( CNN ) Think you need a passport to explore high art , exotic beaches and incredible natural wonders ? Not so . In a country of nearly 4 million square miles , there are plenty of new adventures for travelers right here in the United States . Lonely Planet 's top 10 U.S. destinations for 2015 list includes cities marking important anniversaries , wide open natural spaces and hidden city gems that will soon be popular . `` I hope this list will excite travelers to explore places they had n't thought about going , `` said Regis St. Louis , author of Lonely Planet 's USA guide and contributor to the `` Best in the U.S. '' list . `` We have both surprising places on the list and places people have heard buzz about . '' Lonely Planet editors hope the list will encourage people to explore . `` There are lots of great things happening all over the country , and you should really come out and see it for yourself , '' St. Louis said . To compile the annual list , Lonely Planet asks its U.S. staff , authors and contributors to nominate urban and natural spots , popular and lesser known sites , and locations that have something significant happening in 2015 . The staff whittles the list down to the final 10 , and a natural order often emerges , editors say . Americans do n't get as much vacation as Europeans , and we also do n't use all of our vacation . So why not put those days to good use and visit some of Lonely Planet 's top destinations in the U.S. ? Here are the 10 spots that came out on top for 2015 : . 1.Queens , New York . 2.Western South Dakota . 3.New Orleans . 4.Colorado River region . 5.North Conway , New Hampshire . 6.Indianapolis . 7.Greenville , South Carolina . 8.Oakland , California . 9.Duluth , Minnesota . 10.Mount Shasta region , California .
More than 100 languages are spoken in Lonely Planet 's top U.S. spot for 2015 . South Dakota will celebrate milestones for cattle and buffalo in 2015 . One particular mountain is a spiritual center for many , who visit to take in its natural beauty .