Lauren Dana

Between booking, packing and activity planning, organizing the perfect, cheap family vacation in the U.S. can feel like an Olympic sport. That said, it’s well worth the hassle. There’s something special about whisking everyone off to a new place to explore, away from the hustle of daily life, to create new, lifelong memories. To help alleviate extra stress and make your 2025 travel planning easier, we’ve compiled over 20 of our favorite family- and budget-friendly spots nationwide to appease an array of interests. Outdoor-loving families, for example, can take their pick of renowned national parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. Alternatively, those craving an urban escape teeming with history, art and culture should consider major metropolises like Washington, D.C., or Chicago, IL. Last but not least, sun-seekers can post up on the sand along oceanfront locales like Destin, FL. Keep reading to discover our top picks—and start planning, STAT.

While private social clubs are not exactly new, they've certainly seen a surge in popularity in recent years. They attract a new generation of members enticed by the promise of community, exclusivity and breadth of luxurious amenities (think members-only beach clubs, well-stocked wine cellars, and tranquil spas, to name a few). The top membership clubs in the USA also feature innovative dining and drinking programs curated by award-winning chefs, carefully selected art collections, and diverse social events to cater to every interest—whether it's DJ pool parties, expert-led lectures, or rare wine tastings. Keep scrolling to discover which members' clubs made our list, and be sure to explore our favorite private members' club hotels across America for some travel inspiration.

Sweeping mountain views, incredible slopes and wide-open terrain: It's all yours to experience at the best ski resorts in the U.S. Come winter, there are few things more thrilling than zipping down a snowy run with the wind blowing in your face—and the sense of accomplishment after is nothing short of spectacular. But beyond the slopes, the best ski resorts in the U.S. offer a slew of amenities, be it additional winter activities like snowboarding and snowshoeing, a charming downtown area, buzzy drinking and dining venues, luxe accommodations and/or top-notch après ski where you can let loose. Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite ski resorts across America to inspire your winter travels. But there is one thing to note: As you scroll through the list, you’ll definitely notice that most of our top picks can be found out West. That’s because the region offers towering peaks and high elevations, which are—you guessed it—ideal for skiing, along with significant snowfall and powdery snow courtesy of the cold, dry air. RECOMMENDED: The best ski resorts for non-skiers

If you're planning to fly anytime soon, be prepared for potential delays—or even cancellations—for a myriad of reasons, be it staffing shortages, weather or mechanical issues. With that in mind, you’ll run the risk of getting to your destination late, or skipping vacation altogether. To mitigate your chances of delays or cancellations, it’s worth springing on an on-demand, semi-private flight as opposed to standard commercial airlines. While these tickets don’t come cheap, they may be more affordable than you think, especially if you book at the last minute. Intrigued? Keep reading to discover our top picks on the best semi-private flights in the U.S.—and get booking! RECOMMENDED: The most beautiful airports in America  

This year's unprecedented travel boom is poised to continue in 2025 as more and more hotels across the country prepare to open their doors to trend-forward travelers. What’s more, dozens of new properties are slated to debut all across the map in the year ahead, meaning there are plenty of options for your next vacation. From lavish urban escapes in the heart of New York City (hello, Waldorf Astoria) to glamorous alpine retreats (we’re looking at you, White Elephant Aspen) and serene desert hideaways (cue Utah’s Black Desert Resort), the year ahead promises a fresh crop of properties that cater to every craving for luxury, adventure, and style. Here’s a sneak peek at the most anticipated U.S. hotels opening in 2025 to inspire your future travels. RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in America

The Heart of America doesn’t get the attention afforded to larger Midwest cities like Chicago and St. Louis, but the best things to do in Kansas City showcase a town packed with character, culture, and culinary charm. Sports, music, food, and arts take top billing, and the city is filled with gorgeous walks and beautiful fountains. They don’t call it the City of Fountains for no reason. KC embraced free public transportation in 2020, making it incredibly easy to get around to see the city’s attractions. If you want to punctuate your sightseeing with delicious food and crisp craft beers, you are on the right track. This is Kansas City, a city of heritage, history, and a whole lot of fun. 🛏️ Check out the best Airbnbs in Kansas City🏨 Check in at the best Kansas City hotels

