Have these cold, grey months been a little too boring for you? Are you also dreaming of a vacation near clear blue waters, chilly temps, and sandy shores, sipping umbrella-topped cocktails? There’s something so alluring and incredibly exciting about escaping to a beautiful island.
Luckily, our country has a variety of such escapes. You can find dreamy islands all across the US. These islands give you the taste of real-life paradise. There are more than 18,000 islands in the country, and each one of them offers something unique and different.
If you’ve been considering a trip to an island paradise, you don’t have to plan an international trip. With so many options scattered across the nation, there’s no need to book international flights and travel too far. By choosing the right places and purchasing tickets through our cashback site, you can offset your trip’s costs.
For the best cashback deals and rewards, visit AstroWealth today. Purchase all your flight tickets and make hotel bookings through us. Now, let’s take a look at 14 US islands to visit this year and check off your bucket list.
Amelia Island in Florida
With 13 miles of sandy beaches, Amelia Island is a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience a slice of paradise. The temperature here is always mild, and if you’re headed towards Northeastern Florida, you might as well go ahead and visit this island.
Amelia Island has pristine waters, which attract people from all over the country. It’s 30 miles away from Jacksonville. You can enjoy the island’s luxury resorts, horseback rides, and picturesque views. There are also amazing bed and breakfasts nearby.
Sanibel Island in Florida
Renowned as one of the most beautiful islands not just in the country but in the world, Sanibel Island is located near Tampa, Florida. It’s an extraordinary barrier island, popular for its colorful sunsets, white sand beaches, and vibrant seashells found everywhere. For your next trip, this is a great US island to visit.
People here collect seashells while watching the sunset. This practice is so popular over there that people refer to this act of collecting seashells as “Sanibel Stoop”. It’s a sublime spectacle and something you must experience at least once in your lifetime. It’s the perfect paradise for couples, families, and groups of friends.
Cumberland Island in Georgia
Another US island to visit this year has to be Cumberland Island. You can reach most islands in the country by bridge or road. However, for this island, you need to get a ferry. Cumberland Island is Georgia’s largest barrier island.
Located in the south of Georgia, this island is preserved by the National Park Service. It’s known as Cumberland Island National Seashore, where you can find pristine forests, wide marshes, and undeveloped beaches. It’s certainly a unique vacation destination for exploring and camping. Most people explore the island on bikes to check out the wildlife, which includes wild horses.
Outer Banks in North Carolina
Why choose just one US island to visit when you have the option of checking out multiple ones in one go? Outer Bankers is essentially a string of unique barrier islands that are perfect for relaxing getaways. Located in North Carolina, these islands are home to sandy beaches where people enjoy a relaxing time.
There is also a natural park here known as Jockey’s Ridge State Park. It’s 426 acres wide with natural living dunes near the East Coast. Visitors can experience these sand dunes, hike through this park, and also go for hang-gliding lessons.
Hilton Head Island in South Carolina
Located near Georgia’s border, Hilton Head is an island in South Carolina. It’s close to Savannah in Georgia. You can take your car, and it won’t even take you an hour to reach the island from Savannah. Being of the most popular US islands to visit, the area is ideal for couple getaways and family vacations. People can choose from the variety of activities available there.
You can visit the beaches, go biking or golfing, and even participate in water activities or sports. If you want to enjoy a typical beach or island experience here, you can do that. But there is something for everybody at Hilton Head, including spa days and enjoying the local nightlife with drinks and music.
Mount Desert in Maine
If you’ve not heard of Mount Desert, you must have heard of Maine’s Acadia National Park. The park is located on Mount Desert Island. Bar Harbor is also a famous town on this island. It’s the 52nd largest island in the country and the largest off the coast of Maine.
It’s a beautiful spot with beaches, oceanfront cliffs, several hiking paths, and blueberry bushes lined across the island. It’s a perfect destination for various outdoor activities such as biking, kayaking, hiking, and camping. You can also enjoy the mountains on this island, which get so cold during winter that you can participate in winter activities like skiing.
Assateague Island in Virginia & Maryland
Assateague Island stretches for 27 miles, and it touches Virginia as well as Maryland. These two states lay on the Atlantic Coast, and this island is split into a state park and a national seashore. If you’re choosing a US island to visit, this is a great option because you can visit two states, a state park, and a national seashore in just one trip.
Assateague Island is popular among those who enjoy wildlife viewing. You can check out the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge located on this island. It’s home to bald eagles, wild ponies, deer, foxes, pelicans, and more. Make sure you’re bringing a pair of binoculars so you can experience everything up close.
Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts
Often referred to as Vineyard, this is an island located in the south of Cape Cod. You can take a ferry from the mainland, and in 45 minutes, you’ll reach Martha’s Vineyard. If we’re talking about charming destinations in New England, this is the US island to visit. It’s a complete experience with ocean views, lighthouses, various landmarks, and, of course, sandy beaches.
Martha’s Vineyard has plenty of activities for visitors. Most of these activities are for the outdoor environment. You can choose from biking, hiking, sailing, fishing, and kayaking. The best part, however, about staying on this island is the food you’ll get to enjoy. Hint: It’s all the New England seafood you might have heard about. Now that’s a real treat, right?
Goat Island in New York
Have you ever been to Niagara Falls? Did you get a chance to see its aerial view? If you did, you might have noticed an island near the Niagara River running along the US and Canada border. This island is called Goat Island, and it’s situated in New York. If you have a bucket list with Niagara Falls on it, then this is certainly a US island you need to visit.
Goat Island can be accessed through your car when you visit Niagara Falls in the US. It’s also home to Niagara Falls State Park. You can check out Niagara Falls from different viewpoints on this island. Along with this, there is also the Cave of the Winds which allows visitors to experience the waterfalls really close. Fair warning, though, you will get wet.
Block Island in Rhode Island
Located south of Rhode Island, Block Island is a beautiful island with cliffs and a rocky beach right below. Visitors can access this island by ferry either from Connecticut or Rhode Island itself. It’s certainly a must-visit island for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities. The island also has two lighthouses which were built in the 1800s.
Block Island is a paradise for those who come alive with ocean breezes and outdoor activities. The island is home to Sachem Pond, where you can find swallows and gulls. If you want to experience something truly unique, you can’t miss out on Mohegan Bluffs. There is also a Block Island National Wildlife Refuge, plus a historic site where a battle took place in the 16th century.
Madeline Island in Wisconsin
Have you heard of the Apostle Islands? Madeline island is the largest one, and it’s located in Lake Superior. Lake Superior is a freshwater lake and one of the largest in the world. This island in Wisconsin is perfect for various water-based activities, including boating, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming.
While most people don’t consider Wisconsin a beach destination. If you do visit Wisconsin, you’ll find sandy beaches at Madeline Island, where you can relax and have fun under the sun. If you don’t enjoy sunbathing, you can go for a hike in the Big Bat State Park which is on the island. There are also local restaurants situated there where you can find delicious food items.
Mackinac Island in Michigan
One popular US island to visit is Mackinac Island. It’s a famous tourist destination in Northern Michigan where you can easily reach from Detroit or Grand Rapids. Plus, the Canadian border is also close to this island, so it’s certainly a unique place to visit.
Mackinac Island doesn’t allow camping. However, you can choose from its hospitable hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, or inns for lodging. There are also various activities available on the island,such as golfing, biking, and horse-drawn carriage tours. There is also a historical site on this island—it’s an old cemetery called St. Joseph Catholic Mission.
Whidbey Island in Washington
Whidbey Island is also known as Whidby Island. It’s a part of north Washington’s island country. It’s located near Seattle, and if you’re ever in that area, this is certainly a US island to visit. If you’re looking for picturesque scenery, this island won’t disappoint you. It will make for a great day trip where you just pack your things and go.
Like most islands, Whidbey Island is also famous for its outdoors. There are relaxing beaches, windswept cliffs, and six state parks for you to explore. Oak Harbor is the largest city located on this island, and it’s home to around 23,000 people. If you’re exploring the Pacific Northwest and want to check out an island, you will have a great time at Whidbey Island.
The Aleutian Islands in Alaska
When you think of Alaska, you may not think of an island for a relaxing escape. However, the Last Frontier has one of the most beautiful places in the country. The Aleutian Islands are almost like paradise on Earth. These islands are divided between the Bering Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
The Aleutians have stormy seas, lush forests, volcanos, chilly winds, and several other incredible wonders of nature. For adventures and wanderers, these islands in Alaska are completely immersive and unrivaled island experience. The time you spend here won’t be anything short of thrilling and extraordinary.
Save When You Travel
If you didn’t want to travel across the world, we hope you found a US island to visit from this guide. These beautiful destinations offer so much, and you can stay in the country and plan an exciting time with your friends or family with so many things to do.
Remember to do your research so you’re always saving on travel costs. If you want to take your dream island vacation, there’s no need to go out of your budget or take a loan. You can reduce your travel expenditures, such as hotel stays and flights, by planning everything smartly.
Not all traveling experiences need to be so expensive. When you travel to any of these islands, you can enhance your experience with AstroWealth. You don’t have to look for any other cashback sites—we’ve got you covered!
When you purchase your flight tickets, whether it’s from TripAdvisor or any airline, make sure you do it through AstroWealth. We have different cashback stores on our app so that you can earn cash back on your purchases.
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