When pressed to name the best American destination, most would likely select an iconic locale like the Grand Canyon, Miami Beach, or New York City. But true thrills often take place at the lesser-known gems. Visit any of the following places for your next vacation, and you’ll have a travel experience you won’t soon forget.
If you’re a Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, or Cape Cod lover, consider changing things up a bit by visiting Block Island. This seaside town has a lot to offer, from delicious fresh New England seafood to long stretches of grand, majestic beaches. For a break from the sand, there is also plenty of green space to explore at the Block Island Conservancy, where you can meander through wooded areas, beautiful meadows, and ocean bluffs. Enjoy water activities, fishing, or just kicking back and watching the boats come in and out of the harbor. Conversely, you could get your blood pumping by embarking on a self-guided cycling adventure around the island, choosing between the 7.5-mile or 16-mile route, both of which take you to numerous significant attractions and scenic spots.
Once a retreat for the wealthy elite, Jekyll Island is now a Georgia state park that has been named to the National Trust for Historic Preservation for its continued commitment to preserving the natural habitat, variety of wildlife, and centuries-old trees. Here you can connect with nature in a number of ways: camp at one of the 179 campsites, visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, or stroll down the famous Jekyll Avenue of Palms, which boasts almost three hundred cabbage palms along Plantation Road. You’ll also want to tour the “Millionaire’s Village,” a 240-acre site with thirty-three historic structures, including the Jekyll Island Club Resort and restored cottages that once housed prominent families such as the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and Goodyears.
Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, Sheboygan is hailed as the “freshwater surf capital of the world,” a title it earns primarily in fall and winter when strong winds across the water create some of the best waves on all the Great Lakes. If your visit coincides with the summer months, there is a myriad of other water-based activities to enjoy as well, including sailing, kayaking, kiteboarding, and windsurfing. Those who prefer land-based adventures can find solace in Kohler-Andrae State Park, which boasts numerous hiking and biking trails, sandy beaches, dunes, and birdwatching opportunities. Throughout the year, the city also hosts a variety of events and festivals, perhaps most notably the Sheboygan Brat Days in April and the Sheboygan County Fair in September.
If you like to tackle a lot on your trips, this is the town for you. Recognized as one of the “Top Five Western Art Towns” by Southwest Art magazine, Fredericksburg is home to a rich culture of artistic collaboration, making it a magnet for enthusiasts and collectors alike. It also happens to be the heart of Texas Wine Country with north of sixty wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms. Looking to do some shopping? Simply meander down Main Street to the more than 150 locally owned shops, boutiques, and galleries. And should you get hungry, you can partake in the delicious German cuisine with a Texan twist, a nod to the town’s heritage that perfectly represents its motto: “Texas heart, German soul.”
Recognized by the travel experts at Matador as one of the best small towns to visit, Rapid City is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife admirers. While must-see landmarks like Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Badlands National Park are all nearby, there are also many other noteworthy attractions to explore. Drive south to Wind Cave National Park, renowned for having one of the world’s lengthiest and most intricate caves, or northwest to Spearfish Canyon to waterfall-chase among its vibrant spring and summer greenery or breathtaking fall foliage. An especially standout experience is Custer State Park; spanning 71,000 acres in the Black Hills, this nature paradise offers over four hundred miles of biking, hiking, and horse trails and five stunning lakes, with Sylvan Lake, considered the “crown jewel,” standing out among the others for its panoramic views.
You don’t need to go to the world-renowned Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to enjoy western adventures. Instead, consider Cody, a northern Wyoming town steeped in Wild West history and culture. Here you can visit five Smithsonian-affiliated museums, attend the exhilarating Cody Nite Rodeo, and get a taste of rural living at one of the local dude ranches. If you’re hoping to spot some wildlife, make the journey to nearby Yellowstone National Park, where you can hike to Lamar Valley—often referred to as America’s Serengeti—to get a clear glimpse of bison, coyotes, buffalo, grizzly bears, and more. Or visit Buffalo Bill Reservoir in Buffalo Bill State Park to enjoy horseback riding, white water rafting, and pristine hiking trails, all among stunning mountain views.
Nestled in the Santa Ynez Valley a mere forty-five minutes from Santa Barbara, Solvang is a charming slice of Denmark within a compact 2.4-square-mile area. Established in 1911 by Danish immigrants, this hidden gem invites visitors to stroll amid Northern European architecture and savor authentic pastries and culinary delights carried on by second- and third-generation descendants. Explore cultural attractions like the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art, and the Wildling Museum of Art & Nature. Consider planning your visit to coincide with one of the town’s vibrant annual festivals, such as its Danish Days in September, Julefest Christmas extravaganza in December, or Taste of Solvang in March.
