5 US destinations named to Best of World travel list for 2027 by National Geographic

Five locations in the U.S. have been chosen by National Geographic as some of in the year ahead.

National Geographics annual Best of the World travel list, just released, features 25 travel-worthy destinations all over the globe. 

The five standout U.S. destinations harbor stunning views, great food and unique cultural spaces. 

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Check out the details. 

This capital city was listed as the to visit, highlighted for its lakefront adventure opportunities and local cuisine.

Nestled between Lakes Mendota and Monona, Madison, Wisconsin, offers beautiful trails and green spaces. It's also city-central for several colleges, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

This mix between college town, nature oasis and state capital gives Madison a unique flare, pairing beloved nightlife spaces with a growing trail network.

National Geographic calls the city of about 290,000 residents "compact enough to ," as its certified by the League of American Bicyclists.

Madison reportedly is home to more than 200 miles of hiking trails and bikeways.

These connect neighborhoods, beaches and about 300 parks, which, according to National Geographic, is among the most per capita of any U.S. city.

Bikers can take the 13-mile bike loop around Lake Monona, which passes from the Olbrich Botanical Gardens to Madisons downtown waterfront.

The Dane County Farmers Market takes place on Saturdays in the summer on Capitol Square, with up to 20,000 visitors. It is reportedly the nations largest producer-only market, providing flowers, .

National Geographic also shouted out some local restaurants, such as Fairchild for its use of local vegetables in homemade ravioli and Ahan for its classic Laotian dishes.

After mudslides in Big Sur caused a three-year closure, some of the most scenic sections of the Pacific Coast Highway have been reopened, giving travelers the opportunity to take in the inspirational sights of Californias coastline.

"Lesser known artsy communities" lie just outside the roadway, says National Geographic.

On the southern end, artist colony Laguna Beach celebrates its centennial in 2027.

Downtown Laguna Beach not only offers , but fronts a new pedestrian promenade with boutiques, galleries, outdoor performance spaces and "al fresco" dining.

The central-coast city of Lompoc features a trail of more than 30 murals depicting the towns agricultural roots, as well as known as the Wine Ghetto.

North of Lompoc is the one-block dairy farmer town of Harmony, which boasts a population of 18. The town features small-batch ice cream at Harmony Valley Creamery, and other locally owned businesses like Harmony Glassworks and Harmony Pottery Studio and Gallery.

The northern end of the highway is home to more artistic regions, like Mendocino County and Fort Bragg, offering like Pacific Textile Arts.

In the heart of the United States, spanning between Missouri and Arkansas, the southern Ozarks show off "spectacular" bluffs, valleys and ridgelines.

The region is a "haven" for , National Geographic said, as well as immerse cultural activities in neighboring towns like Bentonville, Arkansas — home to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

Close to Bentonville, Bella Vista, Arkansas, is the self-proclaimed mountain biking capital of the world, fronting the new OZ Trails Bike Park. It's the states first chairlift-served mountain bike park for access to 20 miles of trails for all levels.

About 60 miles across the Missouri border is Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, where the Ozarks unfold across 10,000 acres, featuring limestone cliffs and valleys, National Geographic detailed.