UPTOURIST

Summertime is a great time to go on a vacation. Years ago, a Gallup poll found that July is the most popular month for vacations, and Americans generally plan to stay in the country but visit another part of the state.

Luckily, America is huge. There are 50 states, but there are way more than 50 ways to take a vacation here. Start by zeroing in on a particular region you’d like to visit, and then go from there.

The South

The South is known for a few things, including great food and plentiful amounts of sunshine. Sure, you may have to plan around some thunderstorms, but it’s more than worth it considering all this particular region has to offer.

Noteworthy big cities in the South include Atlanta, New Orleans, and Houston, but don’t limit yourself to only urban areas.

You can often find hidden gems in smaller towns that are a little out of the way, but not too far out of the way. For instance, drive thirty minutes from the heart of a city and see what you find. If you do that with Atlanta, then you’ll have the chance to explore Henry County, Georgia. Once you arrive, you might find yourself wandering around one of the 158 Locust Grove properties that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Maybe you’ll head to Stockbridge, which is known as the birthplace of civil rights leader Martin Luther King. Jr.

You can pick peaches, get a history lesson, and visit an animal sanctuary, all in just a few hours. It’s a perfect example of a more slow-paced life, albeit one you can find without having to drive too far out of your way.

The Midwest

Parts of the Midwest do get a lot of snow in winter, but when that snow melts, you’ll find a ton of natural beauty everywhere from Minnesota to Ohio. Michigan is located in the heart of this region, and once you arrive, you’ll see exactly what the state’s tourism slogan is “Pure Michigan.”

Every year, millions of people check out the state that consists of two peninsulas surrounded by four Great Lakes. The lower peninsula is the more populated area by far, and it includes the state’s Capital Region of Lansing.

Tourists who visit Lansing, MI, find themselves smack dab in the middle of a vibrant town that’s home to college students, government officials, and much more. It’s a place with diverse dining options and exciting live music. You don’t have to love the nearby Michigan State University to love the Lansing area. It doesn’t hurt, of course, but it’s by no means a requirement.

Hawaii

Hawaii is a difficult state to classify, because it’s a state unlike any other in the union. It’s typically placed in a group with Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaska, but the vast Pacific Ocean separates it from all of those states.

It’s both the 50th state and the only state made up entirely of islands.

For all those reasons and more, Americans owe it to themselves to visit The Aloha State at least once. There aren’t too many other places that allow you to fly over an ocean without a passport.

Hawaii has a sometimes-complicated history with the rest of the country, but the people are friendly and welcoming. Between surfing lessons in Waikiki, HI, and relaxing naps by your hotel pool, you may decide you never want to come back to the mainland.