From Alabama's rock-and-soul capital to Wyoming's stunning parkland, from the oldest city in the US to the jaw-droppingly beautiful beaches of the States' northern “third coast,” we've gathered budget destinations in each state, plus Puerto Rico.
Our mission is straightforward: track down outstanding destinations in most 50 states and Puerto Rico where lodging averages well under $200/night and great drink and food, natural beauty, and vibrant arts and culture share the spotlight. No pressure, right? Here's to starting off the new decade by having an unparalleled to-do list!
Alabama: Muscle Shoals
It's here we are at Muscle Shoals, Alabama, to take its rightful place alongside America's major pop music destinations like Memphis, Cleveland, and Detroit. Here, within this small town in the northwestern corner from the state, probably the most popular and critically acclaimed rock and soul music – including seminal works by Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones, and Lynyrd Skynyrd – was recorded at Fame Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studios.
These days, you may enjoy a music-themed trip to the region while also savoring its first-rate comfort food and natural splendor. Tour the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, in Tuscumbia; create a pilgrimage to Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, in Sheffield; and visit Pegasus Records, in Florence, because of its Friday-night showcases of emerging musical talent. Alabama Shakes were found at Pegasus – who'll you discover?
Alaska: Kenai Peninsula
Alaska isn't as a long way away while you think: an authentic Alaska experience, complete with whale watching, hiking, fishing, and ogling wildlife, is available in the Kenai Peninsula, along the state's southern coast, south of Anchorage.
Whether you approach this vacation wonderland via cruiseship or a journey around the Seward Highway (certainly one of America's finest scenic drives), you will find enough activities to last a week or perhaps a month, including a boat tour of Kenai Fjords National Park; hiking in Chugach National Forest, and viewing animals you won't locate fairly easily in the lower 48, including orcas and puffins. And an irresistible perk of visiting this corner of Alaska is the fact that you'll taste the freshest, most deeply flavorful salmon anywhere in the world.
Arizona: Saguaro National Park
Some travelers have a list of rare or unique sights they must see. The saguaro cactus is one thing every American should visit personally. Saguaro National Park, Arizona, near the always rewarding city of Tucson, is devoted to protecting and preserving a forestful from the immense succulents, which are unique to the Sonoran Desert and may grow to a height of 50 feet and live more than 200 years.
In addition to these “kings of the Sonoran Desert,” you'll also find towering pine-covered mountains alive with wild javelina, coyotes, desert tortoises, and, at higher elevations, black bear and also the Mexican spotted owl.
Arkansas: Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Not one but two major national forests crossed by six US Scenic Byways? Yes, Arkansas delivers thousands of acres of four-season activities within the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, within the state's northern and eastern regions. Here, in the shores from the Mississippi River towards the deep woods filled with wildlife and opportunities for aquatic sports, visitors discover surprise side of Arkansas.
Choose between cycling and canoeing, fishing for striped and largemouth bass and catfish, swimming in Bear Creek Lake, camping amid the hardwood trees, and hopping an ATV – or, our recommendation, try them all.
California: San Pedro
Think you realize California? Meet San Pedro, at the southern reason for the Palos Verdes Peninsula and home to the Port of Los Angeles, the largest in the US. Here in this up-and-coming must-see city, you'll enjoy packing your days with an array of pursuits: ride the free San Pedro Downtown Trolley with hop-on-hop-off stops in the incredible assortment of nautical vessels in the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, beautiful Cabrillo Beach, and also the jaw-dropping Cabrilla Marine Aquarium, designed by Frank Gehry.
History buffs and kids of all ages will want to go to the Battleship Iowa Museum, the only real battleship available to the public on the West Coast, and everybody will appreciate meals at California's biggest seafood restaurant, the San Pedro Fish Market & Restaurant – get ready to snap a few they-won't-believe-this-back-home pics from the immense shrimp trays.
