With summer right around the corner the planning for our summer vacations are in full throttle. I have researched the top 13 best vacation destinations and wanted to share them with you. The information below was collected from USNews Travel. Where will your family vacation this year?
#13 - Colorado Springs
It's easy to see why Katharine Lee Bates was inspired to write the lyrics to the famous patriotic ballad "America the Beautiful" from Colorado Springs. Look in one direction and you'll see the majestic "purple mountains:" the Colorado Rockies. Shift your eyes in the other direction to find yourself gazing out at "amber waves of grain:" the Great Plains. The beautiful scenery isn't the only reason to head to this former mining town. Colorado Springs is also home to such American institutions as the
Air Force Academy and the
Olympic Training Center. And over the years it's become a cross-section of personalities. Take to the streets and share the sidewalks with budding politicos, young families, art lovers and more: All stake their claim on this portion of America the Beautiful.
Colorado's second largest has earned a reputation for its conservative philosophies: In 2010, Men's Health magazine named Colorado Springs the "Most Religious City in America." But over the past couple of years, this town about 70 miles south of
Denver has eased up on the religious rhetoric, even adopting a hint of the laid-back vibe that Colorado visitors normally associate with
Boulder or
Telluride (to experience this side of the Colorado Springs area, head to nearby
Manitou Springs). But most visitors don't come here to sample the political and social discourse — they come for the all-encompassing views found at the top of
Pikes Peak, the towering cliffs that make up the
Garden of the Gods, the blushing cliffs at
Red Rock Canyon and the variety of other ways to experience Colorado's impressive scenery.
#12 - Ocean City
Affordable and kid-friendly too, Ocean City, specializes in the classic American beach vacation. Stroll along the Boardwalk, and you'll find adrenaline pumping amusement park rides, far stretches of powdery sand, scrumptious blue crabs, and plenty of souvenir shops. Bright carnival ride lights twinkle as families frolic to Ocean City Beach; intrepid sun-seekers parasail across the water; and the squeals of children are heard playing inside the arcades toRipley's Believe It or Not! Museum. But you can power down at Ocean City too. Bait and tackle shops are a surplus, and a daytrip to the serene Assateague Island National Seashore is only a 20-mile drive down the coast.
#11 - Williamsburg, VA
For such a historical town, Williamsburg -- as tourists know it -- is fairly new. It wasn't until the 20th century that the downtown area of this Virginia Peninsula city was restored. Now you can tread the same steps that our Founding Fathers once took -- in fact, in Williamsburg, you just might even find yourself trekking alongside those men (or at least, alongside some talented, costumed interpreters acting out their parts). The area isn't a novelty, though. Instead, Williamsburg and the nearby cities of Jamestown and Yorktown are breathing monuments to some of the best-known figures of our colonial history. Patrick Henry, George Washington, John Smith, Pocahontas and more -- they all receive their due.
#10 - San Francisco, CA
A jumbled collage of colorful neighborhoods and beautiful views, San Francisco draws those free-spirited types who have an eye for edgy art, a taste for imaginative cuisine and a zeal for adventure. It's really not surprising that songwriter Tony Bennett left his heart here: The city boasts jaw-dropping sights, world-class cuisine, cozy cafes and plenty of booming nightlife venues — there's no shortage of ways to stay busy here. Spend an hour or two sunning yourself alongside sea lions on the bay, admiring the views of the city from
Twin Peaks, or strolling along the Marina. And for the quintessential San Franciscan experience, enjoy a ride on a
cable car.
Often described as
Los Angeles' more refined northern cousin, cool and compact San Francisco takes the big-city buzz exuded by its southern counterpart and melds it with a sense of small-town charm. Here, you'll discover a mish-mash of culture flourishing throughout San Francisco's many vibrant quarters. Follow the crowds to the touristy
Fisherman's Wharf area (which offers spectacular views of
Alcatraz) before heading along the bay to the Presidio for a glimpse of the famous
Golden Gate Bridge. But don't forget to save time for the Mission district, The Haight and
The Castro for exposure to all of the different varieties of the San Francisco lifestyle.
