Monday, July 27, 2015

Dream Travel Destinations: US Edition

Hi readers! I hope you had a lovely weekend. I've been itching to take a trip to the beach this summer. Let's be real- I am always wanting to head to the beach! But traditionally, summer is the perfect time to get away. While I have a decent number of vacation days left for 2015, I'm not really in a place at work to take a large chunk of vacation this summer. So I thought I'd plan out some dream vacations in an attempt to satisfy my travel bug for a little while!

travel, USA travel
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1. Alaska
Miracle planet
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This destination has been on my list probably since I watched the movie Balto for the first time. Growing up in Georgia, the idea of snow everywhere was completely foreign and magical to me. Although it's a fairly touristy destination, I love the idea of exploring nature and seeing once in a lifetime sights! I imagine taking a cruise (I'm nervous about planning a trip like that all on my own) and being able to spend plenty of time taking in the sights at each destination. Also- who doesn't want to see the Northern Lights?! It truly seems like a fairytale trip.

2. Seattle
Downtown Seattle from Queen Anne Hill
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Seattle is a city that has held my interest for quite some time now.  It's on the totally opposite corner of the country and seems unlike anything I've ever seen before. A few things that would definitely be on my to-do list: visit Pike's Place market, take a walk along the waterfront or maybe a ferry ride, stop by the Space Needle, enjoy a cup of coffee at the original Starbucks, and go on a hike in Mt Rainier Park.

3. Chicago
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 I'm not sure when this jumped onto my list, but I've heard excellent things about Chicago! It seems to be full of culture and yummy food- which are right up my alley as far as trips go! I'd love to visit the Art Institute and see the famous pieces. If possible, I'd love to take a bike tour or maybe plan a self-guided bike tour through the city. So many places (DC included!) have excellent bike-share programs that make this an easy way to explore a new city. Obviously, I'd have to snap a photo with the famous Cloud Gate sculpture!

4. Hawaii
cave kauai
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 I've yet to make it out to Hawaii, so naturally this tropical paradise is on my list! I absolutely want to spend some time laying on the beach here, but I'd love to dive into all of the nature-based activities offered out there! Kayaking through sea caves, visiting hot springs, seeing volcanoes, exploring glass beach, viewing the water falls, hiking in the forests, and so much much more is absolutely calling my name! I'd have to spend a substantial amount of time here to knock it off my list (and to justify the cost of the flight! YIKES!).

5. Maine
Portland Head Lighthouse, Portland, Maine
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 Maine is another destination that's been on my list for quite some time now. I had a friend growing up who would go to Maine every summer and come back with the best stories. I absolutely know that I need to eat lobsters and blueberries while I'm there, but I'd love to see as many lighthouses as possible while there. The coastline is supposed to be absolutely beautiful so it'd be a great time to work on my photography skills. The towns dotted throughout the state seem adorable, so this would be a great romantic get-away to go cuddle up in some B&Bs in between the exploration!

What places in the US are on your list? Have you been to my top 5 destinations? Did I miss any good activities/attractions?

25 comments:

  1. I've been to a few of these and am dying to go to the rest as well!
    You'll love Hawaii and Chicago!
    Hawaii is hands down my favorite place I've ever been thus far.

    xoxo, Jenny || Breakfast at Lillys

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  2. I want to do an Alaskan cruise so, so badly! I'm also dying to go to Hawaii I just hear the best things from friends who have been or have lived there. Chicago is so much fun! I haven't been in a few years but I definitely recommend it- more so in the late spring/summer/early fall so you don't freeze to death.

    xoxo,
    Meghan
    Southern Belle Secrets

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  3. Oh money, why can't you cooperate with my travel ambitions! Alaska always looks so picturesque. It's definitely on my list! I think I would absolutely love to visit Portland. I'm Canadian but I have this strange fixation about everything Portland - I would so love to drink coffee in ALL the cafés one day.

    Alessandra | blog.pumpup.com

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  4. I really want to go to Hawaii!

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  5. If you make your way to Seattle I will give you a "Must Do" list! It is a beautiful city, the summer is definitely the best time to visit though (:

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  6. Chicago is a wonderful wonderful place to go! My boyfriend lives there so I am there probably about every other weekend. It is a MUST. It is such a cool city. Let me know if you every end up going, I can give you some tips on what to do and see!

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  7. Alaska, Hawaii and Maine are on my list as well! I love traveling in the US! I've been to Seattle and Chicago, they're wonderful!
    xoxo

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  8. I'm headed to Alaska next summer for 2 weeks! i can not wait! I am dying to see Main! All of the cute beach towns have me swooning!


    Tiffani
    www.NotYourAverageSouthernBell.blogspot.com

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  9. Maine made me smile :-) If you ever come to Maine, be sure to e-mail me and I can give you tons of suggestions! My #1 tip is to COME IN THE SUMMER! Winter is rough up there, haha!

    xoxo A
    www.southernbelleintraining.com

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  10. I love Maine! I think Austin is a great place to visit as well.
    Shaguna
    gold&hearts

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  11. I love summer vacas! I'm actually going to the beach in two days. I wish I could pack you in my suitcase so you could get a little beach getaway too! All of these places are on my list to visit - minus Chicago, but that's only because I just got back from my first trip there. It was so incredible! I hope you get to cross these things off of your list soon.

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  12. Love your picks! I live a few hours from Seattle and just spent a day doing all of the fun touristy things! I love having such a beautiful city so close and definitely recommend visiting some day!

    xo Ashley

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  13. I've been to Hawaii before and I didn't want to leave. Not only is it gorgeous, but the people are so friendly too! I need to go to Seattle and Alaska, both are on my bucket list!

    xo, Alicia | Alicia Tenise

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  14. Chicago is at the top of my list! I would love to visit Texas at some point. I'm not sure what city yet, but I have always wanted to go!

    XX, SS || A Little Seersucker Sass

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  15. Alaska and Hawaii are on my list! I went to Maine last fall and it is BEAUTIFUL!!!

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  16. I've only gone to Chicago and Maine but am DYING to go to Hawaii! This is a great list! Oh and I also want to go to Alaska on that cruise that goes over there!
    Lauren
    The Fashionista's Diary

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  17. I haven't been to any of these places! They are all definitely on my list though. I'd love to do a cross-country road trip sometime in the future to hit all the key US landmarks/cities!

    Kayla | kaylablogs.com

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  18. All of those places are on my list as well! Basically anywhere other than Dallas is on my list. I have been going stir crazy lately!

    XOXO.

    Marie H.
    Progression By Design

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  19. OMG you have to come to Chicago!! It is my home and it is the best place in the entire world (#biased). You definitely have some places on your list that I've always wanted to visit as well - Hawaii and Maine being two. I think another place I want to go to is South Carolina!

    Annie // Annie N Belle

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  20. Such great travel destinations. Chicago is definitely on my to travel list. My sororities convention next year is in Chicago so I am hoping to attend the convention and get to visit the city!

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  21. Alaska is high up my list! You really need to go to Chicago. The city is gorgeous, the shopping is amazing, and the food is delicious!

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  22. I've always wanted to visit Maine for all the reasons you said! Thanks for the travel inspo!

    Tracy
    www.TracysNotebookofStyle.com

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  23. Love your list! I've only been to Maine, Alaska is next on my list for the US but I REALLY want to go to Norway! I hope you get to visit these places very soon! :)

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  24. Would you believe me if I told you I've never been west of New York? I'd love to go to California sometime. Maybe even go to all 50 states!

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  25. I LOVE Seattle! HI and AK are beautiful, ME has been on my bucket list too.

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