Beautiful destinations in US, some you may never heard of before
By: Lee

Great Cranberry Island

Great Cranberry Island is an island located in Maine. It is one of the five islands of the Town of Cranberry Isles, Maine. It is roughly two miles long and a mile wide.

Great Cranberry Island is a favorite vacation spot for many. Access to the island is provided by ferry from either Northeast Harbor or Southwest Harbor, both located on Mount Desert Island. Many islanders also have their own boats and dock at Spurling Cove.

The population of the island is over 300 in the summertime, but the year-round population is only around 40. The year-round population is mostly fishermen who fish the shores for the ever popular seafood, lobster.

Notable locations on the island are the History Museum, the General Store, the school and library, and Crow Island, which is accessible only at low tide.

The Ladies' Aid Fair, held each year since 1900 in August, is a highlight of the annual calendar.

Bay Harbor

Bay Harbor is a small community in the Mackinac Area of Northern Michigan. Best places that you can't miss:

Village at Bay Harbor: Escape for a few hours to a contemporary place with an eclectic blend of shops and eateries. A four seasons village with premier annual events throughout the year incuding Ice & Spice Festival, Vintage Car & Boat Festival and Bay Harbor Art Fair.

Bay Harbor Lake Marina: Named as one of the “Top 10 Ports” in North America by Motorboating Magazine. Floating docks are designed to accommodate boats ranging in size from 20 to 200 feet in length. Premier events include In Water Boat Show in June and Bay Harbor Fishing Tournament in September.

Bay Harbor Equestrian Club: Everything that a horseman could want: training and boarding, lessons for all ages, exciting shows and clinics with world-renown trainers, a 42,000 square foot stable and indoor arena, an outdoor track and training area and the personal attention that you and your horse deserve all in a breathtaking setting.

Mammoth Lakes, California

The Sierra Nevada mountains are a popular snow skiing destination. For Californians living in Los Angeles, Mammoth Mountain is the easiest resort to get to from Los Angeles.

The Town of Mammoth Lakes serves one main function: a place for these hordes of Los Angelenos to stay. Condos, motels, hotels, and restaurants fill this small town to serve the flood of winter visitors. In summer, the flood stops and rents plunge, making Mammoth an affordable base to explore the region.

Ski & Snowboard (Fall, Winter and Spring, depending on precipitation). Most years the ski season extends until July 4th. One of the top ranking Ski and Snowbarding Resorts in the United States.

Mountain Biking (Summer only). The ski resort will carry your bike up to the top of the mountain so you can coast down it. Rentals available.

Fish. The many lakes in the lake basin just west of the city (and north of the mountain) are popular. Boat rentals available.

Hike (Summer only). To beautiful and amazing locations such as Rainbow Falls and Devils Postpile. An easy 3.5 hike.

Horseback Ride (Summer Only). Various of tours through beautiful remote areas.

Tahoe Vista, California

Tahoe Vista is located in North Lake Tahoe, CA. Just a few minutes to Northstar-at-Tahoe Ski Resort and the beach shores of all North Lake Tahoe. It's just a 15-to-20 minute drive to Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Mount Rose, Paige Meadows and more. Endless acres of forested back-country for hiking, mountain biking, and snowmobiling. The North Shore's finest and most popular restaurants, shops and outdoor destinations are all right here. Reno is about a 30 minute drive over Mt.Rose on a nice day. There are many short term rental homes in the area that make it a wonderful place for year around fun.

Valdez, Alaska

Valdez is a fishing port, both for commercial and sport fishing. Freight moves through Valdez bound for the interior of Alaska. Sightseeing of the marine life and glaciers, together with both deep-sea fishing, and heli skiing support a tourist industry in Valdez. The oil from the Trans-Alaska pipeline is loaded onto ships at the Valdez oil terminal. It is sometimes called the Switzerland of Alaska.

Can't miss:

Whitewater Rafting on the Lowe River through Keystone Canyon, Sea Kayak Prince William Sound. A couple of operators will ferry you and a canoe to places such as Shoup Bay, where you can spend the day kayaking in protected waters surrounded by mountains, glaciers, and seabird colonies, Ice Climbing, Heli Skiing and Snowboarding in Thompson Pass; Hiking and Cross Country Skiing on groomed Mineral Creek Trails

Fishing Charter; Glacier tour in Prince William Sound, Elderhostel at Prince William Sound Community College.

Jackson (Wyoming)

It is the gateway to two of the United States' best-known national parks, Grand Teton itself and nearby Yellowstone. Many famous people maintain vacation homes in and around this area. The combined elements of beautiful mountain scenery, Old West heritage, tourist traps and celebrity residents give this small town a unique atmosphere both cosmopolitan and frontier.

Be aware that Jackson transforms from a popular ski town during the winter into an all-out tourist mecca during the summer. Meanwhile, in the spring and fall seasons, the town can feel empty as only the 6,000 or so year-round residents remain (and many of them may leave during this time as well) and many of the hotels and restaurants close for the season. Each of the seasons have their pluses and minuses depending on the visitor's expectations and desires, but it pays to know what time of year is best for what activity, especially in Jackson's unique high-altitude environment.