Did quarantine make you suddenly realize there are a lot of places in the U.S. you haven’t visited yet? Yep, us too.
What’s right for you and your family?
We’re not doctors, health experts, or anything coming close to that. But let’s be honest — if you don’t feel comfortable traveling because of health reasons, stay at home! We won’t judge.
How should I get there?
Like we said in our Fall Getaways recommendations, cars seem to be good, if only because you’re limiting your interactions with the randomness of the public at large. Even when COVID numbers are looking better, taking a car always gives you more flexibility and control of your travel plans. It’s nice to be able to say, “Wow, this place is great! — let’s stay an extra night.”
Taking a flight can be safe, and, if trends continue, will only be safer as we get further into 2021. We expect many of the cleaning and social distancing precautions that airlines put in place in 2020 to stick around. Plus, most airlines have decided to extend flexible cancellation policies and status freezes to extend through 2021.
What should I expect when I arrive?
Simply said, some changes. A lot of hotels are enforcing heightened safety protocols. Things like contactless check-in and more rigorous cleaning procedures are all part of the plan to keep you safe and are going to be the new norm (which we’re totally okay with).
If you’ve planned this trip around a specific activity or site, do your research before you go. Moving into 2021, we’ll be dealing with closures, new hours, and required reservations. As long as you have a plan for where you want to go and what you want to do, you can make sure these things don’t affect you. Any time we travel somewhere new, there is always more to-do than we have time in our schedule for anyway!
Plus, we’re declaring 2021 the year to get creative with your domestic travel. There are so many amazing experiences to be had not too far from home and there’s never been a better time to have them.
Our Recommendation
2021 might be the year you finally cross off a lot of the cities and states on your US travel list. Over plan and your trips will over deliver.