The best underrated summer travel destinations in the U.S.

You won’t have much use for a car rental in Southeast Alaska. In fact, the small towns in the archipelago aren’t connected by roads. While many people see Alaska by cruise line, my friend Laura and I chose the Alaska Marine Highway, a network of ferries servicing 30 communities along nearly 3,500 miles of Alaska coastline. After camping, exploring the Mendenhall Glacier, and learning about Native culture in Juneau, we boarded our vessel for Ketchikan—20 hours away. Sure, a flight would’ve taken only an hour, but as misty mountains unveiled themselves and whales spouted froth in the near distance, we knew the scenic route was for us. Camping is permitted on deck, although we reserved a cabin in true seafarer fashion. When in Ketchikan, we sought ziplining, bears, and a major thrill on a UTV safari with Ketchikan Adventurevue before flying back home to the lower 48.

Downtown Santa Fe has enough antique shops and charming cafes to keep a gaggle of slow-moving couples busy. But after climbing the steep streets to the Cross of the Martyrs to watch the sun crawl its way over the adobe houses, my wife and I found the natural landscape to be the real draw. 

We decided the shoppers can have downtown and spent the rest of the trip exploring: a visit to the unconquered Native American town of Acoma Pueblo, just nearly getting lost on lifeless lava flow trails at El Malpais National Conservation Area and finding wildflowers blooming on the Chamisa Trailhead. Appetite well deserved, we dived deep into New Mexican cuisine, finding the best at La Choza Restaurant, where the chile sauces (red vs green is an age-old debate) are a reminder of the uniqueness of this stark-beautiful place.

Cherries are not simply a gimmick of Traverse City; they’re the main attraction. Deemed as the cherry capital of the world, even the airport here is named Cherry Capital Airport (TVC). Not one to shy away from a regional specialty, during my visit I tried cherry pie from Grand Traverse Pie Company, indulged in “Cherries Moobilee” ice cream from Moomers Homemade Ice Cream (which was, without a doubt, the best ice cream I’ve had in the U.S.), and even sipped a cherry beer from Right Brain Brewery. The one-stop shop for all things cherries is Cherry Republic, where you can find anything from cherry-BBQ rub to cherry almond butter to cherry habanero hot sauce, which was my souvenir of choice from Traverse City.

For the ultimate cherry-rific experience, head to the National Cherry Festival, held from June 29 to July 6. And while you’re in town, don’t skip out on the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, with water so blue you might be duped into thinking you’re on a lake in New Zealand. To unwind, head to one (or two) of the nearly 50 wineries in town, where many serve cherry wine

Just two hours from Boston and three from New York City lies the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts, known for its postcard-worthy mountain scenery, rich history and vibrant arts and culture scene—and visitors can soak up the latter all summer long. Located in Lenox, Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra offers a jam-packed schedule of outdoor concerts featuring artists and musicians across all genres, including Jon Batiste, Jason Mraz and even—get this—Boys II Men; however, in my humble opinion, the true highlight is the annual July 4th James Taylor concert (pro tip: arrive early, bring a picnic blanket and enjoy prime people-watching opps pre-show).

The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge is another personal favorite, and trust me when I say you can easily spend an afternoon admiring the artist's works and historic studio, which has been physically moved to the museum grounds. Of course, you can't leave town without checking out the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA) in North Adams. Meanwhile, Barrington Stage Co. in Great Barrington and Berkshire Theater Group in Pittsfield both offer captivating performances to suit enthusiasts of all ages.

And, since no trip is complete without a souvenir keepsake, carve out a day to go antiquing through the region; top spots include The Berkshire Galleries of Great Barrington, Berkshire Emporium & Antiques in North Adams, Finders Keepers in Lee, Christopher James Antiques and Collectables in Lenox, and Berkshire Hills Coins & Estate Jewelry in Pittsfield, Finally, it's worth noting that all of these quaint towns are within easy driving distance of each other, so I recommend renting a car if you don't have one on hand. 

As I tasted my way through Boise, my biggest decision was choosing between the beauty of the Sunnyslope vineyards and the convenience of the urban wineries. So I didn’t choose—I did both—and so can you. Take a wine class at the new House of Wine Company to learn tasting techniques, then head to Split Rail Winery, where you’ll find a funky, unpretentious tasting room that belies just how good the wine is. Spend the night at Hotel 43 and take advantage of their complimentary bike rentals to pedal your way around the nine wineries in the downtown area. Then head out to Caldwell to Indian Creek Winery—a small but mighty vineyard welcoming you warmly. I recommend visiting during their family-friendly Sunday Sips ‘N Songs—grab a spot on the lawn, pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy the live music. The Sunnyslope Wine Trail features 17 wineries and vineyards, so there’s something affordable for every taste.

One of the main reasons I moved to Las Vegas was its proximity to many national parks and incredible hiking. This road trip to southern Utah is a fine example. 

It’s a three-hour drive from the Strip to Zion (longer if you detour through Valley of Fire State Park to spy on petroglyphs and photograph sandstone formations like Elephant Rock). Zip back onto the highway, grab a bite in St. George–Riggatti’s Wood-Fired Pizza is a great option–and consider stretching your legs in Snow Canyon, where you can enter lava tubes (bring a flashlight).  

Next stop: Zion National Park. Whether you peer at it from the canyon floor or hike to Observation Point or Angel’s Landing, it’s one of the country’s most majestic parks.

