This year, skip the crowds (and inflated prices) of big cities and save money and flight time by choosing to visit one of these under-the-radar U.S. destinations. Look upon this list as giving you all the excuse you need to book that last-minute trip, weekend getaway, or family vacation.
From Alexandria to Savannah, these 10 destinations should be at the top of your 2018 travel bucket list.
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Alexandria, VA
Washington, D.C.’s quiet younger sister Alexandria offers all the history and none of the politics of our country’s capital. On the western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is perhaps best known as the hometown of George Washington and location of Mount Vernon, the restored estate of the first president—but that’s not all there is to see while visiting Alexandria. The city is also home to the George Washington Masonic National Monument, a bustling waterfront, and Old Town, a historic district complete with the original facades, cobbled streets, and restaurants frequented by the Founding Fathers. Of course, visitors are also ideally positioned to visit Washington, D.C. via car or public transit.
Detroit’s western neighbor is much more than just the University of Michigan’s college town—Ann Arbor was named one of the happiest cities in America by National Geographic and one of the best cities for millennials by Forbes in the last year alone. This year-round destination offers a balance of both indoor activities—such as the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and UMMA, the University of Michigan Museum of Art—and outdoor hiking trails, parks, and gardens, including those at the nearby Huron River and Ford Lake. While you’re in Ann Arbor, be sure to catch a University of Michigan football game, take in live entertainment, and wash it all down with a craft beer from a local brewery.
Few U.S. destinations cater to outdoorsmen and women quite like Boulder, positioned in the foothills of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. The sprawling campus of the University of Colorado Boulder features a series of attractions open to the public—including Fiske Planetarium, known for unique programming such as “FiskEDM” and “Liquid Sky Pretty Lights.” The city center is dotted with foodie-friendly restaurants, craft breweries, and the historic Pearl Street, a four-block pedestrian mall. But the biggest attraction in Boulder is the landscape itself, and visitors are encouraged to take advantage of local trails and crags; the outdoor activities on offer in this natural wonderland include tubing, kayaking, rock climbing, horse riding, and hot air ballooning.
Vroom vroom—welcome to Charlotte, home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, just one of many reasons to visit this North Carolina city. Another year-round destination, the summer months in Charlotte draw locals and tourists to the Land of Oz, a Wizard of Oz-themed park, Carowinds, a theme park of almost 400 acres, and the U.S. National Whitewater Center, an outdoor recreation area offering rafting as well as stand-up paddleboarding, rock climbing, kayaking, obstacle courses, mountain biking, and more. Indoor enthusiasts (or those visiting in colder months) should visit the hands-on science museum, Discovery Place, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, and the Levine Museum of the New South, dedicated to post-Civil War history. Charlotte is also ideally positioned within driving distance of other North Carolina destinations, including Winston-Salem, Lake Norman, and Chapel Hill.
As far as the Gulf Coast of Texas goes, there’s no better beach destination than Galveston, an island located an hour’s drive from downtown Houston. Widely considered to be one of the best family-friendly vacation towns in the U.S., Galveston’s entertainment doesn’t end with its beaches. The island also features Schlitterbahn, a year-round water park, and Moody Gardens, an amusement park that seeks to educate visitors on the environment with its Aquarium and Rainforest Pyramids, five-tier Ropes Course, and Colonel Paddlewheel Boat cruise. But perhaps the most iconic attraction in Galveston is the Historic Pleasure Pier, an old-fashioned waterfront featuring thrill rides, carnival games, and boardwalk foods.
Though perhaps best known as the “Twin Cities,” Minneapolis and Saint Paul each have their own personality. Minneapolis is known for the Mall of America as well as a nightlife scene, diverse culinary options, and sports teams, as the city has three professional stadiums within 1.3 miles. Across the Mississippi River, Saint Paul is known for its historical buildings, many neighborhoods, and annual Winter Carnival. With an increasingly competitive hotel scene, a booming craft beer and mixology space, and a series of renowned arts and culture venues—as well as 72 miles of public waterfront, thanks to the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area—the Twin Cities make up one of the most up-and-coming destinations in the U.S.
An alternative to busier Gulf of Mexico beach towns, Okaloosa Island is the barrier between Destin and Fort Walton, located along the Emerald Coast of the Florida panhandle. With brightly colored waters and white-sand beaches, tropical vacations to Okaloosa Island mean catching rays—whether laying out on the beach, jet skiing out on the water, fishing out on the pier, or driving on the local greens. With just a single main road, the family-friendly destination occupies the eastern portion of Santa Rosa Island, adjacent to the Santa Rosa Sound, and features a thriving ecotourism industry to help preserve the island’s natural resources.
Home to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the 2018 Super Bowl champions, Philadelphia offers an unparalleled chance to pack our country’s long history into even a short visit to the City of Brotherly Love. Our country’s very first capital city, Philadelphia was key in the American Revolution and the location of the signing of the Declaration of Independence as well as the Constitution. But as a tourist destination, the only World Heritage City in the U.S. doesn’t cater only to history buffs. From the more than 2,000-acre Wissahickon Valley Park to a thriving public art scene, ever-growing skyline, and diverse population, Philadelphia entertains visitors of all ages.
Just a two-hour drive north of Phoenix, the desert sands and red rocks of Sedona feel light years away from city life. The unspoiled natural paradise is beloved amongst outdoor enthusiasts and spa travelers for its scenic landscapes, fitness activities, and arts, spiritual, and wellness communities. Natural landmarks—including Red Rock State Park, Slide Rock State Park, and Oak Creek Canyon—surround from every angle and offer ATV trails, rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and more. After hitting local trails and canyons, guests can hit the spa for some well-deserved R&R.
Experience some good old-fashioned Southern hospitality in Savannah, the oldest city in Georgia. Locals welcome tourists with open arms into a town known for its pedestrian-friendly layout, historic buildings and monuments, and riverfront—Savannah is a fairy tale come to life with tree canopies, cobblestoned streets, and plenty of charm to go around. Visitors should stroll the Historic District’s City Market center, roam the River Street waterfront, and take in local events including Civil War reenactments and bustling food festivals. Visiting Savannah during summer? Grab a glass of sweet tea for the road and head 20 miles east to Tybee Island, the local beach community known for sand dunes and Atlantic Ocean views.