"You don't wind up here by accident; you come here for a reason, and that reason is typically the abundant outdoor adventures and natural resources we have," Nathan Miller, the former executive director of the Copper Harbor Trails Club, told Travel + Leisure.
The early morning sun is bursting around the dark corners of High Dodd and Sleet Fell, sending a flush of light across the golden bracken and on to the hammered silver of the lake.
Owl's Head has officially joined the Indy Pass, a fantastic news for Townships locals and travelers alike. It remains fiercely independent since Fred Korman opened it in 1965 with just three lifts.
The 2025-26 winter saw extreme weather, with the eastern half experiencing consistent cold and heavy snowfall, while the western half endured record warmth and a lack of snowfall.
The quaintness has always been present, but the increased interest in Mystic, the evolution of its restaurant scene, the rise of social media, and the changes in how people travel have all contributed to its remarkable growth. The Delamar adds a luxury hotel and fine dining that enhance Mystic's charm while welcoming visitors to stay longer and experience the town more deeply.
Vermont actually resembles California - not because of its beaches but due to its distinct regions. For example, Burlington correlates to the Bay Area. And in the Northeast Kingdom, where I grew up, we classified everything below White River Junction as 'Southern Vermont.' Down there, half the towns seem to channel Boston or New York City, kind of like Santa Barbara to L.A., which makes the Kingdom something like Humboldt County - rural and spectacular, with a recalcitrant outlaw streak.
Abingdon is easy to access just off Interstate 81. This little town has many charms-from its 20-block historic district to the 34-mile Virginia Creeper Trail. Add to that a thriving creative community, exceptional dining at The Tavern (the state's oldest bar), and homey accommodations, and you have a pretty darn close to perfect Blue Ridge Mountain getaway destination.
In the winter of 2021, as the pandemic pressed life inward, Jenny McBride and Jo Gray began doing what so many did to stay sane: they went for walks. Each day, the couple looped through their Newton neighborhood, circling the same streets, passing the same houses, nodding at the same passersby. At first, the walks felt like freedom, a way to stretch their legs and explore beyond the walls of their duplex.
I was wandering through West Asheville one day, past vintage storefronts and sun-washed sidewalks, when I noticed a doorway overflowing with green. Ferns spilled outward, vines climbed the windows.
Most years, when storms roll through Southern California during the winter holiday, local mountains transform into a wonderland blanketed in snow. But instead, the recent storms featured relentless rains, bringing a downpour of destruction and disappointment. A woman sits near the North Shore Lookout Point next to Big Bear Lake as Snow Summit is seen in the distance in Big Bear on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026.
Mount Airy isn't trying to be everywhere else-and that's exactly why it stands out. It offers a true sense of place, rooted in tradition but evolving with purpose, where the pace slows down just enough to remind you what travel is supposed to feel like.
In Vermont, Stowe Resort will host its 70th Annual Sunrise Service on April 5. Guests can celebrate Easter morning with a truly special nondenominational sunrise service on top of Vermont's highest peak, co-hosted with the Stowe Community Church. This long-standing tradition is open to all.
After a mine cave-in revealed a rich vein of ore Bodie, California became a thriving town during the years of the California gold rush. It quickly exploded in size and at its pinnacle was home to around had around 2,000 structures and a population of 8,000 people. It went bust in 1881 and what buildings remain standing represents about 10% of its original structures.
Mt. Baker is the PNW's snow vacuum. It's close enough to the Pacific to get storm after storm, and the North Cascades do what they do best: force moist air straight up, wring it out, and bury everything in sight. Maritime storms roll in wet and heavy, then pile up fast when they hit terrain.
Nestled in the Appalachian foothills near Mentone, Cloudmont Ski & Golf Resort is the southernmost ski area in the eastern United States. With a vertical drop of just 150 feet and two rope tows, Cloudmont runs on snowmaking and sheer stubbornness, opening for a few precious weeks or days each winter.
While heading West promises bluebird skies and deeper powder, the East is home to plenty of mountains that are absolutely worth the trip, often with lower lift ticket prices and fewer crowds. In fact, the Eastern Seaboard offers quality terrain for skiers of all levels. Though a handful of big names tend to dominate the conversation, skiers willing to venture beyond the usual suspects will find true gems.
Newburyport, a quaint coastal town shaped by centuries of maritime life, is a hidden gem in Massachusetts. Set at the mouth of the Merrimack River, and not far from the New Hampshire border, it carries an easy, unforced charm. Here, fishermen still bring in the day's catch and the ocean influences everyday life. Shops are made for and by the locals, the bakeries feel comforting, and vast, unspoiled beaches line the coastline.
"Today, another kind of treasure typically lures travelers to Franklin, though, one found among the trails, waterfalls, and scenic byways of the community. Surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, and a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, Franklin is closely tied to the Appalachian Trail, and became the first designated Appalachian Trail Community in 2010, welcoming travelers with open arms."
Whitetail Resort is located in Central Pennsylvania and is a legit hidden gem for skiers and snowboarders in the mid-Atlantic region. This ski resort gets seriously underestimated by many. I was travelling from one resort to another, and Whitetail was on the way to my next destination. I almost didn't go because I was on the road for two weeks straight, but I'm so glad I did-it's way better than I expected.
Killington Ski Resort in Vermont more than earns the nickname "Beast of the East." After all, it's home to the second-highest summit across the entire Green Mountain range. But that's not its only superlative. It's also the largest ski resort on the East Coast, with six mountain peaks, 19 lifts, 155 trails, a half-pipe, and the highest vertical drop in New England at 3,050 feet.
New Hampshire, like several states in New England, is home to a ton of abandoned and forgotten ski areas. Many of them have completely faded, recognizable only by the slight appearance of a trail or two. Others still have buildings, lift parts, and other lost equipment spread throughout the area. Mount Whittier in West Ossipee, New Hampshire, is one of those abandoned areas that still visible through buildings and gear. Avery Zucco explored the area, finding lift poles, buildings, gear, and much more.