#9 - Anaheim/Disneyland
Many vacationers come to Anaheim for
Disneyland. A plaque at the entrance of the park says: "Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy," and for more than 50 years, this complex of amusement parks and hotels has remained a fun fantasy world. Even if you've been to other Disney resorts, nothing beats the original's unique place as a vintage landmark in the heart of Southern California. This vibrant park is still a great place for families -- in fact, your kids will most likely have so much fun with Mickey and friends that they'll never want to leave. And with plenty of thrilling rides and a bustling Downtown entertainment district, you might not want to leave either.
But Disneyland isn't the only thing luring visitors to this Southern California city. There are other parks like
Knott's Berry Farm and
Adventure City, a picturesque nature park and even an "angelic"
baseball stadium. And, although you might not know it as you're sweating it out in the summertime, Anaheim is within a 30-minute drive to the cooling ocean breeze of Long, Huntington and Laguna beaches.
#8 - Myrtle Beach, SC
The clean beaches are the main draw in Myrtle Beach, but there's more to her than miles of brown sand. One of the best East Coast family vacation destinations, Myrtle Beach, S.C. boasts hundreds of golf courses for golfers at all levels; amusement parks that fling the kiddies around on water rides, roller coasters and race tracks; Dolly Parton singing and dancing for dinner guests; and Ripley's Aquarium, which dares visitors to commune with the sharks. It might not be the ritziest vacation, but the casual capital of South Carolina's 60-mile long waterfront, the Grand Strand, is a rambunctious smorgasbord of family fun.
#7 - San Diego, CA
Consistently sunny weather and 70 miles of magnificent coastline are what draw active types to San Diego throughout the year: that and the mouthwatering cuisine, thriving nightlife and one of the country's favorite
zoos. And then there are the beaches: Retreat to
Mission Beach to soak up the rays, to La Jolla to catch a wave and to
Coronado for a leisurely seaside stroll. When you're ready to ditch your flip-flops and board shorts for more formal attire, you'll find pockets of vivacious nightlife throughout, especially near the historical
Gaslamp Quarter.
America's Finest City is a confluence of different communities defined by the area's military and Hispanic heritage: San Diego is home of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet and sits adjacent to the U.S.-Mexico border. In spite of constant growth (and its title as California's second-largest city), San Diego maintains a small-town feel, making it a popular destination for families and anyone looking for a laid-back, Southern California getaway in the sun.
#6 - Orlando, Fl/Disney World
There's no other city in the United States — the world, even — that celebrates childhood quite like Orlando. The feeling that you get when you catch the light off Epcot Center's Spaceship Earth (found in Walt Disney World, of course); or from your first sip of Butterbeer in Hogsmeade (located insideIslands of Adventure's Wizarding World of Harry Potter); or when you witness the soaring heights of Shamu's flips (during the "Believe" water show at SeaWorld) — all prove that being a kid is about state of mind, not age. The notion that only young ones will enjoy this city's charms is just that — a notion. In reality, Orlando has a little of this and a little of that to appeal to all ages, and there's more to do here than visit theme parks. The subtropical climate is great for golfing and the downtown city landscape is too attractive not to explore.
#5 - Grand Canyon
"Grand" doesn't begin to do this canyon justice. Measuring approximately 277 miles in length, up to 18 miles in width and a mile deep, this massive chasm in northern Arizona is truly a natural wonder. For six million years, the Grand Canyon has expanded with the help of the mighty Colorado River, and for centuries, people from all over the globe have traveled to gaze out over its red and orange grandeur. Managed by the National Park Service and officially designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Grand Canyon leaves its approximately 4.5 million visitors per year awestruck.
But if you're seeking a secluded escape to Mother Nature, you should be prepared: The Grand Canyon can be very crowded. The South Rim — home to the
Grand Canyon Village and the well-worn
Bright Angel Trail — is particularly popular for sightseers and hikers. It is on this side that you'll find the most amenities. However, for a true escapist experience, head to the
North Rim. This is the place for backwoods camping and hardcore hiking.
#4 - Washington, D.C.
