25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
America is traveling again, even if the pandemic is not over. Many are playing it safe and traveling by car to places with low case counts and high vaccination rates, while others are flying overseas (although not recommended by infectious disease specialists or epidemiologists).
Travel specialists say you should take both your vaccination card and a photo of the card. Traveling with unvaccinated children presents a conundrum. ID clinicians say the whole family should mask up and also consider vacations with other families so kids don't continue to feel isolated.
We've put together 15 recommendations for less-popular vacation spots for those trying to avoid crowds, along with five that may be more crowded and another five international destinations for those considering traveling overseas.
Medscape does not promote or receive payment from any hotels, resorts, cruise lines, tourism organizations, or other entities mentioned.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Squam Lakes, New Hampshire
New Englanders flock to Lake Winnipesaukee to cool off, but those looking for a quieter respite continue just north to Big and Little Squam lakes. Big Squam has 61 miles of shoreline, while Little Squam is more modest. Both are deep and spring-fed, and some 67 islands can be explored by kayak, canoe, or guided cruises. Rattlesnake Mountain rewards hikers with spectacular views of the region. Kids will love Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, with its wildlife rescue program. It's located in Holderness, which straddles the two lakes. Historic inns with foodie-destination restaurants can be found in and around the lakes. Arts & Crafts architecture fans will be wowed by the Castle in the Clouds, a historic estate with hiking trails, gardens, and dining.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Looking for that New England feel but want to stay in the Midwest? Is hiking, biking, swimming, kayaking, fishing, and cycling on your agenda? The Upper Peninsula (UP) should fit the bill. Start in Marquette, a college town on Lake Superior, 180 miles north of Green Bay. You don't have to go far for great lake views: The 323-acre peninsular Presque Isle Park is in town. Cyclists have plenty of options, including the 47-mile Iron Ore Heritage Trail. To explore the UP's truly rugged territory, take a drive and a ferry to the isolated Isle Royale National Park. Camp or stay overnight at Rock Harbor Lodge. Closer to Marquette is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where dramatic sandstone cliffs abut blue-green waters.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Big Sky, Montana
A 50-mile scenic drive from Yellowstone National Park gets you to Big Sky, a 120-square-mile resort area nestled below the 11,166-foot Lone Peak. Known more for its winter activities, Big Sky offers plenty for summer and fall visitors: yoga, acupuncture, bear safety classes, farmers markets, golf, guided hikes, artist talks, outdoor concerts, the West Yellowstone rodeo, and, of course, fly-fishing. Follow up the evening's cocktail of locally distilled spirits with an elk chop, a bison burger, or fresh-caught trout. There are lots of lodging choices, but the celebs hole up at the private Yellowstone Club. The Crail Ranch Homestead Museum offers a window into early 20th century Montana life. Check the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center — named for a ski-film legend — for live theater and film. And don't miss out on the biggest show: Yellowstone.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia
Just west of the Blue Ridge, the 70,000-acre park is cleaved by one of America's oldest rivers, "The New." The New River Gorge bridge, at 3000 feet long and 800 feet high, is the site of many a bungee-jump, catwalk tours, and, one day in October, officially sanctioned BASE jumps. The park is a font of geologic and regional history, including the African American Heritage Auto Tour, which tells the story of Black coal miners. Whitewater rafting accommodates floaters and adrenaline junkies, as the river moves from quiet pools to Class III-IV rapids. The Gorge is a climbing mecca, with thousands of established routes. Newbies can hire a local guide. Fayetteville, a mining town turned hip village, is where the adventurous eat (stomach-filling pizzas, pasta, steak, and BBQ, as well as upscale locavore fare), shop (Appalachian crafts, outdoor gear), and stay (in Victorian B&Bs, cottages, or cabins in the woods).
