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As the summer travel season approaches, DailyMail.com brings you the list of this year’s best summer getaways.
Whether you’re planning to take a trip by land, air, or sea, the United States has a lot to offer.
From white sand beaches to horseback riding in the mountains or hiking through the desert, these are the 20 best destinations nominated for your summer getaway this year, according to responses compiled by USA Today.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor is a small town on Mount Desert Island, on the edge of Acadia National Park.
Colored clapboard homes, restaurants, and vintage shops line Bar Harbor’s quaint downtown, while park access offers stunning views, hiking, and swimming.
Black Hills and Badlands, South Dakota
For those captivated by geological wonders and who enjoy hiking through mountainous expanses, a trip to the Black Hills and Badlands is a must-see.
Highlights include the iconic Mount Rushmore with American 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 varied desert treasures, including Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches national parks.
These impressive geological features are best visited as a road trip.
Catalina Island, California
Catalina Island’s stunning coastline, sandy beaches, and crystal blue waters have made it famous as the backdrop for more than 500 movies and television shows in the last century.
Just 22 miles long, this island is the perfect place for a relaxed beach getaway.
Cody (Wyoming)
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 would be right around the corner with horseback riding, cowboy bars, and stunning scenery.
Door County, Wisconsin
If you prefer boating and kayaking rather than lying on the beach, another alternative is Door County, Wisconsin, with its more than 300 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan.
The food and wine scene on land offers a lot 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 much for fishing and water sports enthusiasts.
The area also has many acclaimed wineries, so be sure to book a tasting during your visit.
Gulf Coasts and Orange Beach, Alabama
Alabama’s Gulf Coast is filled with white sand beaches and crystal clear waters for the perfect relaxing getaway.
Cultural Orange Beach offers culinary delights and amusement parks for children.
Juneau (Alaska)
Juneau’s snow-capped mountain range offers endless hiking opportunities on its 250 miles of trails.
The area is rich in indigenous history and teeming with wildlife, perfect for reconnecting with the outdoors.
Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania
The 3,000 miles of beautiful scenery in southwestern Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands attract families year after year who love activities like rafting and visiting historic sites like Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece 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 a horse-drawn carriage ride into town a nostalgic pleasure.
Mackinac Island State Park offers off-the-beaten-path hiking, biking, and kayaking.
Ocean City, New Jersey
This spot on the Jersey Shore features its famous boardwalk with numerous seaside restaurants and shops.
There are many amusement parks for children, including the acclaimed Playland Castaway Cove, which offers the thrills of go-karting, roller coasters and mini golf.
Ocean City, Maryland
For a more relaxed vibe, Ocean City in Maryland is the quintessential beach town on the East Coast.
With boardwalks and sandy beaches, Ocean City offers the perfect escape.
San Juan Islands, Washington
This group of 176 islands and reefs offers rugged coastlines, lighthouses and windswept beaches.
The four main islands, San Juan, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw, can be reached via the Washington ferry system and have hotels available for tourists.
Sandusky (Ohio)
Sandusky is a fan favorite for family vacations as it is home to all 150 attractions and rides at Cedar Point Amusement Park.
It also has a great cultural offering, including the Sandusky Maritime Museum and the Sandusky State Theater.
Sevier County (Tennessee)
Delicious Sevier County in Tennessee is known for being the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, one of the most popular national parks in the country.
It is home to the state’s only ski resort and in the summer offers spectacular hiking and small-town charm in the ideally located locations of 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. Nearby Grand Canyon Village offers a variety of tourist attractions and options for overnight visitors.
If you’re not so into hiking, Canyon Railway Depot takes visitors on a scenic route through the Canyon and surrounding areas.
Space Coast, Florida
The headquarters of the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Florida’s Atlantic coast is a must-see for the cosmic obsessed.
See where Apollo 11 took off for its famous moon landing mission or simply enjoy the area’s sandy beaches.
Swain County, North Carolina
Also bordering the Great Smoky Mountains is Swain County in North Carolina. The area features beautiful waterfalls and 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 pleasure beach in the world.
