10 Nostalgic U.S. Vacation Spots

Modern cities such as Dubai and Tokyo are among the most popular tourist destinations in the world. But some travelers prefer to escape the hustle and bustle and venture somewhere quieter, perhaps a place with a more retro feel. Old-fashioned vacation spots might be few and far between, but you can still find them throughout the U.S. if you know where to look. With vintage hotels, historic architecture, and horse-drawn carriages instead of gas-guzzling cars, here are 10 of America’s quaintest and most nostalgic vacation destinations.

Catalina Island, California

Catalina Island is a car-free paradise — visitors are prohibited from bringing cars or even renting them on the island. Instead, walking is encouraged. Fortunately, charming downtown Avalon, the island’s main town, covers less than 3 square miles. Golf carts are also available for rent, and select hotels offer limited shuttle service.

The island is easily accessible by ferries departing from San Pedro, Long Beach, Dana Point, and Newport Beach. Once you’ve arrived, you can take in Southern California’s oldest golf course (built in 1892), lace up a pair of vintage roller skates at the Wrigley Ballroom, or try your luck at the oceanside art deco-style Catalina Casino, which dates to 1929. You can even venture out on a bison expedition to gaze upon descendants of animals that were left on the island back in the 1920s.

Mackinac Island, Michigan

Located in Lake Huron between Michigan’s Lower and Upper Peninsulas, Mackinac Island is home to roughly 500 full-time residents. But it attracts a staggering 1-million-plus visitors each year, many of whom are seeking out a sense of quiet nostalgia. Part of what makes Mackinac Island so special is that, like Catalina Island, private cars are strictly prohibited. Instead, residents and tourists alike get around by horse-drawn carriage, on foot, or by bike. There’s no shortage of the latter — more than 1,400 bicycles are ready to rent on any given day.

In 1875, Mackinac Island was established as the country’s second national park, after Yellowstone. Two decades later, the land was turned into Michigan’s first-ever state park, and 82% of the island is part of that park. In addition to the various hiking trails, Mackinac is home to Michigan’s largest lilac tree, as well as the world’s longest porch, which is located at the Grand Hotel and measures 660 feet.

Cape May, New Jersey

The land Cape May sits on, at the southern tip of New Jersey along the shores of the Atlantic, was first chartered in 1611. In the 18th century it became a popular vacation spot for Philadelphians, earning Cape May the distinction of being “the nation’s oldest seashore resort.”

Part of what makes Cape May so nostalgic is its expansive collection of Victorian homes, many of which were built after an 1878 fire destroyed much of the town. Other quaint sites worth seeing include the Historic Cold Spring Village, with 26 restored buildings where historic interpreters live and teach guests about life back in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. And don’t miss the Cape May Lighthouse — dating to 1859 and opened to the public in 1988, it offers panoramic views of the ocean as far as the eye can see.

Branson, Missouri

Located in the Ozark Mountains in southern Missouri, Branson bills itself as the “Live Entertainment Capital of the World,” thanks to the city’s thriving live theater and music scene. While 13,000 or so people call Branson their full-time home, some 7.5 million tourists flock here annually. Many of those visitors head downtown to the theater district, where there are over 50 theaters with upwards of 60,000 seats collectively — more seats than there are on Broadway in New York City.

No visit to Branson is complete, however, without stopping by the Silver Dollar City, an 1880s-themed amusement park. Other attractions include the Butterfly Palace, the Titanic Museum (where over 400 artifacts are on display), and the World’s Largest Toy Museum, which contains more than a million toys.

Tangier Island, Virginia

If you’re looking to experience life in a quiet fishing village, look no further than Tangier Island in Chesapeake Bay. Many of the current residents can trace their lineage back to colonial times, when their ancestors made a living fishing, crabbing, and oystering in the surrounding waters. This lifestyle still exists among the 500 or so locals who call this 12-mile-wide island home.

In recent years, Tangier Island has seen a spike in tourism, too. The island is accessible only by ferry or boat, and there are no cars to get around once you arrive. Instead, expect to travel by bicycle or golf cart. 

