Did you know you can easily avoid crowds this summer by traveling to these US destinations?
With summer soon knocking on our doors, we should make sure that we are already making preparations so that we do not have to find a vacation destination at the last minute and end up having to compromise on our final destination! After all, quintessential US summer vacations include going to the beach, taking boat rides on lakes, and even taking a few road trips around some national parks if we are close to them.
It is the best time to take advantage of the sunny weather and make the most of the summer, regardless of age. However, there are a lot of things that can ruin a perfect summer vacation and the relaxation that comes with the free time, and those are crowded destinations, full of long lines, loud other tourists, and the horrible time you may spend stuck in traffic even when you do finally reach your destination.
This does not mean that you should trade more popular destinations for the uncrowded, lesser-known ones if that is what you truly want to visit this year, but rather that you should consider some of the smaller destinations for all the perks they offer you and how relaxed you will be. Between all the other popular destinations you may be hitting, there is always a place for a calmer, less magnet-like city that is going to offer you all the perks of a bigger destination without all the hassle associated with big crowds.
If you are ready to pack your suitcases this summer for a relaxing vacation in a less crowded place, keep reading, as we have got three of the best cities with a lot of varied activities you could do!
Let us know which is your favorite less crowded destination in the comments!
Chincoteague, Virginia
Are you looking for the perfect summer beach vacation but do not want to have to battle other tourists on Virginia Beach to be able to get the relaxation your heart desires? Then why not stray away from the most popular beach in the state and instead trade the hustle and bustle for a serene oceanfront town that has a lot of beaches that are not as crowded as the one we mentioned before?
Virginia’s Chincoteague Island, with its iconic town of Chincoteague, is only two hours away from Virginia Beach, and it is actually considered one of the best beach towns by locals! Not only is it more affordable than the famous beach when it comes to accommodation and entertainment, but you will also have the chance to spot wild ponies, which would not be possible in a place that is crowded with a mob of tourists.
You may even be lucky enough to visit in July, when the town is organizing its annual fundraiser for the wild herd and local fire department, called the Pony Swim. Being a beach town, you can obviously end up doing all things beach-related, but you will also have a lot of other activities to try, from bike rides all the way to exploring a Wildlife Loop Trail!
If Chincoteague ends up being a summer destination for you, make sure to not skip the sunrise, as the view is spectacular!
New Bern, North Carolina
North Carolina has a lot of coastal towns that are absolutely gorgeous, and because of that, they are also a magnet for people in the summer. If you would like to be able to enjoy your time swimming while also not having to deal with crowded beaches, then you should turn your attention to a smaller, historical town about 40 miles inland from Morehead City.
New Bern is a gorgeous city that has its own claim to fame because it is also the home of Pepsi. But there are a lot of reasons why your steps could take you to New Bern in the summer. Most tourists will choose the likes of Atlantic Beach or one of the islands near the coast that are nearby, so they will have easier access to the ocean. This will leave this quaint historical city free of all the hustle and bustle, which will give you the liberty of being able to enjoy the weather and sightsee without any extra traffic, crowds, or stress that come along with them.
New Bern: activities
The Neuse River is one of the big perks of New Bern, especially since it gives everyone the opportunity to swim and do water activities if they so wish, alongside fishing and boating, and they even have local ferryboat tours that tourists can take. The city also has a lot of historical homes and places to visit if you are interested in the history of the area or even if you are just curious.
Some spots that you should not miss when in New Bern are Fort Macon State Park and New Bern Battlefield Park (which you can even visit for free) and the beautiful 18th-century Tryon Palace, which also has actors dressed in period clothes that give tours and run demonstrations and exhibitions, so you can be fully immersed.
New Bern is a great family summer destination, and even if you are just looking for a romantic getaway, it has the best of both worlds, with interesting sights to explore and also giving you the time and place for relaxing summer activities.
Molokai, Hawaii
If you wish to be able to visit Hawaii but not have to deal with all the crowds and stress that come along with the place since it has become a very sought-after summer (and even all-year-round) destination, then Molokai is the perfect place for you. It is even better if you still have a taste for adventure, as this island is going to be able to give you everything your heart has ever desired from a Hawaiian vacation!
Away from the hustle and bustle of the other islands, Molokai is the fifth-largest island in the state of Hawaii, and it has some of the most impressive ground formations, as it boasts having the tallest sea cliffs in the whole world! What’s more, most of the beaches on this island are not at all crowded, and you will have more chances of finding them empty than full of tourists!
Molokai, Hawaii
What deters tourists from choosing Molokai when it comes to choosing a destination for the summer is the fact that the island does not have the big tourist attractions other islands have. Here you will not find a huge shopping center, tons of resorts, or a city full of restaurants. The island is a bit more modest, with local restaurants and smaller accommodations, but it will offer you a more authentic Hawaiian experience.
Besides the obvious activity of going to the beach, there are a lot more things to do on the island, and you can easily reach them by car. You can take a road trip through the Halawa Valley and even stop for a hike to their famous waterfall, Moaula. The Kalaupapa National Historical Park can also be reached by taking a guided mule tour (which is delightful), and there you can visit a sacred place, a former leprosy colony, which is also a great learning opportunity about the history of the island.
The summers on Molokai are not extremely hot, as the cool trade winds make sure the temperature stays perfect. So if you are looking for a relaxation oasis to be able to slow down and enjoy your time, Molokai is for you!
And if you are looking for the best road trips you could attempt this year that are not Route 66, yet still as beautiful and full of history, read all about our recommendations here! From a few days to weeks spent on the road, we’ve got something for everyone!
