With the summer travel season just around the corner, DailyMail.com brings you the list of this year’s best summer getaways.
Whether you’re planning a trip by land, air, or sea, the United States has so much to offer.
From white sand beaches to horseback riding in the mountains or hiking in the desert, these are the top 20 nominated destinations for your summer getaway this year, according to responses compiled by USA Today.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor is a small town located on Mount Desert Island, on the edge of Acadia National Park.
Colorful slatted homes, restaurants, and boutiques line Bar Harbor’s quaint downtown area, while park access offers stunning views, hiking, and swimming.
Black Hills and Badlands, South Dakota
For those who are captivated by geological wonders and enjoy hiking through mountainous expanses, a trip to the Black Hills and Badlands is a must.
Highlights include the iconic Mount Rushmore with US Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln carved into the granite rock.
Capitol Reef Country, Utah
Utah’s Capitol Reef Country includes many diverse desert treasures such as Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches National Parks.
These stunning geological features are best visited on a road trip.
Catalina Island, California
Catalina Island’s beautiful coastline, sandy beaches, and crystal blue waters have made it famous as the backdrop for more than 500 films and television shows over the past century.
Just 22 miles long, this island is the perfect place for a relaxed beach getaway.
Cody, WY
For those who have Yellowstone National Park on their bucket list, Cody might be the perfect place to stay.
Known as the “Rodeo Capital of the World,” the Wild West is on your doorstep with horseback riding, cowboy bars and breathtaking scenery.
Door County, Wisconsin
If you’d rather go boating and kayaking than lying on the beach, another alternative is Door County, Wisconsin, with its more than 300 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan.
The land-based food and wine scene offers plenty for those who prefer to keep their feet dry.
Finger Lakes, New York
The 11 clustered lakes of the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York also offer plenty for fishing and water sports enthusiasts.
The region also has many famous wineries, so be sure to book a tasting during your visit.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama
The Alabama Gulf Coast is lined with white sand beaches and clear blue waters for the perfect relaxing getaway.
Cultured Orange Beach offers culinary delights as well as amusement parks for children.
Juneau, Alaska
The snow-capped Juneau Mountain Range offers endless hiking opportunities on its 250 miles of trails.
The region is rich in indigenous history and infused with wildlife perfect for reconnecting with the great outdoors.
Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania
The 3,000 miles of magnificent scenery of the Laurel Highlands in southwestern Pennsylvania attract families year after year who enjoy activities such as whitewater rafting and visiting historic landmarks such as the Masterpiece work by Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Mackinac Island is located between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan. Its charm comes from its car-free roads, which make carriage rides around town a nostalgic pleasure.
Mackinac Island State Park offers off-the-beaten-path hiking, biking, and kayaking.
Ocean City, New Jersey
This location on the Jersey Shore has its famous boardwalk with many seaside restaurants and shops.
There are many amusement parks for children, including the famous Playland Castaway Cove which offers the thrills of go-karting, roller coasters and mini golf.
Ocean City, Maryland
For a more laid-back atmosphere, Ocean City, Maryland is the quintessential East Coast beach town.
With its boardwalks and sandy beaches, Ocean City offers the perfect escape.
San Juan Islands, Washington
This group of 176 islands and reefs offers rugged coastline, lighthouses and windswept beaches.
The four main islands, San Juan, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw, are all accessible by the Washington ferry system and have hotels for tourists.
Sandusky, Ohio
Sandusky is a fan favorite for family vacations as it is home to Cedar Point Amusement Park’s 150 rides and attractions.
It also has many cultural offerings, including the Sandusky Maritime Museum and the Sandusky State Theater.
Sevier County, Tennessee
Luscious Sevier County, Tennessee is known as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, one of the most popular national parks in the country.
They are home to the state’s only ski resort and in summer offer spectacular hiking and small-town charm in the conveniently located Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The South Rim offers the most iconic and well-known view of the Grand Canyon. The nearby Grand Canyon Village offers a range of tourist attractions and options for overnight visitors.
If hiking is less your thing, the Canyon Railway Depot takes visitors on a scenic drive through the Canyon and surrounding areas.
Space Coast, Florida
The headquarters of the Kennedy Space Center and Space Station at Cape Canaveral, on Florida’s Atlantic coast, is a must-visit for the cosmic obsessive.
See where Apollo 11 took off on its famous moon landing mission or simply enjoy the area’s sandy beaches.
Swain County, North Carolina
Swain County in North Carolina also borders the Great Smoke Mountains. The area features beautiful waterfalls as well as white water rafting for the more adventurous.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Rich in maritime history, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake Bay and Sandbridge Bay offer 35 miles of sandy beaches and boardwalks, making it the longest recreational beach in the world.
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