What are some of YOUR favorite vacation spots?
There are lots of impressive and breathtaking vacation spots in the U.S., from beautiful national parks where nature meets wildlife to serene beaches where you can hear the waves crash into the shore, we have plenty of places to go.
Usually, Americans choose a popular place to spend their vacation, but not many people know that the best experience that they can have will be found in hidden spots, those small towns or corners of nature that we’ve forgotten about.
If you don’t have a clue where to start, here are 9 valuable suggestions we think you’ll love!
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1. Baxter State Park, Maine
If you like to hike and you are looking for new vacation spots where there are amazing landscapes, Baxter State Park can be the next destination on your bucket list. If you are lucky you may even catch a glimpse of the animal kingdom.
Find your peace in the wildest nature areas of the East Coast. While you’re there make sure you don’t miss the Knife Edge Trail, which is considered one of the most EPIC hikes in New England. Bear in mind that you need the proper equipment and to have the right skills for it, since it’s not a trail for amateurs.
2. Stanley, Idaho
If you’re looking for a small town with some beautiful landscapes and astonishing nature, this vacation spot may be the best option for you. It’s a small town in Idaho, quite perfect for relaxation and a rustic vacation.
You can stop by the Sawtooth National Forest, Sawtooth Lake, and Stanley Lake which will make this experience unforgettable for you. Hikers will not be disappointed. The Mountain Village Resort is a good accommodation for you, having amazing local-inspired meals and warming leisure.
There’s also a famous museum which discusses the history of Stanley. All-in-all, this is a place where you won’t soon be bored!
3. Solvang, California
If you’ve ever wanted to visit Germany, now you can, but it’s right in your country. Solvang is a small town in California whose resemblance to any city in Germany is AMAZING! It’s 2 hours away by car from Los Angeles and under an hour from Santa Barbara.
The hotels in this charming vacation spot are great, it’s not crowded, and the best time to visit is usually during the springtime. This city is also known as the Danish capital of the US. Judging by the picture above it’s a unique part of the country which deserves a visit at least once in a lifetime.
4. The White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Yes, this amazing vacation spot is in the US, and you didn’t know about it until NOW! Located in New Mexico, the White Sands National Park is simply out of this world! To enjoy this park to its fullest, make sure you come during the spring or the early months of autumn.
It’s one of the most beautiful national parks in the country, the surreal sighting makes it seem like a complete winter wonderland. You can have lots of fun while hiking, sandboarding, and sliding down the dunes.
Unfortunately, there are no hotels or camping sites in the park, but you can book something in Alamogordo, a town nearby.
5. Carmel, California
Breathtaking view, isn’t it? Almost too good to be true! This amazing vacation spot is just 2 hours away from San Francisco by car. The best time to enjoy the serenity is between August and October.
Carmel is surrounded by great restaurants, beaches, art galleries, and accommodations. The most popular attraction is the Carmel Meadows Trail because of its beautiful view and incredible experience. Take the time and spend at least a full weekend, enjoy a glass of wine at the local wineries, go on a hike, relax and enjoy the moment.
6. Texas Hill Country, Texas
Looks just like a fairytale land, doesn’t it? It takes 1 hour by car from Austin to get to this magical place. Talk about hidden gems, this vacation spot is the best place for relaxation and peace. In addition, this is the best unknown place for wine.
There are also a few lakes nearby that are great for tubing, swimming, and boating. Consider coming here anytime in late March until mid-April when the blossoming of the flowers takes place.
This is one of those getaways you will never forget! You can also easily find accommodations nearby.
7. Jekyll Island, Gerogia
Jekyll Island is the mother of all wild beaches in the US From Jacksonville, it takes an hour and a half drive to get here. While you’re here you will get the feeling that you’re on your own private island.
It’s the perfect vacation spot. Get a bottle of wine, a good meal, a blanket, drive and enjoy the day while gazing at this beautiful landscape, while listening to the waves crashing. The fact that this beach is not commercialized makes it even more beautiful.
If you are a turtle lover then you can also stop by at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, a center dedicated to turtle education and rehabilitation. There’s also a water park nearby where you can have lots of fun.
In addition, the restaurants in the area are filled with delicious meals and a great culinary experience overall.
8. Eastern Shore, Virginia
40 minutes away from Virginia Beach, Eastern Shore is a small region with 45,000 residents. You can fish, swim, and boat around as well as observe the wild ponies and birds around the area.
