After being cooped up for over a year, there’s a lot of pent-up demand for travel. But there’s also concern about how safe travel is.
A few months ago, I decided that in the interest of safety, this would be a year to explore North America, rather than flying to more exotic destinations. How, you ask, can staying here be as exciting as a trip to Paris, Tokyo or a safari in Tanzania? And how do I avoid the crowds that are likely to converge on major tourist destinations?
Start by thinking of activities you love. That can be jazz, antiquing, cooking, soccer, woodworking or just about anything. I’m drawn to crafts, especially artists’ studios. I’m a sucker for gardens, puppets and anything that hints at bizarre. Plan a trip around your passion. Look for festivals, out-of-the way museums, contests, workshops or anything else that will connect you with equally enthralled people.
When you arrive, talk with locals who share your interests. A smile and genuine interest gets people to open up. Asking for tips can lead to amazing finds.
While traveling near Knoxville with a friend who’s mad for fiddle music, I visited the Museum of Appalachia. In one small cabin a guitar player sprawled on a hand-carved wooden chair as his sausage-like fingers flew. The fiddle player broke into a jig, playing all the while. A tall, stately woman played banjo and sang with a soft twang. Although there were only two of us in their audience, they played as if they were at the Grand Ole Opry.
At the end of each song, we applauded enthusiastically. My friend asked about their instruments and songs. The fiddle player tipped his hat in appreciation and said, “You gals should go over to the Lake View Inn tonight.” He went on, “Every Monday they have a pickin’ session. It’s great fun.” That’s how we ended up at a free, impromptu concert, in a motel dining room filled with devoted locals. On stage (in front of the salad bar) amateur and professional musicians played for hours to this exuberant audience. It was as wonderful and exotic an experience as any I’ve encountered.
National Parks will most likely be over-crowded this summer. But if you love nature and want to avoid throngs of people, head to the lesser-known state and provincial parks or other government owned land. At Anzo-Borrego state park in California there is some of the best stargazing on the planet. One August night I must have seen a hundred shooting stars. If you like wild, uncluttered beaches and outstanding beach combing try Ecola state park in Oregon. Letchworth state park in New York has endless waterfalls, well-maintained hiking trails and cabins for rent. In the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia I had close-up encounters with alligators and marveled at the cypress knees, dense vegetation and shimmering water. Every state has dozens of parks, from wild to tame, with a wide variety of amenities. I vividly remember going to a remote park in Ontario when I was a small child; today’s kids will retain equally wonderful memories.
The United States is a country of immigrants and each group brings their cultural heritage and cuisine with them. If you’re a foodie, you don’t have to cross an ocean to taste the best the world offers. Some of the best Vietnamese food I’ve ever eaten, including in Viet Nam, was in Minneapolis. Go on a food tour in New Orleans and take a cooking class while you’re there. In Miami sample authentic Cuban food. Charleston has great seafood—go for crab, bouillabaisse, oysters and grouper at a riverfront restaurant. In San Francisco or New York to eat specialties from across China. The list is endless and the possibilities delicious.
Plan a trip around North America’s lesser-known cities and towns. Some of my favorites include Hyde Park, NY, Lafayette, LA and Taos, NM. They’re filled with history, local attractions and places to kick back and relax. They’ll be far less expensive than visiting a major city and your chances for discovering something wonderful are high. If you chat with the owners of local businesses, they’ll clue you in to the local treasures. Stick to mom-and-pop establishments rather than chains and you’ll be amazed at how friendly and helpful people are. In Eureka Springs, Arkansas, a shop owner introduced me to some locals who were also shopping there. The couple invited me for lunch, then gave me a full afternoon tour of the area.
While you’re in smaller towns buy antiques at a fraction of the cost of the same items in a city. Go to a county fair and sample the local specialties. At a fair in Mumford in upstate New York, I sampled beef on a weck, an unforgettable pretzel-bun sandwich. I also saw prized vintage automobiles, talked with local craftspeople and watched kids compete in hilarious competitions. Was it Rome? No, but it was unforgettable, and I had a fabulous time.
Think you can’t see world class attractions outside of major cities? Think again. Columbus, Indiana has dozens of buildings designed by some of the world’s finest architects. It’s a small city that The American Institute of Architects has ranked as sixth in the United States for architectural innovation and design. Take a tour, I guarantee you’ll be impressed.
Most people are aware of wine tours in California. But do you know about the Tennessee whiskey trail? The distilleries are as hospitable and beautiful as any winery I’ve ever visited. And the whiskey is world class.
The Vail Dance Festival brings together top dance companies from around the world; you’ll have the chance to see the NY City Ballet with the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop.
For art lovers, head to Marfa, Texas or Silver City, New Mexico or Berea, Kentucky. All three (and many other towns) are brimming with galleries filled with work by emerging and established artists.
I celebrated my fortieth birthday by taking an extended road trip around the USA. Even with months of travel, I never ran out of places that delighted and intrigued me. Search around, go down the rabbit hole on your browser, you’ll be astounded at the top-notch possibilities you’ve never even heard of. Then go out and explore.
About the Author
Karen Gershowitz, author Travel Mania: Stories of Wanderlust, has been traveling since age 17 when she boarded a plane to Europe and stayed there for three years.
She has since traveled to more than 90 countries, experiencing countless bold, once-in-a-lifetime adventures: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, trekking atop an elephant in Thailand, hiking in the blistering heat of the Moroccan desert—and much more. While studying ceramics as an undergraduate at the Kansas City Art Studio, Karen proposed and received a grant to photograph ceramics studios, potters and their work throughout Japan. She later built a career as a marketing strategist and researcher with companies who sent her around the globe to conduct focus groups, interviews and meetings. She lives in New York City, but is a citizen of the world.