Bar Harbor, Maine, one of the Best Cheap Summer Vacations, is well-known for being the entrance to Acadia National Park and has a long-standing reputation as a picturesque retreat that encapsulates all the state's best attributes. Its location along Frenchman Bay affords visitors a wealth of tranquil water vistas to their left and right, as well as rugged coasts that seem to have been plucked from a landscape painting.

Additionally, it serves as the ideal starting place for some of Maine's top whale watching excursions. In addition, the community cultivates a unique charm that gives the impression that you have left reality and entered a storybook. However, the quantity of mouthwatering local lobster will undoubtedly bring you back to reality.

This is the kind of location you go to refresh and rediscover the simple pleasures: taking a leisurely stroll, admiring the water as the day wears off, and indulging in delectable local cuisine. All of that fits in perfectly with Bar Harbor.

• #1 in Best Cheap Summer Vacations
  
  
• #1 in Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA
  
  
• #2 in Best Mountain Towns to Visit in the USA
  
  
• #2 in Best Places to Visit in Maine
  
  
• #4 in Best Weekend Getaways in New England
  
  
• #5 in Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S.
  
  
• #7 in Best Summer Vacations in the USA
  
  
• #12 in Best Places to Visit in July
  
  
• #16 in Best Places to Visit in the USA
  
  
• #16 in Best Summer Vacations
  
  
• #19 in Best Family Vacations in the USA

Country: USA

It's not difficult to understand why many people rank Niagara Falls as one of the world's top natural wonders. Or possibly because it has played host to some amazing (and currently prohibited) daredevil exploits throughout the years. Your mouth will drop the moment you see the massive Niagara River rumbling at 20 to 30 (and as fast as 68) mph approaching a 188-foot cascade.

The rapidity of the river's descent produces a foggy fog and an audible roar that can be heard for miles. Crowds gather at the rails from the top to feel the mist on their faces. Boats, platforms, and observation decks provide support for tourists wearing vibrant ponchos as you descend along the water's course.

Niagara has evolved over time from a traditional honeymoon destination to a corny honeymoon destination, and now it's a strange hybrid of the two. Along with the magnificent waterfalls, there are a lot of hotels and quickie wedding chapels that are backlit in flashing neon.

However, nothing beats taking a trip around the neighboring Inniskillin Winery's ice wine vineyards or taking in the beautiful scenery at the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens for true romance. Take a fantastic trip to the magnificent Niagara Falls by hopping in the two-seater with your special someone or loading up the minivan with the whole family.

• #1 in Best Family Vacations in Canada
  
  
• #2 in Best Cheap Summer Vacations
  
  
• #2 in Best Places to Visit in New York State
  
  
• #6 in Best Places to Visit in Canada
  
  
• #7 in Best Cheap Romantic Getaways
  
  
• #8 in Best Places to Visit in June
  
  
• #9 in Best Cheap Family Vacations
  
  
• #9 in Best Family Summer Vacations

Country: Canada

Grand is an inadequate description of this canyon. This enormous gap in northern Arizona, which is up to 18 miles wide and a mile deep, is definitely a natural wonder. It is around 277 river miles long. The Grand Canyon has grown with the assistance of the powerful Colorado River for 6 million years, and for ages, visitors from all over the world have come to take in its magnificent red and orange splendor. The Grand Canyon, which is under the management of the National Park Service and is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site, astounds its roughly 6 million annual tourists.

However, if you're looking for a remote getaway in Mother Nature, you should be ready: There can be a ton of people at the Grand Canyon. Visitors and hikers favor the South Rim, which is home to Grand Canyon Village and the well-traveled Bright Angel Trail. The majority of the amenities are on this side. Go to the North Rim to escape the crowds. Hardcore hiking and backcountry camping are available here. Take a helicopter tour for a once-in-a-lifetime look at the canyon.

• #1 in Best Places to Visit in the USA
  
  
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• #1 in Best Places to Visit in Arizona
  
  
• #1 in Best Day Trips from Phoenix
  
  
• #1 in Best Places to Visit in September
  
  
• #2 in Best Summer Vacations in the USA
  
  
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• #2 in Best Fall Vacations
  
  
• #3 in Best Spring Vacations
  
  
• #3 in Best Cheap Family Vacations

Country: USA

Yellowstone National Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with its stunning peaks and clear lakes. Hot springs are surrounded by colorful pools, lush woods wind through wide-open meadows, and erratic geysers shoot streams of scorching water into the air. It's understandable why everyone thought John Colter, a scout for explorers Lewis and Clark, was exaggerated when he first described Yellowstone's geothermal oddities in 1807.

