It’s easy to forget how many amazing cities exist within our nation. With another somewhat uncertain year ahead, where are the best places to travel in 2022? That’s a hard question, after all, with 50 states to explore you could spend a lifetime seeing what the United States alone has to offer.
But recently, the New York Times shared the ’52 Places for Travelers to Visit in 2022′ list, featuring destinations all around the world. This year, the list focuses on places where visitors can be ‘part of the solution’. The focus here is on things like climate change mitigation, protecting the environment, and developing a sustainable economy.
Sadly no Washington cities made the list, but some of our west coast neighbors did. Further, this is yet another excuse to get out and explore what’s already here in our country. So without further ado, here’s a quick look at the 12 US spots named the best places to travel in 2022.
Queens, NY
This borough made the list for the diversity that exists within a relatively small area. Restaurant critic Robert Sietsema puts it this way, “There’s probably nowhere else in the world where you can sample the home cooking of more than 150 different countries within such a compact space…”
Cobscook Shores, ME
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Maine is a picturesque state that nature-loving folks just can’t get enough of. But visiting the same land time and time again breaks it down and that’s why Cobscook Shores was created. It takes up 15 blocks of land spreading across three Down East peninsulas. Visitors will find “undeveloped beaches, coves, and bluffs that can be reached by hiking trails and biking paths, as well as channels to be explored by paddlers.”
Cleveland, OH
This made the list because of EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute, which sits in Cleveland’s Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood and is a lot more than a French restaurant. The restaurant’s aim is to teach former prisoners a new trade. The campus EDWINS includes not only a fine-dining French restaurant but also a bakery, butcher, and event space, all of which are open to the public.
Hoonah, AK
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Hoonah has largely relied on cruise traffic for both livelihood and cultural continuity. But large crowds can cause issues and so the Native-owned Huna Totem Corporation has created a gondola system to cater to tourists without the pollution. Visitors can also experience bear- and whale-watching excursions.
The Great Highway, CA
Every weekend San Francisco’s Great Highway opens to foot traffic only. It’s a two-mile stretch on the city’s far western edge flanking the expanse of Ocean Beach. During the pandemic it became a place where friends met up for walks, children cruised on bikes, and now a glimpse into post-pandemic urbanism.
Little Calumet River, IL
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A 7 mile African American Heritage Water Trail aims to tell visitors the story of the Little Calumet River. It’s a way to experience history and those connected to it through action rather than passive listening or watching. Visitors can paddle to sites like Ton Farm, Chicago’s Finest Marina, the Major Taylor Trail Bridge, and more. The area also happens to be home to slowly repopulating marsh bird species.
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Estes Park, CO
Skiing without the lifts doesn’t sound very appealing, does it? Well, that’s exactly why skiers flock to Hidden Valley. It’s Colorado’s original ski town with new back-country branding. What’s more, those who are new to backcountry can learn with a course from the local Kent Mountain.
Humboldt, KA
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The country is sprinkled with rural towns that are usually overlooked. That’s not the case with Humboldt, thanks to ‘A Bolder Humboldt’, the town has been a living example of revitalizing rural living. Visitors will find shops, community gardens and co-working spaces, a boutique hotel, and more.
Sarasota, FL
There’s a lot more to Florida than the ubiquitous ‘Florida Man’. Sarasota is proving that with Architecture Sarasota, a “new organization founded to protect and promote the most spectacular concentration of modernist buildings east of the Mississippi.” Visit and see buildings built by notable architects Paul Rudolph and his partner Ralph Twitchell, Philip Hiss, Gene Leedy, Carl Abbott, Victor Lundy, and Jack West.
Santa Cruz County, CA
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Wildfires have become ever more prevalent, especially in California. Unfortunately in 2020, some of the world’s oldest forests located in Santa Cruz County were threatened. The good news is that most of them have survived and it has prompted the area to create more trails for people to explore these forests. Not only that but the lands have been designated a national monument, protecting its rich ecology and cultural history.
Saguaro National Park, AZ
Love cacti? It’s time to take a trip to Saguaro National Park, here you can see almost 2 million of the tall multi-limbed cacti. That being said, the park’s cacti are in danger from climate change. So visit it and maybe even consider volunteering for one of the buffelgrass pulls.
Bronzeville, WI
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Wisconsin has a lot more to offer than just cheese. Milwaukee’s Bronzeville district is once again distinguishing itself as a center of African American culture. The area is supported by $400 million of redevelopment funds from POC-led organizations. Visitors can shop, dine and learn all while supporting Black and POC-owned businesses.
Looks like there’s a road trip ahead, doesn’t it? Get out there and enjoy the amazing gems that our country has to offer.
