Discover 7 Hidden Gem Destinations for a Memorable US Summer Getaway in 2024
Discover 7 Hidden Gem Destinations for a Memorable US Summer Getaway in 2024 - Garlinburg, Tennessee Mountain Town Magic
Beyond the well-known attractions, Gatlinburg's charming history shines through in destinations like the Buckhorn Inn, where visitors can find tranquility and stunning mountain views.
Garlinburg sits at an average elevation of 3,812 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest-elevated towns in the eastern United States.
This unique altitude contributes to its cooler summer temperatures, offering a refreshing respite from the region's typical humid conditions.
The town's name is derived from the Gatlinburg post office, which was established in 1876 and named after the Gattis, a prominent local family.
However, the spelling was misprinted as "Garlinburg" on early maps, and the erroneous name has since stuck.
Garlinburg is home to the only ski resort in Tennessee, Ober Gatlinburg, which offers year-round activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating.
The resort's aerial tramway is the steepest in the eastern US, transporting visitors from the town's main street to the mountain's summit.
The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, a unique 8-mile loop, showcases over 100 studios, galleries, and shops featuring handmade crafts, art, and pottery.
This concentration of artisanal workshops is one of the largest in the nation.
Garlinburg's Ripley's Believe It or Not
The town's annual Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair, held every July and October, attracts over 200 juried craft artisans from across the country, showcasing a wide range of traditional and contemporary handmade creations.
What else is in this post?
- Discover 7 Hidden Gem Destinations for a Memorable US Summer Getaway in 2024 - Garlinburg, Tennessee Mountain Town Magic
- Discover 7 Hidden Gem Destinations for a Memorable US Summer Getaway in 2024 - Broken Bow, Oklahoma Lakeside Family Retreat
- Discover 7 Hidden Gem Destinations for a Memorable US Summer Getaway in 2024 - Jekyll Island, Georgia Coastal Serenity
- Discover 7 Hidden Gem Destinations for a Memorable US Summer Getaway in 2024 - Big Bend National Park, Texas Stargazing Paradise
- Discover 7 Hidden Gem Destinations for a Memorable US Summer Getaway in 2024 - Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas Thermal Wonder
- Discover 7 Hidden Gem Destinations for a Memorable US Summer Getaway in 2024 - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida Emerald Coast Escape
- Discover 7 Hidden Gem Destinations for a Memorable US Summer Getaway in 2024 - Watkins Glen State Park, New York Gorge Adventure
Discover 7 Hidden Gem Destinations for a Memorable US Summer Getaway in 2024 - Broken Bow, Oklahoma Lakeside Family Retreat
Broken Bow, Oklahoma, emerges as a hidden gem for family retreats, boasting a picturesque lakeside setting and an array of charming cabin accommodations.
The area offers a serene environment with opportunities for outdoor activities like fishing and hiking, catering to both relaxation and adventure.
The area's average summer temperatures are a refreshing 5-10 degrees Celsius cooler than the surrounding regions, thanks to its elevation of over 600 meters above sea level.
Beavers Bend State Park, adjacent to Broken Bow, is home to the second-largest Black Hills spruce forest outside of the Black Hills of South Dakota, creating a unique and picturesque landscape.
The cabins in Broken Bow often feature geothermal heating and cooling systems, providing energy-efficient comfort for guests while minimizing the environmental impact.
Broken Bow is considered one of the best places in Oklahoma for stargazing due to its low light pollution levels, allowing visitors to witness the breathtaking Milky Way on clear nights.
Birdwatchers flock to the region to spot this vibrant species.
Broken Bow is situated along the historic Chisholm Trail, which was once a major cattle driving route in the late 19th century.
Guests can explore remnants of this important part of the region's history.
Discover 7 Hidden Gem Destinations for a Memorable US Summer Getaway in 2024 - Jekyll Island, Georgia Coastal Serenity
Jekyll Island, Georgia, offers a serene coastal getaway that blends natural beauty, historical significance, and hidden gems.
The island's National Historic Landmark District showcases its rich past, while Driftwood Beach captivates visitors with its unique coastal landscape.
As a favored alternative to more crowded neighboring destinations, Jekyll Island provides lush green spaces, calm beaches, and ample outdoor recreational activities, making it an ideal summer escape.
Beyond the well-known attractions, the island's eco-tourism initiatives and lesser-known natural hideaways, like St.
Andrews Beach, enhance the visitor experience and offer a more intimate connection with the coastal environment and its wildlife.
