Vacation Ideas That Are Almost as Good as Leaving the Country

The United States is amazingly diverse, geographically and culturally. From major cities to wide-open natural areas, the fifty states offer a wide range of vacation experiences. Maybe you’ll travel the world someday, but meanwhile, there’s so much adventure right here in America.

Visit One of Many Islands

America has thousands of islands, from Hawaii and Alaska to the barrier islands along the coasts. Islands are prime destinations for sunny beaches and natural areas, and many have distinctive histories or unique cultures. At Orcas Island in Washington State, for instance, you can take a whale-watching cruise and learn about 19th century seafarers. At Mackinac Island off the coast of Michigan, you can stay at the historic Grand Hotel and ride a horse-drawn carriage through town. Or, travel to America’s southernmost point, Key West, to enjoy the nightlife and sample the seafood.

Take a Cross-Country Road Trip

A cross-country road trip is the perfect way to experience America. Whatever direction you travel, avoid the interstates and take U.S. routes or state highways so you can stop at cities and small towns along the way. You’ll discover places and people you wouldn’t get to know otherwise. The classic American road trip is the U.S. Route 66. The historic Route 66 can take you from Chicago to Santa Monica, California. You’ll see famous sites like the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and quirky roadside attractions like the Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma. You can visit natural wonders, such as the Petrified National Forest in Arizona, or stop at the world’s oldest McDonald’s in Santa Clara, California.

Explore Historic Cities

The East Coast is where America began, and there are a number of historic cities to learn about the country’s beginnings, including Boston, Philadelphia, Williamsburg, Virginia, and the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. And yet, America’s history was also written in many other places. In New Orleans, you’ll learn about pirates and Creole and Cajun culture. In San Antonio, tour the Alamo and experience Tex-Mex food and music. And, in San Francisco, you can explore one of the most historic and multicultural cities in the world.

For your next vacation, you don’t need to leave the country to experience the world. You can enjoy a vast variety of scenery, cultures, and historic sites in any of America’s fifty states. Whether in a city, on the coast, or along the road, there’s plenty to see and do.

Read this next: Traveling Responsibly and the Indigenous History of the Islands