Where are you headed this summer? Everyone knows all the usual vacation hot spots, the popular go-to locales \u2014 wonderful places, sure, but too predictable. Perhaps overcrowded. And not very creative. Instead, what if you branched out this year? Think of the usual suspects but then veer off a distance. Make a turn, reset your GPS and try something new.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Here is a list of under-the-radar, sometimes underrated, yet still\u00a0amazing<\/em>\u00a0getaway locations. So don\u2019t go there; go here\u2026<\/p>\n Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the quaint village of\u00a0Helen\u00a0looks and feels like someone took a bit of Old-World Germany and plopped it down in the heart of\u00a0Georgia.\u00a0<\/p>\n Why spend an hour stuck in\u00a0Atlanta\u00a0traffic? Just an hour and a half away from the big city, you could spend that time zip-lining, paddling down the river, tasting German cuisine or walking along the cobblestone streets. Indulge your inner Bavarian by checking out a German restaurant or brewery or shopping at\u00a0the Alpine Village\u00a0or\u00a0Bavarian Clockworks, where you\u2019ll go cuckoo for their authentic German clocks and learn what makes them tick.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Helen area also features\u00a0museums,\u00a0wineries,\u00a0hiking trails,\u00a0horseback riding,\u00a0a mini train\u00a0and everything else you need to make your visit\u00a0fantastisch.<\/em><\/p>\n Also read:<\/strong> Is your travel \u2018green\u2019 enough? 5 ways to help reduce your travel carbon footprint.<\/p>\n Located just over two hours outside Chicago, on the opposite side of Lake Michigan,\u00a0Saugatuck\u00a0is a tiny town with big offerings. The city was originally built to serve the lumber industry, then later became an artists\u2019 colony, a major music and dancing destination and, finally, a popular summer getaway spot.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Walk along the village streets browsing in the wide variety of shops, which feature a range of unique gifts and souvenirs \u2014 everything from hand-beaded giraffes to homemade glass ornaments to \u201cI Love Michigan\u201d hoodies. Enjoy waterfront dining overlooking the Kalamazoo River, where your meal is often served with a side of live music. Take a\u00a0tour of Lake Michigan by old-school paddle wheel boat, or\u00a0hop on a ferry\u00a0to the other bank of the river to get to the beach and the panoramic views from\u00a0Mt. Baldhead. If you love it there enough to spend another day,\u00a0stay overnight\u00a0in one of Saugatuck\u2019s many charming bed-and-breakfasts or inns.<\/p>\n Looking for waterlines rather than skylines? Journey less than an hour south of Seattle to\u00a0Gig Harbor\u00a0instead. The town, known as \u201cThe Maritime City,\u201d prides itself on its connection to water, even from its earliest days. It was originally a Native American fishing spot and was built up as a center of fishing and boat-building.\u00a0<\/p>\n Today, you can\u00a0take advantage of every watery amenity and activity, from the picturesque views of Puget Sound to harbor-view restaurants to dragon boat races, kayaking, sailing, yachting and Venetian-style gondola rides. Gig Harbor also offers breweries and wineries, parks, trails and gardens.\u00a0Tour an old boatyard,\u00a0hunt for truffles,\u00a0monitor oysters\u00a0or attend the\u00a0annual Gig Harbor Beer Fest\u00a0to cure whatever ales<\/em>\u00a0you.<\/p>\n Plus: <\/strong>Looking to unplug? Here are 12 peaceful towns great for going off the grid.<\/p>\n Fairhope\u00a0might be overshadowed by its nearby neighbors, such as Mobile, Gulf Shores and Pensacola, but this charming city can hold its own. Skip those places and visit the underdog of Alabama, which has received such accolades as being named \u201cOne of America\u2019s 30 Most Charming Seaside Towns,\u201d \u201cOne of the 14 Cutest Towns in the South,\u201d and \u201cThe Prettiest Town in Alabama.\u201d<\/p>\n Situated along Mobile Bay off the Gulf of Mexico, Fairhope has seaside romance combined with fun activities, culture and scenery. For the artsy, Fairhope offers\u00a0public art displays,\u00a0art galleries\u00a0and a\u00a0monthly Art Walk event. For the sporty, there is tennis, golfing, fishing, boating and walking<\/p>\n \u2014 get your steps in by\u00a0strolling the scenic pier\u00a0that sticks out into the bay for a quarter of a mile! And for nature lovers, there are trails and parks and water galore, and the abundant flowers growing all around town are one of Fairhope\u2019s most endearing qualities.\u00a0<\/p>\n Check out: <\/strong>Five college towns worth staying put in after graduation<\/p>\n Just 10 minutes south of downtown Fairhope is the\u00a0Grand Hotel, which was used as both a hospital and a military training facility during multiple wars and has been a fixture in the community since 1847. Grab lunch or explore the historic (and beautiful!) grounds.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fun fact: Fairhope Avenue appeared on a board game that was the forerunner of Monopoly.<\/p>\n New Orleans is a fun and happening place, but when you just want to take it easy, don\u2019t go to the Big Easy. Drive an hour northeast to\u00a0Bay Saint Louis\u00a0to beat the crowds and relax.\u00a0<\/p>\n This small Gulf-side town is Margaritaville-meets-Main Street, offering\u00a0plenty of things to do. It has the charm of a small town, complete with boutiques, art galleries and antique shops. But it also provides the seaside feel of a resort with its waterside restaurants catering to beachgoers with frozen drinks, fried seafood and Jimmy Buffett cover bands. (Buffett happens to be a former resident of Fairhope, AL.)\u00a0<\/p>\n Bay Saint Louis has\u00a0unique and diverse architecture, so you can find your ideal overnight accommodations and its biggest draw is its miles of coastline and ocean for swimming. There are also plenty of outdoor activities, such as golfing and fishing. So whether you\u2019re looking for biking, boating, beaches, or bars, head to the Bay.<\/p>\n See: <\/strong>It\u2019s one of the latest trends in camping\u2014why drive an RV when you can have it delivered?<\/p>\nHelen, Georgia<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Saugatuck, Michigan<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Gig Harbor, Washington<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Fairhope, Alabama<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Folly Beach, South Carolina<\/strong><\/h2>\n