Best Places to Travel for a Unique Stateside Vacation

Want to get away but not sure where to go? Start here! In this blog, we’re going to tell you the best places to travel in the United States. But don’t expect the usual suspects on this list. We’ve picked some of America’s most unique vacation destinations, places that prove you don’t have to leave the country to experience something new. Not only that, we’ll give you our picks for the luxurious boutique hotels and outdoor resorts that exemplify the uniqueness of these amazing destinations. So, without further adieu, here are the best places to travel for a unique stateside vacation in the US.

Bethel, New York: Best Places to Travel for Music Lovers

Love music? Then Bethel, New York, should definitely be on your radar. Bethel hosted the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair (commonly referred to as Woodstock), which is remembered as a pivotal moment in the history of popular music. During the three-day festival, the unexpectedly high number of attendees (nearly half a million) and inclement weather caused so much chaos that ticket sales were halted, and the festival was held free of charge.

Some of the 20th century’s biggest pop and rock acts performed at Woodstock, including Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Band, Crosby Stills and Nash, and Santana. The festival was seen as a turning point between the softer pop sounds of the 60s and the hard rock of the 70s. Today, Baby Boomers and younger music fans alike make the pilgrimage to Woodstock in search of residual groovy vibes. Max Yasgur’s dairy farm (the site of Woodstock), the Museum of Bethel Woods, which seeks to preserve the history of the festival, and the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts concert venue are all popular attractions.

Callicoon Hills

Callicoon Hills is nestled in the Catskill Mountains. In addition to Bethel and the site of Woodstock, it offers convenient access to numerous outdoor activities in the surrounding mountainous region. Nearby attractions include Lake Superior State Park, the Bethel Motor Speedway, and numerous restaurants, art galleries, and coffee shops. Popular activities include hiking, fishing, and boating. Meanwhile, you’ll find plenty to do at the resort, as well. Cool off in the outdoor pool, or warm up by the firepit as you swap ghost stories and roast marshmallows. On-site fishing and hiking are offered, as well as a restaurant, coffee shop, and bar.

This resort offers several unique lodging options sure to make your stay extra memorable. Choose from boarding house rooms and rustic A-frame glamping accommodations. Or, if you want your own space, you can book the entire Creekside at Callicoon Hills, a 1292-square-foot cabin with two king beds, a living room, and a kitchen.

Book your Callicoon Hills Vacation today!

Jackson, Wyoming: Best Places to Travel for Skiing Enthusiasts

Jackson, Wyoming, is by no means underrated among vacation destinations. However, it’s still one of the most unique places to travel to in America. Featuring a high elevation and snow-capped mountains, this resort town is a world-class skiing destination. Popular ski resorts include Jackson Hole Mountain, Snow King Mountain, and Grand Targhee.

Skiing isn’t the only draw in Jackson, however. The city also boasts proximity to Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, making it a mecca for nature enthusiasts. Popular outdoor activities include whitewater rafting, hiking, and wildlife watching. Moreover, the historic Jackson Town Square, with its distinctive elk-antler gates and preserved buildings, makes Jackson a magnet for history lovers, too.

Anvil Hotel and Cache House

Located just minutes from Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and world-class Jackson Hole skiing, Anvil Hotel and Cache House embraces the spirit of adventure with rustic charm and unique accommodations. Travelers who want their own space but don’t need a lot of it will find the Cache House Full Bed Unit perfectly suited to their needs. Meanwhile, larger groups will find plenty of room to spread out in the four-bedroom condo, with room for ten guests.

Anvil Hotel and Cache House offers an ample range of amenities designed to make your stay comfortable. Amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, breakfast service, free parking, and on-site dining at Glorietta’s Restaurant.

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Fredericksburg, Texas: Best Places to Travel for Wine Connoisseurs

Less well-known than Jackson, Fredericksburg nonetheless has a similarly diverse range of attributes. Situated in the Texas Hill Country, it’s known for scenic vistas as well as natural attractions. One such natural attraction is Enchanted Rock. This 640-acre rock dome, one of the largest batholiths in the United States, is a National Historic Landmark offering camping, hiking trails, picnic areas, rock climbing, and other outdoor activities.

Fredericksburg is also one of the best places to travel for agritourism. With an arid climate and rocky geology, it offers ideal wine-growing conditions, and Fredericksburg is often a first stop for wine enthusiasts exploring the Texas Hill Country’s many vineyards. Fredericksburg is also the Peach Capital of Texas, and boasts burgeoning industries in lavender and wildflower seed production.

Onera

Looking for a one-of-a-kind lodging experience to go with your once-in-a-lifetime vacation? Onera is a landscape hotel where the accommodations exist in harmony with nature. Get reacquainted with your inner child in the luxury Spyglass or Monarch treehouse. Or, dissolve the boundaries between indoors and outdoors in the Lantana Dome, a geodesic dome with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows. Looking for something more home-like? The Live Oak Lodge sleeps four and offers every modern convenience.

Onera is located in a “Dark Sky” community, meaning light pollution is low and night-sky visibility is high. By day, you can take advantage of on-site amenities like the community sauna and pool. When you aren’t enjoying the off-the-grid serenity of the resort, feel free to explore rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country, home to world-class wineries, caverns, and Enchanted Rock State Park. If you are looking for one of the best boutique hotels in Texas, you can’t go wrong with a stay at Onera.

