Fortunately, there are still plenty of options for a little off-the-beaten-path fun this summer. “You can take a cue from everything we learned in this last year and embrace slow tourism,” says travel planner Susan Moynihan of The Honeymoonist/Largay Travel. “Instead of fighting the crowds at the beach or road-tripping to make a bunch of stops, pick a small town that has some history and stay for a while—four nights instead of two, a week instead of a weekend. That’s how you get to know a place and find what makes it unique.” Note that the CDC still recommends limiting yourself to essential travel, but if you’re making summer vacation plans right now, here are a few places where you can get some R&R with a little more space to yourself. Farm Stay USA lets you search by location and by activities—so if you’re hoping to ride horses or looking for a chance to collect eggs, you can cross that off your bucket list. Visit a ski town, for instance, and you’ll get off-season rates, and likely plenty of hiking, biking, and other outdoor activity options nearby—plus all the great restaurants in the area that are likely eager for your business. Many of the islands remain open to Americans with recent negative COVID-19 tests, but keep watching the State Department’s website for any updates on requirements. Keep in mind that hurricanes could get in the way of your grand adventure (so travel insurance might be worth considering). Look at islands like Barbados (currently offering some great longer-term stay options), Aruba, Curacao, and Grenada—all of which are rarely in the hurricane zone. You could try checking out all the Hamilton-related history spots in the New York/New Jersey area, or taking a BBQ road tour through the south. Perhaps you’re looking to dip your toes in each of the Great Lakes, or visit every weird roadside attraction in your state (hello, nation’s largest ball of twine!). Or maybe it’s simply seeking out the best ice cream in a 60-mile radius of your home—and testing every spot along the way to find it. Whether your kids are hoping for a house with an arcade and a big pool, or you’re looking for a fun option like a yurt, treehouse or log cabin, you’ll likely find the perfect getaway.
