Add a detour to your next vacation—starting with these classic destinations

National Geographic

6 days ago

A recent Expedia travel trends report shows that, remarkably, 63 percent of travelers plan to include lesser-known spots in their travels this year, with destinations that offer locally rich experiences.
A detour destination doesn't mean completely avoiding a popular destination. It can also involve a night or two in that tried-and-true destination, just with an alternate destination also worked into the plans, for reasons including lower costs and new experiences. Detour from Monterey, California: Carmel-by-the-Sea Carmel-by-the-Sea has more restaurants per capita than any other small city in the country.
Just 15 minutes from busy Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a fairy-tale detour with storybook cottages and ocean views. There are 41 secret passageways, or courtyards, and curvy streets flanked by darling shops, galleries, and restaurants.
'The destination began as an artist colony and continues its legacy today,' says Amy Herzog, executive director at Visit Carmel. The don't-miss Carmel Art Association shows off 100-plus Monterey Peninsula artists.
And there's white sand Carmel Beach. 'The sunsets are legendary, accompanied by picturesque Monterey Cypress trees and great surfing,' says Herzog. 'Plus, it's one of the most dog-friendly beaches in the area.'
Carmel-by-the-Sea might be one square mile, but the village has more restaurants per capita than any other small city in America, says Herzog, including the two-Michelin-starred Aubergine and the one-Michelin-starred Chez Noir, plus more than a dozen wine tasting rooms.
The charm continues with hotels, including Villa Mara, a 16-room boutique hotel and the 26-room Carmel Beach Hotel. Detour from the Berkshires, Massachusetts: Amherst Emily Dickinson's house in Amherst, Massachusetts, is now a museum. Photograph by Norman Eggert, Alamy
The hills in the inspiring Berkshires are alive with the sound of music each summer, thanks to the iconic Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox—and traffic in the region can crescendo.
'Just a short drive from the Berkshires, Amherst offers a quieter, more immersive New England experience where Emily Dickinson's poetic legacy lives on in historic homes, gallery walls, and tree-lined trails,' says Deborah Hermance, general manager of the Inn on Boltwood, a lovingly restored 49-room inn dating back to 1926. 'With a thriving arts scene, strong sustainability values and access to some of Massachusetts' most scenic landscapes and hiking trails, Amherst is an under-the-radar destination that feels like a true discovery," says Hermance.
Tour Dickinson's homestead and hike the Norwottuck Rail Trail and Robert Frost Trail. Amherst is home to five colleges, including Amherst and Smith. 'It's a vibrant college town but there is so much more for visitors who want to explore a little deeper,' says Hermance.
For food, Johnny's Tavern is a neighborhood hot spot and 30boltwood is special for traditional New England cuisine. Detour from Louisville, Kentucky: Lexington Lexington, Kentucky is home to more than 450 horse farms and is nicknamed "the horse capital of the world." Photograph by Adam Jones, Danita Delimont/Alamy
'When people think of Kentucky, they often think of Louisville, but those who end up in Lexington quickly discover why it's such a hidden gem,' says Mary Quinn Ramer, president of VisitLEX's. 'As the 'horse capital of the world' and gateway to Bourbonland, Lexington blends equestrian heritage with world-class bourbon and a thriving cultural scene.'
There are more than 450 horse farms in Lexington and 18 distilleries; rare limestone-rich spring water enhances the bourbon's quality.
Lexington is also home to more than 120 locally owned restaurants. 'Time your visit with SoulFeast Week to explore Lexington's vibrant Black culinary culture—and don't rush out on Sunday,' says Ramer. 'With live blues from local legend Tee Dee Young every Monday night at his namesake live music lounge, it's well worth extending your trip.'
The Manchester, central Kentucky's first boutique hotel, has a rooftop bar for bourbon sipping.
(Six of the best bars in Louisville) Detour from Boston: Providence, Rhode Island Rhode Island is known as the "squid capital of the East Coast," and calamari is the official state appetizer. Photograph by Ian G. Dagnall, Alamy
Providence, a quick hour-long train ride from Boston, has small town charm, along with similarities to the all-star city to the north.
Like Boston, Providence is home to an Ivy League: Brown University. Rhode Island School of Design is here, too, with a wonderful, laid-back museum.
Providence River hosts WaterFire in the summer, a unique experience for magical nighttime gondola rides.
The Ocean State is also a culinary dynasty; home to the College of Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University, the city breeds chefs. Track 15 in the former Union Station is a food hall showcasing the city's best chefs. Plant City was planted here and bloomed to new locations, and Oberlin's outdoor patio and creative menu is beloved by locals.