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Bar Harbor, Maine: Best Place to Feel Like a Millionaire

Located on Mount Desert Island in Hancock County, Maine, Bar Harbor is a charming waterfront town brimming with natural wonders and boasting a rich history. Incorporated in 1796, it evolved from a logging and shipbuilding town into a resort town, with 30 hotels by the end of the 19th century. Many luminaries also called it home, including Nelson, Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan, and Cornelius Vanderbilt, and the name Bar Harbor quickly became synonymous with wealth. Popular activities of the day included yachting and garden parties.

Today, Bar Harbor is still a seasonal home for the wealthy elite, as well as a popular tourist destination. Hundreds of cruise ships dock in Bar Harbor every year. However, city ordinances limiting disembarkations to 1,000 a day help keep the town relatively quiet. Attractions include whale watching, historic lighthouses, an early 20th-century bridge made entirely of cobblestone, streets lined with opulent mansions, fresh seafood, and Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the Atlantic seaboard. Bar Harbor is also famous for ice cream, bolstered by a high-profile endorsement by Barack Obama, who visited Mount Desert Island Ice Cream with his family in 2010.

Terramor Outdoor Resort

Terramor Outdoor Resort is a glamping resort with a communal atmosphere. Take part in a range of resort activities, such as community events, wellness programming, and a communal fire experience. Looking for more privacy? Private fire pits offer an opportunity to relax and reflect as you watch the flames dance hypnotically at your feet. Meanwhile, hiking trails let you lose yourself and find yourself in one go.

Terramor offers luxury glamping tents in a range of sizes, with room for between two and five guests. Each tent boasts plush bedding, a private bathroom and shower, outdoor seating areas, and more.

See available dates at Terramor Outdoor Resort!

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Mammoth Lakes, California: Best Places to Travel for Outdoor Adventure

If you love the kinds of rugged, dramatic landscapes you often see classic western movies, then Mammoth Lakes, California, is a real bucket-list destination. In fact, with its snow-capped mountains and picturesque alpine lakes, Mammoth has served as a shooting location for some of the most iconic films of the golden age of Westerns, including Flaming Guns, Moonlight on the Prairie, and Sierra Sue.

As you might expect from such a scenic location, Mammoth Lakes, California, is also known for outdoor recreation. In the winter months, world-class skiing and snowboarding are offered at the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. During the warmer months, hiking trails and horseback riding are popular attractions. Unique rock and water formations also abound, such as the Devil’s Postpile National Monument, an obsidian dome, hot springs, and waterfalls. Not to mention, Mammoth Lakes is just 32 miles from Yosemite National Park.

Outbound Mammoth

This alpine retreat makes the perfect jumping-off point for your Mammoth Lakes adventures. Enjoy world-class winter sports at nearby Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. Or, explore the area’s many natural wonders such as Devil’s Postpile and the obsidian dome. Back at the resort, you can keep the good times rolling with weekly events, on-site dining, an outdoor pool and hot tub, and more.

Outbound Mammoth offers a huge array of accommodations ideal for group vacations, company retreats, and family reunions. From lodge rooms to cabins to chalets, you’re sure to find the perfect type of lodging for your needs.

Find your Outbound Mammoth accommodations today!

River Ranch, Florida: Best Place to Get Away From It All and Have It All Within Reach

Located in the middle of the Florida peninsula, River Ranch is a small old town with big connections. Here, you can immerse yourself in the Old Florida way of life through activities like fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, and more. Or, you can use River Ranch as a central hub to explore Florida’s most popular attractions.

Drive an hour north, and you can make magical memories at Disney World and Orlando’s other world-famous theme parks. Or, make the three-hour day trip south to Miami for high-end art galleries, picturesque beaches, and a pulsing nightlife. About an hour and a half northeast of River Ranch lies Cocoa Beach, one of the most popular surfing destinations in America. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay, home to Busch Gardens, the Dali Museum, and the Florida Aquarium, lies less than two hours to the west.

Westgate River Ranch Resort and Rodeo

Westgate River Ranch Resort and Rodeo is a real dude ranch and cowboy-themed resort where the spirit of the Old West meets the charm of Old Florida. Slip on your boots and get ready for a rootin’-tootin’ good time complete with line dancing, horseback riding, a shooting range, as well as America’s longest-running Saturday rodeo.

Ranked the #1 glamping resort in the country by USA Today, River Ranch offers truly unique accommodations that make for a truly unforgettable stay. From covered wagons to teepees to luxury tents, these accommodations let you lodge like a 19th-century cowboy while enjoying 21st-century comforts. Does your idea of lodging involve four solid walls? Cabins and lodge suites are also available!

Book your Westgate River Ranch adventure now!

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Nook Experiences: The Beauty of Nature, the Comforts of Home

At Nook Experiences, we believe the great outdoors should be accessible to everyone. To that end, we’ve curated a collection of glamping sites and boutique hotels that let you enjoy the comforts of home in the beauty of nature. Explore our full selection of accommodations and book your outdoor adventure today!