Many travelers scope out the best beaches this time of year, but sometimes a cozy cabin in a scenic mountain town is just what the doctor ordered.
Lined with vintage shops, rustic inns, and Mom and Pop eateries with Grandma’s secret recipe, all while backdropped by what may seem like a Bob Ross ‘happy accident’, mountain hideaways tend to offer a tranquil escape away from crowded coastlines.
The caveat with venturing into the mountains is that typical springtime weather tends to be backlogged with snow-capped peaks and lingering winter chills in higher elevations, but May brings wildflower blooms and sun-kissed trails, an inviting respite perfect for a weekend getaway at the least.
These 4 U.S. mountain getaways are oozing nostalgia and offer splendid spring weather:
Deadwood, SD: Swap Familiar Faces For Undiscovered Places
When you think of South Dakota, one thing surely comes to mind. You know, that one rock face (no pun intended) with past U.S. Presidents’ faces meticulously, and beyond impressively, carved into it, that over 2.4 million people flock to see each year.
Mt. Rushmore may be South Dakota’s number one draw despite Sioux Falls being the Midwest’s fastest growing city and the famous biker rally of Sturgis, yet there’s a tight-lipped map dot town many tourists don’t know exists, even though it’s lined with charming inns, casinos, and name-brand resorts, such as Holiday Inn Resort Deadwood Mountain Grand.
A storied gold mining settlement, Deadwood shamelessly showcases its past while also embracing modern tourist draws with fun, insightful trolley tours and hosting festivals throughout the year.
As we turn the calendar to May, Deadwood really begins to shine with enjoyable weather, shying away from ski season.
Discover a seemingly endless number of attractions for such a small town. Whether it be winery, brewery, and ‘saloon’ hopping, a ride on the 1880 steam train through the lush Black Hills, or nightly ghost tours of the historic streets and century-old buildings allegedly housing spirits of miners, this town packs a punch.
The best way to get here is to fly into Rapid City, a 55-minute drive from Deadwood.
Jerome, Arizona: Swap Cheesy Old Towns For The Real Wild West
Ever been to Scottsdale? Bless their heart. They try.
The city of thousand-dollar millionaires can wear all the turquoise jewelry and pleather boots they want, but it will never match the real Wild West, which can be seen in often overlooked Jerome, Arizona, perched upon Cleopatra Hill.
If you’ve ever visited Tombstone, Arizona, Jerome isn’t that ‘wild’, but you will certainly find remnants of its gold rush roots, divey ‘saloons’, and a surprising mix of delights, making Jerome a draw for more than just history buffs.
Believe it or not, one of Arizona’s best-kept secrets is a wine destination spearheaded by someone you’d least expect: Maynard James Keenan, most notably known as the lead singer of heavy metal band Tool.
Check out Caduceus Cellars with a tasting room on the main strip, a great place to stop after perusing other local attractions such as Jerome Mining Museum, Raku Gallery, or just like Deadwood, numerous haunts ranging from the Ghost City Inn to the Jerome Grand Hotel, the town’s top-rated stay yet arguably the ‘most haunted place in America‘.
There are flights from Denver and Los Angeles to nearby Prescott. Otherwise, your best bet is to fly into Flagstaff, 33 miles from Jerome.
Spring is one of the best seasons to visit, with temperatures ranging from April highs of 68 to 88 in early June.
Julian, CA: Where San Diegans Escape The Beach Crowds And Eat Dessert First
Set roughly an hour away from San Diego’s coast lies Julian, nestled in the Cuyamaca Mountains.
As a San Diego local who has already seen enough Arizona and Nevada license plates invading our roadways and beaches, Julian is my favorite escape from the beachside chaos of fighting for limited parking spaces, the endless soundtrack of screaming children, and off-putting “woo!” girls who act like they just had their first White Claw.
We get it — you’re in college and don’t have responsibilities yet. Good for you.
There’s none of that in Julian. This peaceful hideaway is a blip on the map if there ever was one. In fact, there’s not even a traffic light.
Find one of many cozy inns to stay in for a nice weekend, shop ’til you drop in a maze of boutique shops, and have your doctor on call for the plethora of Diabeetus-inducing pie shops, the town’s nationwide claim to fame.
So much so you can actually order a famous Julian Pie online and have one shipped to all 50 states — yep, Alaska and Hawaii too.
If you’re in Julian, you don’t need permission to eat desert first. As for the rest of your meal Julian Beer Co. has you covered from a wide selection of local beers to what I believe in the best barbecue in San Diego County.
There are numerous nature trails and campgrounds outside the main drag too, perfect for exploring in Julian’s 70 – 80 degree days this spring.
Santa Fe, NM: Experience America’s Oldest Capital City
New Mexico’s capital city is a vibrant southwestern jewel laden with a charming adobe townscape, stunning landscapes, sensational cuisine, and perhaps most surprisingly, Meow Wolf.
As someone who has taken a road trip around New Mexico hitting up Las Cruces, Albuquerque, Taos, Roswell, it was actually Santa Fe that was out of this world.
There may be never better food offerings in the Southwest, but the scenery is equally astounding as is the walkable city center lined with art galleries, cafes, and souvenir shops that don’t feel overly cheesy like that of Scottsdale, for example.
Santa Fe has actually made a name for itself on Netflix recently with the release of Gold & Greed: The Hunt for Fenn’s Treasure, a documentary reflecting on eccentric Santa Fe resident Forrest Fenn, who led thousands of “treasure hunters” on a wild goose chase through the Rockies for a chest of riches.
Spoiler alert: it was allegedly found, and now there’s another treasure hunt. Santa Fe sure seems like a great starting point…
Even if you’re not ready to traverse the woods with a metal detector, Santa Fe is a phenomenal place to immerse in nature whether it be fly fishing the flowing rivers or going for a scenic hike in the Rockies this spring in 70 – 80 degree weather.
Best of all, Santa Fe is easier to reach than ever after an airport overhaul.
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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
