I love how West Virginia offers the best mix of rugged natural beauty, cozy small towns, and thrilling outdoor activities.

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Arches National Park

Places to Visit in Utah

For me, Utah isn’t just about sightseeing. It’s about the unique landscapes, the favorite experiences, and the best underrated gems that make the state unforgettable.

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Scenic landscape near New Orleans

Best Romantic Weekend Getaways from New Orleans

For me, weekend getaways from New Orleans aren’t just about leaving the city. They’re about finding unique destinations that offer the best mix of culture, history, and natural beauty.

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I took these photos of New England beaches during my travels

Best Places to Visit in New England

From adventure, delicious food, or learning about history, New England has something to offer to everyone.

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I took this photo while hiking in the Texas Hill Country

Best Places to Visit in the Southern USA

From vibrant cities to charming coastal towns, the South delivers the best mix of food, music, and scenery, often in unique and sometimes underrated spots that feel unforgettable.

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I took this photo of a romantic waterfall in Ohio

Best Romantic Weekend Getaways in Ohio

For me, Ohio’s romantic escapes are some of the best in the Midwest. We've discovered unique destinations, favorite experiences, and underrated gems that are easy to love.

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I took this sunset photo on our romantic getaway in SoCal

Best Romantic Getaways in Southern California

For me, Southern California is one of the best regions for romance because it combines unique landscapes, cozy stays, and unforgettable adventures that always bring me closer to the person I’m traveling with.

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My photo of fall foliage over water, Texas Hill Country where I live

10 Best Places to Visit in October in the USA

Whether you’re looking for cozy small-town charm, city festivals, or peaceful escapes in nature, October offers a little bit of everything, making it one of my favorite times to plan special trips and seasonal fun.

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My palm tree photo at sunset on my romantic getaway in the tropics

Best Secluded Romantic Getaways Around the World

What makes secluded getaways so special is the sense of privacy and discovery. You can spend the morning sipping coffee with only the sound of nature around you, enjoy afternoons exploring hidden trails or quiet shorelines, and end the evening with starlit skies and total peace.

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Beach Near Orlando, Florida

Best Beaches Near Orlando, Florida

Orlando may be famous for its theme parks, but it’s also surrounded by some of the best beaches in Florida. Just a short drive away, you’ll find sandy shores, rolling waves, and the best mix of relaxation and fun.

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Beach near Chicago

Best Weekend Getaways from Chicago

For me, weekend getaways from Chicago are some of the best and most unique escapes, underrated favorites that always deliver a memorable break.

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North Carolina Beaches

Best Beaches in North Carolina

From the Outer Banks to the Crystal Coast and down to the southern beaches near Wilmington, the state has some of the best shoreline you’ll find anywhere on the East Coast.

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Lake Allatoona at Red Top Mountain State Park

Best Places to Visit in Georgia, USA

Georgia is one of the best states to visit in the South, and it’s become one of my favorite destinations for history, culture, and natural beauty.

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]I took this photo on the edge of the ocean one one of our weekend trips

Best Places to Visit in Connecticut

I love how Connecticut offers the best blend of coastal towns, scenic countryside, and vibrant cultural attractions. It feels quieter than other New England states, but that’s exactly what makes exploring here so refreshing.

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I took this photo of river landscape in Arkansas

10 Best Places to Visit in Arkansas

Arkansas offers beautiful rivers, some of the best hot springs on the country, mountains, and caves, crisscrossed by numerous hiking and biking trails.

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Ema Bio
Hi, We are Ema and Chris and we've spent years on the road. While our website VacationIdea.com is small with under 200 pages and all the content written by just the two of us, you'll find a host of diverse and hidden vacation ideas for weekend getaways, day trips, and longer vacations, based on our personal travels. Keeping this website small allows us to keep it up to date with our latest discoveries and photos while we travel. We hope that reading this inspires you to travel to our favorite hidden gems. Why trust us? We founded this site decades ago and not only are we expert road trippers, but we also work with tourism agencies to stay pluggend into the latest openings and what's new and unique in travel. Chris is an award-winning photographer and designer, giving our contant a visually stunning polish. We've received many awards and media mentions for our work. More about us.