Jekyll Island was once a private retreat for America's wealthiest families, including the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and Morgans, who built elaborate "cottages" there in the late 19th century.
The island is home to the largest known population of driftwood in the world, with trees and logs that have been worn down by wind and waves for over a century, creating a unique and otherworldly landscape at Driftwood Beach.
Jekyll Island's coastal marshes are a critical habitat for the endangered North Atlantic right whale, one of the rarest large whales on the planet, with only around 400 individuals remaining.
The island's historic Jekyll Island Club, a former private club for the elite, is now a National Historic Landmark and offers visitors a glimpse into the opulent lifestyles of the Gilded Age's wealthy industrialists.
Jekyll Island is a hotspot for birdwatching, with over 300 species of birds observed on the island, including the federally threatened piping plover that nests on the beach.
The island's Sea Turtle Center is a world-class facility that focuses on the rehabilitation and research of injured and sick sea turtles, with the goal of releasing them back into the wild.
Jekyll Island's coastline is composed of a unique geological feature known as the "Pleistocene terrace," a raised platform of land formed during the last ice age when sea levels were much lower.
The island's Maritime Forest, a rare and endangered ecosystem, is home to ancient live oak trees draped in Spanish moss, providing a serene and otherworldly setting for visitors to explore.
Discover 7 Hidden Gem Destinations for a Memorable US Summer Getaway in 2024 - Big Bend National Park, Texas Stargazing Paradise
The park's remote location and active efforts to preserve its dark skies make it a prime destination for astronomy enthusiasts, who can enjoy guided stargazing programs and access to the nearby Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve and Observatory.
In addition to its stellar celestial views, Big Bend features diverse landscapes and hidden gems, making it an ideal summer getaway for a variety of interests.
Big Bend National Park is one of the best stargazing destinations in the United States, with some of the darkest night skies in the contiguous 48 states.
The park's remote location and minimal light pollution allow for unobstructed views of the night sky, making it a prime spot for astronomy enthusiasts.
The park's elevation, ranging from around 1,800 feet to over 7,800 feet, contributes to its exceptional stargazing conditions.
The higher elevations and clear desert atmosphere enhance the visibility of celestial events, such as meteor showers and planetary alignments.
Big Bend National Park is home to the Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, a designation that recognizes the exceptional quality of the park's night skies.
This reserve covers over 500,000 acres and is one of the largest protected dark sky areas in the world.
The park's stargazing programs and events, such as guided stargazing tours and astronomy workshops, provide visitors with unique opportunities to learn about the night sky and experience the wonders of celestial observation.
Within the Greater Big Bend area, the Big Bend Observatory features a newly constructed cabin for visitors, offering access to an elevated SkyDeck and a private observatory for breathtaking views of the stars.
Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the night sky while surrounded by the dramatic rock formations of the Chisos Mountains.
The nearby town of Terlingua, known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, is a popular destination for visitors to Big Bend National Park, offering an eclectic mix of local cuisine, galleries, and outdoor recreation.
While Big Bend National Park is primarily recognized for its stargazing opportunities, the park also features a wealth of hidden gems, such as the hot springs along the Rio Grande, providing a relaxing experience after a day of exploration.
Discover 7 Hidden Gem Destinations for a Memorable US Summer Getaway in 2024 - Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas Thermal Wonder
Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas is a hidden gem that offers a unique blend of natural thermal wonders and recreational opportunities.
As one of the destinations highlighted for a memorable US summer getaway in 2024, Hot Springs National Park promises a rejuvenating and adventurous experience amidst its stunning natural setting.
Hot Springs National Park is one of the oldest protected areas in the United States, designated as a federal reserve in 1832, over 40 years before Yellowstone became the nation's first national park.
The park's thermal springs originate from a geothermal system that taps into the Ouachita Mountains, where water is heated by the Earth's natural heat and then rises to the surface, emerging at a toasty 143 degrees Fahrenheit (62 degrees Celsius).
Hot Springs National Park is home to the only federally-managed bathhouses in the United States, a legacy of the area's history as a premier spa destination in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The park's Bathhouse Row, a National Historic Landmark, features a collection of eight historic bathhouses, each with its own architectural style and story, ranging from the grand, temple-like Buckstaff Bathhouse to the more modern Quapaw Bathhouse.
Geological studies have revealed that the park's thermal springs are fed by an aquifer system that extends up to 4,500 feet (1,370 meters) underground, making it one of the deepest geothermal systems in North America.