Stay overnight (we recommend glamping to commune with nature and marvel at the stars), then at daybreak, order ahead from Deep Creek Coffee Co. Once you pick up your latte and a southwest quinoa bowl, head to Bryce Canyon National Park to walk among the towering hoodoos in Queen’s Garden. Ambitious adventures can circle back to Vegas through Kanab, visiting Coral Pink Sand Dunes.

This small town just an hour north of Milwaukee caught my attention not just for its beauty, but for its high-octane fun. Designated a national landmark as the first in the U.S. to host street racing, Elkhart Lake parlayed its fame into Road America, a pro racetrack where you can watch the action or become part of it. Climb into your own professionally built Mazda Spec-Miata and enroll in the two-day racing school to learn race starting, downshifting, braking, and passing techniques from seasoned pros. Make your home at the lakeside Osthoff Resort, where you can fish, paddle, or sail in one of Wisconsin’s deepest and cleanest lakes. And don’t miss the award-winning Aspira Spa—one of only two in North America with a balneotherapy bath in a chromatub to bring your body back into balance. I treated myself to ice cream at 100-year-old Gessert’s Ice Cream & Confectionary and grabbed a different kind of cool one at the Siebkens Resort Stop-In Tavern, a racecar-themed, honky-tonk bar. 

Everyone flocks to Bar Harbor, Maine, but I found Boothbay Harbor to be charming and less crowded. I spent an incredible afternoon kayaking to Burnt Island, which is only accessible by boat. I rented from Tidal Transit and kayaked under the footbridge across the narrow end of the marina out to open water. On my way, a harbor seal popped up to watch my progress. On the island, I visited the quaint 1821 lighthouse and ate a picnic with sea breezes and a panorama of the Atlantic waves. Upon return, I got my land legs back by wandering through charming seaside shops, eating a lobster roll at a tugboat-turned-restaurant, and staying at the Bluebird Ocean Point Inn. This waterfront inn was part of last century's seaside cottage tourism and has been newly renovated. Its restaurant has candlelit dining with ocean views; I indulged in a second lobster roll.

As an admirer of spirits—the kind you drink, not conjure with a Ouija board—I’ve long loved bourbon but never really knew much about American whiskey except, well, that it’s whiskey made in America. My knowledge recently quadrupled while exploring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which includes more than 45 distilleries spanning hundreds of miles across the Bluegrass State. I managed to hit up about 10 over the course of three days on a private tour, including the Willy Wonka-like Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown and the oh-so-quaint Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon. To my surprise, there were several unique moments beyond learning way too much about different barrels and sipping various pours. In Clermont, I devoured a scrumptious mushroom pizza at James B. Beam Distillery’s The Kitchen Table restaurant that was made with the same top-secret yeast strain used to craft Beam’s beloved bourbon. After a tour at Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery in Louisville, I was fortunate enough to spontaneously nab a spot for the fill-your-own-bottle experience. (You can call or email beforehand for availability.) Writing my name on a label felt magical; pulling down a giant lever and watching my bottle fill up with barrel-strength bourbon. I left Kentucky with an ever-lasting memory and a one-of-a-kind souvenir that will undoubtedly arouse my senses when I pop it open one day.

I always love walking around Lake Merritt, the country’s oldest wildlife refuge, a pleasant three-mile circuit. Drawn to its waters are snowy egrets, buffleheads, coots, grumpy-looking night herons and sometimes pelicans, and great blue herons. When I’m looking for quietude, I head up into the hills to hike Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, where I can glimpse woodland creatures and, if I’m lucky, a golden eagle—all within the sun-dappled 1,833-acre coast redwoods forest. Not far away, the Oakland Zoo houses an array of animals, from African elephants to American bison. I feel good knowing its habitats are larger and more geared toward the creatures’ comfort than you may find at other zoos. Finally, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline Park offers city views, while its 50-acre Arrowhead Marsh is a spring and fall stopover on the Pacific Flyway for migratory wildfowl. 

The true Adirondacks are revealed by boat, when you’re gliding through rivers and lakes, listening to loons and flirting with river otters. I like to avoid the busy tourist spots by renting a canoe and taking a few days to paddle the ADK lakes—many of them are even connected. Some canoe and kayak rental companies, like Raquette River Outfitters, plan your routes, pick you up and drop you off. Choose your route based on your timeframe and what you want to do, whether it be waterfall swimming, wildlife viewing, fishing, island hopping, hiking or primitive camping. After a few days of becoming one with nature, I find it best to cap off the trip with a massive meal, including french fries and a visit to a local brewery like Hex and Hop, which brews with local honey, to toast to an epic paddle vacation. Then it’s back to civilization!

I've driven the Florida Keys many times, beginning in childhood and growing up in Miami. "The Conch Republic" off Florida's southernmost tip is connected by the 110-mile Overseas Highway. Each island has its own vibe, making each key in the 120-mile island chain special.

The first day, I always stop at the U.S.'s first underwater preserve, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. I love staying at the adults-only, all-inclusive Bungalows in Key Largo. Day two is sports fishing in Islamorada—the fishing capital of the world—and relaxing at the beachfront Cheeca Lodge & Spa. I take a break from driving when staying on this key and use Freebee, which offers complimentary shuttle service in electric vehicles throughout all of Islamorada. 

My last days are spent in Marathon, home to Florida Reef, the U.S.'s only living coral barrier reef. I like chartering a boat with friends to fish, snorkel and swim. It's also fun to see the sea turtles getting rehabbed at The Turtle Hospital, the world's only licensed veterinary hospital focused on rehabilitation. I cross the famous Seven Mile Bridge to reach my tropical oasis, the 60-acre Hawks Cay Resort on secluded Duck Key.