Are you planning to take a vacation this year but aren’t sure where to go? Find out what the experts recommend and which locales are among vacationers' favorites. There are numerous travel publications, websites and agencies that make it their business to find the best spots for tourists. Take their advice and plan a trip to one of the top-rated vacation locations in America.
Locations with accessible beaches always score high for summer family getaways, but Sherman Travel's website mentions a surprise area of the country as a "Top Family Beach."
Plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest and take the family to Cannon Beach in Oregon. This spot is a 90-minute drive outside of Portland, and families will find a non-traditional summer beach excursion. The northern water is sometimes too chilly for swimming, even in the summer, but the beach is stunning and it offers some of the best family-friendly surroundings on the West Coast.
Giant rock formations, including the 235-foot Haystack Rock, dot the beach and add to the natural beauty of the area. Kite flying, tide pooling and building sand castles are some of the relaxing and enjoyable activities that parents and kids will want to experience. Each June the beach hosts Sandcastle Day, which is the largest sand castle building competition on the West Coast, according to ShermansTravel.com.
Get away to one of the country's top-rated national parks, a natural haven for family members of all ages. The Travel Channel website lists Shenandoah National Park in Virginia as one of the best parks for a family getaway. Enjoy horseback riding through the hilly forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains and relax under the moss-covered hemlock canopy of the Shenandoah.
Shenandoah National Park?
3655 Hwy 211 East?
Luray, Virginia 22835
540-999-3500
nps.gov
While many diverse parts of the United States make up the "best of" lists in various publications, the usual suspects always tend to show up at the top of the list of the most popular destinations.
According to MSNBC’s list of North America’s Top 15 Vacation Spots, which is based on vacation package purchases, airfare sales and hotel bookings, Las Vegas still reigns as the king of tourism in the U.S., with Orlando a close second.
Las Vegas draws millions of visitors each year looking to cash in at one of the city’s numerous and impressive casino resorts. The party atmosphere throughout the Las Vegas Strip and downtown at Fremont Street appeals to a significant portion of the vacationing public. Gambling, alcohol consumption, extravagant accommodations and restaurants, a one-of-a-kind club scene, endless shows, and around-the-clock options make this an ever-popular destination all year long. If you like a little excess with your travel, Las Vegas is a sure bet.
