The Best Staycation in Every State

Fort Collins, Colorado

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ADDRESS
Fort Collins, CO, USA

 

WEB :Visit website

 

Outdoor adventure and craft beer—two things Colorado does best—are two main draws for visitors to Fort Collins. For active folks, biking is one of the best ways to explore; Fort Collins boasts more than 285 miles of bike trails and is one of only five cities in the nation with a platinum-level rating as a bike-friendly city.

 

For a little more adventure, just west of the city is Horsetooth Reservoir, a popular spot for swimming, boating, and fishing. The reservoir sits at the base of Horsetooth Mountain, which offers wildlife spotting and scenic hiking trails that lead to sweeping views of the valley below.

 

After a day exploring the natural beauty of the area, you can unwind and relax with a cold beer; Fort Collins is home to more than 20 craft breweries, and produces about 70 percent of Colorado’s beer, so you won’t have trouble finding a pint or a flight in town. Lastly, don’t leave without spending time downtown, also known as Old Town, where you can shop, dine at a few of the 80-plus restaurants, and admire the historic buildings in this charming neighborhood. As you walk around, you’ll undoubtedly feel the palpable charm and spirit that led to Fort Collins being the inspiration for the design of Disneyland’s Main Street USA. —Jamie Hergenrader

Mystic, Connecticut

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ADDRESS
Mystic, Stonington, CT, USA

Seaside views, maritime history, and quintessential New England charm are just a few of the things you can find in Mystic, a Northeastern nautical gem. A few hours from both New York City and Boston, this town may be best known for its famed pizzeria, Mystic Pizza, featured in the 1988 film of the same name.

 

Beyond its slice shop lies a perfect weekend getaway that combines outdoor activity, a world-class museum, and unique dining experiences. Get out on the Mystic River by chartering an old-school sailing ship with Argia Mystic; sip cider at B.F. Clyde’s, a steam-powered cider mill that’s been open since 1881; or explore the Mystic Seaport Museum—one of the most esteemed maritime museums in the United States—to learn about the history of Mystic, a former powerhouse of the shipbuilding industry.

 

Book a room at The Whaler’s Inn, the town’s chic boutique hotel featuring perfect views of the Mystic River Bascule drawbridge, and make a pit stop at Olde Mistick Village, historically designed to recreate the architecture of the 1720s. Don’t leave town without experiencing a meal at Oyster Club, a culinary jewel featuring outdoor dining in an elevated treehouse. —Astrid Taran