Sometimes, maybe often, when you travel, you want to go where everyone isn’t going. Sure, you’re a tourist, but you don’t want to be surrounded by tourists. You want to go somewhere you can live like a local, wander through pristine nature, and revel in the undiscovered. It’s especially fun to do that with kids because it opens their eyes to just how big the world really is. So, next time you’re ready to head into the unknown, check out one of these five spots:
1. Florence, Oregon
A sweet little city perched seemingly in the middle of nowhere, Florence, Oregon has everything you could hope for in a coastal town. It sits smack in the middle of the state between the borders of northern California and Southern Washington. Florence also has a beautiful river, the Siuslaw, that runs right through its center, spilling into the Pacific Ocean and creating the most beautiful beaches for the kids to run and play.
You can book an Airbnb or choose from one of the hotels that sits on the river, and spend days exploring the area. From parks with outdoor playground sets that look like wooden castles to restaurants that overlook the water, you’ll get a bit of everything. The best thing about it is that even at its peak tourist time, in the summer, the town remains relatively quiet and peaceful. And if you’re desperate for a road trip, you can drive along the coast and check out the stunning views.
2. Tacoma, Washington
When people think of traveling to Washington, they often think of Seattle or Spokane — big cities and big mountains. But Tacoma gets left behind in the conversation far too frequently. Just one hour south of Seattle, Tacoma is a thriving community of university students, business professionals, artists, and amazing historic districts. This port city has been the western terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad for over one hundred years, making it an educational visit.
In Tacoma, you can find wild nature preserves and waterways to walk along, and you can venture an hour in any direction to explore something new. Its location makes it a perfect launching point for families to either visit Seattle for the day or head west to Olympic National Park. You truly get the best of both worlds. Indeed, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can travel a few hours north and cross the border into Vancouver, Canada, for an international experience!
3. McCall, Idaho
Few people think of visiting Idaho when they start planning a vacation, but there’s much to love about this state. Situated between the Pacific Northwest and the flatlands and mountain ranges of the Midwest, Idaho is abundant with beauty. McCall, close to the Oregon border, has slowly been making a name for itself over the last century. What began as a lumber town is now a sweet resort town that caters to tourists who know about it.
Now, that includes you. McCall is located on Payette Lake and is known for its pretty beaches, its camping, and, in the winter, its snow activities. The town even has an annual winter carnival to attract families from all over. Fortunately, it’s still relatively unknown to most travelers, and it could be a nice retreat into nature for a family interested in seeing something new. You can go any time of year.
4. Winter Park, Colorado
Speaking of great year-round travel, Winter Park is the best off-the-beaten-path in Colorado, and you will love it any time you go. Most visitors to the state will head to the more popular Denver, Colorado Springs, Aspen, Vail, or even Boulder. But Winter Park is a resort town unlike any other. It has a permanent population of just over 1,000, but it’s got over 2,500 homes, which should give you a sense of just how amazing this place is to visit.
Just 90 minutes from Denver, Winter Park is a playground for parents and kids who want to ski, sled, or tube, depending on the season. You can also visit during the Blues Festival or the Rocky Mountain Wine Fest to join in with a crowd for some planned entertainment. Winter Park’s downtown area is great for wandering, and the parks have live music when the weather allows. You might even want to head over in the fall just to check out the colors.
5. St. Augustine, Florida
Another state with well-known locations to visit like Orlando, Miami, and even the Keys, Florida is home to magnificent tropical beauty. Somehow, however, St. Augustine often gets left off the list of must-see spots. Located in the northeast corner of Florida, on the Atlantic Ocean, St. Augustine is an awesome place to bring your kids to teach them about colonization. This city is the oldest inhabited settlement established by the Europeans in the contiguous U.S.
Beyond the overwhelming educational opportunities, you can take your kids to a pirate museum, a lighthouse, and several zoos. You can also go on ghost tours, boat rides, and walks on the beaches. And if you head over during the winter, before hurricane season, you can wander through holiday lights that rest in swaying palm trees and make the historic homes sparkle. If you’re on the East Coast, St. Augustine is the place to visit.
In the end, there are so many wonderful places to explore off the beaten path in the United States with your family. Whether you’re on a road trip or you’re flying in, you can find deserts, beaches, mountain ranges, lakes, and rivers to bask in. The time spent with your family doing something new is what will really make these trips well worth it, and it’s good for your health, too! And it won’t hurt to be out of the way of mobs of tourists, too.
