From white sand beaches to rugged desert hikes…
By ALICE WRIGHT FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
As the summer travel season fast approaches, DailyMail.com takes you through the shortlist for this year’s best summer escapes.
Whether you’re planning to take a trip by land, air or sea, the U.S. has so much to offer.
From white sand beaches, to horseback riding in the mountains or hiking through the desert, these are the top 20 destinations nominated for your summer getaway this year, according to responses compiled by USA Today.
Bar Harbor is a small town on Mount Desert Island on the edge of Acadia National Park.
Old-fashioned colorful slatted houses, eateries and shops line Bar Harbor’s quaint downtown, while access to the park offers stunning views, hiking and swimming.
Black Hills & Badlands, South Dakota
For those captivated by geological wonders and who enjoy hiking through mountainous expanse, a trip to the Black Hills and Badlands is a must-see.
Highlights include the iconic Mount Rushmore with the U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln carved into the granite rock.
Capitol Reef Country, Utah
Utah‘s Capitol Reef Country includes many varied desert treasures such as Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches national parks.
Visiting these stunning geological features is best done as a road trip.
Catalina Island, California
Catalina Island’s stunning coastline, sandy beaches and clear blue waters has made it famous as the backdrop for more than 500 films and TV shows in the last century.
At just 22 miles long, this island is the perfect spot for a relaxed beach getaway.
Cody, Wyoming
For those with Yellowstone National Park on their bucket list, Cody could be the perfect place to stay.
Known as the ‘Rodeo Capital of the World,’ the Wild West would be right on your doorstep with horseback riding, cowboy bars and breathtaking scenery.
Door County, Wisconsin
If you prefer boating and kayaking over lying on the beach, another alternative is Wisconsin’s Door County with its more than 300 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan.
The food and wine scene on land offers much for those that prefer to keep their feet dry.
Finger Lakes, New York
The 11 clustered lakes of the Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York also offer a lot for fishing and watersports enthusiasts.
The area also has many acclaimed wineries, so be sure to book a tasting on your visit.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama
The Gulf Coast of Alabama is lined with white sandy beaches and clear blue waters for the perfect relaxation getaway.
Cultured Orange Beach offers culinary delights as well as amusement parks for the kids.
Juneau, Alaska
Juneau’s snowy mountain range offers endless opportunities for hiking on its 250 miles of trails.
The area is rich in indigenous history and steeped in wildlife perfect for reconnecting with the great outdoors.Laurel Highlands, PennsylvaniaThe area is rich in indigenous history and steeped in wildlife perfect for reconnecting with the great outdoors.
Mackinac Island is situated between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Its charm stems from its car-free roads, which make taking a horse-drawn carriage ride into town a nostalgic pleasure.
Mackinac Island State Park offers off-the-beaten-track hiking, biking and kayaking.
Ocean City, New Jersey
This spot on the Jersey Shore boasts its famous boardwalk with plenty of eateries and seaside shops.
There are plenty of amusement parks for children including the acclaimed Playland Castaway Cove that offers the thrill of go-karting and roller coasters as well as mini golf.
Ocean City, Maryland
For a more laid back atmosphere, Maryland’s Ocean City is the quintessential East Coast beach town.
With boardwalks and sandy beaches, Ocean City offers the perfect escape.
San Juan Islands, Washington
This cluster of 176 islands and reefs offers rugged coastline, lighthouses and windswept beaches.
The four main islands, San Juan, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw, are all reachable by the Washington ferry system and have hotels available for tourists.
Sandusky, Ohio
Sandusky is a fan-favorite for family holidays as the home to Cedar Point amusement park’s 150 rides and attractions.
It also has plenty of cultural offerings including the Maritime Museum of Sandusky and the Sandusky State Theatre.
Sevier County, Tennessee
