An Uncomplicated Life Blog: 5 Best Domestic Travel Desinations

Friday, May 22, 2015

5 Best Domestic Travel Desinations

We've been laid up sick here for the entire week, not getting out much. All this time at home has gotten me thinking about travel. Does that happen to anyone else? When you're stuck somewhere, all you can do is think about other places?

That's how my brain works, anyway.

I had time to craft my top 5 list of favorite places to travel domestically. When people think of adventure, I think international travel gets all the glory. And international travel is great! But there's so many gem destinations right here in America, too.

Here's my roundup of the best, from personal experience:

1) Big Sur, CA
This might be my favorite place in the U.S. Jaw-dropping scenery along the Pacific Coast Highway (rent a convertible, you won't be disappointed), charming places to stay and eat, great hiking - I could go on and on. We stayed in Carmel and went up and down the coast from there. All the restaurants serve Nappy Valley and Sonoma wines, all the food was excellent. In fact, I had the best meal of my live at Casanova in Carmel.

Travel to Big Sur, CA
Big Sur, CA

2) New Orleans, LA
This is probably the most fun city in America! Sure, there's the debauchery on Bourbon St and the whole French Quarter. Get yourself a double decker bus pass (good for the whole day, $11) and check out ALL the spots in the city. We landed at 7am, had breakfast at Cafe Du Monde and spent the rest of the day checking out the whole city, hopping on and off that bus. Way cheaper and easier than a taxi and, you know, it supported the day drinking NOLA is so good at! Also check out air boat tours of the swamps right out side of the city.

Travel to New Orleans, LA in the French Quarter
French Quarter, NOLA

Tara Plantation, LA
Tara Plantation, LA

3) Tybee Island, GA
This had to make the list because I lived on Whitemarsh Island for graduate school (pronounced whit-marsh, not white-marsh). Tybee is about 20 minutes further out towards the Atlantic. It's an unpretentious beach community, but still houses the likes of Billy Currington and Paula Deen. Want some of the best shrimp and crab of your life? Eat anywhere on the island. Need a great greasy spoon breakfast to adsorb the previous night's libations at the beach bars? Go to The Breakfast Club. Charter a boat and explore the inter-coastal waterway (my favorite thing to do is go out on my folks' boat!)

Tybee Island, GA
Tybee Island Pier, GA

4) Beaver Bay, MN
The views along Lake Superior are stunning, and surprisingly rival those of Big Sur. Rent a cabin on the lake, don't stay at a resort. The Lighthouse has, hands down, the best wild rice soup I've ever had. There's an agate shop in town that's fun to look through, and has tons of gemstone rings for reasonable prices. Go up the coast about an hour to Lutsen and ride the Alpine Slide or take the gondola up the mountain. The North Shore along Hwy 61 is simply stunning.

Split Rock Lighthouse, Lake Superior, MN
Split Rock Lighthouse, Lake Superior MN

5) Natchez, MS
Likely the most beautifully historic town in America, and I used to live in Savannah, GA! It's not easy to get to (no nearby airport to fly into) but if you do make it to Natchez, you won't be disappointed. Stay at a historic in or a B&B. Take an old ferry boat ride on the Mississippi. Enjoy the Southern food and tour old plantations. If you're a history buff like I am, this place will fascinate you as much as the beauty will astound you!

Travel to Nachez, MS
Historic Riverboat, Natchez MS


Do you have a "travel bucket list" waiting to locations to be crossed off? Where are some of your places to travel to?

Have a fantastic weekend everyone! Hopefully, next week will be kick off a new healthy week for us. Linking up with Amanda, Karli, H54F and Miranda!



18 comments:

  1. I've always wanted to visit Big Sur! But Beaver Bay looks awesome too.

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  2. I'm really hoping you guys are on the mend before the end of today!! Nola has been on my list for years now - need to make it happen!! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  3. Oh fun! I've heard such great things about Big Sur! I think I'd love to visit all of these places.

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  4. This is a great list! I'm definitely interested in a few of these places. I've always wanted to check out New Orleans. Ann Rice lives there! Thanks for sharing!

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  5. I totally agree with you on 1, 2, and 3! I've never been to Beaver Bay but it looks gorgeous. NYC is at the top of my list, Oregon coast too. Never been to Chicago!
    Traci
    waltzmetoheaven.com

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  6. Tybee Island is one of my favorite places in the southeast! It's actually where my husband purposed! Big Sur looks amazing! Love how pretty that water is!

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  7. I was JUST looking at Airbnb rentals in New Orleans! Oh man, my travel list is LONG, and I think I'm going to be adding some of these to it. Big Sur and the PCH would be so amazing. I would love to pack up a Jeep and just drive up and down the whole thing. Side note: If this rain does not let up, I'm going to go stir-crazy. Do we live in DFW or Seattle?

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  8. I haven't been to any of those places, but now I want to go to them all!

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  9. I absolutely love New Orleans. I have only been once and would love to go back for a little more adult vacation this time - and by that I mean less adult beverages so I can actually remember it ;) haven't been to any of the other places on your list! i am always dreaming of travelling somewhere!

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  10. Love love love Carmel, CA - it feels like it belongs in a fairytale and I can't wait to go back. And New Orleans is great too! I can tell you have excellent taste in travel so I'll have to add Tybee Island and Beaver Bay on my to visit list. - Svetlana @ Life with a Side of Wine

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  11. You know what's funny? I have only ever been to Carmel, and we're going again this weekend! Sonoma is my favorite place in Cali, and Carmel is a close second. Can't wait to show the hubs. I guess I need to add these locals to my travel bucket list!

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  12. Ok so now I'm even more excited to see Big Sur this summer! I've never been to New Orleans but really want to go. I'm so glad you included other lesser known places because they look awesome! I've been to Minnesota but like....middle of nowhere MN (my grandparents had a summer home there for a long time). I'd love to see more of it.

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