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Perdido Key, Florida
The "lost" barrier island is on the border of Florida and Alabama, between two massive stretches of Gulf of Mexico beachfront: Johnson Beach (once one of the few beaches open to Black people in the area and part of Gulf Islands National Seashore) and Perdido Key State Park. Perdido's main expanse is a mix of high-rises, single-family homes, and low-rise apartments, but sublime nature is close by. Boaters and kayakers have miles of waterways for fishing, dolphin-watching, and exploring. Birders flock to Big Lagoon State Park, where visitors can borrow binoculars to check out plovers, terns, osprey, and bald eagles. The key is home to an 18-hole public golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. On rainy days, Pensacola — and its T. T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum and Pensacola Museum of Art is just 15 miles away.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Tupelo-Oxford-Clarksdale, Mississippi
A drive across northeastern Mississippi's Hill Country reveals a trove of Native American and US history, touching on cultural, literary, musical, and military landmarks. Tupelo is the birthplace of Elvis Presley, site of a Civil War battlefield, and central place to explore the Mississippian culture, a mound-building civilization that gave rise to the Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Natchez tribes. Oxford — home of Ole Miss — exudes Southern charm, especially in the town square. Square Books, a bibliophile's wonderland, honors Oxford's literary icons such as William Faulkner, Barry Hannah, and John Grisham. Just north is Holly Springs, with its museum to hometown hero Ida B. Wells, a civil rights and journalism pioneer. Meander down the Mississippi Blues Trail to Clarksdale, home of the Delta Blues Museum, for an education on the origins and evolution of American music.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Saratoga Springs, New York
Three hours from New York and Boston, Saratoga Springs is a world away. Best known for thoroughbred racing — with the nation's oldest track — and healing mineral waters, the town of 28,000 can feel like a throwback to 18th and 19th century old-money America with its grand mansions and Greek revival buildings. But anyone can sip from the 21 public springs in the area, including at Saratoga Spa State Park, which also has two public golf courses. Stroll the shops of Broadway or explore Congress Park's casino and carousel. The National Museum of Dance, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the Tang museum at Skidmore College, and the Yaddo gardens round out cultural offerings. The 4.5-mile–long Saratoga Lake offers boating, paddling, fishing, swimming, and picnic destinations. Or hike one of the many nature trails in the area, some featuring mineral springs.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Greer, Arizona
Carved out of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Greer sits at 8300 feet in the White Mountains. It is a place for quiet and leisure. But adrenaline-fueled mountain biking and hiking can be had at the 10,000-foot–plus peaks at Sunrise Park, run by the White Mountain Apache Tribe. Delve into Indigenous history at Casa Malpais Archaeological Park, with its pueblo ruins, or go further back in time at the White Mountain Dinosaur Exploration Center. The early 20th century Butterfly Lodge Museum often has speakers and live music. Channel your inner cowboy/cowgirl with a guided horseback ride, or test your fly-fishing know-how in the 600 miles of trout streams and 22 lakes within a 30-mile radius.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Ruidoso, New Mexico
Nicknamed the "Texas Alps," the village of Ruidoso gets its share of Lone Star State visitors. Situated at 6500 feet and surrounded by the Sierra Blanca mountains, the village is cooler than its neighbors — in temperatures and shopping, dining, and drinking options, such as tea shops, latte emporiums, wineries, breweries, and gut-busting meals featuring red and green chiles. Ski Apache is the winter draw; in summer, visitors ride the gondola to the 12,000-foot summit, or zip line, mountain bike, and hike. The Fort Stanton–Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area offers a wealth of hiking and biking, along with history and geology, with trails that show off petroglyphs, the Fort Stanton museum, and a fantastical cave system. The Hubbard Museum of the American West, a Smithsonian affiliate, features Native American, Latino, and pioneer culture.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Paso Robles, California
