The Best Staycation in Every State

Spring Lake, New Jersey

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ADDRESS
Spring Lake, NJ 07762, USA

WEB :Visit website

One of the most upscale resort towns on the New Jersey shore, Spring Lake is an ideal destination for beach lovers who enjoy a relaxed ambiance, picturesque ocean views, and noteworthy dining options.

 

This posh town is mostly residential and ideal for a tranquil getaway, as it’s home to some historic inns and beautiful bed-and-breakfast establishments, such as The Breakers on the Ocean and Spring Lake Inn that attract a well-heeled crowd.

 

You’ll love strolling around the fairytale-like spring-fed lake in the town’s center, as well as the 2-mile-long boardwalk, considered the state’s longest “non-commercial and uninterrupted” seaside walkway. With more than 60 shops, Spring Lake’s shopping district is an easy walk from the beach and home to various independently-owned stores.

 

Although nightlife is limited here, food lovers enjoy the mix of elegant and casual restaurants. Many offer outdoor seating during the warmer months, including Bareli’s by the Sea and Marina Grille. (Most restaurants are BYOB, and reservations are recommended in summer.) —Marla Cimini

White Sands, New Mexico

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ADDRESS
White Sands, NM 88002, USA

Thanks to one of America’s newest national parks, New Mexicans can feel like they’re voyaging to another planet without having to fill up the gas tank more than once.

 

In southwestern New Mexico, White Sands National Park was upgraded from a national monument to a national park in December 2019 to further highlight and preserve a portion of a 275-square-mile dune field in the vast Tularosa Basin. Just how vast? The snow-white sand is so sprawling that it can be seen from space. The world’s largest gypsum dune field invites a sense of childlike awe with sandy scenic drives, wind-swept hiking trails, and sand sledding.

 

Though backcountry camping is suspended, nearby lodging, cabins, B&Bs, and RV parks abound in and around the town of Alamogordo. More options can be found in the city of Las Cruces, 50 miles away. Here, the Hotel Encanto is a worthwhile gem; with its ornate Mexican colonial architecture and farm-to-pillow room service from its new Mexican restaurant, Mezcla, it’s the perfect place to staycation in style. —Matt Kirouac