Our Favorite Trips in the United States

Happy Tuesday, friends! Thanks for the love on yesterday’s Father’s Day Gift Guide, and welcoming me back! I realize you come to Hi Sugarplum for style finds, travel inspiration, and beauty tips, along with a healthy dose of positivity… and I don’t plan on changing any of that! The change happening will be more behind-the-scenes… in both my personal and business life. Decisions I make will come more from a place of intended fairness and equality, and I hope you’ll stay for the fun!

Speaking of fun… summer is here (as evidenced by our 98-degree days!). And while summer is usually synonymous with travel, our getaways will certainly look a lot different this year. But even though international travel has been put on hold, there are TONS of incredible places to visit in our beautiful United States!

We were actually booked to be in France and Switzerland this week, but are now pivoting to someplace closer. I rounded up some of our favorite US trips from years past, and hope they’ll help you plan your family fun this summer! Click the link under each photo for the full trip report.


Zion National Park


Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend


The Grand Canyon


Bryce Canyon National Park

road trip, national parks, zion, bryce, the grand canyon, family road trip
Vegas to Phoenix – a Road Trip of National Parks with Kids

road trip through west texas
West Texas Road Trip – Marathon, Alpine & Marfa


Big Bend National Park


Sedona, Arizona


The Mendocino Coast


The High Road to Taos Scenic Byway


24-hours in Santa Fe, New Mexico


Albuquerque, New Mexico


Jackson Hole, Wyoming


Miami Beach, Florida


24-Hours in Seattle


Skagway, Alaska


Big Sky, Montana


Ketchikan, Alaska


Anna Maria Island – our beloved island, find posts HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE


New York City

hi sugarplum trip report to winter park, colorado
Winter Park, Colorado


Palm Springs HERE & HERE


Kauai, Hawaii HERE & HERE

Okay, so Hawaii is likely not opening for most of us, but I couldn’t resist including it! If you’re looking for something quick, these are some of our favorite US hotels, all worthy of a weekend trip!

nomad hotel los angeles
The NoMad Hotel | Los Angeles


Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Farm | New Mexico


Cielo Taos Bed & Breakfast | New Mexico


La Serena Villas | Palm Springs

 

A few other posts that might be helpful for your summer travels…

how to pack a hat
How to Pack a Hat


What’s In My Carry-On Bag


My Travel Essentials


Travel Q&A Series | Part One // Part Two // Part Three

 

The Travel Q&A Series was a lot of fun, I answered tons of your questions about booking, packing, hotels, and more. Are you headed anywhere this summer, or staying close to home? We’re hoping to spend some time at the lake, and maybe a road trip!

And for my international readers, you can find all my Europe and Mexico posts HERE. See you back here tomorrow… I’m sharing my Road Trip Essentials to help make those long car rides more fun and comfortable!

 

Leave a Comment

20 Comments

  1. Deborah wrote:

    Thanks for this post. The U.S. trips are really available to many more of us due to lack of time and money. Keep making the changes that reflect our culture of now although it is hard to face those changes.

    Posted 6.9.20 Reply
    • Cassie wrote:

      Thank you, Deborah…I’m thrilled you loved the post! xo. C

      Posted 6.9.20 Reply
  2. Anje wrote:

    THESE are the posts I love the most and one of the main reasons I started following your blog 🙂 Thank you! Was hoping for some northeast US recommendations but it looks like you haven’t explored there….yet 😉

    Posted 6.9.20 Reply
    • Cassie wrote:

      Thank you so much!! We hope to get up to the Northeast eventually! xo, C

      Posted 6.9.20 Reply
  3. Beth wrote:

    We’ve got an OBX trip planned this summer and we are definitely looking forward to it! Luckily the beaches in Duck, NC are not crowded so we should be able to maintain social distancing.

    I think there are additional guidelines for traveling to Alaska compared to travel within the continental states.

    Posted 6.9.20 Reply
    • Cassie wrote:

      OBX sounds fantastic, hope you have fun at the beach!! xo, C

      Posted 6.9.20 Reply
    • MJ wrote:

      You will LOVE Duck!!! Lots of social distancing available in OBX, for sure. I grew up on the coast of NC and it’s the #1 place I advise people to visit. Enjoy your trip!

      Posted 6.9.20 Reply
  4. Sandy wrote:

    This is so cool!! Thank you, C! I bookmarked it for summer reading and future reference!
    I heard that RV rentals have skyrocketed. And…the rates doubled. Not surprised.
    A family that travels (and skis) together, stays together. : )

    Posted 6.9.20 Reply
    • Cassie wrote:

      An RV road trip would be so fun! xo, C

      Posted 6.9.20 Reply
  5. Kate wrote:

    Thank you so much! I’ve been referencing your travel posts as we have set out on a 50 state road trip! Especially love the foodie tips 😁

    Posted 6.9.20 Reply
    • Cassie wrote:

      WOW! Oh my gosh, 50 state road trip, that sounds incredible! xo, C

      Posted 6.9.20 Reply
  6. MJ wrote:

    I am planning a New Mexico trip for my birthday in October and CAN’T WAIT! It will be my first time and I’m so excited! I was planning to do just Santa Fe & Taos, but your posts helped me realize I wasn’t thinking about altitude sickness. I thought I would die when I skied Keystone, so now I’m definitely flying into ABQ! Thank you for helping save the days of vacation I would have lost otherwise!

    Hoping to go home & visit my parents on the SE coast on NC sooner, maybe end of July? I will definitely be social distancing on the NC beaches (Sunset, Topsail, Ocean Isle) EVERYDAY😋😋😋

    Can’t wait to see the adventures your family has planned this summer!!!

    Posted 6.9.20 Reply
    • Cassie wrote:

      sounds perfect! I’m thrilled my post was helpful! xo. C

      Posted 6.9.20 Reply
  7. Hena Tayeb wrote:

    So many great trips.. we were supposed to be in Bali in July.
    We are hoping Shenandoah Valley opens up and we can spend some time outdoors instead.

    Posted 6.9.20 Reply
    • Cassie wrote:

      Oh no, I’m so sorry! Bali sounds magical. I hope you can find a workable alternative! xo, C

      Posted 6.10.20 Reply
  8. Rachel wrote:

    Even your font combos are adorable!

    Posted 6.9.20 Reply
    • Cassie wrote:

      Well thank you!!! <3 xo, C

      Posted 6.10.20 Reply
  9. Laurie S wrote:

    Add Crater Lake in Oregon to your list. I went there in the 70s for family vacation. I was awed by it then. Can’t wait to go back and view from “older” adult eyes!

    Posted 6.10.20 Reply
    • Cassie wrote:

      We would love to go there!! xo, C

      Posted 6.10.20 Reply
  10. Choral wrote:

    Cassie –
    Loved this! We’re looking hard at New Mexico for the late fall now that we’ve seen your write-ups. Thank you for all your advice – it’s a lot of work to put together and I certainly appreciate it!

    Posted 6.10.20 Reply