We don’t all travel in the same ways—or look for the same things at our destinations. Whether you’re an outdoorsy adventurer or a chic jetsetter, a solo explorer or traveling with kids, there’s a place waiting for you—without an expensive international plane ticket. These five domestic travel gems—the rugged Western town of Winthrop, Washington; the family-friendly lake village of Sister Bay, Wisconsin; the Gothic urban city of Savannah, Georgia; the artists’ colony of Taos, New Mexico; and the food-forward coastal scene of Providence, Rhode Island—offer itineraries to fit any traveler and travel style. Pack a bag, hop on an easy flight, and start exploring.
For the Outdoorsy Explorer
Courtesy of Rural Valley Life
Often called “the Wild West’s last frontier,” Winthrop, Washington, is a Pacific Northwest (PNW) paradise that blends laid-back, small-town charm with stunning expanses of untouched wilderness. In the heart of the Methow Valley, the former mining town serves as a base camp for myriad outdoor activities in North Cascades National Park—from fat biking and cross-country skiing in the winter to camping, hiking, and mountain biking in the summer.
Among the many accommodation options, Sun Mountain Lodge offers a luxury escape with an on-site spa, a restaurant and bar, and a choice between the main lodge or lakeside cabins. Or, for a truly authentic PNW experience, try the North Cascades Mountain Hostel, which includes everything from standalone cabins to traditional communal bunkrooms—and the spirited fun of meeting new folks that comes with them.
Photo by Stephen Mitchell
After hiking or biking (or overnight camping) in North Cascades National Park, take a day to explore Winthrop itself. The town still features hand-hewn plank boardwalks that take visitors past an old mercantile, a historic feed store, and a farmer’s exchange building. At Cascades Outdoor Store, you can pick up any gear you forgot to pack, and Trail’s End Bookstore and the French Quail boutique are perfect destinations for gifts and souvenirs. Immerse yourself in culture, history, and art at Homestream Park, where outdoor sculptures by the late Indigenous artist Smoker Marchand dot the trails.
Courtesy of Rural Valley Life
For a pre-hike coffee and pastry break, grab a bite at the Rocking Horse Bakery or the Little Dipper. Let lunchtime extend a little bit at Methow Ciderhouse, where there’s ample outdoor space to unwind with a game of bocce, listen to live music, and enjoy a glass of housemade cider. Replenish your energy after a day in the park with elevated fare at the Fainting Goat, an unpretentious yet gourmet spot, or at Meza, which has wine, cider, and craft beer on its 42 taps, plus tapas-style small plates. Sheri’s Sweet Shoppe is an ideal place to end the day with ice cream and handmade chocolates for a treat.
For the Family With Kids
Photo by Dan Eggert
While many Minnesotans venture to Door County for its lakeside charm and Scandinavian American history, there’s one Door County town in particular that offers a one-stop-shop for even the youngest travelers in your party. Sister Bay, Wisconsin, serves up a mix of activities from the laid-back to the energetic—and plenty of picturesque views of Lake Michigan to go with them.
For a Nordic getaway inspired by Door County’s Swedish and Norwegian immigrant history, try Sister Bay’s The DöRR hotel, which features modern rooms, outdoor gear rentals, a European-style breakfast, and charcuterie for happy hour on the patio. Open Hearth Lodge is a traditional, family-friendly hotel with a cozy fireplace in the lobby, continental breakfast, and that greatest love of kiddo travelers: a heated indoor pool. Or check out Birchwood Lodge, which sits within walking distance of several restaurants and features beautiful indoor and outdoor pools, a Swedish sauna, and a game room.
Photo by John Nienhuis
Sister Bay’s compact—and walkable—downtown belies its abundance of great restaurants and cafes. Visit Happy Coffee for a first-thing beverage or pastry before hitting up Waterfront Park, where kids can splash in the bay, build a sandcastle at the beach, or burn off some energy at the shaded playground. For lunch, try the wood-fired pizzas at Wild Tomato or a breakfast BLT, honey and chevre sandwich, gyro, or cup of gelato from Door County Creamery (all featuring Wisconsin cheeses and dairy products, of course).