Hot Springs National Park is home to a unique species of fish called the Ouachita madtom, a small catfish that can only be found in the park's thermal spring-fed creeks and rivers.
The park's thermal waters are so pure that they are considered some of the cleanest natural spring water in the world, with minimal mineral and chemical content.
Hot Springs National Park is the only national park in the United States located within the boundaries of a city, with the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas, completely surrounded by the park's borders.
In the early 20th century, Hot Springs National Park was a popular destination for the rich and famous, attracting visitors such as gangsters Al Capone and Bugsy Siegel, who sought the therapeutic benefits of the thermal baths.
Discover 7 Hidden Gem Destinations for a Memorable US Summer Getaway in 2024 - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida Emerald Coast Escape
Santa Rosa Beach is a hidden gem along Florida's Emerald Coast, known for its pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich local culture.
This coastal destination offers a serene escape for travelers, featuring a 26-mile stretch of beautiful coastline perfect for relaxation and outdoor activities.
In addition to Santa Rosa Beach, the Emerald Coast is dotted with other undersung destinations worth exploring, such as Navarre Beach, making it an ideal summer getaway for 2024.
Santa Rosa Beach has the world's longest continuous stretch of pristine white quartz sand, spanning an impressive 26 miles along the Gulf of Mexico coastline.
The crystal-clear waters of Santa Rosa Beach have been measured to have exceptionally high visibility, often reaching depths of up to 100 feet, making it a premier destination for snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts.
The area's unique microclimate, influenced by the Gulf's moderating effects, results in average summer temperatures that are 5-10 degrees Celsius cooler than nearby inland regions, providing a welcome respite from the summer heat.
Santa Rosa Beach is home to one of the highest concentrations of coastal dune lakes in the world, with over 15 of these rare, shallow freshwater lakes found within a relatively small area, each with their own distinct ecosystem.
The local community of Santa Rosa Beach has a thriving arts and culture scene, with numerous galleries, studios, and an annual art festival that showcases the talents of regional and national artists.
The area's waters are a hub for diverse marine life, including the threatened loggerhead sea turtle, which nests along the beaches during the summer months, drawing nature enthusiasts and conservation efforts.
The Emerald Coast, which includes Santa Rosa Beach, is known for its exceptional fishing opportunities, with local charters offering deep-sea, inshore, and fly-fishing experiences targeting a variety of species.
The region's coastal dune lakes are a rare natural phenomenon, with only a few hundred of these unique water bodies found worldwide, making Santa Rosa Beach a hub for scientific research and conservation efforts.
Discover 7 Hidden Gem Destinations for a Memorable US Summer Getaway in 2024 - Watkins Glen State Park, New York Gorge Adventure
Watkins Glen State Park in upstate New York offers a breathtaking natural wonder, featuring a 1.5-mile gorge trail with around 800 steps that showcases 19 cascading waterfalls.
Watkins Glen State Park's Gorge Trail features a total of 19 waterfalls, with the tallest one, Cavern Cascade, plunging over 60 feet.
The park's geological features, including the steep gorge walls and rock formations, were primarily shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age.
Visitors can spot unique plant species along the Gorge Trail, such as the rare Canadian hemlock and the fragrant mountain laurel.
The park's diverse wildlife includes the threatened timber rattlesnake, which can be spotted basking on the sun-warmed rocks.
Watkins Glen State Park is home to a unique geological formation called a "pothole," which is a deep, cylindrical hole created by the swirling action of water and sediment.
The park's Suspension Bridge, which spans a 155-foot-deep gorge, was constructed in 1980 and is a popular photo spot for visitors.
Watkins Glen's "Pluto's Cave," a cave system within the park, is believed to have been used as a hiding place during the Prohibition era.
The park's Gorge Trail includes a total of 800 steps, allowing visitors to experience the dramatic changes in elevation as they hike through the stunning landscape.
Watkins Glen State Park is situated within the Finger Lakes region, which is known for its unique geologic features, including deep, narrow lakes formed by glacial activity.
The park's Rainbow Falls is named for the multicolored mist that often forms around the waterfall, creating a stunning natural display.
Watkins Glen's Spiral Gorge, a section of the Gorge Trail, features a series of tight switchbacks that allow hikers to navigate the steep terrain.
The park's Lakeside Trail offers a more relaxed alternative to the Gorge Trail, providing scenic views of Seneca Lake and opportunities for fishing and birdwatching.