Get Off the Beaten Path

Now that our country is slowly opening up again and just in time for the summer travel season, people everywhere are venturing out to see the great sites and attractions America has to offer. Popular locations like New York City, Washington D.C., The Grand Canyon, and numerous other famous sites will be visited by throngs of tourists. With all of the famous cities, monuments, and parks afforded by our great country I like to get away from the hustle and bustle and venture out on my own. My wife and I have been blessed to visit many famous sites and we have also found dozens of hidden gems close to our original destination. Give these 5 a try.

Washington D.C., with all of its monuments, government buildings, museums, and libraries is almost impossible to take in on one trip. On our 3rd visit, we visited The Spy Museum and were quite pleased it was on our group travel itinerary. The museum was conceptualized by Milton Maltz in 1996. Milton was a code breaker during The Korean War. More than 750 artifacts are on display within the museum. The experience is very interactive starting with each guest getting a cover identity upon entry. Popular attractions include; Operation Spy, Spy In the City, Educational seminars, and the museum store. My favorite was The Spies Among Us film.

New York City like D.C. is virtually impossible to visit on one trip. I have been 5 times and still have yet to see everything Manhattan Island has to offer. It has something for everyone shopping, restaurants, famous buildings, parks, and libraries. The Statue of Liberty, The Empire State Building, and The 911 Memorial Museum are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to famous sites. When it comes to something leisurely, shopping is the solution and most people consider Macy's the place to visit however, my wife and I prefer Lord & Taylor the oldest department store in the country. The flagship store at 424 5th avenue is our favorite. It screams chic old school retail shopping.

Idaho has become a popular travel destination especially for travelers that enjoy the great outdoors and camping. Idaho has several parks, reserves, monuments, and historic sites to see. Craters of the Moon Monument and The Lewis and Clark Historic Trail are 2 of the most visited. Boise is the state capital and largest city. A few hours southeast of the capital you'll find the sleepy little town named Lava Hot Springs, population 521. This charming town seems to be frozen in time with its old western buildings. The Hot Springs bathhouse reminded me of the 1930s and is a must-visit. Grab an innertube a float down the rapids right through the middle of town.

Nashville, Tennessee is my new favorite U.S. city to travel to. Broadway is by far the star attraction with its bars, honky-tonks, and music halls. If you love live music this is your scene. Country, rock, and jazz venues tend to be the most popular and the most crowded. Make sure and visit The Johnny Cash Museum, The Country Music Hall of Fame, and The Grand Ole Opry. About 45 minutes south is the beautiful historic little town of Franklin. The main street through town is truly pristine, Americana at its finest. Park the car, get out, and take a relaxing stroll. Browse through the shops or watch a performance at the Franklin Theater from one of the balcony seats.

Rapid City, South Dakota is by far my favorite place to travel in the U.S. in fact, I hope to live there soon. The Black Hills are majestic and make an incredible backdrop for the most popular site known as Mt. Rushmore. Other popular locations include Deadwood, Trout Haven, Custer State Park, and The Crazy Horse Memorial. For food, you can find some outstanding cafes in Keystone and Hill City. In the northern section of the Black Hills is Spearfish Canyon. A drive through the canyon is scenic enough but if you park at one of the turnouts and take a hike along the stream you're in for a treat. You may even encounter a deer quenching her thirst along the way.

As I mentioned earlier we are truly blessed in America. We are afforded so many great things to do and places to visit. I was fortunate enough as a youngster to have a family that enjoyed traveling and camping. It also helped that my mom was a teacher at the time and had the summers off. Yosemite, the beach, were 2 of my favorite places to visit. We were also taught to be adventures and explore so we got off the beaten path frequently. Have fun and be safe.