Great Places to Visit in the States

Sure, you could sit in a gondola in Venice or sunbathe on the beaches in Bali. But, traveling out of the country is expensive. Before you drop $2,000 and hop on a flight half-way across the globe, consider exploring within the US. You might think, "I've been to Disney World and I've seen the Statue of Liberty, what else is there?" You could be surprised at the places to go right in your home country.

Photo from Wix Media

If you're interested in museums and sight seeing, check out Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri. Its a beautiful park with the St. Louis Art Museum and the St. Louis Zoo, to name only a few. Whether you're an art history buff like myself or you just like to enjoy priceless pieces of art, perusing the art museum is a great way to spend an afternoon. The zoo has amazing exhibits too. It's not just for kids; visitors of all ages could appreciate the lush botanical gardens and exciting animal exhibits. Oh, and did I mention it's free?

Photo by Isabel Brown

Photo by Isabel Brown

If museums aren't your thing and you're more of an outdoorsy type of traveler, explore the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. This nature park has plenty of trails to walk, rocks to climb, and otherworldly views to soak in. It's the perfect way to see Colorado's mountainous landscape. If you're a licensed rock climber, you can climb up some of the steeper cliff sides. For those of us who prefer to stay of the ground, there are plenty of smaller rocks to hop up on for the perfect picture and a great view of the scenery. Colorado Springs is the perfect destination for anyone looking for adventure. Garden of the Gods is a great place to start out. Plus, since you can't put a price on mother nature, it's completely free.

Maybe you're thinking "it's called a vacation because you're supposed to relax not run around mountains and zoos." Try checking out an Airbnb on Alabama's Gulf Shores. White sand and salt water to lounge around in all day long. If you're overworked, it's a perfect opportunity to forget all your responsibilities, wade in the tides, and soak up the sun rays. You can go with friends, family, or just take a weekend to yourself. Use this time to catch up on a good book, self-care, or even sleep. After a few days here, you're sure to return to work rejuvenated and ready to tackle whatever challenges come your way.

Those are just a few of the great vacation hot spots in the US. These locations are close by and guaranteed to put money back in your pocket.

#travel #US