Are you one of those who think normal is boring? Are you looking for an escape from typical tourist traps? Have you reached a point wherein a vacation cliché does not excite you anymore? Then you would probably love to check out our compilation of the six best off-the-beaten-path destinations across the United States. These lesser-known places in the country will surely satiate your wanderer spirit and give you much-needed relaxation from the humdrum of busy city life.
Denali National Park, Alaska
Denali, hailed as “the last frontier, is one of the remotest regions in central Alaska. And this is the reason why it’s not considered the usual tourist destination. It is reachable via a five-hour scenic drive from Anchorage or through the Denali star train.
The summer season is the best time to visit the park, and this is the perfect time to get a beautiful view of the park. Also, its proximity to the Arctic region makes it inaccessible during harsh winter months. If you’re looking for things to do in Alaska in August, consider rafting on rivers such as the Nenana and the Tangle, hiking through the region’s magnificent glaciers, or even taking a scenic bus ride along one of its 92 miles of road. Or take your pick from luxurious spa packages at one of Denali’s many lodges, a hot air balloon ride high above the treetops, or even an ATV tour of off-road trails on which you can spot wildlife.
Evolved from Mount McKinley National Park, Denali is home to a fascinating range of flora and fauna, including grizzly bears, bald eagles, and wolves. The park offers fascinating outdoor adventures, including hiking along the numerous trails or camping overnight in the campgrounds. Not to forget the exciting five hours road trip from Anchorage, which any true wanderer would love to take at least once in a lifetime.
Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan
Breathtaking Sleeping Bear Dunes are about 2,000 years old. This huge dune is a great natural attraction for the local population and is located along Lake Michigan. Hardly five miles away from Empire in Michigan, the dune evolved naturally from the lake’s wind. Though it’s challenging to climb up and reach the top, views from the top are breathtaking and worth the effort. Walking along the Heritage Trail afterwards is an exciting indulgence.
Rock City, Georgia
Located 6 miles from downtown Chattanooga, atop Lookout Mountain is a 200 million-year rock formation making it a true marvel of nature. The top of Lookout Mountain offers a breathtaking view of seven states. The rocky city also boasts some incredible natural wonders, including a 1,000-ton balanced rock and a 90-foot-tall Ruby Falls, known to be the world’s deepest and tallest waterfall. That is not all; the fascinating trails winding through these attractions offer an unforgettable experience to those who come here to enjoy a relaxing escapade away from the crowd.
The Wave, Arizona
Located at the Utah-Arizona border, the Wave is one of the most photographic destinations in the US Southwest. It is a spectacular sandstone that evolved naturally in the Paria Canyon Wilderness of the North Coyote Buttes region. The formation is a significant attraction among hikers and photographers for its vibrancy, colourfulness, rippling forms, and challenging hike. To maintain the natural essence of this place, only a restricted number of visitors are allowed at a particular time frame through a lottery system. An online reservation needs to be made to enter this site, but it’s worth the effort, as you can find cheap flights to Arizona that could save a decent amount of your budget.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
The Alabama Gulf Coast boasts pristine natural beauty, rich history, and a lot of sunshine. All these make it an incredible destination, ready to be explored. These stunning 32 miles of white sandy beaches evolved from quartz grains of the Appalachian Mountains, washed down thousands of years ago, and are surely a country’s hidden gem. Though it has gained some popularity in recent years through MTVs raucous series, Floribama Shore, it still has not lost its charm. With quintessential southern hospitality in abundance and a leisurely feel in the air, the Gulf Shore of Alabama is a perfect relaxing escapade for anyone seeking to explore off-the-beaten destinations.
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Minnesota
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park in Minnesota is home to one of the most photographed lighthouses in the United States. Operational between 1910 and 1969, this picturesque lighthouse on the North Shore of Lake Superior entices those who admire architectural marvels and are fascinated with exploring the off-beat destinations. The lighthouse is surrounded by a lush green 25-acre park featuring Gitchi-Gami State Trail and Split Rock River waterfall. It offers a perfect site for hiking, biking, camping, and stunning, wonderful lakeside views.
Tips to Save on Flights to the US
- Search for Your Cheap Flight Ticket secretly by choosing incognito mode whenever you go online to look for your flight ticket. Try using Best Online Travel Search Engines to Find Cheap Airline Tickets.
- Opt for the days in a week when the -Airlines tickets are cheap such as Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
- Flexibility with the Travel Dates is a key to fetching the best deals on plane tickets.
- You can plan and Book the flight Ticket early to avoid overpaying.
- Make the flight booking in other currencies if the local currency is expensive.
- Check out the last-minute flight options, as airlines often offer lucrative deals at the last moment.
What beautiful places! I love finding peaceful, less tourist driven places to visit. Great tips.
Me too, it feels extra special x
How beautiful are all of these places!! Stunning!
Absolutely beautiful aren’t they x
Nice images. I know the United States have nice places to visit but we always vacation outside of the US.
Where is your favourite place for a vacation?
Wow none of these I would of guessed were in the USA. All of the places are beautiful!
These are all beautiful places to visit in the US. There is so much to see and do here…. That there is no where else I would rather be 😉 Rock City GA looks amzing!
I’ve been to most of those places while I was younger and they were all wonderful. I really suggest Rock City, Atlanta, it was so nice when I visited in my college days. Thanks for sharing!