Vacations to less popular destinations

[ugeauxgirl]

It was Mardi Gras break here last week which meant both of my teens had a week out of school. My kids had never seen snow and had been asking to for years, so this year we took a friend up on his invitation to visit in Michigan. We had an amazing week! We rented snowmobiles and tried 3 kinds of skiing, snow tubing, snow shoeing, etc. We hung out with the locals and had beer and bingo at a small town brewery.

We want to do more vacations is less touristed areas. Do y'all have any recommendations of other fun places to go that are less known? Or if you love vacations like this too, how do you find them?

 

[NW-Bound]

For every place that is crowded with tourists, there are 1000 other places that very few visit. The problem is that these other places are often boring with nothing much to offer.

I have had some luck with 2nd or 3rd tier places. Or I can visit 1st tier places when they are out of season.

 

[Lewis Clark]

One way to find vacations like this is to first focus on the activities you might like to do or try, then find lesser-known places to do them.

There are lots of places to do the snow activities you mentioned. It may take some effort to find the lesser-known ones.

There are lots of small town breweries where locals hang out. Some of them will have bingo, darts, or other games to play. Maybe look for them on the TripAdvisor website in the locations of interest?

My wife and I enjoy bicycling and wanted to take our bikes to ride on a summer vacation. We researched areas with large bike trail networks and chose to spend time in Milwaukee, WI and Dayton, OH. Neither is probably high on most lists of tourist destinations but both have good bike trail networks. We have friends in the Milwaukee area but knew nobody in Ohio. Even people in Dayton were VERY surprised when we told them we had come to Dayton on vacation! The locals unanimously told us nobody goes to Dayton on vacation. But we had a great visit, found fun things to do other than bicycling, and plan to return many times in the future.

On a trip to the Midwest a few years ago we spent a few days in St Louis. Previously knew little about the area but found a few activities there we thought were appealing to justify the visit. They turned out even better than we had hoped and we returned to St Louis a few years later on another trip. The Inside the Economy Museum at Federal Reserve Bank was surprisingly interesting and very well done. We still talk about the photos we took of other customers eating the "heart-stopping BLT" at Crown Candy Kitchen, which we found doing some research on Route 66, after seeing a temporary exhibit on Route 66 at a local museum.

We've also been to a few places that we did not care for. You may have to take a chance and go somewhere you may not like. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. When in doubt, plan a short visit. You can always return later if you like it.

With an open mind and some creativity many destinations can become fun.

 

[HawkeyeNFO]

Cleveland Rocks!

 

[NW-Bound]

Chicken, Alaska, rocks!

I brought back a T-shirt.

Should have bought multiples, because now I don't want to wear this one so much in order to save it.

 

[Gumby]

Not all that many people come to Connecticut for vacation, but it is a really great place to live and there is a lot to do and see here. I'm sure I could suggest a fun-filled week of sights and activities for you and your family to enjoy.

And that's probably the best way to learn about this type of thing - ask folks what is fun to do and see where they live.

 

[Koolau]

I'm guessing most states have web sites that list the out-of-the-way stuff to do with pictures or even videos. If you see something interesting, ask back here. Likely at least one of us has first hand info. Of course, "festivals" and special events may be crowded and difficult to find lodging, and that's where we likely can help. Aloha

 

[ugeauxgirl]

Not all that many people come to Connecticut for vacation, but it is a really great place to live and there is a lot to do and see here. I'm sure I could suggest a fun-filled week of sights and activities for you and your family to enjoy.

And that's probably the best way to learn about this type of thing - ask folks what is fun to do and see where they live.

I AM interested in things to do in Connecticut. And excellent idea- I will start a thread on that one day. We still have teens in the house so can't travel as much as I would like, but SOON...

 

[ugeauxgirl]

I'm guessing most states have web sites that list the out-of-the-way stuff to do with pictures or even videos. If you see something interesting, ask back here. Likely at least one of us has first hand info. Of course, "festivals" and special events may be crowded and difficult to find lodging, and that's where we likely can help. Aloha

Thanks, I'll do that.

 

[ugeauxgirl]

All suggestions noted. Even Chicken Alaska. I rolled my eyes when my husband suggested Michigan, too, and that turned out to be a gem. As always, excellent advice. Thanks, Y'all!