Colorado: Black Canyon from the Gunnison National Park
Southwest Colorado hosts a lesser-known gem: Black Canyon from the Gunnison National Park. Located near the town of Montrose, the website is definitely an incredible natural landscape featuring black cliffs (formed 2 billion years back) towering 2,000 feet above the Gunnison River.
Stock up on food and water in Montrose, then go to the canyon's South Rim, where you'll find gentle nature trails with Instagram-ready overlooks, backcountry experiences for visitors who yearn to obtain from the beaten path, as well as an variety of opportunities for camping, fishing, and rock climbing. Consider participating in ranger-led programs to discover the geology and wildlife from the area.
Connecticut: Mystic Seaport
For travelers in the Northeast, America's most significant collection of National Historic Landmark maritime vessels is simply off I-95 in northern Connecticut. Mystic Seaport's towering sailing ships will delight children, of course, and grownups (especially fans from the novels of Patrick O'Brien and Herman Melville) who wish to step back in time towards the times of wooden ships.
Tour a whaleship, an active waterfront, planetarium, gardens, and hands-on experiences which help you understand the crafts that entered the construction and upkeep of these amazing vessels. Art lovers will savor the superb Maritime Gallery, which hosts major exhibitions of marine art and intricately detailed miniature ship models.
Delaware: Lewes
We believe a lot of travelers simply pass through compact Delaware enroute somewhere else. You're ready to slow down and revel in this welcoming mid-Atlantic state, and also the charming capital of scotland- Lewes, where the Atlantic meets Delaware Bay, is the best spot to do so.
The vibrant downtown is perfect for strolling and popping into unique boutiques and seafood restaurants, and the lovely beaches just moments away. Have the digital camera or smartphone ready for iconic shots of Breakwater Lighthouse, cycle or walk the Lewes Canalfront, and devote some time to exploring Cape Henlopen State Park with its scenic trails, beaches, campgrounds, and pier.
Florida: St Augustine
If “founded in 1565” sounds unusually old to have an American city, well, it definately is. St Augustine is often known as the oldest city in the US (in actuality, it's the longest continually inhabited European-founded city in america). Here, visitors find an experience that is decidedly not the same as – and a wonderful complement to – Florida's beaches and theme parks.
Immerse yourself in 400 many years of history which includes a range of cultures, including Native American, Spanish, British, Black, and Greek. Must-see sights range from the Castillo de San Marcos (this is the classic I'm-in-St.-Augustine image), the narrow European-style streets, a range of museums focused on local background and cultures, and even Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon's legendary “Fountain of Youth.”
Georgia: Alpharetta
From the coast to bustling Atlanta towards the mountains, Georgia offers well-known vacation charms. We would like travelers to include the town of Alpharetta, within the Atlanta metro area, to that particular list. If you are seeking an inviting community with endless eating options (more than 200 restaurants), an exceptional craft brewery experience at Jekyll Brewing, and ample parkland (750 acres), such as the eight-mile-long Big Creek Greenway, Alpharetta, a simple drive from downtown Atlanta, constitutes a great day trip or weekend escape.
If all that sounds as though it ought to be topped off with an evening of proper music, go to the Velvet Note, honored by Downbeat Magazine among the world's best jazz venues.
Hawaii: Waimea Canyon State Park
Have you seen the “Grand Canyon from the Pacific”? On the western side of the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i, Waimea Canyon is 14 miles long, a lot more than 3,600 deep, and boasts an array of colorful, gorges, and buttes that do, indeed, remind many visitors of Arizona's famous canyon.
And, obviously, this being Hawaii, the gorgeous surroundings exceed the canyon: Waimea Valley is home to a 45-foot waterfall and thousands of beautiful botanicals along a simple paved path. To have an elegant splurge, there are 60 vintage restored cottages across the beachfront just south from the park.
Idaho: Snake River Valley
Another canyon that many travelers have not yet discovered awaits in Idaho, where the Snake River winds through prehistoric lava flows to produce a 50-mile canyon where you'll find photo-ready waterfalls and springs. Stroll along the 10-mile paved walking path on the south rim with use of visitors center.