In addition to the island’s rich fishing history, it played a fascinating role during the War of 1812. During that conflict, Tangier provided a haven to escaped enslaved people who chose to fight for the British in search of freedom. Learn about these events and more at the Tangier Island History Museum, which is open seven days a week and costs just $3 to visit.

Lake George, New York

Lake George, located just a little over 200 miles north of New York City, offers a peaceful and serene setting with retro flair to boot. The lake itself measures 32 miles from north to south (making it the state’s longest) and is one the cleanest lakes in the country, thanks to strict environmental regulations that have kept it crystal-clear. In fact, Thomas Jefferson once referred to Lake George as “the most beautiful water I ever saw,” and it has since earned a reputation as the “Queen of American Lakes.”

In town, there are many must-see attractions that’ll appeal to your nostalgic side. Stop by the Lake George Steamboat Company to cruise the lake with a company that’s been offering rides for over 200 years. Or visit the Fort William Henry Museum, where you can witness live reenactments of events that took place during the French and Indian War. Roads are lined with throwback roadside motels, classic drive-in restaurants, and stores selling trinkets to help you remember your time in the Adirondacks.

Deadwood, South Dakota

Looking to experience the old Wild West? The historic town of Deadwood is one of the best places in the country to do so. Founded in 1876, Deadwood was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961. Much of its old-timey architecture still lines the city streets, giving the town a similar charm as what it had back when figures such as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Janes visited in the 19th century.

The Main Street Shootouts are a highlight for visitors. Taking place three times a day, six days a week, the event features costumed gunslingers (with fake guns, of course) who pour into the streets and reenact old Wild West shootouts — and admission is free. Also be sure to visit the Days of ’76 Museum. Open since 1924, this museum exhibits over 50 historic vehicles, plenty of antique firearms, and even a 95 million-year-old set of marine reptile bones discovered in 1934.

Williams, Arizona

The “Gateway to the Grand Canyon” is the final stop before you head north along the lonely road up to the national park. But as much of a highlight as the Grand Canyon is, Williams, located along the historic Route 66, is very much worth visiting in its own right, with a fascinating array of historic buildings and quirky shops that call back to yesteryear.

In town, you’ll find the Route 66 Museum, which was originally built in 1958 and has recently been restored to its original state. It features vintage gasoline tanks and other signage that’ll take you back to that road trip you took after college. Other historic sites in Williams include the rail depot dating to 1901, the Yellow House built in 1893, and the Grand Canyon Hotel, which dates to 1891 and claims to be Arizona’s oldest hotel.

Monhegan Island, Maine

Located 10 miles from the mainland and encompassing less than a single square mile of total area, Monhegan Island is easy to miss unless you know about it. This tiny island has relied on two major industries since the 1800s: fishing and tourism. As the first settled place in Maine, it can trace its history back even further; Basque fisherman wrote about the island as early as 1390.

One of the most popular activities for visitors is the 9-mile hike on the “wildlands” trails, which take you along untouched, rocky ocean cliffs. Others prefer to venture into town and down to Main Street, a quaint unpaved road lined with art galleries, restaurants, and shops. It’s also worth seeing the 47-foot-tall Monhegan Lighthouse, which was built in 1850 and remains an active post for the U.S. Coast Guard. And be sure to try some local lobster — residents of the island have been cooking it up for centuries.

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Harpers Ferry, founded in 1763, is famous for an 1859 raid led by abolitionist John Brown, who fought for the freedom of enslaved folks in the leadup to the Civil War. Today, Harpers Ferry is a far cry from those tumultuous times. The quiet town is located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, at the intersection of West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. Only 342 people call it home year-round — far less than the 300,000 annual tourists.

Step back in time on Harpers Ferry’s many cobblestone streets and check out historic buildings such as John Brown’s Fort — an 1848 armory where the famed abolitionist had his last stand. There’s also the historic Lockwood House, which was built in 1848 and served as a Civil War hospital and later as a school and living quarters for formerly enslaved men and women. Jefferson Rock, another popular site, is the spot where Thomas Jefferson stood on October 25, 1783, and proclaimed the surrounding terrain “one of the most stupendous scenes in nature.”