Napa is well known to wine enthusiasts, but those seeking an equally elevated but less discovered experience can find it at the 200-plus wineries, many with stunning views, nestled in the Santa Lucia Mountains of the Central Coast. The warm-to-hot days and cool nights support 60 varietals. Start by perusing the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance site for a list of wineries and events. Artisanal foods, farm-to-table restaurants, and boutique hotels have sprung up to greet the growing number of visitors. Sample local crafts, produce, almonds, olives, baked goods, and brews at the light-filled Paso Market Walk, or sidle over to Tin City, a collective of distillers, wineries, a creamery, and a cidery. Cool off at the town's water park, or head down to Atascadero Lake, a reservoir with a playground, kayak rentals, and trails.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Maui, Hawaii
Maui had 3 million visitors the last year pre-COVID and is quickly regaining tourists. The west and south sides, with sandy beaches and calm waters, are more developed. Resorts line the beaches of mostly sunny and dry Kaanapali and Wailea, perfect for golf and tennis. The north side has rougher waters, attracting windsurfers, while surfboarders test their mettle at Pe'ahi, aka "Jaws." Newbies can sign up for lessons at 20-some schools. The Road to Hana — 52 miles of history, hairpin turns, one-lane bridges, waterfalls, stupendous views, and Charles Lindbergh's grave — is best taken slowly. Reserve a spot to witness the sunrise on 10,000-foot Haleakala peak, or hike Pipiwai Trail through a bamboo forest to Waimoku Falls. Snorkeling and diving trips are easy to find, or view the underwater flora and fauna at the Maui Ocean Center.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
St. John, US Virgin Islands
A tropical respite with some of the world's most beautiful beaches, St. John is idyllic — and is coming back from 2017's Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Historic Caneel Bay Resort is still rebuilding, but much of the 9 x 5-mile island is open for business. St. John is dominated by Virgin Islands National Park, featuring at least eight beaches with hiking trails, fishing, swimming with turtles, wildlife watching, and snorkeling, including the Underwater Trail at the photogenic Trunk Bay. Hotels and brand-name resorts are mostly clustered around Cruz Bay; for less development, head to Coral Bay. When you tire of the beach, kayak at Hurricane Hole, charter a sailboat and explore the nearby British Virgin Islands, or hike the Reef Bay Trail through old-growth forest, sugar plantation ruins, and petroglyphs made by pre-Columbian Taino peoples. Island-centric cuisine — like conch fritters, mahi-mahi, and rum cocktails — are staples at most restaurants.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Love the beach but not the blazing sun and heat? Temperatures in Cannon Beach, where it's frequently overcast, rarely budge above the 60s in summer. The rocky coast — and 235-foot–tall Haystack Rock, which attracts scores of birds and sea life — are the main attractions, along with fine dining and shopping. Cannon Beach was named one of America's 100 Best Art Towns; fine art and crafts can be found in the multitude of galleries or at one of the festivals held throughout the year. The views at Ecola State Park are magnificent; hiking trails afford a peek at the surf smashing against Tillamook Rock Lighthouse or wind down to quiet beaches. Learn more about Pacific marine life at the nearby Seaside Aquarium. History buffs will want to check out the Lewis and Clark National Historic Park in Astoria.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
Cabo Rojo is for the adventurous, those who want an authentic local experience and don't mind driving a few hours from San Juan to see what islanders have kept to themselves: 28 miles of coastline encompassing 18 beaches, most with calm, crystalline waters. Cabo Rojo village is filled with colonial architecture. Well-known beaches such as Buye, Combate, and La Playuela attract legions of locals looking to party on weekends, but they're calmer on weekdays. Hire a guide for snorkeling or diving, or walk in from the shallows, which are also great for kayaking and paddleboarding. Two main attractions are Los Morrillos Lighthouse and the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, a critical habitat for the yellow-shouldered blackbird. The Cabo area is strictly no-frills. There are no big resorts or fancy hotels, but perhaps invaluable experiences.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Moosehead Lake, Maine