Then head to the iconic Perrine Bridge, where you can stand nearly 500 feet over the river and recall the exploits of 1970s daredevil Evel Knievel, who tried to jump the canyon here (unsuccessfully, alas). You may even see BASE jumpers taking the plunge off the bridge. Just south from the bridge, you'll find scenic overlooks of the canyon and at the gorgeous Shoshone Falls; beautiful; Centennial Waterfront Park is just west from the bridge.
Illinois: Route 66 Heritage Project
Sure, you know kitschy Route 66, and could have driven a stretch or two of the “Mother Road.” But exploring the 300-mile Illinois portion of the quintessential US highway may be the kitschiest stretch of. Snap some pics at the outset of your journey, in downtown Chicago at the “Route 66 Begin” sign on E. Jackson Boulevard.
Once you're on the road, there are many tempting places to stop: Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket has been famous or its fried chicken since the 1940s; the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum is a treasure chest of vintage artifacts; the 19-foot-high Paul Bunyan clutching an immense hot dog across the street in the Palms Grill Cafe announces its presence from a distance and delights passersby; the earth's largest covered wagon awaits not far in the future, alongside a statue of Abraham Lincoln. The road rolls on, and also the kitsch rolls along with it, all the way to the Chain of Rocks Bridge across the Mississippi and into St Louis, Missouri.
Indiana: Nashville
Did you realize there was “another” Nashville? Which it is also a significant music destination? Within southern Indiana, Nashville was an artists' colony in early Twentieth century, creating a tradition of creativity complete with galleries and crafts studios.
These days, the city has turned into a mecca for musicians, with a great schedule of performances in the Brown County Playhouse and shops like Weed Patch Music Company using its stash of custom guitars and banjos. Music pours forth from cafes and wine bars, and, of course, on the streets.
Iowa: Sioux City
This little city in northwest Iowa has earned big honors because of its livability, cuisine, and economic development. For travelers, that all means an experience that combines small-town warmth with big-city style and culture. Families will especially love the LaunchPAD Children's Museum and also the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. Culture vultures must begin to see the Art Center and listen to the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra.
Outdoor fun is really a four-season priority here, because the city continues to develop trail connectivity and riverfront development, and a wide diversity of multicultural cuisine sets Sioux City apart from most small cities in the heartland.
Kansas: Colby
Start at the Prairie Museum of Art and History to obtain a feeling of Colby's devote the settlement of the prairie and its vibrant artistic legacy; while you're in the museum, don't miss its Cooper Barn, the largest barn within the state.
Colby's new 2.2-mile walking trail is a good method of getting a sense of this special town, using its especially noteworthy historic courthouse. The best times to get to know Colby might be during its annual festivals: in April, you are able to take a taste from the Great Oasis Cookoff; in July, you'll love the Pickin' around the Plains Bluegrass Festival; and kids will especially appreciate a December visit to Santa City.
Kentucky: Kentucky Wild Rivers
Say the term Kentucky and most travelers will immediately think bourbon, bluegrass, and horses. While that's perfectly understandable, don't forget the wild waterways. Using more than 2 million acres of national forest and more navigable rivers than any other state within the lower 48, paddlers can take their pick from more than 1000 miles of flowing water. Nine seem to be designated Kentucky Wild Rivers, meaning they're, and always is going to be, protected from development. Novice paddlers will discover gentle waters around the Cumberland River, while experienced whitewater enthusiasts will enjoy the Class IV rapids found on the Big South Fork River; and, obviously, there's something for everybody in between.
Louisiana: Cajun Country
When you are looking at an eye-opening, transformative trip, Louisiana's Cajun Country may be unrivaled in america. Here, about a four-hour drive northwest of New Orleans, a diversity of cultural traditions joined together in early colonial days, with French, Spanish, Black, and Caribbean people mingling language, cuisine, and religious traditions in a way not found elsewhere in America.
