Top U.S. travel destinations for 2013

Katia Hetter, CNN
5 minute read
Updated 2:31 AM EST, Tue March 5, 2013
The Belle of Louisville, which turns 100 in 2014, is a river steamboat and a National Historic Landmark. Louisville tops Lonely Planet's list of U.S. destinations to visit in 2013.
Louisville, Kentucky —
The Belle of Louisville, which turns 100 in 2014, is a river steamboat and a National Historic Landmark. Louisville tops Lonely Planet's list of U.S. destinations to visit in 2013.
Courtesy Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau
The aurora borealis, also called the northern lights, provide a spectacular show in the night sky near Fairbanks, Alaska.
Fairbanks, Alaska —
The aurora borealis, also called the northern lights, provide a spectacular show in the night sky near Fairbanks, Alaska.
Courtesy Jesse Carlstrom/FCVB
Lime Kiln Point State Park is located on San Juan Island, where fresh food and outdoor activities are at the top of the agenda.
San Juan Islands, Washington —
Lime Kiln Point State Park is located on San Juan Island, where fresh food and outdoor activities are at the top of the agenda.
Courtesy Deborah Hopkins
The Barnes Foundation's move into the city of Philadelphia has energized an already thriving arts community.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania —
The Barnes Foundation's move into the city of Philadelphia has energized an already thriving arts community.
Courtesy R. Kennedy for GPTMC
Just a quick flight from Pago Pago to the three-square-mile Ofu in the Manu'a Islands, part of American Samoa, will deliver you to pristine, white-sand beaches and lovely Polynesian culture.
American Samoa —
Just a quick flight from Pago Pago to the three-square-mile Ofu in the Manu'a Islands, part of American Samoa, will deliver you to pristine, white-sand beaches and lovely Polynesian culture.
Courtesy of American Samoa Visitors Bureau
Devils Postpile National Monument, with its 60-foot curtain of basalt columns made from molten lava, is just one magnificent part of the Eastern Sierra.
Eastern Sierra, California —
Devils Postpile National Monument, with its 60-foot curtain of basalt columns made from molten lava, is just one magnificent part of the Eastern Sierra.
Courtesy Alekos McKee/Mono County Tourism
Moosehead Lake in Maine is home to a 99-year-old steamboat and is also the source of the Kennebec River, offering some great rafting opportunities.
Northern Maine —
Moosehead Lake in Maine is home to a 99-year-old steamboat and is also the source of the Kennebec River, offering some great rafting opportunities.
Courtesy Maine Office of Tourism
Rice Park, located in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, gets gussied up for the Christmas holidays.
Twin Cities, Minnesota —
Rice Park, located in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, gets gussied up for the Christmas holidays.
Courtesy Teresa Boardman
Wine lovers can actually kayak to some vineyards in the Verde Valley, a hot spot for wine makers in Arizona.
Verde Valley, Arizona —
Wine lovers can actually kayak to some vineyards in the Verde Valley, a hot spot for wine makers in Arizona.
Courtesy Verde Valley Wine Trail
The glaciers in Glacier National Park may not be around past 2020 if current warming trends continue.
Glacier National Park, Montana —
The glaciers in Glacier National Park may not be around past 2020 if current warming trends continue.
National Park Service
Lonely Planet's favorite U.S. hot spots for 2013

Story highlights

Louisville, Kentucky came out on top for more than horses and bourbon

Alaska's northern lights will be especially spectacular next year

Glacier Nati