While solo travel definitely isn’t a new concept, it’s grown increasingly popular in recent years—and for many a good reason. While vacationing with your friends, family, and significant other can be fun, you’re often forced to follow a stricter schedule at the behest of others. Solo travel, however, offers more flexibility and free time to do exactly as you wish—be it dining at a new restaurant, strolling through a scenic park, exploring an interesting museum, or simply relaxing in your hotel room. Fortunately, you don’t have to travel too far from home to enjoy an epic solo sojourn. Whether you’re an experienced solo traveler or completely new to the whole “party-of-one” thing, we’ve rounded up the best U.S. cities for every type of solo traveler—foodies, art enthusiasts, adventure-seekers and more. RECOMMENDED: The 15 best secluded Airbnbs in the USA for the perfect remote escapeThe best destinations for female solo travel in the U.S.

The age-old saying really does hold true: The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. Soak up the holly, jolly vibes at one—or more!—of our favorite Christmas cities across the U.S., which out all the stops to deck the halls (ehr, streets) in dazzling decor and offer plenty of holiday cheer via a slew of special events and activities. Take North Pole, Alaska, for instance: At this aptly named city, visitors can check out the world's largest Santa and walk down Kris Kringle Drive, outfitted with candy cane-striped street lights. Alternatively, make a beeline for Santa Claus, Indiana (yes, that's really the name), where local "elves" volunteer at the post office to answer buckets full of children's letters to Santa every year. Other must-visit locales include a seaside New England city with a rich history and a charming South Carolina mountain town, to name a few— all of which offer festive programming, be it magical Christmas markets, impressive Christmas light displays or must-visit Christmas stores. For a fun-filled holiday escape, keep reading to discover our favorite Christmas cities in the U.S

While pie isn’t an inherently American dessert—its origins can be traced back to ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans—it certainly serves as an American culinary staple and has for centuries prior. The country is home to hundreds if not tens of thousands of pie shops and bakeries that serve all sorts of classic pies, including timeless picks like cherry, apple, pumpkin pecan and more. Others, however, have experimented with more innovative flavors based on regional ingredients (i.e., Key Lime Pie in Florida, Shoofly Pie in Pennsylvania, and haupia, AKA coconut pie in Hawaii. Ahead, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite pies across the country that are well worth digging into any time of year because, let’s face it, pie season is every season. RECOMMENDED: The best Thanksgiving parades in the USA

Did you know that many of America’s most beloved cities are also haunted? To learn more about these destinations’ dark sides, consider signing up for a ghost tour. These frightening activities, which typically hover around the two-hour mark, offer a thrilling combination of history, mystery and entertainment in one evening. Knowledgeable and engaging guides will be by your side as you explore many a haunted site—and perhaps even a cemetery or two, and, if you’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it), you may even spot a ghost! The list below includes fascinating—and frightening—excursions in some of the country’s most populous cities, such as San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, along with smaller but equally spooky locales like Salem and Savannah. 

Few experiences are more humbling than gazing into the dark night sky filled with stars—and, if you’re lucky, you may even be able to spot planets, galaxies and even the International Space Station. Unfortunately, though, this is no longer possible in many parts of the country due to light pollution. In fact, it’s been reported that nearly 80 percent of Americans can no longer see the Milky Way from where they live. With that said, it’s no surprise that astrotourism is on the rise, with many folks flocking hundreds—if not thousands—of miles from home in search of a starry sky. However, you may not have to travel too far from home to enjoy top-notch stargazing opps. That’s because the United States is home to over 60 International Dark Sky Reserves, which are designated and protected areas of land that have exceptional quality of nighttime darkness and advocate for a reduction in light pollution. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best places to stargaze in the U.S., from the mountains and national parks to the beaches and beyond.

Why is everyone vacationing in the same place? I often wonder this during travel spikes, scrolling social media to see people with nothing in common having the same experiences. Are we all spring skiers now? Is everyone actually having fun, or are we just yielding to a trend? It’s time we all dig a little deeper, skip the cookie-cutter trip and set off somewhere different. Forget what everyone else is doing! Let’s explore our own interests—and while we’re at it, do it where it’s not so crowded. To help you find the perfect underrated summer travel destination, we tapped our network of writers with plenty of experience discovering cool places. We’re showing new sides to cities and regions you already know and sharing choice spots that might be new to you. From wine tasting your way through Boise, Idaho, and encountering wildlife in Oakland, California, to ferry hopping in Southeast Alaska, these aren’t your typical summer escapes. A little less popular and still very exciting, these underrated U.S. destinations are calling your name this summer.

