Everyone looks forward to a vacation, especially when travel is involved. However, most vacations are taken around the same time of year (summer, Spring Break, and Christmas) which can make most vacation spots noisy, crowded, and a little more stress than a vacation should be. AAA estimates that over 91 million people will travel just for the 2012 holiday season, which means crowded beaches, crowded hotels and crowded vacation attractions. If you are looking to get away from it all, check out these ten overlooked vacation destinations.
1)Â Â Â Â Chena Hot Springs Resort, Alaska
Most people think of cold when it comes to Alaska, but hot springs combined with average temperatures of 73 degrees in July, this place is far from freezing. Chena Hot Springs Resort is home to one of the few ice hotels in America, and one of the largest ice sculpture museums.
2)Â Â Â Â Olympic Peninsula, Washington
How many ecosystems can be stuffed into one million acres of state parks? Three. Ocean beaches, snowy mountain peaks, and a rainforest offer some of the most amazing vistas in North America. Combined with quaint sea-side towns and populated with Indian reservations, the Olympic Peninsula offers something for everyone.
3)Â Â Â Â Upper Peninsula, Michigan
Lighthouses and waterfalls abound in this majestic peninsula that is on the Great Lakes, and offers 1700 miles of shoreline. Perfect for hiking, fishing, or taking a glass bottom boat ride to experience the famous shipwrecks that lie on the bottom of the Great Lakes.
4)Â Â Â Â South Walton County, Florida
South Walton County, next to Alabama, has all the beauty of Florida without the crowded beaches and overpriced hotel rooms. Enjoy 14 beach communities and miles of white sandy beaches.
5)Â Â Â Â Puebla, Mexico
If you are looking for a Mexico vacation, but still want to get away from it all, Puebla is a good choice. The town is known for its colonial architecture and the origin of Cinco de Mayo.
6)Â Â Â Â Savannah, Georgia
Full of old Southern charm and sandy beaches, this is one of the South’s hidden gems. Savannah is known for its old plantation homes and Southern cuisine.
7)Â Â Â Â Bozeman, Montana
Montana, known as the Big Sky State, offers the great outdoors with cowboy flair. White water rafting in the summer and skiing in the winter make Bozeman a year-round destination for those who love being outdoors.
8)Â Â Â Â Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth largest city in America, making it a Mecca for art and industry. Home of NASA, and home to some great food and shopping, Houston is a great place to vacation.
9)Â Â Â Â Kansas City, Kansas
People who love Jazz and the Blues should vacation in Kansas City, which has recently undergone a multi-billion dollar renovation and boasts more fountains than any city outside of Rome. Kansas City is truly an American city.
10)Â Atlantic City
Those wishing to have a Las Vegas experience but do not want to deal with the heat of the Las Vegas summer should consider this gambling hotspot and a great place to shop.
These are all great vacation spots, and should appeal to nearly everyone. Of course, the less traveled vacation spots are usually less expensive, making them a great value. Who knows, if you fall in love with any of these places, you might even look into timeshare rentals.
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