If you love to travel, you know there are many places to explore in America.
There are hidden islands, perfect beaches, and secret coves and caves that are like fairy tales.
These beautiful spots aren’t crowded with tourists yet.
There are many amazing places to discover away from the busy crowds.
Ausable Chasm, New York
Image Credit: Pinterest
22 years before the Adirondack Park was established in 1892, 62 years before the first Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid in 1932.
110 years before the Winter Olympics returned in 1980 with the Miracle on Ice, Ausable Chasm opened as one of the nation’s first organized tourist attractions.
It was just five years after the end of the American Civil War.
Since 1870, Ausable Chasm has thrilled and amazed all who visit.
Over 11 million people have witnessed the breathtaking, vertical-walled canyon carved from 500 million-year-old Potsdam sandstone by mother nature.
Best Nearby Restaurants
- Clover Mead Farm Store
- Gigi’s on the River
- Norther Feast: Crepe Food Truck
- Taco Temptation
- Pleasant Corner Restaurant
- Harmony Golf Club
- Giuseppe’s Pizza Shop
- Peru Sweet Treat Ice Cream
Popular Attractions
- Alice Falls
- Ausable Brewing Company
- Lake Champion
- Mace Chasm Farm
- Baggs’ Landing
- Bluff Point Golf Resort
- Snow Farm Vineyard and Winery
- iFishLakeChamplain Charters
- Airport Park
- Stone Ledge Sculpture Garden
- Adirondack Breathe Easy Salt Cave
- Highlands Vineyard
Anna Maria Island, Florida
Image Credit: Pinterest
In the early 1900s, Charles Roser founded the Anna Maria.
He was the creator of Fig Newton, who reportedly made his fortune by selling the recipe to Nabisco.
The town has about 1,800 residents who cherish their island life.
Surrounded by beaches on three sides, Anna Maria sits between the Gulf of Mexico and the Intercoastal Waterway.
The 600-acre village got its name from developer John Holmes and is the island’s largest community, incorporated in 1950.
The island has small resorts, motels, condominiums, and shopping areas that serve its nearly 5,000 residents.
Key attractions include the Manatee Public Beach, shopping areas, two boat ramps, and public tennis courts.
The community’s population of peacocks was moved for their safety to the Market area of Red Barn Flea.
White Sands Resort is located in Holmes Beach.
Best Nearby Restaurants
- The Ugly Grouper
- Smoqehouse
- Ginny’s and Jane E’s Cafe and Coastal Store
- Two Scoops
- Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus
- Bridge Street Bistro
- Hurricane Hanks
- Peach’s Restaurants
- Sandbar Seafood & Spirits
- Beach Bistro
Popular Attractions
- Bean Point
- Bradenton Beach
- Coquina Beach
- Manatee Public Beach
- Anna Maria Island Historical Museum
- Coquina Baywalk
- Holmes Beach
- Bridge Street Pier
- Manatee Beach Park
Willamette National Forest, Oregon
Image Credit: Pinterest
The Willamette National Forest is huge, covering over 1.6 million acres with eight wilderness areas and seven major volcanic peaks.
It’s a wild and beautiful place you can explore by bike, boat, car, or on foot.
Despite its rugged landscape with old forests, high mountain lakes, and sharp peaks, it’s easy to reach—just 30 minutes east of Eugene and under two hours south of Portland, Oregon.
This year-round adventure spot in central Oregon offers something for everyone.
In the summer, you can hike, bike, raft, and fish.
In the winter, there’s skiing, snowmobiling, and dog sledding.
You can camp all year, enjoy scenic drives, and admire volcanic peaks like Mount Jefferson, Three Fingered Jack, Mount Washington, Diamond Peak, and the Three Sisters.
Best Nearby Restaurants
- Connors BBQ
- Rivers Runs
- Korner Post Restaurant
- Mountain High
Popular Attractions
- South Sister Summit
- Tamolitch Blue Pool
- Junction to Shelter Cove or Bechtel Shelter
- Lower Proxy Falls
- Three Sisters Wilderness
The Everglades, Florida
Image Credit: Pinterest
The Everglades is a subtropical wetland spanning two million acres in central and south Florida.