 

[Jerry1]

All suggestions noted. Even Chicken Alaska. I rolled my eyes when my husband suggested Michigan, too, and that turned out to be a gem. As always, excellent advice. Thanks, Y'all!

I live in S.E. Michigan - a suburb of Detroit. There’s plenty here to complain about but it’s home and having lived here my entire life, there’s plenty to do. When you look at the State as a whole, there’s a lot of fun and interesting things to do. One problem is that a lot of things people do are not easy to just come here and do. But, a lot of things, like snow mobiles, can be rented. There is a lot of great nature here. Obviously, there are the Great Lakes and many inland lakes so there’s all kinds of water sports. There’s all kinds of hiking and natural activities like camping. In the winter, there’s snow sports like snowmobiling, snowshoeing and even some skiing but no mountains so the skiing isn’t going to impress an avid skier. All of these things have their off season and as a local, that’s the best time to do them.

I agree, ask people who live there and you might find a surprise gem.

 

[omni550]

Chicken, Alaska, rocks!

I brought back a T-shirt.

Should have bought multiples, because now I don't want to wear this one so much in order to save it.

Chicken Alaska Online Store has a few...plus, if you simply google "Chicken Alaska t-shirt" a few other styles show up.


omni

 

[yakers]

Chicken, Alaska, rocks!

I brought back a T-shirt.

Should have bought multiples, because now I don't want to wear this one so much in order to save it.

Loved Chicken Alaska, only place I've been with a gold assay office and stores that would sell goods for gold.

 

[yakers]

All suggestions noted. Even Chicken Alaska. I rolled my eyes when my husband suggested Michigan, too, and that turned out to be a gem. As always, excellent advice. Thanks, Y'all!

The UP of Michigan is a grat place to visit.

 

[Bamaman]

We've got reservations in a familiar neighborhood in London at the end of school. The rooms in the area are $250-350 per night, and most rooms are in 3-4 old houses that have been linked together. No A/C even. The other half of our trip will be in cheap B&B's.

Rooms in major cities everywhere are now out of sight, and there's nothing wrong with finding great off the beaten path places to go. You've just got to follow your interests.

We spend most of our vacations in a camper in the NE Georgia Mountains @ $6-7 a night, including WIFI and cable TV. We have no desire to visit big cities any longer. I'd rather take the grandkids white water rafting or trout fishing.

 

[NW-Bound]

Chicken Alaska Online Store has a few...plus, if you simply google "Chicken Alaska t-shirt" a few other styles show up.


omni

Ha! Now anyone can wear a Chicken Alaska t-shirt without having been there.



.

 

[savory]

Here might be some thoughts. Door County WI. It's a vacation spot but perhaps not so much out of the Milwaukee/Chicago area. Pictured Rocks in northern MI is a great hike. Can be daily or backpacking trip. Bend OR has a lot to do. Our Alaskan trip included ice fishing, dog sled, ice skating and a dip in hot springs hoping the N Lights would appear. A final suggestion is almost anywhere in Iceland.

 

[Koolau]

Here might be some thoughts. Door County WI. It's a vacation spot but perhaps not so much out of the Milwaukee/Chicago area. Pictured Rocks in northern MI is a great hike. Can be daily or backpacking trip. Bend OR has a lot to do. Our Alaskan trip included ice fishing, dog sled, ice skating and a dip in hot springs hoping the N Lights would appear. A final suggestion is almost anywhere in Iceland.

If you're heading up into WI toward Door Co., Here are some other possible stops - depending upon interests.

New Glarus, WI

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60135-Activities-New_Glarus_Wisconsin.html

Taliesin - Frank Lloyd Wright estate

https://franklloydwright.org/taliesin/

Wisconsin Dells (very much a YMMV stop)

House on the Rock - found it very interesting

https://www.thehouseontherock.com/

If you want to do the UP (Upper Peninsula of Michigan) Heh, heh, wait for spring IMHO - of course, if you ski...

https://www.uptravel.com/

IF you do the UP, consider coming back through Mackinac, seeing the Island and doing the bridge.