In and round the capital of scotland- Natchitoches (pronounced nack-a-tish), you can tour winding European-style streets, see authentic Creole cottages, partake of distinctive dishes like gumbo and jambalaya, and obtain to know a brief history of plantations like Melrose and Oakland, where enslaved Africans created finely crafted artwork that combined West African religious traditions with Christian iconography.
Maine: High Peaks Region
With Portland as your gateway city, exploring Maine's extraordinary lakes and mountains is an unforgettable four-season opportunity that rivals the better-known “peak experiences” found out West. Located in which the Appalachian Trail reaches its northernmost point, this region contains 10 of Maine's highest peaks, with seemingly endless opportunities for camping, cycling, camping, and paddling glacial lakes and gin-clear rivers.
Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy a moose photo safari, or just have a memorable drive along one of three scenic byways: High Peaks, Grafton Notch, and Rangeley Lakes. Autumn brings a few of the deepest reds, golds, and oranges any place in the US, and winter offers cozy cabin fireplaces plus some of America's finest ski resorts.
Maryland: Chesapeake Bay
Maryland's star attraction may be the Chesapeake Bay, the biggest estuary in america, which manages to touch beautiful waterfront towns, wild spaces, and the state's biggest city. With such a variety of settings, the activities for readers are nearly infinite.
For starters, make sure to experience Annapolis, their state capital and the sailing capital of the usa; a ferry ride to Smith Island, where residents still speak with a trade from the Elizabethan accent of the first settlers 350 years ago; Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse, available for tours using a ferry from Annapolis; and Baltimore's Inner Harbor, using its great seafood, public concerts, and National Aquarium.
Massachusetts: Falmouth
Some New England visitors know Falmouth only like a name on the roadside sign up the way to points farther on Cape Cod. However this charming community on the western end of the Cape offers an array of affordable lodgings and activities to satisfy even the most discerning traveler.
Eight decidedly New England villages are positioned along more than 60 miles of shore here, with exceptional seafood, historic lodgings like the Sea Crest on Silver Beach, and a great local theater scene that goes back to the summer stock from the early Twentieth century. Start at the Falmouth Village Green to get a sense of place; the bell you hear ringing hourly in the First Congregational Church was cast by Paul Revere – it does not get any more New England !
Michigan: Charlevoix
Even seasoned travelers sometimes forget that the US has four coasts. The pristine beaches of Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan are found up north in Michigan, and provide a laid-back vacation experience that reminds many visitors of bygone days.
First, there is the water and all that accompany it: charted sailboats, kayaks, and paddleboards; 20 hiking trails and nature preserves, not to mention the iconic Earl Young Mushroom House and the majestic Castle Farms. Looking for seclusion? Head to Beaver Island. Searching for cool boutiques, great food, and public events along Round Lake? That is what you will find in the capital of scotland- Charlevoix. No surprise visitors become regulars, and also the Charlevoix region turns into a summer family tradition.
Minnesota: Lake Superior State Parks
Speaking from the beaches of the Great Lakes, northern Minnesota's Lake Superior shoreline is home to eight state parks where nature lovers' dreams come true. All reachable from the town of Duluth, some highlights include: Gooseberry Falls delivers not only Lake Superior shore but also Instagrammable waterfalls, rivers, and forest, a paved cycling trail, and excellent cross-country skiing; Split Rock Lighthouse, having a superb visitor center, exhibits, and documentary film; Temperance River offers gorges, footbridges, and waterfalls for hikers to find out; and Cascade River boasts trails that may enable you to get up Lookout Mountain for – what else? – spectacular views.
Mississippi: Gulf Coast Islands
The Gulf Coast is always a good idea, and Mississippi's Gulf Islands National Seashore is the perfect place to get up close and personal using the region's wild side, amazing gourmet seafood, and craft beer.
The six barrier islands beckon visitors with attainable adventures like exploring the bayous and marshland of Cat Island; going for a boat ride from Biloxi to the beach at Deer Island; doing a bit of serious pelican watching (and photography) on Horn Island; and hitting in the tiny islands of Round Island and Petit Bois for a take a look at visiting migratory birds (they're here for the great seafood, just like you).