With so much unspoilt natural beauty. Today, there is no denying the park's exceptionality. Be prepared to share the trails with year-round dwellers like buffalo, elk, and occasionally even grizzlies as you trek through its more than 3,000 square miles of mountains, canyons, geysers, and waterfalls.

Even though Yellowstone has more than 4 million people each year, you probably won't see many of them unless you spend the entirety of your trip at Old Faithful. There is a lot of uncharted land to explore on Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres, which extend from the northwest corner of Wyoming towards the borders of Idaho and Montana. Set aside a day or two to enjoy the scenery at Mammoth Hot Springs and Yellowstone Lake.

But set aside some time for the paths that lead through less well-known areas, such as the West Thumb Geyser Basin's hot springs and the Lewis River Channel and Dogshead Loop's untamed fauna. Even though the sheer quantity of routes and opportunities for animal viewing may initially appear overwhelming, keep in mind that you can always return.

• #1 in Best Summer Vacations in the USA
  
  
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• #1 in Best Places to Visit in May
  
  
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• #2 in Best National Parks in the World
  
  
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• #3 in Best Places to Hike in North America
  
  
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• #9 in Best Spring Vacations
  
  
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• #14 in Best Summer Vacations
  
  
• #26 in World's Best Places to Visit

Country: USA

It's clear what motivated Katharine Lee Bates to pen the words to Colorado Springs' well-known national anthem "America the Beautiful." The gorgeous Colorado Rockies can be seen if you turn your gaze in that direction. If you look in the opposite direction, you will see the Great Plains, which are described as "amber waves of grain." Visit this quaint village for more than just the stunning views.

Institutions like the Air Force Academy and the Olympic & Paralympic Training Center are also located in Colorado Springs. And through time, a variety of personalities have emerged. Take to the streets and share the sidewalks with aspiring politicians, young families, art enthusiasts, and more. Everyone stakes a claim on this area of America the Beautiful.

The second-largest city in Colorado has built a strong reputation and has consistently made the list of Best Places to Live by U.S. News. It's also well-known for being a major center for politics and religion, but in recent years Colorado Springs has toned down its religious rhetoric and even adopted a little of the relaxed atmosphere that tourists typically associate with Boulder or Telluride in Colorado (to experience this side of the Colorado Springs area, head to nearby Manitou Springs).

The majority of visitors, however, come for the expansive vistas offered by Pikes Peak, the towering cliffs that make up the Garden of the Gods, and the blushing rocks of Red Rock Canyon, not to partake in the political and social dialogue.

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• #7 in Best Places to Visit in Colorado
  
  
• #14 in Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S.

Country: USA

Williamsburg is one of the Best Cheap Summer Vacations, and relatively recent for a city with such a rich history. The city's downtown wasn't renovated until the 20th century on the Virginia Peninsula. Now you can retrace the paths that our founding fathers traveled in the past; in Williamsburg, you might even come upon those individuals walking alongside you (or at least, alongside some talented, costumed interpreters acting out their parts).

But the place isn't particularly unique. Rather, Williamsburg and neighboring places like Jamestown and Yorktown are living memorials to some of the most well-known figures in our colonial history. They all get their due: Patrick Henry, George Washington, John Smith, Pocahontas, and many others.

• #1 in Best Places to Visit in Virginia
  
  
• #5 in Best Historical Cities to Visit in the USA
  
  
• #5 in Best Places to Visit in November
  
  
• #7 in Best Places to Visit in May
  
  
• #8 in Best Cheap Summer Vacations
  
  
• #9 in Best Beaches in Virginia
  
  
• #13 in Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA
  
  
• #14 in Best Cheap Family Vacations
  
  
• #17 in Best Weekend Getaways in the South
  
  
• #17 in Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S.

Country: USA

Hot Springs, located 55 miles southwest of Little Rock in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas, is a popular destination for travelers looking for leisure and the great outdoors. The town's name, which was inspired by a network of springs, is what draws the majority of tourists. In actuality, visitors have been drawn to these hot springs for countless years, beginning with American Indians.

The town's Bathhouse Row is now crowded with tourists. Hot Springs National Park protects the city's naturally hot springs, however due to the city's close proximity to the park, some visitors may mistake it for the park itself.

