The Sound Board
Our Top 5 US Travel Destinations for Summer
Summer is around the corner and we're gearing up for road trips across our great country. We've rounded up 5 of our favorite must-visit (but still under-the-radar) cities for your wanderlust. Whether you're getting there by car or plane, we have the perfect travel companion for you: music.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Don't let its ski resort reputation fool you – there's still a ton to do (and way less people to share it with) in the summer. Live your best cowboy life with a sunset horseback ride in the shadow of the Tetons before a hearty dinner in a real chuckwagon at Bar T-5. Get your adrenaline pumping with some whitewater rafting or paragliding, and make sure to save a day (or two, or three) for the two great national parks in the area: Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Cap your trip off with a private flight right through the mountains — it will be an experience you never forget.
Taos, New Mexico
There's a good reason artists like Georgia O'Keefe and Ansel Adams loved Taos — it has a power that just can't be put into words. Start your stay at the eco-friendly El Monte Sagrado downtown and take in the local art at the Harwood Museum and Joseh Henry Sharp Galleries. Soar above the desert landscape in a hot air balloon before driving to the thousnd year old Taos Pueblos, a UNESCO world heritage site. Before you go, don't miss Lambert's of Taos, where chef Zeke Lambert cooks regional fare like you've never seen. Feta cheese tamales drizzled with Chimayo chile sauce and topped with honey-clove poached apple — need I say more?
Savannah, Georgia
A hidden gem of the south, Savannah has something for everyone. Walk around the fountain at Forsyth park and sound like a local when you tell the story of how it was purchased from a catalog (and then spray-painted!) in the 1800's. Take a self-guided walking tour under the Spanish Moss downtown — bonus points if you see a ghost at night. After enjoying a fantastic dinner—One Fish Two Fish is a personal favorite—spend a night or two on Tybee Island for a relaxing end to your stay.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
A midwestern gem with less than 500 permanent residents, Mackinac was voted the 'World's Friendliest Island' in 2015. Don't worry about renting a car (the entire island is automobile-free anyways) and instead book a ride on horseback over some of the island's 70 miles of trails. As the nation's second-oldest national park (Yellowstone was the first) there' plenty of nature to enjoy. Stay at the 130-year-old Grand Hotel and enjoy a local brew and the view on the 660-foot front porch (the world's longest!), and make sure you don't leave without trying the island's legendary fudge, so popular that locals refer to tourists as 'Fudgies' since that's all they ask about.
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Thinking of spring breakers and 'Florida Man'? Think again — Ft. Lauderdale is one of the hottest vacatuon spots around. Start your trip by enjoying the miles of beaches like Lauderdale-by-the-sea and Pompano, and make sure to grab some gourmet food and craft beers from the city's burgeoning culinary scene. Our recommendations include Monkitail or for dinner followed by drinks at LauderAle. Get your high street fix on Las Olas Road (the Rodeo Drive of Ft Lauderdale, or enjoy more natural activities like the Flamingo Gardens or the Bonnet House artist colony.
We hope this list has given you some inspiration for your travels — share your road trip pics with us by using #LSTNRoadTrip on Instagram. We can't wait to see where you go next!
Other Articles:
Mother's Day Gift Guide 2019 // LSTN Powers the 'Meet Me in the Bathroom' NYC Art Show