The largest body of water in Maine looks like the head of the area's signature mammal. Moose safaris are a thing; sign up and see if you can catch a glimpse. Moosehead is isolated but not without creature comforts, mostly found in Greenville, a town of under 2000. Rustic lakeside cabins abound (many come with canoes or kayaks), as do historic inns and lodges. It's a hunting and fishing paradise; the east outlet of the Kennebec is renowned for fly-fishing. The Kennebec and the Penobscot provide ample whitewater rafting. Or sit back and enjoy the lake from the deck of the 1914 steamboat Katahdin or from a seaplane. Hikers will find plenty of routes up peaks and through the woods.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Seattle, Washington
Seattleites have been begging people to stop moving to their fair city, but the population has grown by 150,000 in the past decade, drawn by stunning views of Mt. Rainier and Puget Sound, lakeside living, and jobs at Microsoft, Amazon, and legions of spin-offs. No visit is complete without a trip up the Space Needle, a walk through the Pike Place Market stalls, a picnic at Gas Works Park, or browsing the shops in Romanesque Revival buildings in Pioneer Square. Add in dozens of local produce–stocked neighborhood farmers markets, world-class museums, parks and gardens (Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle Art Museum, Museum of Pop Culture, Olympic Sculpture Park, and many others), and a plethora of critically acclaimed restaurants offering globe-spanning cuisine. Coffee and craft beer are homegrown art forms.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
New Orleans, Louisiana
Fall will be hopping, as many celebrated spring festivals were pushed off to September and October. It's the perfect emerging-from-a-pandemic destination; not many places offer more freedom. The dining scene had some casualties, but many old standbys survived and creative new establishments have emerged. Live music — all but shut down — is back, in new outdoor spots and in clubs on Frenchmen St. and around town. Voodoo, swamp, bike, kayak, cemetery, ghost, and walking tours are back on. Check out the revitalized sculpture garden at City Park; JAMNOLA, an interactive cultural center; the restaurants and bars along the Lafitte Greenway bike trail; or walk the riverfront in Crescent Park, near arts destinations Studio Be and Dr. Bob's. The National WWII Museum is an evergreen favorite, as are the nearby Ogden Museum of Southern Art and Contemporary Arts Center. Or take a drive to Whitney Plantation, focused exclusively on the lives of enslaved people.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Alaskan Cruise
A new law in response to COVID has made it possible for Alaska-bound cruise ships to sail directly from Seattle without a stopover in Canada, which had been previously required except for boats under 250 passengers. Big cruise companies quickly responded, offering a limited number of excursions — with discounts and incentives — through September when the season ends. Land-based excursions by rail, ATV, or bus promise wildlife viewing (moose, grizzly bears, whales, seals, and caribou), salmon fishing, tours of various towns, rafting, and hiking in Denali and Wrangell–St. Elias National Parks. Don't want to be on a floating amusement park? Try a smaller line, like National Geographic, Uncruise, or Alaskan Dream. They are pricier but include lectures and insights from experts on culture, history, climate, and sea and land creatures.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Park City, Utah
An easy drive from Salt Lake, the former mining town officially sits at 7000 feet, but it's easy to find yourself at 10,000 feet. The quaint downtown — the primary site of the Sundance Film Festival — is lined with galleries, shops, bars, fine dining, and family-style restaurants. There's no shortage of adventure, from golfing at the Canyons with its epic views, to riding the lift and hiking or biking off the Park City summit, to exploring the Uinta National Forest, to rafting and tubing on the Provo and Weber (also incredible fly-fishing rivers). Spend a day at the Olympic Park, built for the 2002 Winter Games, where you can ride a bobsled or the alpine slide, tackle the ropes courses, or attempt the extreme zip line following the flight path of Nordic ski jumpers. Park City hosts outdoor concerts all summer and a wine festival in late September.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Port Aransas, Texas
