Travel: 7 tips that will have you zigging while others zag

As domestic advance booms multiple Americans still flock to the familiar national parks packed before sunrise selfie-saturated landmarks cities so overrun with tourists their official mottos may as well be Been There Done That Just beyond the beaten path however lies a less choreographed America where predictability gives way to surprise and encounters feel more personal perhaps even profound These destinations may draw steady crowds like their bucket-list cousins but they glow with a gentler light less mainstream more meaningful If zigging where others zag sounds like your kind of trip this great nation has a wealth of places that might just redefine what must-see really means From California to Florida these seven detours favor the road less traveled destinations that may not rack up as numerous hashtags but hold their own with standout sights strong local flavor and often with fewer crowds and fresher stories Lodi s Wine and Visitor Center carries hundreds of bottles made from locally grown winegrapes Photo by David Dickstein For wallet-friendly California winetasting Think Lodi not Napa While particular snooty oenophiles may scoff at uncorking a grape getaway in California s understated Central Valley instead of world-renowned Napa open-minded and budget-conscious wine lovers should give Lodi a taste visitlodi com Craving a laid-back grassroots vibe over one cultivated with polish and sophistication That s penny wise not pour foolish Tastings in Lodi typically run to and often the fees are waived with purchase By contrast just miles west expect to shell out to for samples and good luck getting in without a reservation Yep Lodi welcomes walk-ins Among the region s standouts is Harney Lane Vineyards one of the insufficient estate-grown wineries in California This family-owned gem harneylane com offers a personally hosted flight of five small-lot selections featuring zinfandel the region s signature grape for as low as The Wine and Visitor Center lodiwine com also in town proudly carries hundreds of wines made from Lodi-grown grapes four of which can be tasted for just While Napa Valley has nearly Michelin-rated restaurants to Lodi s zero that soon could change with the latest opening of Americana House americanahouselodi com Michelin-starred chef Charlie Palmer has brought his signature progressive American cuisine to a destination known more for value and authenticity than refinement and luxury Naturally the months-old restaurant boasts the best wine list in town yet another reason to zig or zin where others zag For a Vegas nightcap Think speakeasy not lobby bar You ve painted the town and aren t quite ready to cash in your chips after doing Lord knows what in Sin City The easiest place to enjoy a nightcap is the lobby bar of your hotel But if you re of drinking age and prefer to swig with a zig skip the obvious and go underground not to a basement dive but one of Vegas cool covert speakeasies where the vibe is as smooth as the top-shelf spirits Bellagio bellagio com has one that makes its lobby bar seem as old-fashioned as well an old-fashioned It s called The Vault and the lounge s whereabouts are on a need-to-know basis But since it s just friends here this secret bar is nestled discreetly behind the live gaming tables on Bellagio s casino floor near the cashier The joint is a masterclass in moody opulence with equal parts speakeasy sanctuary and cinematic seduction Stocked with particular of the majority expensive and rare bottles in town and boasting a bar menu that makes no apologies for cocktails it s as clear as VING vodka that The Vault is for Bellagio s highest-end guests For those more secure with a starter shot of Kentucky straight bourbon there s a speakeasy inside the Cosmopolitan that s a cut above both literally and metaphorically A working barbershop by day and live music lounge by night The Barbershop barbershoplv com is a sharp from Cosmo s neo-retro lobby lounge Authentically when it takes slipping through a janitor s closet to get inside we re talking something unlike any lounge anywhere For a blend of Arizona art and landscape Think Bisbee not Sedona Both of these destinations are Arizona gems but they shimmer in wildly contrasting hues Sedona is beautiful and well-known for a reason Its red rock scenery is dramatic the hiking is excellent and the town is full of spas galleries and restaurants that cater to tourists But it s also busy especially on weekends and much of the experience feels inauthentic designed for visitors Zag-worthy Bisbee discoverbisbee com offers a very different kind of escape It s smaller raw and far less crowded The town has a strong local identity shaped by its mining history and current society of artists musicians and longtime residents You won t find chain stores or luxury resorts here just quirky shops historic buildings and a slower pace that feels real If Sedona is the place everyone s heard of Bisbee is the one they haven t but should