Planning a memorable vacation might be easier than you think.
Here’s how: Focus on travel destinations that have fallen off the radar.
While crowds today may be in search of trendier trips, these spots are delightful places to visit. The good news for travelers is that these choices can offer lower prices, more availability and attentive service. Here are some of our favorites.
1. Silver Springs, Florida
If you’ve ever watched the 1960s TV show “Sea Hunt,” early Tarzan movies or the classic 1954 film “Creature From the Black Lagoon,” you’ve seen Silver Springs, Florida.
The lush habitat surrounding one of the largest artesian springs in the world once was Florida’s biggest tourist attraction — well before there was a Disney World — but in recent decades it fell on hard times amid pollution and overuse of the spring water.
In 2013, Florida’s park service melded the springs with Silver River State Park to create Silver Springs State Park, and has worked to restore its pristine waters and wildlife — from alligators to manatees. Enjoy Silver Springs’ waterways on a glass-bottom boat tour or by kayak.
2. Olympic National Park, Washington
Olympic National Park in Washington state features a combination of forest, coastal and mountain ecosystems — creating a living laboratory for scientists and students. It’s also a World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve, as designated by the United Nations.
What do all those fancy terms mean for travelers? The park is a great place to hike, bike and get in tune with the outdoors.
3. Thousand Islands-Seaway, New York
These islands are scattered throughout the sections of the St. Lawrence Seaway and Lake Ontario between upstate New York and southeastern Ontario, Canada.
The area boasts plenty of outdoor activities, scenic views, shops, wineries, British tea rooms and recreational and historic tours.
Visitors can visit museums, go scuba diving, fish and more.
4. Wisconsin Dells
Midwesterners know there’s a lot more to the Wisconsin Dells than waterparks, though the area does bill itself as “The Waterpark Capital of the World.”
Yes, the Dells has all kinds of water attractions, but be sure to also take in the natural beauty of the Wisconsin River corridor’s gorge, cliffs and canyons. See even more when you take a horse-drawn carriage ride, a boat tour or other guided quest.
Enjoy old-fashioned fun in the evening at the Big Sky Twin Drive-In Theater, and spend days horseback riding, golfing and visiting wineries.
5. Ocracoke Island, North Carolina
Those who visit North Carolina’s Outer Banks know that one of its most secluded and rugged areas is Ocracoke Island, accessible only by boat, plane or ferry.
The attitude on the island is laid-back, and you won’t find resort-style amenities. The Ocracoke Township Tourism Development Authority says the island “allows you to slow down, savor the moment, and appreciate the little things that make life truly special.”
There are no hotel or restaurant chains here. Ocracoke is all about local.
Stroll through the maritime village, enjoy the beaches, dine on fresh fish and just go with the island flow.
6. Easton, Pennsylvania
Color yourself relaxed when you visit Easton, Pennsylvania, home of your favorite Crayola crayons. Easton, about 55 miles north of Philadelphia, has a family-friendly vibe, befitting the main audience of its favorite product.
Many vacationers stop in the city to tour the Crayola Experience, where families can take part in over 20 hands-on, interactive attractions and even see how crayons are made in a live manufacturing show.
Visitors also enjoy the historic theater, markets, shopping and scenic trails.
7. Pismo Beach, California
Many a vacationer enjoyed this small seaside town in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. Visitors sought out its warm temperatures and picturesque beaches, and dined on its fresh seafood (especially shellfish).
Today you can enjoy the same fun in the sun, of course, plus visit wineries and gourmet restaurants, go sea kayaking and take in the beauty of the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove. There are also plentiful seaside resorts for those who seek luxury accommodations.
8. Goldfield Ghost Town, Arizona
In 1892, gold was discovered at a site about 40 miles east of modern-day Phoenix, and before long the Goldfield area had 1,500 residents. The town’s initial boom lasted just a few years, and then it experienced a second renaissance in the 1920s.
Today’s visitors can experience underground mine tours, pan for gold, take in ghost tours and more.
There’s also some new-fangled fun, including ziplining. Goldfield is a good stop for those who wish to visit the rugged Tonto National Forest.
9. Gulf Shores, Alabama
The Gulf Shores area of Alabama was mostly a destination for locals until Hurricane Frederic hit in 1979, destroying most of the town’s buildings. The aftermath brought with it high-rise beachfront condos and something of a renaissance for the area.
Still, the area is often overlooked in favor of more famous destinations — resulting in plenty of good deals on lodging.
Deep-sea fishing, boating and golf are among the activities that make it attractive. There’s also plentiful dining with a concentration of — you guessed it — seafood.
10. Atlantic City, New Jersey
Beginning in the 1930s, Atlantic City, New Jersey, was known for its vibrant nightclub scene, though the area fell on tough times in the 1950s and ’60s. Developers then rolled the dice and hoped to revitalize Atlantic City by turning it into a gambling mecca. Crowds came for the gambling, big-name boxing bouts, concerts and shows.
The city now offers more family-friendly attractions and entertainment alongside legal gambling.
Visit now and you can still enjoy the gambling, beaches and legendary Boardwalk as well as shopping, fishing, mural tours and more.
11. Bemidji, Minnesota
Every member of the family can likely find a fun activity in Bemidji, the first city on the Mississippi. The world’s fourth-longest river begins its run to the Gulf of Mexico from nearby Itasca State Park.
Bemidji has drawn visitors since the late 1800s, particularly outdoorsy types. Now the town, surrounded by over 400 lakes within a 25-mile radius, touts its offering of “an urban lifestyle in a country setting.”
Visitors can boat, canoe, paddle board, hike, golf, dine and more.
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