Federal Hill is to Providence what the North End is to Boston—Italian restaurants and markets. Expect calamari: Rhode Island is known as the "squid capital of the East Coast," and calamari is the official state appetizer.
(The 8 best Little Italy neighborhoods in the U.S.)
Al Forno is a James Beard award-winning restaurant. Across town, Bellini (of New York City's Cipriani fame) is worthy of the trip from Boston alone—and the Bellini Rooftop Lounge in The Beatrice Hotel next door is where Bellini cocktails (created by Cipriani in 1948) are sipped and sunsets are savored. Detour from New York City: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania A mural in Philadelphia pays homage to famous musicians Frankie Avalon, Chubby Checker, and Bobby Rydell. Photograph by Dina Litovsky, Nat Geo Image Collection
New York City's energy is unmatched; a bucket list destination that's impossible to mimic. However, there are several detour options. First, spend a night or two in New York City, then detour south to Philadelphia, just an hour-and-a-half by train.
Philadelphia has recently become as celebrated for its culinary exploits as it is for its historic sites like the Liberty Bell and Reading Terminal Market.
Hotels rival Manhattan's best. The Rittenhouse Hotel has luxury rooms, some overlooking tree-topped Rittenhouse Square Park. There's a spa and fitness club, indoor pool, LaCroix for elevated Philly cheesesteaks, and The Library where James Beard Award-winning mixologist Danny Childs helms an innovative cocktail program.
The Bellevue is Philly's Grande Dame. Dating to 1904, the guest rooms are accented with timeless French Renaissance decor. Plus, guests have access to the popular The Sporting Club, and Pergola crowns the hotel with fine dining. Detour from Los Angeles: Santa Barbara Stearns Wharf has a been a popular attraction in Santa Barbara since it was completed in 1872. Photograph by Jon Bilous, Alamy
Coastal Santa Barbara is a perfect complement to Los Angeles. 'Less than two hours away from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara is an idyllic coastal escape where the mountains meet the sea, inspiring travelers to call it 'the American riviera' for more than a century,' says Karna Hughes, director of public relations at Visit Santa Barbara. 'With distinctive Spanish Revival architecture, the city exudes old-world charm while embracing a modern, laid-back vibe.'
And there's wine: Three-dozen-plus tasting rooms along the walkable Urban Wine Trail. For campers, Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara has tent and RV sites with hookups, and is 15 minutes up the coast from downtown Santa Barbara. It's adjacent to sister property El Capitan Canyon, which has cabins and yurts.
'Visitors often describe [Santa Barbara] as a 'quaint' and 'beautiful' destination with a strong sense of place, more like a coastal experience,' says Kathy Burr, general manager at Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara.
El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, in the Santa Barbara Hills, dates to 1918 with suites and private bungalows. There's also a spa and posh zero-edge pool. Detour from Portland, Maine: Biddeford Fish & Whistle was a James Beard semifinalist in 2025.
Photograph by Andrew Dickinson via Fish & Whistle
There are many compelling reasons to visit Portland, including endless lobster roll sightings. But Portland can also get crowded, especially in summer.
Coastal Biddeford, 18 miles south of Portland on Saco Bay is also getting attention for its burgeoning food scene. In fact, Biddeford was named as one of America's 'small cities with big food scenes' by Food & Wine. Fish & Whistle (fish sourced only from Maine and New England) was a James Beard semifinalist.
(Why this small U.S. city packs a big culinary punch)
'Biddeford has a rich history as a mill town, and now, it's Maine's youngest and fastest growing city,' says Rebecca Johns, general manager of The Lincoln Hotel, a boutique hotel with 33 guest rooms and rooftop pool in the revived Lincoln Mill. 'The food scene has exploded in the best way, with James Beard nods, reinvented historic diners, and new on-the-scene restaurants establishing Biddeford as a culinary destination, giving our neighbor to the north a run for its money.'
There are other pursuits. 'Of course, eating your way through the city is a must,' says Johns, 'but don't miss out on strolling through downtown to shop or gallery hop or checking out the Biddeford RiverWalk and Fortunes Rock Beach.' Laurie Bain Wilson's work has been published in Next Avenue/PBS, Real Simple, OpenTable, Travel Channel, CNNTravel, Travel Market Report, Eat This, Chowhound, Parents, Salon, Wine Enthusiast, VinePair, New York Times and longtime correspondent at The Boston Globe. You can follow her at http://www.weekendsandcupcakes.com