Best Staycations in the USA

The current spike in coronavirus cases in the USA is proving damaging not only to international tourism but domestic tourism too with the U.S. Travel Association estimating a 40% drop in domestic travel spending in 2020 compared to 2019. 

While the surge in cases may deter many Americans from travelling abroad this year, we do believe a staycation in some states may just be the perfect alternative and by doing so you’re contributing to the tourism economy. We’ve tried our best to pick out destinations here where Covid-19 is not so prevalent but due to the constantly evolving situation this may be subject to change. So, without further ado, let’s dive into our pick of the best staycations in the USA. 

1. Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is full of history, architecture, culture, and gorgeous weather. Charleston is the county with the most cases in South Carolina. However, compared to other states; South Carolina has not fared too badly.

Another reason this city makes the list is by its reputation for friendliness, it has been ranked one of the friendliest cities in the U.S. with great hospitality. Travel + Leisure also listed it as the best city in the world. 

2. Phoenix, Arizona

Cases were on the up in Arizona in June and at the start of July but have started to fall in the last week. If the trend continues, we recommend visiting the state’s best city: Phoenix.

Phoenix is blessed with year-round warm weather and gorgeous sunshine. There is also a thriving cultural scene with numerous theatres and fantastic art museums. Arizona as a whole is also a great state for open air adventure with the Grand Canyon National Park to the north-west and Saguaro national park in Tucson. 

3. Boise, Idaho

Forbes listed Boise as the fastest growing city in the US in 2018 with its population growing 18.2% in the eight years since 2010. Even still, it’s considered to be a hidden gem and feels more like a small town than a state capital city.

Boise’s food scene is also booming and has been praised for its farm-to-table movement with many local restaurants sourcing products from neighbouring farms.

Meanwhile, Boise is also an outdoor haven surrounded by over 300 different trails for hiking or mountain biking. 

4. Denver, Colorado

While some states and cities in the US have seen a recent spike in cases compared to their April and May figures, Colorado has remained largely consistent.

Capital City Denver is the craft beer capital of the world (that’s certainly one reason to visit) and is filled with trendy bars and restaurants.

Denver is also an extremely pretty city situated at the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains – you can view over 200 named peaks from downtown. With the mountains so close, Denver is also a mecca for hiking and adventure seekers.  

5. Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City is the gateway to five of America’s most popular national parks, making it the perfect destination for socially distant tourism.

Utah is known for its striking landscapes and we recommend using Salt Lake City as your base for exploring these natural landmarks that you’ve seen in countless movies.

The city itself is also immensely walkable and you couldn’t have a better afternoon than strolling downtown and taking in the local art galleries and hip eateries, all surrounded by the striking Wasatch Mountain range. 

Do you have any other suggestions for staycations in the USA? Why not let us know by joining the conversation on our LinkedIn page, Twitter or Instagram.

Regardless of where you decide to travel this year, remember you can make your trip even safer by reducing contact points and using our luggage delivery service.