Have a picnic on the beach, enjoy the sunsets, and go visit the Assateague Lighthouse. Spend at least one full weekend there to recharge your batteries, it will be worth it. Accommodation can be easily found, so no worries about that, there’s an affordable wide range which you can choose from.
The seaside cottages in this vacation spot are guaranteed to get to your heart in an instant.
9. Hudson Valley, New York
This vacation spot is truly one of a kind. New York is an iconic city, without a doubt, but it’s sometimes overshadowing the beautiful Hudson Valley. The valley is filled with farms, woods, and parks. The best time to visit it is during the summer or in the fall to catch a glimpse of the breathtaking landscaping colors.
There are farms that even allow you to pick up fruits and, depending on the season, you will get a handful of peaches, apples, and pears, perfect for making some jam. As expected, there are many antique shops, museums, and house tours.
If hiking lovers are interested in visiting this beautiful vacation spot, they have plenty of options for an unforgettable hike such as Black Creek Preserve Trail, and Minnewaska State Park.
Takeaway
When it comes to vacation spots, picking the right destination can be challenging. Especially, now, when people tend to enjoy their vacation less and less or they don’t have so much fun anymore.
That can be for several reasons but one of them is that the places that they are going to are no longer good enough or relaxing enough for them.
That can also be because they are highly populated and those no longer represent a serene place where they can doze off. Finding unique places, and hidden gems across America can turn out to be an adventure and the experience of a lifetime that many people enjoy.
Are beautiful vacation spots not enough? Next stop: 10 of the Most Beautiful Forests in America
4 thoughts on “9 Best Hidden Vacation Spots in the U.S.”
How can you not put Carova Beach NC on this list. Can only guess since you had Jekyll Island GA on oyour list then that filled your beach spot. But really Carova Beach NC used to be on all the top list years ago and for good reason. Not many places do you get to travel miles and miles up a empty beach that you need a 4×4 to access and most times you got to time the tides rt to get were you want to go.. Only thing you will see is the wild ponies(horses) that have been roaming and grazing the beach and dunes from the ocean to the sound. They have been in this area since the days people brought them here by ship from Europe when we first started coming to the new world. You may find a lot of sea shells or some beached sea life like sharks, whales, turtles em fish etc,,,on your travel miles up the beach till you get back to human built things again. Yes you will also run into some people between the end of paved road to the homes way up the beach but they have to have a good 4×4 truck and some supplies just in case get stuck on the sand or a dune crossing. But u will see people enjoying the beach or fishing on your way up the beach. Can’t beat having a empty beach with only your family we’re wild horses/ponies walk past you. But if your staying or living up at the homes in Carova you make that travel way up the beach preferably during low tide cause high tide a lot of times the Ocean comes rt up to the dunes at high tide so u can’t get up there. So you got to time the tides. But after a while driving you do get to the point we’re you start to see homes and human made structures again but they are all inland from just over the dunes. So you find the dune mile marker you need to get to an drive at decent speed to get up and back down those 10 to 20+ foot dunes, and hope don’t get stuck on a dune.. But once cross dunes the houses development is set up just like a regular neighbor by the beach. Just no paved roads or stores. Still need 4×4 but as you get closer to the sound the ground does get harder. Just don’t hit those ponies/horses as they walk thru peoples yards look for grazing food and watch out for deep puddles after it rains. But now your bk in somewhat civilized area we’re homes are separated at a decent space and they cost millions and millions of $ to build most em up here. Unfortunately it’s a rich persons vacation but there are some smaller older shacks that don’t cost millions up there but there aren’t that many. Most times they belong to the volunteer fire departments people and stuff like that..otherwise most the homes are vacation rental homes were the rich go to play and be left alone. Still it’s a beautiful area and any one with a 4×4 can get there and enjoy the area for themselves even if you can’t afford those high prices rentals. They have plenty of normal priced homes bk on the paved road area bk down the beach.
….it’s not on there because (surprise!) there are people driving 4X4s on Carova Beach… LOL
I just saw something about Solvang on a show about renovating motels, The Viking Inn was the place getting renovated. Anyway, they said it’s a Danish town, looks like fun, whichever it is. Leavenworth Washington is a Bavarian town and it’s a lot of fun as well.
Thank you. Great ideas and places for a vacation.