While major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Boston and Miami all offer plenty of Fourth of July fun, they can get quite crowded. Instead, escape the throngs of travelers by embarking on a last-minute getaway somewhere nearby. Below, we’ve rounded up five of our favorite Independence Day weekend getaways within easy driving distance of the aforementioned U.S. cities. From an oceanfront SoCal retreat to a quaint Rhode Island town steeped in history, these last-minute July 4th vacation destinations truly offer something for everyone.  Traverse City, Michigan Situated along the coast of Lake Michigan just four hours from Detroit and five hours from Chicago, Traverse City goes all out for Independence Day, with free events like an elaborate fireworks show, which, in our opinion, is best enjoyed out on the water via this Fourth of July Fireworks Cruise. The Fourth of July also coincides with the city’s weeklong National Cherry Festival. Taking place from June 29 through July 6, this fun, fruity festival celebrates the region’s rich agricultural heritage, vibrant culture and natural beauty (fun fact: Traverse City produces nearly half of the tart cherries in the U.S.). As part of the fun, visitors can partake in events such as the National Cherry Festival Airshow; live musical performances, parades, races and family-friendly programming are available, too. Also, be sure to carve out an afternoon to stroll through the city’s bustling downtown area, which is lined with ecl

Memorial Day weekend may be less than a week away, but it’s not too late to plan a last-minute escape. Fortunately, you don’t need to venture too far from home to experience an epic weekend getaway to ring in the unofficial start of summer. Ahead, we’ve rounded up five of our favorite Memorial Day weekend getaways, each within easy driving distance of major U.S. cities such as Miami, New York and Los Angeles. From a laid-back SoCal beach town where surf and sand reign supreme to a tranquil lakefront retreat in northwest Idaho, keep reading for our favorite last-minute Memorial Day weekend vacation spots for a spontaneous sojourn.  Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Named for the lake on which it lies, Coeur d’Alene is just under five hours from Seattle. The vibrant downtown area—home to over 100 quaint shops, restaurants and local businesses—is within easy walking distance of the lake. Out on the water, travelers can go fishing, rafting, jet-skiing and water skiing; alternatively, stay on land to soak up the sunny weather or enjoy a scenic hike or bike ride at the lakefront City Park, the Canfield Mountain Natural Area or the Coeur d'Alene National Forest. Meanwhile, golfers can perfect their swing at the course at Coeur d’Alene Resort, where you'll find the one and only “Floating Green,” described by the property as “the first and only floating, movable island golf green” that “changes position via an intricate, underwater cable system. Where to stay: Open since 2021, One Lakeside Resort

What’s more tempting than a Thanksgiving feast? Skipping the festivities altogether. This Thanksgiving, why not bypass the stress of cooking an entire meal, hosting your family and all the other necessary bits to celebrate a holiday? Instead, enjoy a relaxing Turkey Day escape close to home. We’ve rounded up five incredible Thanksgiving getaways within easy driving distance of major U.S. cities, including Miami, New York and Los Angeles. You’ll find these spots are under a five-hour drive—or a quick flight if holiday road trips are not your thing. Plus, each place has a distinct charm, natural beauty, fantastic food and drink offerings and noteworthy attractions. West Palm Beach, FL Often overlooked in favor of its swankier cousin, Palm Beach, this hip city still feels like a hidden gem (for now, at least). Its arty downtown area is home to The Square, an arts and culture hub that’s also brimming with some of the destination’s best shops, bars and restaurants like Barrio, El Camino and the recently opened Galley, as well as outposts of famed NYC staples Harry’s and Felice. Every Saturday between November and May, the city hosts an antiques and flea market; the GreenMarket also takes place on Saturdays between October and April. To get here from Miami, hop on I-95 (75 minutes, depending on traffic) or ditch the car altogether and hop on the high-speed Brightline train (also 75 minutes).  Where to stay: The Ben, Autograph Collection is a trendy hotel just minutes from the heart