The centerpiece of Sister Bay’s downtown is Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant, a mainstay of the town’s dining scene for more than 50 years. The restaurant’s grass roof (an homage to Swedish farm buildings) is home to a herd of goats, who can be seen grazing in the sun all summer long from the sidewalks of Sister Bay. Inside, dine on Swedish pancakes, meatballs, and lingonberries.
Photo by Mike Tittel
Want to do some shopping? In addition to Al Johnson’s Scandinavian Butik, Sister Bay hosts Twisted Tree, Spot, Kindgoods, and several other apparel and gift stores, all on its walkable main street. Ready for an outing? Visit Seaquist Cherry Orchard for a quintessential Door County experience (pick-your-own cherries!), take a sunset tour of the bay with Door County Boats, play mini golf at Pirate’s Cove, or go for a hike or bike ride at nearby Peninsula State Park.
For the Cosmopolitan Jetsetter
Courtesy of Visit Savannah
If you’ve been dreaming of strolling the streets of Paris, Madrid, or Prague without a pricey international flight, there’s an oft-overlooked American city with a similar Euro vibe. Savannah, Georgia, has been settled by white immigrants since 1733, when the city was designed with a decidedly European “ward” structure featuring beautiful public squares in each neighborhood. Today, 22 of those squares still exist, offering visitors green pockets of pedestrian-friendly respite, complete with fountains and flowers.
Courtesy of Visit Savannah
The city’s gorgeous 18th- and 19th-century architecture is a star on its own—add in cobblestone paths and plenty of shade trees, and Savannah is an Instagram-worthy paradise for cosmopolitan travelers. Stay at a grand, historic inn like the Mansion on Forsyth Park; Bellwether House, an elegant 1876 townhome; or Perry Lane Hotel, which offers a modern spin on a historic building. To explore the city’s historic district, try a walk through Chippewa and Monterey squares, then visit the Telfair Museums. For a nuanced, immersive look at Savannah’s history as a hub of the slave trade, take a Slavery to Freedom walking tour from Gullah Geechee storyteller Sistah Patt.
Courtesy of Visit Savannah
Don’t forget a selfie on Jones Street, often called America’s most beautiful street. Grab lunch at Collins Quarter or The Grey, which serves upscale Southern cuisine in a restored bus depot. Horse-drawn carriage tours and ghost tours welcome tourists in almost every neighborhood, offering a glimpse into Savannah’s past.
Forsyth Park brings a sense of Parisian chic to the city, and literature buffs can check out the Mercer-Williams House, made famous in John Berendt’s “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” Savannah’s riverfront district—lined by the cobbles of River Street—features old cotton warehouses turned into shops and restaurants, like Cotton & Rye and Common Thread.
And just like its European cultural siblings, Savannah boasts a trove of fine art museums and galleries, including the world-famous Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Museum of Art. After perusing the galleries, take a two-minute walk to Alligator Soul for a memorable, quintessentially Savannah dinner, where the kitchen blends Southern ingredients with French-Creole techniques—and offers house-made desserts to end the day on a sweet note.
For the Quirky, Off-the-Beaten-Path Traveler
Courtesy of Town of Taos
Some people love to follow the crowds; others prefer to discover off-the-beaten path destinations that offer a quieter pace, unique attractions, and a sense that the place you’re exploring is revealing itself just to you. Taos, New Mexico, has maintained its singular charm over the years, escaping the overtourism trend that’s plagued many other cities in the beautiful Southwest.
To fully embrace the domestic travel quirks, stay at Hotel Luna Mystica, where restored vintage trailers look out over the mesa, offering once-in-a-lifetime sunset views. For an intimate inn experience, check out La Dona Luz Inn, a quiet, artistic enclave located near Taos Plaza. History buffs gravitate to the Adobe & Pines Inn, set in a historic 1830s adobe hacienda, complete with courtyards and cozy fireplaces.
