March 26, 2021
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3 Minute Read
Looking forward to summer vacation but not quite as eager to face the crowds? Fortunately, there are plenty of options for a little off-the-beaten-path fun this summer.
Travel planner Susan Moynihan of The Honeymoonist/Largay Travel suggests embracing slow tourism. “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.” Here are a few places where you can get some R&R with a little more space to yourself.
Head out to the Farm
Farm stays let you test out the bucolic life, including trying your hand at picking fruits and veggies, feeding the animals or just taking in the incredible views.
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.
Think about where it’s currently off season
Beach towns and national parks are likely to be crowded in the summer, as people look for getaways that include plenty of time in the great outdoors. But there may still be options in places that are considered winter destinations.
Visit a ski town, for instance, and you’ll get off-season rates and probably 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.
Consider the Caribbean
The gorgeous Caribbean weather may feel more welcome during a cold winter, but the islands are just as beautiful in the summer—just with fewer crowds.
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, Aruba, Curacao and Grenada—all of which are rarely in the hurricane zone.
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Pick a route and a reason
Road trips are always an option. But you can skip the major interstates for more local highways and add a little fun with an offbeat theme for your trip.
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.
“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.”
- Susan Moynihan of The Honeymoonist/Largay Travel
Think smaller
Consider small towns and state parks, which may not see the same crowds as the typical getaway spots. “There are so many great, overlooked state parks where you can rent cabins, go hiking and embrace nature,” Moynihan says. “And isn’t it lovelier to hike for miles and barely see a soul than to sidestep groups on a crowded switchback trail?”
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