It’s never too early to start planning your next trip.
Do you have a goal in mind?
Sure, Mexico is beautiful and everyone seems to dream of Europe or Australia … but what about the good old USA from A.? Have you visited the following spots? Some are a little more obvious as tourist hotspots, while others remain rather opaque.
So before applying for a passport, we recommend that you do some research somewhere in our own back yard, so to speak. We asked around and here were the places people loved:
How about …
A view of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island in Washington. (Photo by Brooks Kraft LLC / Corbis via Getty Images)
Have you heard of San Juan Island – not to be confused with San Juan, Puerto Rico – in northwest Washington, not far from Seattle? The island, which has a temperate climate all year round, offers whale watching, kayaking, hiking, zip lining, horseback riding, paddle boating, horseback riding, and sailing, to name a few activities. If you like things a little quieter, visit the alpaca ranch, a lavender farm or a winery with a historic tasting room.
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The view looks just amazing.
Maybe it’s time to explore the great state of Montana. Bozeman comes highly recommended as it is known as a delightful little town near Yellowstone. If you fancy a drive, Glacier National Park can be reached in about four hours and is guaranteed to take your breath away.
What about boston This is a really historic city. It has chowders, an incredible atmosphere, Fenway Park and the New England Aquarium to name a few attractions. This really is the tip of the iceberg as there is probably something for everyone in Boston.
Lobstermen use a skiff to get to their moored boat before heading out into the Gulf of Maine in Deer Isle, Maine. (Getty Images)
How about Maine? Bar Harbor is beautiful, especially when you are climbing the hills outside of town and looking out at the coast in the fall. Another Maine proponent recommended Stonington on Deer Isle and said you can even take a mail boat to the surrounding islands. Acadia National Park is also pretty close.
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Or visit Savannah, Georgia: a friend described it like this – it’s beautiful in a very timeless, picture-perfect way, with Spanish moss hanging from the trees over cobblestone paths and the smell of chocolates in the air. (What more do you want, really?)
How about a paradise for outdoor lovers? That brings us to Utah. The state has five national parks, including Zion, and the Flaming Gorge Recreational Area. The drive there from Salt Lake City is a beautiful uphill ride that you don’t want to take a nap on. Once you arrive there’s Utah Red Rock, a pretty reservoir, fly fishing, rafting, and horseback riding tours along the Red Canyon Rim. You’re welcome!
A view from the Grand Hotel (Photo provided by Turner PR for the Grand Hotel)
Do you know Mackinac Island, Michigan? The folks in Mitten state clearly have that – but in other parts of the country it may be a little more opaque.
You have to leave your car, much like you do on San Juan Island, as there are no vehicles on Mackinac. But there are horses!
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Mackinac is beautiful – right on the Great Lakes with bike rentals, fudge, quaint little shops, Fort Mackinac, golf, and the Grand Hotel. (Even if you can’t afford to stay there, the porch is worth a stroll). If you are in the Midwest or for a little hike, give it a try!
Or try Hawaii: Not that we’re throwing you a curveball with this recommendation. Hawaii isn’t exactly under the radar when it comes to beautiful travel destinations, but we couldn’t justify getting it off the list. Every island offers something completely different. Depending on whether you are traveling with friends, family or a partner, you can tailor your experience to suit your vacation needs. And the waterfalls on Kauai look pretty epic.
Visitors ride in Badlands National Park near Wall, South Dakota. (Getty Images)
And then there are the Badlands, also known as Badlands National Park, in southwest South Dakota. As one enthusiast put it: “(Visiting is) a totally otherworldly experience that is both unique to the US and feels so far from the US. It’s almost like being on another planet. “
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This is a bit of a college town (home of Cal Poly) and a bit of a beach town. What a fun, quaint town!
California, of course, has a lot to offer. The Golden State is known for big places like Los Angeles and San Francisco. But SLO, as it’s called, flies a little under the radar and still offers beach, sun, wine, and some excellent tri-tips (especially at a restaurant called Firestone Grill). Jump there!
New Orleans: Who Could Forget The Big Easy? Again, this is one of those cities where you’ve probably heard of the top landmarks and attractions – the French Quarter, Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, etc. But if you’ve never been there maybe it is now time. Who doesn’t love fritters and jambalaya? Come to this culinary capital for iconic food and nightlife before you even think of leaving the United States
The classic cities are not considered classics for nothing, are they?
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A family plays on the beach in Destin, Florida. (Getty Images)
Destin features powdery sand and crystal clear water. The city and surrounding towns basically look like Pleasantville. You can rent beach cruisers, there are plenty of stalls selling ice cream cones and food, and everyone seems happy, as one Destin fan said.
How about Nashville, better known as Music City? Between the live shows (which seem to be everywhere), the booming food scene, incredible nightlife and legendary venues, there really is no shortage of places to check out in Nashville.
Do you like small town charm? This could be the place for you!
In the heart of Texas is the beautiful city of New Braunfels. The live music is top notch and you can find a concert every day of the week. If you’re into the outdoors, the area is perfect for tubing and fishing. There is also an award-winning farmers market, held every Saturday in rain or shine, and the Craft Beer Trail.
What did we forget? Enter your favorite US travel destinations below!
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Mackinac Island (Photo provided by Turner PR for the Grand Hotel)
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