The United States offers a wealth of diverse travel experiences through numerous unique and often overlooked destinations. Seize the opportunity to enrich your vacations by exploring places such as the ones above, where you’ll find smaller crowds, lower prices, and the potential for exciting new adventures.
Revered for its natural sweetness, honey is featured in cuisines all around the world. In these recipes, it’s combined with earthy and fragrant spices to create uniquely flavorful foods your entire family will adore.
A medley of North African spices and honey makes these rolls the perfect accompaniment for any meal.
You’ll want to add this sweet-and-savory main course—which has just a touch of heat—to your dinner rotation.
Ras el hanout, a Moroccan spice blend, brings the flavors of cardamom, cumin, cinnamon, and nutmeg to this popover recipe. Serve with a roast instead of traditional bread rolls for a twist on a classic meal.
Makes 12
Tip: Keep the oven door closed while the popovers are cooking—opening it can cause them to deflate.
If our sweet-hot ratio calculations are correct, when each of these honey and lavender ribs hits your lips, you’re gonna see some serious stuff. And if our theory of meat deliciousness is correct, your entire future hinges on your making these ribs.
Serves 4–6
Recipe excerpted from Classic Recipes for Modern People by Max and Eli Sussman (© Weldon Owen, 2015).
You may associate April with tax time, but did you know that it is also Financial Literacy Month? Perfectly aligned with traditional filing deadlines, this is a great time to review your finances and build up the knowledge, skills, and confidence you need to accurately handle your money. By becoming more financially literate, you can reduce your risk of wasting wealth and make great strides toward a more affluent future. As the saying goes, money makes the world go round—and taking steps to better secure yours can help you turn your fortune in your favor.
This is simultaneously the simplest and most crucial way to develop financial literacy. Forming a budget can better enable you to quantify your money as you earn it, pay it toward expenses or other investments, and watch your savings grow.
Fortunately, there’s no longer a need for the tedious practice of sitting down with a legal pad and calculator to write your budget. Thanks to modern technology, the task is made easy with apps like YNAB and NerdWallet, which provide simple plug-and-plan tools that walk you through budgeting strategies and help you keep tabs on your monetary health. Get more hands-on with your income, investments, savings, and spending habits, and you can better understand your financial lifestyle and potentially improve how you use your money.
Credit cards, loans, financing plans, and other lines of credit aren’t free money, even if they may seem that way. Every time you buy groceries with a credit card or finance home goods, you essentially take on new debt, so ensure you continually stay on top of these balances. Make at least the minimum payment on every line of credit, and always do so on time to avoid racking up extra fees or interest. (To avoid missing a deadline, consider setting up automatic payments or creating recurring reminders with your smartphone assistant or in a calendar app.)
You can also seek out a credit card with a 0-percent-APR promotional offer, meaning you won’t pay any interest for a limited period. Make purchases with this card rather than with a high-interest one, and use it to cover any other debt that currently builds interest, such as student loans. Just be sure to pay off its balance before the no-interest period ends.
If you come across extra cash—perhaps you receive a paycheck bonus or identify unused spending money left over at the end of the month—channel these funds toward eliminating your various debts, starting with high-interest balances. Gradually freeing yourself from the shackles of owing money will bring a great sense of relief and give you more room in your budget for savings or other spending.
Conventional wisdom suggests saving is one of the best ways to help set up your future; even stashing just three months’ worth of expenses in savings may better protect you in a financial emergency. However, doing so isn’t always easy, especially if unexpected costs pop up and deplete your funds. The financial experts at Bankrate note that “saving money comes down to two factors: increasing your income and reducing your expenses.” While the former can be difficult since it may require finding new or even secondary work, the latter is, thankfully, more attainable. Slash expenses by reducing your discretionary spending (i.e., unnecessary costs like dining out) and eliminating debt when possible. As you free up extra cash, set it aside in a high-interest savings account, where it may flourish.
This may be a less exciting way to divvy your funds than, say, going on a shopping spree, but setting aside money for retirement isn’t just wise—it’s fundamental to developing a safety net for your golden years. Remember, retiring means leaving behind your primary source of income, so you’ll need a bevy of cash to support virtually all your living expenses and enjoy your seniority stress-free. Because there are dozens of methods for saving up these funds, including employee-sponsored 401(k) accounts and tax-advantaged IRAs, consider discussing your options with a financial professional to determine which arrangement may suit you best. Your future self will thank you.
