Library, which preserves over 3 million texts and is the largest and oldest surviving library in the country.
Livingston, Montana
Located an hour north of Yellowstone National Park, Livingston, Montana, is a small town on the rise. What began as a simple log cabin in 1872 has blossomed into a tiny village that captures the spirit of living in the American west. Livingston’s Main Street is full of local bars and restaurants serving up regional fare, as well as trendy eateries like Campione, which was recently named one of the 50 best restaurants in the U.S. Livingston is also heralded as the unofficial fly fishing capital of the world, and has been attracting avid fishermen since word first spread of this reputation in the 1930s.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is normally considered among the world’s most expensive cities to visit. However, 2024 might be the perfect time to finally take that trip to Japan if you’re an American, as the value of the Japanese Yen is weaker than anytime in recent memory. Throughout 2023, the Yen sank 10% compared to the U.S. Dollar, giving the USD all the more buying power throughout Tokyo and other Japanese cities. While there, consider taking the bullet train over to Kyoto, where the Nintendo Museum is set to open by March.
Cape Disappointment, Washington
Don’t let the name fool you — Cape Disappointment State Park is among the most stunning locations along the Pacific coast. Located at the southwest tip of Washington state, this awe-inspiring natural paradise covers 2,023 acres and offers plenty of natural activities such as boating, hiking, and exploring the mouth of the famed Columbia River. The cape was also a stop on Lewis & Clark’s journey throughout the Louisiana Purchase, and the park is now home to a series of educational and interactive exhibits found at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center.
Tahiti, French Polynesia
If you can’t make it to Paris for the Olympics, consider the next best thing in this Pacific island paradise. The French Polynesian island of Tahiti is set to host the surf portion of the 2024 Olympic Games from July 27 to July 30. The event is set to take place at beautiful Teahupo’o, up to 600 spectators can watch as surfers take on the challenge of conquering the crashing waves. Tahiti is also known for its many beaches and plentiful waterfalls, as well as the Museum of Tahiti and The Islands which contains historic relics from throughout Polynesia.
Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
The Moremi Game Reserve in northern Botswana is home to some of Africa’s rarest wildlife, such as cheetahs and both white and black rhinoceroses. Beginning in 2024, guests can stay in this paradisiacal haven by booking a stay at Tawana. This newly developed camp is set to open in May 2024 and was built with natural preservation in mind, as the accommodations are seamlessly interwoven into the surrounding landscape. Once you’re here, you can set out on an adventurous safari, or stay behind and relax in Tawana’s world-class pool and spa facilities.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
The Burning of Zozobra is a beloved event in the town of Santa Fe, which is set to commemorate its 100th occurrence in 2024. This local tradition welcomes crowds to witness the immolation of a 50-foot-tall “monster,” which is stuffed with papers that inspire negativity such as parking tickets and divorce documents. As the flammable creature burns, attendees attempt to forget the past and look forward toward a bright future. The 100th Burning of Zozobra is set to take place on August 30, 2024. However, the event will have art shows and original musical performances for the entire week.
Sørvágur, Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands are a small series of islands in the northern Atlantic that sit halfway between Norway and Iceland. Given their location, Americans seeking to visit the Faroe Islands had to jump through hoops, but no longer. From September 3 to October 9, 2024, this island group will be by direct flights from Hudson Valley, New York. By booking this package, all you need to do is make it to New York City, where you’ll be shuttled upstate and loaded onto a plane destined for this Nordic paradise. Once in the Faroe Islands, highlights include scuba diving through hidden grottos and getting up close and personal with some puffins, which outnumber humans by a two-to-one ratio.
Las Vegas, Nevada
For the first time in National Football League history, the Super Bowl comes to Las Vegas on February 11, 2024. While Vegas is known for its spectacular entertainment year round, Super Bowl LVIII is going to take things to the next level. Events begin that week on Monday, February 5, and continue through Super Bowl Sunday with live musical performances, alumni meet and greets, and more events that have yet to be announced. If you’re lucky, or if you have the finances, you may even snag some tickets to the Big Game itself, which includes a star-studded halftime show headlined by Usher.
Giza, Egypt
Giza has long been known for its Great Pyramids, but come 2024, this suburb of Cairo will see the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum. Self-described as the “largest museum in the world dedicated to one civilization,” the museum is finally set to open after over two decades of planning. Notable relics found here include the sarcophagus of King Tutankhamen, as well as a barge dating back to 2500 BCE that was previously buried alongside the Great Pyramids.
Edinburgh, Scotland
From August 2 to 26, 2024, this Scottish capital city will play host to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. This annual celebration is among the largest performance art festivals in the world, and has been delighting audiences since it was founded in 1947. The Fringe has been a breakthrough for many talented artists including comedian Robin Williams, and has also seen spectacular performances from singers such as Maria Callas. While there’s no telling what the 2024 event will hold, it’s worth checking out for yourself.
Bodø, Norway
Located north of the Arctic Circle, Bodø is a small yet stunning Norwegian town that was named a European Capital of Culture for 2024. Bodø2024 begins on February 3, and organizers are planning a year featuring upwards of 1,000 cultural events throughout the region, of which 600 are already concretely planned. Some of the highlights include a Nordic film festival, concerts from local musicians, and sporting tournaments contested between regional football teams.
Daintree National Park, Australia
Combining lush rainforests with sparkling beaches, Daintree National Park is an idyllic paradise located along the Australian coastline. The park spans 463.3 square miles and is largely divided into two regions; Mossman Gorge is a rainforest that contains trees once thought to be extinct plus a variety of wildlife including saltwater crocodiles. Then there’s Cape Tribulation, which combines sandy beaches with mountainous hikes. Daintree is also located a short boat ride away from the Great Barrier Reef, and was recently bestowed back to its indigenous owners in 2021, meaning you can learn more about the people who have inhabited the region for centuries.
Shoshone Falls, Idaho
Many Americans are familiar with Niagara Falls on the border of New York and Canada. But located all the way over in Idaho is Shoshone Falls, which has been nicknamed the “Niagara of the West.” This stunning waterfall is actually taller than Niagara Falls at 212 feet, and is also 900-feet wide. The best time to visit Shoshone Falls is definitely as temperatures begin to rise in the spring, as melting snow contributes to a gushing water flow of between 10,000 to 12,000 cubic feet per second.
