Underrated Destinations in the United States

 

International Balloon Fiesta
Image: balloonfiesta.com

A Nashville-based community contributor, Benjamin “Ben” Perlin has spent the past several years capturing film photographs. When he’s not busy taking pictures or volunteering at various organizations, Benjamin Perlin enjoys traveling and he has been to several destinations around the United States.

Some examples of the best underrated destinations in the United States include:

1. Mackinac Island, Michigan. Featuring fantastic views of Lake Huron, Mackinac Island provides a unique vacation experience. Because of a local ordinances, cars and other motor vehicles are not allowed on the island. While this may seem inconvenient, some visitors enjoy spending some time away from drivers.

2. Albuquerque, New Mexico. Albuquerque features a blend of activities to keep visitors of all types entertained. Film buffs can scout the city–the site of many television and movie productions–for celebrities. Meanwhile, those seeking a more relaxing experience can walk past old-fashioned storefronts or enjoy the city’s annual International Balloon Fiesta.

3. Tacoma, Washington. This industrial, down-to-earth city is often regarded as a more relaxed version of Portland and Seattle. Complete with everything from a vintage car museum to fantastic food places and a craft distillery, Tacoma begs to be explored.

When to Visit Amsterdam

Amsterdam
Image: travel.usnews.com

Benjamin Perlin divides his time between volunteering at Habitat for Humanity and Tennessee State Veterans’ Home and taking photographs for Ben Perlin Photography. In his free time, Benjamin Perlin loves traveling. He counts Amsterdam among his favorite destinations.

As is the case with many cities in Europe, Amsterdam is particularly popular during the summer. Weather between June and August can be mixed, with brief spurts of heavy rain along with humidity and heat. Still, most days stay sunny, and the average temperatures hover between 66 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to the high levels of tourism, attraction lines are often long, and accommodation prices are at their highest.

Tourism begins dying down by September as the temperatures start dropping. Featuring average temperatures in the high 40s to mid-60s, September, October, and November allow visitors to enjoy Amsterdam for a slightly lower price. As the city moves into winter, temperatures drop to about 30 to 40 degrees, and prices drop right along with them. Since there are hardly any tourists willing to brave the cold, visitors can often find great deals.

Spring is another good time to visit Amsterdam, but it is the start of the city’s tourist season. In March through May, the tulip fields around the city start blooming and cover the area with fantastic colors. Consider visiting in April, when temperatures and crowds are moderate, and flowers are in bloom.