Attempts to pilfer money from unsuspecting individuals are more numerous and advanced than ever. This is thanks in no small part to technology like AI that can replicate human interaction and fool you into believing you’re sending money to a loved one. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost up to $8.8 billion in scams in 2022 alone (a 30 percent increase from 2021), so now more than ever, it’s vital to make efforts to protect your finances and stay ahead of these deceptive developments. Refer often to reliable outlets such as AARP, which details rising fraud and scam tactics, to stay one step ahead of criminals. You should also pull your credit report once a year to check for signs of identity theft, including fraudulent lines of credit opened in your name.
Also heed this warning: never give financial information over the phone, even to a loved one. If you receive a call from what seems to be your bank or the IRS requesting account information or money, hang up and call its customer service department directly for more details.
If you want to truly boost your financial literacy, consider enlisting the guidance of a money-management professional. The financial world is incredibly complex, and some facets may seem downright obscure. What’s the difference between a 401(k), 403(b), and 457 account, and which plan is most suitable to your long-term goals? Rather than researching each alone, turn to a seasoned pro who has spent years learning and practicing the art of financial management. The time and effort they save you, along with their insightful strategies, may be well worth the investment, which may help you set sail toward superior financial wellness.
Recognized internationally as Earth Month, April is a great time for each of us to direct our attention toward sustainability, conservation, and community engagement. Although there are many ways to contribute to the health of the planet, here are seven simple ones you can try this month to start giving back and help establish a more sustainable future.
On April 22, otherwise known as Earth Day, consider participating in EARTHDAY.ORG’s campaign to remove litter and plastic pollution from parks, rivers, and streets within communities worldwide. You can find a list of projects near you in its online guide or even sign up to host one yourself. Many other organizations also hold cleanup events throughout the month, so check with your local municipalities or Volunteer.gov to see what options are available and how you can lend your support.
If you aren’t already involved with one, find a community garden to join this month. These programs provide fresh, locally grown produce, foster a sense of unity, and promote sustainable agriculture practices. Depending on the needs of the specific garden, you could volunteer to plant, mulch, harvest, or organize future local outreaches. You can use this map from the American Community Gardening Association to find one in your area; if there aren’t any near you, the organization also offers numerous resources on how to start your own.
If you enjoy spending time in nature, this could be the perfect volunteer opportunity for you. The Forest Service relies on volunteers to help maintain various outdoor areas, including hiking trails, campgrounds, and new building projects. As a bonus, once you reach 250 volunteer hours, you’ll receive an interagency volunteer pass, which gives you free access to national parks and other public lands for one year.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, trees are integral to maintaining the health of our planet—they perform a multitude of crucial functions, such as purifying the air, capturing carbon, and stabilizing the soil. Do your part to preserve and enhance this vital connection by volunteering for a tree-planting event in your community, adding one to your yard, or supporting organizations like the Arbor Day Foundation or One Tree Planted through donations. Especially with Arbor Day coming up at the end of the month, now is an opportune moment to make a positive impact.
Buying local is a great option for Earth Month, and not just because you’re getting fresher products; it also cuts down on air pollution and encourages more sustainable practices. Whether you’re in search of fresh produce, meat, dairy products, or other essentials, explore your nearby farmers market or utilize resources like LocalHarvest and the USDA’s local food directory to find food sources near you. By making this switch, you can elevate the quality of your goods, contribute to a healthier environment, and boost the well-being of your local economy.
Since bees are responsible for pollinating our plants, our food production depends on them. Unfortunately, however, the bee population has fallen by more than 50 percent over the last seventy-five years. You can do your part to help sustain it by growing bee-friendly flora that are native to where you live. This will not only provide more food for them but also improve the soil in your area. Alternatively, you could volunteer with Save the Bees, which has different opportunities throughout the year for tasks like environmental restoration, bee research, and beekeeping.
Also in need of support are the animals who, like us, call earth their home. This month, consider working with an organization to restore natural habitats for species native to your area, which can create a friendly environment for wildlife, enhance biodiversity, and preserve ecosystems. You can find opportunities to do so through the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Audubon Society as well as through local organizations.
Earth Month is a fantastic time to come together and make a difference for the planet. Participating in activities such as cleanup events and tree planting will have immediate benefits and foster a sense of responsibility and stewardship for the earth that can last well beyond April. So volunteer, raise awareness, and take action to create a more sustainable and beautiful world for generations to come.