It s not trying to impress anyone and that s part of the charm For travelers who prefer character over convenience and want to explore a town that still feels lived-in Bisbee is worth the detour The Adolphus Hotel is a grand Beaux-Arts landmark in downtown Dallas Photo by David Dickstein For a Texas-sized vacation Think Dallas not San Antonio Being home to the legendary Alamo a vibrant River Walk and two major amusement parks has folks stampeding like longhorns to San Antonio for a vacation in the Lone Star State But let s pour certain of that famous San Antone picante sauce on those movement plans Instead of remembering the Alamo for a Texas-sized trip consider urgent off from the herd by heading north to Big D Dallas offers up a more robust downtown scene a larger and more thrilling theme park Six Flags over Texas sixflags com and nearby Fort Worth with its cattle-crazy Stockyards fortworthstockyards com and the colorful Cultural District where El Chingon Mexican restaurant elchingon com tops an exciting food scene with its Pancho Villa-inspired flair As far as legendary downtown hotels are concerned while San Antonio s Menger is respected as the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi River Dallas Adolphus Hotel adolphus com is the hands-down winner for Beaux-Arts grandeur meets modern luxury Built in by beer magnate Adolphus Busch the -room jewel is located within walking distance of museums theaters and upscale shopping You ll want a healthy walk after enjoying afternoon tea in the hotel s opulent French Room a cherished Dallas tradition Ark Encounter in northern Kentucky is a replica of Noah s signature project Photo by David Dickstein For a family-friendly menagerie Think Kentucky s Ark Encounter not a traditional zoo If you re weary of zoos that feel more like concrete enclosures than conservation sanctuaries consider a detour to northern Kentucky where a colossal wooden ark rises from the hills like a myth made real The Ark Encounter arkencounter com isn t just a replica it s a reimagining of stewardship scale and storytelling Built to biblical dimensions this seven-story timber-frame vessel invites visitors to step into a world where animals weren t displayed they were protected With immersive exhibits lifelike dioramas and a petting zoo that prioritizes interaction over spectacle this attraction south of Cincinnati offers a gentler more thoughtful lens on our relationship with the animal kingdom For urban Southern hospitality Think Knoxville not Nashville Nashville isn t called Music City for nothing It s got the Grand Ole Opry Ryman Auditorium Country Music Hall of Fame recording studios and honky-tonks that all welcome toe-tapping tourists But Nashville also is getting more crowded and chaotic and more expensive with every new flight added at Nashville International Airport In fact BNA had its busiest month ever in June when million passengers passed through its gates Zigging to Knoxville miles east will get you Tennessee-kissed Southern hospitality without Nashville s drawbacks Its music scene is turned down lower but still holds its own from the storied century-old Bijou Theatre to the outdoor stage at World s Fair Park where the iconic -foot-tall Sunsphere proudly stands Knoxville knows how to treat its guests Whether you re savoring the prime hanger steak or rainbow trout at stylish Oliver Royale oliverroyale com or sinking into the plush linens of The Tennessean Hotel this city pairs refinement with warmth Speaking of The Tennessean thetennesseanhotel com each of its in recent months renovated rooms is exquisite an adjective that applies throughout the renowned downtown luxury property The tea arrangement alone is worth a visit sweet savory and seeping in Southern charm right down to the last drop of the hotel s signature sweet peach noir blend For a Miami vibe Think Coconut Grove not South Beach The crown jewel of Miami tourism is undeniably South Beach with its miles of white sand and turquoise water seaside and pastel-colored art deco hotels restaurants and bars giving the neighborhood its signature retro-glam vibe And if glamor grit and tropical swagger are your Miami vices by all means keep zagging Away from the sensory playground that is South Beach lies a zig-worthy population often described as Miami s bohemian soul wrapped in lush greenery and waterfront serenity Coconut Grove offers boutique hotels trendy eateries high-end shops and a village-like vibe steeped in easygoing charm Accommodations don t get more chill than Mr C Miami Coconut Grove mrccoconutgrove com a -room boutique hotel with bay views and a rooftop pool just procedures from the shops and restaurants of Cocowalk Even its exterior is cool designed to evoke the sleek curved lines of a luxury cruise ship porthole windows and all South Beach flaunts flash but it doesn t have this Related Articles A excursion pro s tips on making your journeys comfy and enjoyable Vermont town draws Beetlejuice fans 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