The wet season amazes everyone with the overflow of Lake Okeechobee, sending water into a shallow river that moves slowly, known as the “river of grass,” dominated by sawgrass marsh.
This water flows south through various habitats, like cypress swamps, wet prairies, and mangroves, until it goes to Everglades National Park and eventually Florida Bay.
Originally, the ecosystem of Greater Everglades was made up of many different habitats connected by wetlands and water bodies.
Since the 1800s, humans have been changing the Everglades’ landscape.
Water diversions and flood control structures limit water flow, and combined with agricultural and urban development, the Everglades have shrunk significantly, harming the quality of habitats in the area.
Best Nearby Restaurants
- Triad Seafood Market & Cafe
- Camellia Street Grill
- Island Cafe
- Captain Morgan’s Seafood Grill Corp
- Rod and Gun Club
- Diving Pelican Restaurant & Bar
- Everglades Cafe
- Nely’s Corner
- Grimm’s Stone Crab Inc.
Popular Attractions
- Shark Valley
- Anhinga Trail
- Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center
- Royal Palm Visitor Center
- Flamingo
- Flamingo Visitor Center
- Mahogany Hammock
- Pa-hay-okee Trail
Texas Hill Country, Texas
Image Credit: Pinterest
Visitors have been coming to the Texas Hill Country for centuries because of its beautiful scenery and abundant natural resources.
Today, the mix of cultures, variety of activities, famous events, and great food make this region a must-visit for anyone traveling to Texas.
Whether you shop at the outlet malls in San Marcos or the antique stores in Fredericksburg, shopping is a must-do here.
The area’s rich history has led to great museums, like the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, and historical sites such as the Texas Capitol in Austin and the Alamo in San Antonio.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the Texas Hill Country offers hiking and cycling adventures for all skill levels.
The wildflower display in spring is a stunning sight you shouldn’t miss.
Best Nearby Restaurants
- 290 Locale Winery & Pizzeria
- Pecan Street Brewing
- Bryan’s on 290
- Lady Bird Lane Cafe
- Johnson City Coffee Co.
- Fat Boy Burgers
- El Charro Restaurant
Popular Attractions
- Mount Bonnell
- The Driskill
- Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
- Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Watching
- SoCo District
- Gruene Historic District
Savannah, Georgia
Image Credit: Pinterest
Savannah is a classic Southern city on Georgia’s coast, about four hours from Atlanta.
Known for its stunning architecture, famous art scene, excellent restaurants, and rich history, it’s often called the Hostess City of the South and has a truly enchanting charm.
Despite having one of the busiest ports in the U.S., Savannah offers a peaceful experience with its moss-covered oak trees, historic squares, and homes that look like they belong in a movie—fitting, since it was the setting for the novel and film “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”
Founded in 1733, Savannah is one of the oldest planned cities in the country.
Begin your visit at Forsyth Park, where you can take a picture of the iconic fountain.
Then, explore the city’s architecture or visit the Jepson Center for the Arts for colorful exhibits.
Bonaventure Cemetery is another must-see, known for its lively spirit.
Stay, dine, and shop in the Plant Riverside District, a former power plant turned into a modern venue.
Don’t miss the Wormsloe State Historic Site with its beautiful tree-lined drive leading to the oldest standing structure in Savannah.
Be sure to try the area’s best eateries, including Leopold’s Ice Cream,
The Olde Pink House, The Grey, and Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room.
Best Nearby Restaurants
- Chive Sea Bar & Lounge
- Cotton & Rye
- Crystal Beer Parlor
- Wright Square Bistro
- Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room
- Savannah Coffee Roasters
- Wiley’s Championship BBQ
Popular Attractions
- Savannah Historic District
- Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
- Forsyth Park
- Bonaventure Cemetery
- Historic Savannah Theatre
- Olde Pink House
- Old Fort Jackson
- Congregation Mickve Israel
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Image Credit: Pinterest
Solvang, California, with a population of 5,286, is located in the Santa Ynez Valley wine country on California’s central coast.
The name Solvang means “sunny fields” in Danish.
The city was founded in 1911 by Danish Americans who bought 9,000 acres of the former Jonata Ranch.
To preserve Danish culture, they built Atterdag College in 1914 and Bethania Lutheran Church in 1928.
