It’s no secret that the mainland United States has some pretty beautiful destinations. From the historic Route 66, to the trees of Olympic National Park, to the sunny California coastline, there is no shortage of variety in its breathtaking views.
However gorgeous it may be, I also know that summertime can lead to an influx in tourism. While this may be okay for some, I generally tend to prefer my crowds to be more sparse. In an effort to provide you with a few more options for summer travel, I will outline what I consider to be the top 3 most unexpectedly exciting cities in the country.
#1. Mobile, Alabama
Sitting on the Gulf of Mexico, Mobile is a quaint but charming little city. A little-known fact about Mobile is it is the OG birth place of Mardi Gras! While NOLA may get the credit, Mobile is where the party originated. Therefore, there are some amazing bars, restaurants, and things to see while you’re there!
Where to eat: Mama’s on Dauphin stands out in my mind as one of the best southern comfort food restaurants I’ve ever experienced. I’ve never seen an establishment whose sign in the window says “Open 11 a.m. – ” with no end time. But in true southern fashion, they have an extremely easy-going feel! Everything on the menu is amazing with a home-cooked vibe, but if I had to pick some top favorites…candied yams, banana pudding, and macaroni and cheese!
What to do: I admittedly didn’t have a lot of time to explore Mobile when I was there in 2018. However, the one thing I was able to do was visit the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park! Not only is it a great historical site, it’s also incredibly affordable. Tickets are just $15! You can take a self-guided tour or just walk around. Either way you’re sure to enjoy the monuments and their history!
2. Greenville, South Carolina
I had the pleasure of visiting Greenville in March 2019 and was pleasantly surprised by all it had to offer! The downtown area is gently spliced by an oasis called Falls Park – a picturesque park along the Reedy containing a waterfall that pedestrians are invited to explore.
Where to eat: For lunch, hit up Trio. The brick oven cafe has a warm, lunchtime vibe and serves some of the best lobster bisque I’ve ever tasted! Another plus? Trio serves dietary-friendly meals including an entire menu dedicated to gluten free options. When I visited, I enjoyed a delicious Turkey Asparagus Melt and it did not disappoint!
For dinner, I suggest UP on the Roof – a rooftop restaurant with GORGEOUS views of the city and the mountains! If you’re looking for a quiet, intimate experience, this is not the place for you. There’s something about rooftop bars that brings out the socialite in all of us! The vibe is young and lively, there were even a couple of wedding parties! Highly recommend for a night out with the girls.
3. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Okay, okay. Maybe I’m biased, but I TRULY believe Minneapolis is an amazing city to visit in the summer! Beaches, bikeways, and breweries fill the city with life and excitement from dawn ’til dusk.
Where to eat: If you’ve never visited Minnesota, you may not be aware of the epic battle of Juicy Lucy burgers.
Juicy Lucy, noun
A delicious concoction consisting of a burger patty stuffed with cheese on the inside. Cooking of the aforementioned patty results in an explosion of ooey, gooey, cheesy goodness.
Two restaurants in the Twin Cities claim to be the originator of the Juicy Lucy: Matt’s Bar and 5-8 Club. Both serve a mean Juicy Lucy with an explosion of flavor and cheese, it’s hard to tell you which one is better! I’ll leave it to you to decide, but I know my pick…
Other “can’t miss it” restaurants in Minneapolis include:
- Aster Cafe. A cozy cafe in Northeast Minneapolis which casually sits on the shores of the Mississippi River overlooking the city skyline.
- Pizzeria Lola. A family-friendly pizza joint in Edina. Having been featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”, Pizzaria Lola features beautifully crafted pizzas and cocktails sure to make you feel fancy af. In fact, the restaurant’s chef/owner Ann Kim won the 2019 James Beard Award for “Best Chef in the Midwest”. This ain’t no Domino’s takeout pizza!
What to do: How much time do you have? Take a look at the list below!
- Bike the Greenway. One great thing about Minneapolis is its accessibility. Especially in the summer, you’ll find many Minnesotans renting a Nice Ride bike for $6 and spending the day riding around. One great place to ride is on the Midtown Greenway – a 5.5 mile trail that takes you straight to downtown Minneapolis. You can make a pit stop at Lake of the Isles or Bde Mka Ska for a beach day, or head downtown for a day in the city.
- Go to a speakeasy. The roaring 20’s are back and speakeasies are IN! A light on the sidewalk, a dark alley, a purple door, these are all clues that the establishments will give you to locate them. Get ready for incredible craft cocktails, a dark and mystical vibe, and a whole lot of fun!
- Get artsy. Minneapolis is known for being a city that supports all art forms. Walk the outdoor Sculpture Garden, visit ancient arts from diverse cultures at Mia, enjoy a Saturday or Sunday morning mimosa before Drag Brunch, laugh and cry with a Broadway show the Orpheum Theatre, or watch a movie with the Minnesota Orchestra performing the soundtrack.
