With the advances in vaccination rates, COVID-19 should end this summer. Now may be the time to plan your next trip.
In the meantime, thanks to the Coronavirus, not only is traveling more contentious, but certain cities, states, and countries are not allowing outside visitors, making it even harder to implement travel plans. However, if you are in the United States looking for travel spots, don’t give up on your travel dreams just yet! It’s essential to keep in mind that while planning your trip, restrictions will be various everywhere you go; therefore, it is vital to do your research. Always check what is open and not open, and be respectful if a city does not want outside visitors or is in lockdown. With that said, here are some places in the United States that you may want to visit.
With the exception of Hawaii, Neal and I have visited all of these places. Each has something unique to offer.
Yosemite National Park
This section of the world is located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, and wow, is it gorgeous. Yosemite is a dream destination for a lot of people, especially hikers. It is famous for its forested valleys and prominent granite peaks. Another feature many love about Yosemite is its giant, ancient sequoia trees.
Yellowstone National Park
Most of Yellowstone is located in Wyoming, but parts of the park reside in Idaho and Montana. The National Park is nearly 3,500-sq. Miles and has unforgettable sights such as warm springs, impressive geysers, massive canyons, and so much more. Something that makes Yellowstone unique is that the entire park sits atop a volcanic hotspot. In fact, scientists at the natural history museum, where I volunteer, tell us that this hotspot is the most dangerous potential eruption in the world. Neal and I loved our trip to Yellowstone.
Alaska
Not many people think about Alaska when they plan a trip to the United States, but they miss out on this gorgeous place for sure. The state is not very populated and has many beautiful towns, wilderness, mountains, and a couple of glaciers here and there. Depending on the time of year that you visit, you may even be able to experience the Northern Lights! I spent a couple of years living in Fairbanks, Alaska. I can testify to the natural beauty and unlimited things to do there.
New York
It is widely known that New York is unlike anywhere else in the world. Aside from New York City, which is typically the main attraction, the state has so much to offer! New York also features the Adirondack Mountains, the Catskills Mountains, and part of the Appalachian Mountains. There are numerous activities to do between the three mountains that are sure to lead to adventure and fun!
And don’t forget, New York is the home of Niagara Falls! Neal and I stayed on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls when I went there to deliver a presentation. Our hotel room windows looked down into the falls. It was incredibly beautiful. Neal was so taken with the area that he chose a realtor and a floor plan. However, jobs did not pan out for us, so we are still in the Arizona desert.
Oregon
If you love camping, hiking, or sightseeing, Oregon is undoubtedly the place to go! This state has many breathtaking coastlines, forests, and wildlife. The mountains and the alluring waterfalls make this place unforgettable.
Hawaii
Hawaii is one of those places that seem to be on everyone’s bucket list, and for many great reasons! Hawaii has many islands and many activities to choose from. Go along for a doors-off helicopter tour in Kauai, snorkeling in Maui, or a sunrise lava tour in Big Island. Hawaii has places where the sand is green! Are you interested in history? Pearl Harbor is a destination all by itself.
Colorado
Colorado is arguably one of the most breathtaking states you will ever step foot in. The landscape ranges from the desert to canyons to snow-covered mountains. Many hikers and campers love to travel to Colorado for the many sightseeing opportunities. Colorado is also home to the Great Sand Dunes National Park, which has dunes that rise to over 700 feet high.
Florida
Florida is another big destination that is on a lot of people’s bucket lists. While there are no mountains in Florida, there are tons of pristine beaches, springs, and attractions that are sure to leave memories that will last a lifetime. There are many amusement parks, and Florida is home to the Kennedy Space Center, one of NASA’s field centers. There are multiple launchpads in Cape Canaveral where rockets get launched pretty consistently, and they can even be seen from the beach! Neal and I like to spend some time at Christmas with our son and his family in Florida. We’re planning our first Florida post-COVID trip for this year.