Back toward Chicago area, are the Indiana Dunes NP and IN State Park

https://www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm

YMMV as always.

 

[DrRoy]

I live in S.E. Michigan - a suburb of Detroit.

Likewise! For the last 4 years we have been taking a month to drive out west in the early spring to Arizona and Utah. We have hit the big national parks like Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, and Arches, but there are lots of less visited places too. We also spent time visiting beautiful locations based in Utah towns of Kanab, Cannonville, Escalante, and Hanksville.

 

[Badger]

We spend most of our vacations in a camper in the NE Georgia Mountains @ $6-7 a night, including WIFI and cable TV. We have no desire to visit big cities any longer. I'd rather take the grandkids white water rafting or trout fishing.

We spent almost all of our vacations since the mid 70s traveling all over the country and Canada doing the same except in a tent. NE Georgia was such a nice place I bought 5+ acres on Charlie Mt outside of Clayton then swung a hammer and built a 1000 sq ft cabin. Sold it about 12 yrs later because maintaining 2 homes was just too much work and I wanted to visit other areas. Not interested in the big cities and would rather be outdoors.

I would still like to camp but getting off the ground is a bit of a challenge now. Time to BTD when I feel comfortable enough to travel again and stay in B&Bs or something similar.


Cheers!

 

[Badger]

Here might be some thoughts. Door County WI. It's a vacation spot but perhaps not so much out of the Milwaukee/Chicago area. Pictured Rocks in northern MI is a great hike. Can be daily or backpacking trip. Bend OR has a lot to do. Our Alaskan trip included ice fishing, dog sled, ice skating and a dip in hot springs hoping the N Lights would appear. A final suggestion is almost anywhere in Iceland.

+1 We spent 12 days in a rented suv driving around the country. Would like to go back if I last that long.



Cheers!

 

[Surewhitey]

Likewise! For the last 4 years we have been taking a month to drive out west in the early spring to Arizona and Utah. We have hit the big national parks like Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, and Arches, but there are lots of less visited places too. We also spent time visiting beautiful locations based in Utah towns of Kanab, Cannonville, Escalante, and Hanksville.

+1 on the parks in low season. Yosemite and Glacier are awesome.

We've been to Yosemite a dozen times and best time is early May before school lets out. Falls are really flowing and weather for hiking is perfect & less fires.

Did Glacier 2019 & then drove up to Jasper Alberta and that was the best scenic drive of our life.

 

[Pellice]

One way to find vacations like this is to first focus on the activities you might like to do or try, then find lesser-known places to do them.

Totally agree with Lewis Clark. And that's what you did with your Michigan trip. Maybe the teens have more ideas!

 

[savory]

If you're heading up into WI toward Door Co., Here are some other possible stops - depending upon interests.

New Glarus, WI

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60135-Activities-New_Glarus_Wisconsin.html

Taliesin - Frank Lloyd Wright estate

https://franklloydwright.org/taliesin/

Wisconsin Dells (very much a YMMV stop)

House on the Rock - found it very interesting

https://www.thehouseontherock.com/

If you want to do the UP (Upper Peninsula of Michigan) Heh, heh, wait for spring IMHO - of course, if you ski...

https://www.uptravel.com/

IF you do the UP, consider coming back through Mackinac, seeing the Island and doing the bridge.

Back toward Chicago area, are the Indiana Dunes NP and IN State Park

https://www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm

YMMV as always.

Koojau mentioned some things that sparked memories. We did a self guided bicycle trip around the New Glarus, WI area. I do not have the trip in front of me as I type this but if you are a 40 to 60 mile per day touring cyclist, this was a fun few days. There are breweries and cheese factories that can be toured. The biking is rural. At the time, New Glarus was the only or largest female lead brewery.

If you are in Southern Wisconsin, include a tour of the Wright designed SC Johnson office bldg. you won’t be disappointed.

 

[euro]

Chicken, Alaska, rocks!

I brought back a T-shirt.

Should have bought multiples, because now I don't want to wear this one so much in order to save it.

Yeah, Chicken, Alaska gained notoriety when it was on one of those “off-grid building” reality shows. Beautiful landscape from what I could tell, but it really did seem located near the end of the world….