When it comes to planning a getaway there are so many choices out there it can be difficult to decide where to go. I’m a member of a couple local and travel Facebook groups and one of the most popular question in every group is, “Where should we go for vacation?”
Over the years we’ve traveled to a wide variety of places, sometimes just for the weekend and other times for an entire week. We have our favorite places that we go back to again and again but I thought I’d share some of the unique places we’ve traveled that are a bit more off the beaten path.
Seabrook Island, South Carolina
If you are looking for a hidden gem beach vacation be sure to look into Seabrook Island. It’s known for it’s endless beautiful beaches that are never overcrowded and gorgeous landscapes. It’s the perfect place to go to escape the hustle and bustle of every day life. You can enjoy laid back days on the beach collecting seashells, watching the dolphins play in the surf, and even see baby sea turtles in the right season. You could also try your hand at fishing, or take a bike ride through the tranquil island community.
Accommodations on Seabrook include lovely vacation rentals with every size and price to fit your budget. There are many homes located directly on the beach with views of the ocean. Fair warning though, sometimes the path from the house to the beach could be up to a 7 min walk each way (we timed it!). Once you get to the end and the path opens up to the beach stretching out before you and ocean waves calling your name, the walk will be worth it.
One other note, Seabrook is not far from Charleston so you could take a 1/2 day or even a day trip into town to dine at one of the renowned restaurants, take a horse drawn carriage tour, or even go on a haunted ghost tour. There are also many other sites to see and things to do around the area including kayaking in the marsh, visiting The Angel Oak ( a incredible oak tree that is 300-400 years old), checking out Botany Bay, shopping in Freshfield Village, and more.
Whether your savoring a sunset, dining in downtown Charleston, or relaxing on the beach, Seabrook Island is the perfect blend of tranquility and adventure that will stay in your memories for years to come.
Gulf County, Florida
You may have visited the Florida panhandle before but you may have never heard of Gulf County. It’s always interesting to me to see people’s reactions when we tell them one of our favorite vacation spots is an entire county. But Gulf County is different. Last time we were there they only had 3 stoplights in the entire county! So as you can guess the beaches are gorgeous and uncrowded and it’s an incredible getaway for nature lovers with hiking trails, birdwatching, dolphin sightseeng tours, baby sea turtles making their way across the beach to the gulf in the right season, and more.
If you are a beach lover make sure you stop at Cape San Blas, with its breathtaking sunsets and secluded beaches. If you’re looking for more adventure you can enjoy fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, or you could even go horseback riding on the beach.
Beyond the beach, Gulf County is full of history and local culture including some charming small towns. In Port St. Joe you can explore quaint shops, dine at fresh seafood restaurants, and enjoy the friendly atmosphere. Nearby is St. Joseph Peninsula State Park which offers hiking trails and opportunities to explore nature. With its laid-back vibe and numerous outdoor activities, Gulf County is a fantastic destination for couples, families and even solo travelers.
Discovery Cove, Florida
One of our favorite family vacations is to Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida. We’ve visited a couple times over the years and every single trip is unforgettable. One of our favorite things about Discovery Cove is they limit the number of visitors every day, so the park never feels overcrowded. It’s an all-inclusive day resort that has a island feel complete with all you can eat buffets. With beautiful palm trees, gorgeous flowers, and island music piping through the speakers you’ll feel like your were whisked away to a paradise
You can choose to relax in a lounge chair on the beach next to the Grand Reef, go swimming in the Serenity Bay, snorkel among tropical fish, lounge in the lazy river, or even swim with dolphins! One of our favorite activities is visiting the aviary where you can feed birds from all over the world. It’s an incredible experience, there are some amazingly colorful birds that will happily land on your hand to eat a bit of bird food. It’s such a great way to learn about birds from all over the world and makes for wonderful photo opps too.
We also love that Discovery Cove has a commitment to conservation and education. The park provides visitors lots of opportunities to learn about marine life, birds, and other animals like otters, sloths, anteaters and more. There are expert guides offering engaging presentations throughout the day.
We always leave Discover Cove with unforgettable memories and photos we’ll cherish forever. We can’t recommend it enough to anyone looking for a day of adventure and relaxation unlike any other.