Courtesy of Town of Taos
A can’t-miss stop for hikers and nature lovers is the Taos Pueblo Overlook Trail, which you can access not only from the main entrance but from less crowded public trailheads northwest of Taos Pueblo. From the trail, you’ll see the ancient adobe structures of the Pueblo, a Native American community that has been continuously inhabited for more than 1,000 years—you can visit the Pueblo itself later in the day, when crowds are thinner.
Grab brunch or lunch at Gutiz, a beloved breakfast spot that offers French-Latin-Southwest fusion cuisine from stuffed French toast to chile relleno. After a walk in the quiet village of Ranchos de Taos (just outside Taos’ main downtown), have lunch at Ranchos Plaza Grill for traditional New Mexican fare, or at Orlando’s New Mexican Cafe, a local favorite. Refreshed? Explore the San Francisco de Asis Church—famously captured in paintings by Georgia O’Keeffe, arguably Taos’ most famous artist-resident.
Spend the afternoon exploring the Rio Grande Gorge, with its sweeping views of the landscape and mesa edge, or wandering through the artisan shops and quiet cafes of the Arroyo Seco village.
Courtesy of Town of Taos
Much of Taos’ magic lies in simply slowing down—savoring a hike along the mesa, views of the mountains, or taking in the abundance of local art in shops and galleries. To end the day on an intentionally peaceful note, have dinner at The Love Apple, which offers farm-to-table, seasonal dishes set in a historic adobe chapel, or grab authentic tamales at Leonel’s Fresh Tamales—once a humble food stand out of a pickup truck, now a brick-and-mortar eatery.
For the Foodie
Courtesy of Rhode Island Commerce
Although it’s always had a reputation as a hub of great taste, Providence, Rhode Island’s food scene has been gaining new admirers for domestic travel over the past few years. Part of its appeal is its compact, walkable dining scene, plus its water-adjacent location—near the Providence River and the Atlantic Ocean—which means fresh seafood is always at hand.
Providence has something for everyone, but especially for travelers who want to keep outstanding food and drink at the top of their vacation priority list. The city’s historic waves of Italian and Portuguese immigrants have helped develop a culturally vibrant and diverse restaurant scene, from bakeries and food halls to bars and pubs. Stay downtown at The Beatrice, a stylish boutique inn, or at the historic Christopher Dodge House in the Federal Hill neighborhood, which is known as the city’s Italian food nexus.
Photo by J. Nguyen
Ready for breakfast? Irregardless is known for its flaky biscuits and Southern cuisine (they sell out quickly on weekends). Then, stroll through Federal Hill and munch as you go at the Italian bakeries, espresso bars, and food markets that dot the neighborhood. For lunch, don’t miss Massimo Restaurant, a classic trattoria with carbonara and (of course) housemade pasta; for lighter fare, try Bayberry Garden, which offers modern, seasonal plates. If you’re traveling with a group, stop by Track 15 for a food hall experience that brings together a variety of vendors under one roof.
A trip to New England wouldn’t be complete without some Atlantic seafood, and Providence does it exceptionally well. Try Hemenway’s Restaurant for oysters, lobster, and other classics overlooking the Providence River, or The Village, which offers authentic Nigerian cuisine, from dodo to jollof rice. Need a sweet treat? At Pastiche Fine Desserts, you’ll find traditional French pastries—such as fruit tarts, mousses, and eclairs.
Of course, Providence isn’t all about the dining scene. Art lovers flock to the RISD Museum at the Rhode Island School of Design, and Prospect Terrace makes a quick, photo-worthy stop for one of the best views of the city skyline. Walk along the river and check out WaterFire, a signature, seasonal art installation that features bonfires floating on the river.
Courtesy of Providence Warwick CVB