Set along 18 miles of public Gulf of Mexico beach between Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and Padre Island National Seashore, Port A draws those fleeing Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and Corpus Christi. Hit by Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and overrun during 2020's pandemic summer, Port A is aiming for a calmer 2021. It's family-friendly but can still be a party: Beachgoers can park on the sand. Recreation options abound, such as dolphin cruises, surfing, skydiving, parasailing, and kayaking; and for kids, a pirate cruise on an 1800s-era ship. Great birding is easily found; Port A is home to key sites on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Punta Cana is a world unto itself with its own airport and an economy that revolves around the all-inclusive resorts that line the beaches. But oh, what beaches. Clean, white sand with blue-green clear water. Relax under the shade of palm trees. You won't have to budge for that rum punch; a waiter will bring it right to you. It is an international destination, less American and more global. The resorts have adopted strict COVID protocols, so know before you go. The all-inclusives range from adults-only to family-friendly; many have casinos, spas, and a huge range of activities. Punta Cana is a golfer's dream, with challenging and breathtaking courses, including one designed by Jack Nicklaus. Explore outside the resorts via a dune buggy adventure or a catamaran tour of marine life.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Iceland
It's a perennial hotspot despite the cool temperatures, which don't get higher than the 50s in summer and start falling in September. Summer's 24 hours of daylight also start fading, but still count on 12-15 hours in early fall. The main event is Iceland's other-worldly landscapes, including active lava flows at Mt. Fagradalsfjall, just 25 miles from Reykjavík. Some areas are only accessible in summer, such as the Westfjords. Start in Reykjavík and join jet-lagged travelers soaking away their troubles at the expensive and stunning Blue Lagoon, or access one of the nine less-pricey thermal pools in town. The capital is known for nightlife, museums, galleries, fine dining (and food tours and bar crawls), and picturesque architecture. Explore the Golden Circle, a 200-mile loop starting in Reykjavík that includes Thingvellir National Park (where you can walk between two tectonic plates), the Geysir Geothermal Area, and the 100-foot Gullfoss waterfall.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Pylos and Costa Navarino, Greece
Pylos, in the southwest corner of the Peloponnese peninsula, is a few hours' drive from Athens and makes a great base for exploring the area's amazing beaches — such as the world-renowned omega-shaped Voidokilia Beach — and Byzantine, Frank, Venetian, and Ottoman history. Don't miss Methoni, a 13th century Venetian fort, or the palace of Nestor, who fought in the Trojan War and was a hero in The Odyssey. Olives were and still are a mainstay of the economy, but the opening of a few luxury resorts, villas, golf courses, and a tennis center helmed by Serena Williams' coach has boosted tourism. Gialova Lagoon has prime birdwatching, with a trail and observation towers to spot flamingos, flycatchers, and hundreds of species.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
This old-school Mexican west coast destination is less frenzied than Cozumel or Cancun. The city got on the radar in the '60s when Richard Burton and Ava Gardner filmed The Night of the Iguana there. Burton bought his soon-to-be-wife Elizabeth Taylor a house across the street from his; the two villas are now a luxury hotel. The city's historic center, with its colonial architecture and Malecon (boardwalk), is a protected cultural heritage zone. From morning until the city's fabled sunsets, you can have your fill of seafood and cuisine from around the globe. Take a street-food or tequila tour, or shop at the Olas Altas Farmers Market to acquaint yourself with authentic Mexican culture. Hire a guide for diving or snorkeling through the arches and caves of the Los Arcos National Marine Park, or to explore Islas Marietas National Park, called the "Galapagos of Mexico" because of its biodiversity.
25 Best Vacation Ideas for Doctors: Popular Spots or Away From the Crowds?
Yorkshire Dales National Park, England
The Dales, valleys created by retreating glaciers, lie between limestone escarpments once roamed by Norman conquerors and made famous by author James Herriot. The gateway town of Richmond features a Norman castle built in 1071. The iconic rolling countryside around the 860-square-mile National Park — just named best in Europe — is framed by drystone-walled pastures and towns full of stone cottages and shops. Wensleydale, known for its cheese, is a top destination. Hiking is a major attraction; the Pennine Way, Dales Way, and Coast-to-Coast walk all pass through the Dales. Try the Three Peaks challenge: a 24-mile expanse of three hills in 12 hours. Mountain biking and road cycling are big. The tiny village of Reeth hosted a leg of the Tour de France in 2014.
Alicia Ault is a Lutherville, Maryland–based freelance journalist whose work has appeared in publications including Smithsonian.com, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. You can find her on Twitter @aliciaault.
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