With its marbled monuments and high-profile politicos, Washington, D.C., has long been saddled with a reputation as a stuffy government-driven town. A "city of southern efficiency and northern charm," as John F. Kennedy once described it, Washington is often seen by outsiders as slow and inefficient. But these days, our nation's capital is awash with a new energy, transforming itself into an exciting, faster-paced East Coast vacation destination. Although government is still the sun around which this city orbits, the District also offers a host of renowned museums and interesting neighborhoods. And with a recent explosion of restaurants, cafes, boutique shops and clubs, D.C. is transitioning into a thriving cultural hub. As the D.C. Tourism Board is emphasizing through its "
DC Cool" campaign, this isn't the Washington you remember from your middle school field trip — it's much hipper than that.
You can choose a traditional D.C. adventure, filled with tours of classic attractions like the
White House and the Washington Monument, and the Smithsonian's
Natural History Museum. And there's no better way to experience iconic D.C. than with a stroll around the
Tidal Basin. (Plan to visit in late March or early April —just in time for the National Cherry Blossom Festival — and you'll be rewarded with a canopy of beautiful pink blooms.) But if you've already seen the national landmarks, get a feel for the city's more youthful ambiance, highlighted by its urban neighborhoods, marquee art galleries and vibrant farmers' markets. Follow foodies to Eastern Market, where Capitol Hill residents shuffle through stands for the freshest produce and trendiest clothing (before working their way through a mile-high stack of pancakes). Afterward, peruse the high-end stores peppering Georgetown or rub shoulders with savvy Washingtonians at the many bars and music joints crowding the U Street Corridor. While you'll only need a few days to see the city as you know it from your history book, it could take months to experience the Washington that today's locals know and love.
#3 - Yosemite National Park
One of California's most formidable natural landscapes, Yosemite National Park features nearly 1,200 square miles of sheer awe: towering waterfalls, millennia-old Sequoia trees, daunting cliff faces and some of the most unique rock formations in the United States. But despite its enormous size, most of the tourist activity takes place within a seven-square-mile area of Yosemite Valley. Here you'll find the park's most famous landmarks -- Half Dome and El Capitan -- as well as excellent hiking trails through the natural monuments. Even inexperienced hikers can enjoy Yosemite -- guided tours and climbing lessons are offered from local adventure outfitters. Just don't expect to experience it by yourself. Like so many other American tourist destinations, crowds are the biggest obstacles to an enjoyable Yosemite vacation -- at least four million people visit a year. But if you go at the right time (and start your day a little earlier than usual), Mother Nature's wonders will reveal themselves to you in a miraculous and serene way.
#2 - Yellowstone
With dramatic peaks and pristine lakes, Yellowstone is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. Multicolored pools swirl around hot springs; verdant forests weave past expansive meadows; and volatile geysers launch streams of steaming water toward the sky. With so much unspoiled natural beauty, it's no wonder everyone suspected John Colter (a scout for explorers Lewis and Clark) was embellishing when he first described Yellowstone's geothermal curiosities in 1807. Nowadays, there's no doubt that the park is indeed extraordinary. While you traverse the park's 3,000-plus square miles of mountains, canyons, geysers and waterfalls, be prepared to share the trails with permanent residents like buffalo, elk and sometimes even grizzlies.
Although Yellowstone attracts about 3 million visitors every year, chances are — unless you spend your entire trip at
Old Faithful — you won't see much of them. Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres creep from the northwest corner of Wyoming into the edges of Idaho and Montana, offering plenty of untouched territory to explore. Carve out a day or two to take in the view at
Yellowstone Lake and
Mammoth Hot Springs. But save some time for the trails through lesser-known regions, like the hot springs of the West Thumb Geyser Basin and the untamed wildlife dotting the Lewis River Channel and Dogshead Loop. While the sheer number of trails and wildlife-watching opportunities may seem daunting at first, remember: You can always come back.
#1 - Honolulu, Oahu
Oahu blends cosmopolitan luxury and breathtaking scenery more than any other Hawaiian island. The state's capital city, Honolulu, showcases the island's urban appeal. Nearby you'll find a host of cultural and historical sites, from the austere USS Arizona Memorial to ornate 'Iolani Palace. In the nearby Waikikineighborhood, a skyline of high-rises and resort hotels contrasts with sprawling white-sand beaches. For a taste of rural Hawaii, visit the North Shore. Here, you'll find the most brilliant blue waters and meandering hikes. But those three spots aren't all Oahu offers. Its high-class restaurants, vibrant cultural events, and wild nightlife further showcase this island as a "Gathering Place" of Hawaiian cult
