10 (More) US Destinations That No One is Talking About
One of my most popular travel posts was 10 US Destinations No One is Talking About and as we plan our Covid-19 friendly travel for the summer, I decided to release the second version of that original post. I’ve done some research and gathered 10 more US destinations that no one is talking about. These are all great family vacation ideas or even just a fun, relaxing getaway for couples!
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Astoria, Oregon
Portland is a really popular place these days, for sure. However, just an hour outside of Portland, right on the ocean is a lovely little place called Astoria. You may have heard about it from movies like Kindergarten Cop and/or The Goonies.
Although Astoria is lesser-known, there are still amazing things to be done and seen here! If you are into hiking, they have several beautiful hiking trails that are kid-friendly. And don’t forget the beautiful Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach!
Bethany Beach, Delaware
The beach life can be an amazing getaway, however, the majority of well-known beaches tend to be over-packed and a bit…insane. That’s why finding little hidden gems like Bethany Beach in Delaware is something everyone needs!
While the beach and boardwalk still get a little busy, it’s a much more laid back feel than places like Santa Monica, CA.
And if you’re looking for somewhere to celebrate the 4th of July with your family, Bethany Beach has an amazing Independence Day celebration!
Torch Lake, Michigan
The Great Lakes have always felt like a second home to me, so imagine my shock when I didn’t learn about Torch Lake until I was 33 years old!
Torch Lake became it’s own mini-lake separate from Lake Michigan. Apparently Michigan’s rich and famous (who are they?) have known about this hot spot for years but it is just now starting to gain major recognition with the rest of America.
So if you were hoping to hit up the Caribbean and just can’t flip the bill, Michigan’s Torch Lake is obviously your next best (and way more affordable) option!
Bryce Canyon, Utah
We’ve heard about The Grand Canyon, but what most people don’t realize is that there are other amazing landforms like Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.
These jutting rock formations are called hoodoos. If you want to include this in a road trip with some other sightseeing hot spots you definitely can, or you can easily spend days just exploring this hidden National Park.
Leavenworth, Washington
If you were ever hoping for a European vacation, Leavenworth Washington just might be your next best thing! On the Leavenworth website, you can even get an itinerary of everything Bavarian!
In town, the buildings all have that German style and charm with the beautiful mountains as a backdrop. Needless to say this little town offers tons of great shopping and amazing food!
Apostle Islands, Wisconsin
Being from Minnesota means you grow up naturally seeing Wisconsin folk as rivals. However, now that I’m all grown up, I have found that Wisconsin offers some insanely beautiful sightseeing! Like the Apostle Islands!
This amazing photo from Be My Travel Muse pretty much says it all!
You can kayak, sail or take cruises through the beautiful Apostle Islands in Lake Superior in Ashland County in Northern Wisconsin.
Fort Bragg, California
We have taken cross-country road trips to California with our family many times and no one ever told me about Fort Bragg. Therefore, it made the list of one of the US travel destinations that no one is talking about.
There are gorgeous parks and gardens to enjoy and a very rare Glass Beach! What used to be a dumpsite for old automobiles and machinery is now a shoreline with washed up, worn down little treasures to be collected!
Black Beach, Minnesota
There is a very small section of beach along the North Shore of Minnesota called Black Beach due to the dark color of the sand!
We took our family there in May 2020 when we decided to just start camping out of our minivan! As you can see, the colors of the water and rock in contrast to the black sand was absolutely breathtaking.
This little section of beach is perfect for kayaking, playing in the water or even having a family picnic. There is definitely exploring to be done and amazing views to take in!
Cache River State Natural Area, Illinois
Taking up over 14,000 acres of land is the Cache River State Natural Area in Illinois. According to the State Parks website, Heron Pond in the Cache River State Natural Area is: A boardwalk winds its way into the secluded depths of this forested swamp, providing visitors a chance to step back in time and observe wetland and aquatic ecosystems that have remained relatively undisturbed for thousands of years.
What a cool way to observe nature at its finest!
Katy Trail State Park, Missouri
If you are looking for laid-back hiking trails that the whole family can do, don’t miss Katy Trail State Park! This trail is especially gorgeous during the fall months where you can see beautiful foliage.
After taking a tram along the views you can opt for biking, hiking or even horseback riding! At the end of the day, step into town for shops and wineries!
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