Danish royalty has visited three times, which has helped maintain strong ties to Denmark.
Solvang became an official city in 1985 and attracts over 2 million visitors each year.
Known as the “Danish Capital of America,” Solvang is famous for its European-style culture, architecture, and museums.
Best Nearby Restaurants
- Paula’s Pancake House
- Mad & Vin
- Solvang Restaurant
- Leonardo’s Cucina Italiana
- Solvang Brewing Company
- Fitzpatrick’s Tavern
- Belgian Cafe
Popular Attractions
- Solvang Festival Theater
- Rideau Vineyard
- Old Mission Santa Ines
- Elverhoj Museum of History & Art
- Rusack Vineyards
- Nojoqui Falls Park
- Sunny Fields Park
- Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum
Apostle Islands, Wisconsin
At Apostle Island National Lakeshore in Bayfield County, you’ll find famous red sandstone sea caves, crystal clear waters of Lake Superior, and overlooks with vibrant greenery.
This beautiful area features stunning views, unique rock formations, and historic lighthouses across 21 islands along 12 miles of the mainland coast.
Lake Superior, the largest and cleanest of the Great Lakes, has pristine waters that reveal hidden beauty.
The Apostle Islands are a popular spot for scuba diving, kayaking, and sailing due to the shipwrecks and sea caves in the area.
Best Nearby Restaurants
- Landmark Restaurant at Old Rittenhouse Inn
- The Copper Trout
- Manypenny Bistro
- The Bayfield Inn Restaurant
- Wonderstate Coffee – Bayfield
- Greunke’s First Street Inn & Dining
- Pier Plaza Restaurant
Popular Attractions
- Big Bay State Park
- Madeline Island
- Hermit Island
- Meyers Beach Sea Caves Lakeshore Trail
- Balancing Rock on Stockton Island
- Cornucopia Beach
- Oak Island
- Sand Island
The Finger Lakes, New York
Image Credit: Pinterest
New York’s Finger Lakes are a year-round destination with 11 beautiful lakes in upstate New York, perfect for vacations, weekend getaways, business trips, or overnight stays.
The area is easily accessible, just a short drive from cities like Toronto, Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, Pittsburgh, Washington DC, Baltimore, and Cleveland.
The Finger Lakes are famous for their excellent wine, especially world-renowned Rieslings.
You can explore dedicated wine trails on Keuka, Seneca, Canandaigua, and Cayuga Lakes, and discover great sparkling wine, Pinot Noir, Ice Wine, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and more.
The region also has many breweries, distilleries, and hard-cider producers to enjoy.
Best Nearby Restaurants
- Swan Market
- Apizza Regionale
- Elderberry Pond Restaurant
- Hazelnut Kitchen
- Ports Cafe
- Thai Elephants
- Edgar’s Restaurant in the Castle
- Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Popular Attractions
- Watkins Glen State Park
- Corning Museums of Glass
- The Strong National Museum of Play
- Robert Treman State Park
- Taughannock Falls State Park
- Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery
- George Eastman Museum
- Glenn H. Curtiss Museum
Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Image Credit: Pinterest
Lookout Mountain is a city on the mountain of the same name in Walker County.
Known for its unique geological formations, scenic valley views, and peaceful gardens, Lookout Mountain is a popular getaway near Chattanooga.
Enjoy exciting outdoor adventures with your family, explore historic railways that climb the rocky hills, or venture into a cave to see a stunning waterfall.
One of the main attractions is Rock City Gardens, an extraordinary geological site.
Stroll along the enchanting trail, admire the tranquil gardens and native trees, and hike along the rocky mountain 1,700 feet above sea level to look out over Chattanooga Valley.
Walk across a high swing bridge and see a waterfall cascading 100 feet down the rock face.
On a clear day, you might even see the summits of North Carolina from the mountaintop.
Best Nearby Restaurants
- Cafe 7
- Trading Post Smokehouse
- Hunt Brothers Pizza
- RaceTrac
- Carrabba’s Italian Grill
- Massey’s Kitchen
- Market on Mountains
Popular Attractions
- Ruby Falls
- Rock City
- Incline Railway
- Rock City Gardens
- Lula Lake & Land Trust
- Seven States
- Swing-A-Long Bridge