Although dining, entertainment, and shopping may not immediately come to mind when most think of Arkansas, the little town of Hot Springs, with its casino, water park, and assortment of eateries and shops, also checks all those activities off the list. As for amateur (and professional) historians and architects, the city's rich history and distinctive structures are fascinating. The town's famous hot springs and the surrounding forest are still the main draws for tourists.

• #2 in Best Relaxing Getaways in the USA
  
  
• #7 in Best Places to Visit in August
  
  
• #8 in Best Mountain Towns to Visit in the USA
  
  
• #9 in Best Cheap Summer Vacations
  
  
• #13 in Best Weekend Getaways in the South
  
  
• #19 in Best Cheap Family Vacations

Country: USA

Native American mythology holds that this region in central New York's 11 glacial lakes is proof that the Great Spirit blessed the land by putting his footprint there. Native American names like Skaneateles, Keuka, Cayuga, and Seneca are so given to the freshwater lakes in the area. Today, this 9,000 square mile region is a playground for outdoors enthusiasts throughout the year and is home to a developing wine region that has been compared to Napa Valley.

The Finger Lakes provide strenuous hikes through breathtaking state parks that feature impressive rocky gorges and cascading waterfalls in addition to an abundance of boating, fishing, and water activities. However, there are many options for relaxation in the area, including scenic drives through wine and farm country. The location has what you're looking for in terms of culture.

• #5 in Best Places to Visit in New York State

• #5 in Best Cheap Honeymoons in the U.S.

• #10 in Best Cheap Summer Vacations
  

• #10 in Best Cheap Romantic Getaways
  

• #10 in Best Wine Vacations

Country: USA

Glacier National Park is situated on the border of Canada and Montana and is named for the ice age glaciers that still remain there. Because of the breathtaking variety of its natural beauty, it is frequently referred to as the "Crown of the Continent." The park is a popular destination for hikers and offers a choice of trails for all abilities, from the simple Trail of the Cedars (which is lined with majestic cedar trees) to the difficult Grinnell Glacier (which offers sweeping views). Additionally, the park's more than 1 million acres, more than 700 lakes, several waterfalls, and two mountain ranges provide as a haven for a diversity of wildlife.

In addition to its stunning geological characteristics, it has a significant quantity of history. The Going-to-the-Sun Road, a picturesque 50-mile journey across the park that is a National Historic Landmark and an engineering wonder, provides access to well-liked hiking routes as well as breathtaking views. In addition, the Great Northern Railway built several of the lodges, chalets, and hotels in the park in the early 20th century, and they are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Would you like to see a UNESCO World Heritage Site? The Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is also located nearby.

Glacier National Park introduced a ticketed admission system through September 6, 2021 for several site entrances to reduce the number of visitors to the park. For more information, go to the website of the National Park Service.

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• #1 in Best Places to Hike in North America
  
  
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• #3 in Best National Parks in the World
  
  
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• #5 in Best Places to Visit in the USA
  
  
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• #8 in Best Cheap Romantic Getaways
  
  
• #11 in Best Cheap Summer Vacations
  
  
• #13 in World's Best Places to Visit
  

Country: USA

Only the word "multifaceted" can truly express what Montreal is all about. With 18th-century buildings flowing into a skyline from the twenty-first century, this city symbolizes the fusion of the Old and New Worlds. Funky fusion restaurants are now housed in old-fashioned homes, and the familiar sound of English is contrasted with the rolling "rs" of French.

In addition to the distinctively sweet sesame seed, Montreal-style bagel, traditional French pastries are also available there. Rainbow flags flutter alongside textile symbols from India, Portugal, and France. A quick elevator ride takes you to another metropolis that is located several storeys below ground level, just when you think you've seen it all.

Top attractions in this diverse city include renowned museums and hopping markets. Start your excursion by strolling through the historic Vieux-Montréal cobblestone streets. You can stroll along Boulevard Saint-Laurent and enjoy a coffee at a traditional French café while learning about the region's ancient cathedrals.

If you're not interested in history, spend the afternoon shopping in the crowded downtown area or taking a hike in Parc du Mont-Royal. Just be sure to spare some energy for after the sun goes down; Montreal, particularly Rue St-Denis, is famed for its nightlife scene, which lasts into the early hours of the morning.

• #1 in Best Weekend Getaways
  
  
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• #4 in Best Places to Visit in Canada
  
  
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• #14 in Best Family Vacations in Canada
  

Country: Canada