Best U.S. spots to visit in 2015

Queens tops the list of Lonely Planet's best U.S. spots to visit in 2015. Travel the world simply by visiting this New York City borough, where nearly half of the population is foreign-born and more than 100 languages are spoken and delicious food is eaten. Then head to the beach --yes, the beach -- in the Rockaways. A longtime local hangout and summer surf spot, it's also getting known for a burgeoning food scene.

2. A stunning natural wonder where the buffalo roam, western South Dakota has much to celebrate in 2015. It's the 50th anniversary of the annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup and the 75th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally -- the largest in the world -- where 500,000 motorcycle enthusiasts meet annually.

3. Marking the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in 2015, New Orleans is still a remarkable mix of cultures producing a unique culinary and musical culture. Enjoy Chef John Besh's take on the Big Easy, and head to Treme for a bite at Dooky Chase's Restaurant. Enjoy a Second Line or Mardi Gras parade in season, or simply walk St. Claude Avenue to enjoy whoever's playing that night.

4. The mighty Colorado River may be best known for cutting through the Arizona and the Grand Canyon, but it's worth the trip to Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park to see where it's born. In Utah, it can be spotted at Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park.

5. The quintessential New England town of North Conway, which celebrates its 250th anniversary next year, is perfect for leaf peeping, rock climbing and winter sports. (Check out the rugged White Mountains.) Never learned to rock climb? Visit International Mountain Equipment for lessons and summer camps.

6. The midsized, Midwestern town of Indianapolis may surprise outsiders, but residents know it has one of the best children's museums in the country, the new International Orangutan Center at the local zoo and the new Dallara IndyCar Factory.

7. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville, South Carolina, offers a downtown arts scene that includes museums and public art (including the "Mice on Main" sculptures). Enjoy the town's bicycle sharing program to explore local trails or strap on hiking boots to trek the nearby mountains.

8. Cross the Bay Bridge during your visit to San Francisco to see why Oakland is a known haven for adventurous food and fun art (Art Murmur anyone?) to Bay Area residents. Better yet, land at Oakland's sunny airport and stay on this side of the Bay. Bicyclists can also ride the newly opened Bay Bridge trail to enjoy the views on the new span of the Bay Bridge.

9. There is so much nature to explore from your base in Duluth, Minnesota -- hometown to more than 150 Olympians. There's Lake Superior for the water enthusiasts, snowy mountains for the winter sports fans and the 296-mile Superior Hiking Trail going from Duluth to Canada.

10. California's Mount Shasta region is positively spiritual. Many Native Americans from the area see it as the center of creation. Naturalist John Muir was moved by his first sight of the snowy Mount Shasta volcano, saying famously that "all my blood turned to wine, and I have not been weary since." Climbing Mount Shasta's summit is only for experienced hikers but there are trails for every level.

• More than 100 languages are spoken in Lonely Planet's top U.S. spot for 2015


• South Dakota will celebrate milestones involving buffalo and motorcycles in 2015


• One California locale is a spiritual center for many, who visit to take in its natural beauty

(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 hadn'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 don't get as much vacation as Europeans, and we also don'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