Missouri: Hermann
Just an hour or so west of St Louis, in the Missouri River valley, the town of Hermann is much like entering into a wormhole to old-world Germany. Start at Historic Hermann Museum to have an summary of the settlement from the area in the 1830s to the 1900s. Then make sure to pack an appetite for comfort food and good local wine as you explore local eateries and favorite sights such as: Deutschheim State Historic Site using its exhibits and galleries of artifacts from the days when German immigrants settled here; Hermann Farm using its living history exhibitions; and a number of excellent local wineries.
Montana: Bozeman
By Western standards, Bozeman is “near” both Glacier and Yellowstone Nature, though folks from back East will notice that “near” often means a couple of hours in a car. But we love Bozeman not only because of its proximity to amazing parkland and amazing skiing but also for the city itself, a university town with great community spirit, food that even Californians envy, and one of the finest museums in the US, the Museum of the Rockies.
Set aside the majority of each day to take all of the museum has to offer, from the excellent planetarium to its Montana history division, natural history exhibitions having a special emphasis on the dinosaur fossils unearthed in Bozeman's backyard at Hell Creek, and its living history pioneer cabin. In Bozeman, you're never far from an attractive mountain vista or a great meal – we especially love the huge, reasonably priced sandwiches in the Pickle Barrel.
Nebraska: Grand Island
When you are looking at friendly, historic towns, we like Grand Island. The community may be most widely known because of its access to the epic Sandhill Crane migration within central Nebraska, but that is just where the enjoyment begins.
Start in the town's historic downtown, known as the Railside District, to take in the finely restored buildings, grab a craft beer and grub at among the excellent downtown breweries. Then explore the city's Stuhr Museum with its Railroad Town pioneer village and beautifully landscaped grounds, and take a dip in a single of Grand Island's public pools. Make sure to visit the gentle Platte River, an important landmark in the days when settlers in the East headed west across the prairie.
Nevada: Valley of fireside State Park
How did Nevada's Valley of Fire get its name? What about 40,000 acres of red sandstone? Within Valley of Fire State Park you'll come face-to-face using the ancient, including petrified trees and petroglyphs left by native people more than 2000 years back.
Hit the park's visitor center to have an overview and great exhibits devoted to the prehistoric era, geology, and also the history of the region – get maps and tips because well. As wild because the terrain looks, the park still provides two campsites with tables and grills and flowing water (including RV hookups), plus miles of trails for those who wish to explore this excellent environment.
New Hampshire: Seacoast
When you mention New Hampshire's “coast” with a people, they appear to you kind of funny. Sure, New Hampshire is mostly landlocked, and known for its mountains and forests, it has a vibrant Atlantic shoreline that's just a few miles long but includes the cool small town of Portsmouth with its cobblestone streets, winding alleys, historic John Paul Jones House and Strawbery Banke, and quaint shops such as the excellent Riverrun bookstore, plus lovely beaches and much more. Take kids to the Seacoast Science Center for a hands-on deep dive into marine life, including a “please touch” tide pool along with other stuff the little ones like to explore.
New Jersey: Asbury Park
Asbury Park continues to be dubbed certainly one of America's Coolest Small Towns in 2022, featured on Bruce Springsteen's debut studio album and regularly called among the best destinations around the Jersey Shore. Yet few individuals have come across it. You're ready to visit before everybody else gets the word. Conveniently located between Nyc and Philadelphia, and boasting amazing seafood, art galleries, and legendary music venues and also the boardwalk that Springsteen helped placed on the map during the 1970s, Asbury Park welcomes visitors from everywhere and offers a first-rate weekend escape.
New Mexico: Carlsbad Caverns National Park
The jaw-droppingly beautiful Guadalupe Mountains in southeastern New Mexico, near the Texas border, are the site of a national park whose secret is about to get out: Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers beautiful terrain to hike, including canyons, cactus, grassland, and it is namesake cave –