Cleveland, Ohio – John Carroll University
Now you may be wondering why Cleveland, Ohio is on a list of unique vacation ideas but I’m here to tell you there’s a special place not far from downtown Cleveland that, at the right time of the year, will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a movie set for a fictional college town.
Having lived in the Cleveland area for 20 years we have recommended the city numerous times to people looking for midwest getaways. There’s the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Botanical Garden, East 4th Street and Playhouse Square, and the city is filled with award winning restaurants.
If you do find yourself visiting Cleveland definitely give all those places a try, but one stop you should make is about 30 min from downtown is John Carroll University. I must confess that it’s my alma matter so I’m a bit bias. I graduated many years ago but we were there recently when our daughter was being recruited for volleyball and it’s just as beautiful as it was when I attended. We went in the spring and as I mentioned above it was like we stepped onto a movie set. The trees were all blossoming, the quads were all green with students either throwing footballs or sitting on picnic blankets studying, the flowers were blooming, and students were laughing. It truly felt like we were on the set of Gilmore Girls or some other unbelievably beautiful fictionalized college campus! And I went to school there!
Once you are in the area be sure to check out some of the local neighborhoods, they have a lot to offer. Shaker Square is the second oldest shopping center in the nation and the oldest in Ohio has a variety of restaurants to choose from and a well known farmer’s market too. Coventry has unique shopping and delicious dining options, University Circle with the Cleveland Museum of Art and Severance Hall where the Cleveland Orchestra performs aren’t too far away, Little Italy is near the museum if you are in the mood for some incredible authentic Italian food, and there is much more.
A visit to John Carroll University and the surrounding neighborhoods offers a unique glimpse into Cleveland’s rich character—one that’s equal parts charm, history, and an unexpected, movie-like magic.
Frankenmuth, Michigan
If you are looking for a unique getaway that involve shopping, dining, and a whole lot of history, Frankenmuth should be at top of your list. Famous for it’s Barvarian architecture, this amazing little town will make you think you’ve stepped into years past. We’ve visited Frankenmuth a number of times over the years and every time we have a trip planned I start counting down the days until we are there. It never gets old.
While the town itself seems pretty small there are so many places to shop and eat and things to do that we always find ourselves wishing we had a bit more time to spend there each trip. I do have to say that Frankenmuth is a little like Las Vegas in that the size of the buildings can be deceptive. One of our favorite stores to visit is Bronner’s – the world’s largest Christmas store. Now you would think we would know better, that this store is going to be big especially if it’s the world’s largest and we have been going here for years, but every time we set foot inside it’s like the first time we arrived. It’s is nearly as big as 2 football fields! So you can see how spending a day at Frankenmuth just might not be enough!
While Bronner’s is our favorite store, we also love to shop at the Bavarian Inn Castle Shops, the River Place Shops, the Cheese Haus, the Clock Shop (it’s technically called the Frankenmuth Clock & German Gift Company but we’ve always called it the Clock Shop because it’s full of clocks!), and many of the other unique shops up and down the street.
We also recommend planning time to eat at a couple different places if you are able. There are just so many unique options. Some of our favorites include the famous chicken dinner from Zehnder’s, the Frankenmuth Brewery has a great menu and views of Cass River from their patio deck, La Crepe Du Jour for delicious crepes they make right before your eyes, and N’Orlins Beignets & Coffee for unforgettable beignets. There are many more places to eat in Frankenmuth and we can’t wait to get back there to try them all.
There are also a wide variety of year round festivals to enjoy including a Bavarian festival, a hot air balloon festival, Oktoberfest, and more. There is also a wonderful riverboat tour on the Bavarian Belle which Dave and I did for the first time 2 years ago and loved it so much we can’t wait to do it again next time we are there.
With a variety of shopping, delicious dining options, year-round events, and countless things to see and do, Frankenmuth offers a delightful mix of culture and fun, making it a memorable vacation spot for all.
These five unique vacation ideas offer a range of experiences, from beach relaxation to cultural enrichment, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Whether you choose to unwind on the sandy shores of Seabrook Island, explore the hidden gems of Gulf County, swim with dolphins at Discovery Cove, embrace the culture at John Carroll University, or enjoy the charm of Frankenmuth, you’re bound to create unforgettable memories on your next getaway.
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