The Best Destinations For A Vacation In America, According To Rick Steves' Protégé

America is an overwhelmingly diverse travel destination. Think of the wide variety of trips you can get in the United States: red rock adventuring in Moab, skiing in Aspen, winetasting in Napa Valley, cruising through sleepy Cape Cod beach towns, dancing to contagious live music in the French Quarter of New Orleans, camping in a national park, and exploring the heights of San Fransisco by cable car, to name a few. Whether you have a hankering to learn about historically significant landmarks, stretching your legs out on hiking trails in Yosemite, or sipping late-night cocktails on skyscraping rooftops, there are vacation spots to suit every taste and travel desire. A few of America's most popular travel destinations continually top people's lists are Las Vegas, New York City, Key West, New Orleans, and Orlando. 

Rick Steves' protégé, Cameron Hewitt, has his own favorite U.S. vacation spots on his bucket list, specifically the Central Oregon Coast and Kauai, Hawaii. Hewitt has written extensively for Rick Steves and summed up some of the best (and worst) places he's been to around the world on the Rick Steves website. Featuring dramatic landscapes and seascapes, diverse adventures to experience, and charming, tourist-friendly infrastructure, both the Central Oregon Coast and Kauai are idyllic stateside vacation options. 

The Hawaiian island of Kauai is what dreams are made of. Immediately setting itself apart from the other 49 states in terms of climate, location, topography, history, and culture, Hawaii feels a universe away from the rest of the mainland. Kauai specifically is the perfect place to rent a car, get lost in tropical heaven, make barefooted pit stops for acai bowls and coconut water, dine on fresh poke and other catches from the sea, and feel the rest of the world drop away. Located over 2,500 miles from the coast of California, Kauai is accessible first by flying to Honolulu and then taking a short commuter flight to the island.

Kauai is home to vibrant local traditions, laidback surf and beach culture, unique cuisine, and a balance of peaceful relaxation and thrilling adventures. Adrenaline-seekers, beach bums, newlyweds, families, nature lovers, and surfers come from the world over to relish this tropical paradise. Two famous landmarks are Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of the South Pacific," and the wildly photogenic Napali coast.

Kauai also has a ton of lodging options, from rustic campgrounds to charming Airbnb beach shacks to all-inclusive resorts. It will not be the cheapest destination, but a trip here is feasible if you budget correctly. Vacationers can take their pick of free things to do on island time if they so choose. There are towering summits to hike, sunsets over clear turquoise waters to watch, and helicopter rides and sunset boat cruises to take advantage of. Simply being immersed in the ethereal beauty of Kauai's lush greenery, volcanic terrain, and dense forests is a magical experience in itself. 

Hewitt boldly identifies the Oregon Coast as one of "the three most beautiful places on earth" on his blog. He is not afraid to unleash his admiration and praise this state in the Pacific Northwest. Even if it's located along the same ocean as Kauai, it seems worlds away. The brilliant coast of Central Oregon is characterized by rugged and picture-perfect coastlines, forests, and cliffs begging to be explored by foot and car.  A breezy, cool climate sweeps along the dramatic shoreline from Cannon Beach to the Oregon Dunes, marked by incredible rock formations such as the iconic Haystack Rock. A scenic road trip to this part of Oregon will also surely offer you some memorable views of breathtaking cliffs and verdant forests.

The Oregon coast is peppered with incredible jewels to both relax and adventure in depending on your travel style. Luckily, this part of America can be as relaxing or as bustling as the individual traveler makes it. Charming coastal towns such as Yachats, Reedsport, and Florence are well-equipped to be attractive vacation spots with gift shops, quaint eateries, and swimmable beaches. You can surf, kayak, have lazy beach afternoons, or get your heart rate up on awesome seaside trails that climb the rugged coasts. There are also pristinely preserved historic lighthouses to check out, fascinating tide pools to explore, and the opportunity to witness cool wildlife such as the endangered (but beloved) puffin and whale herds via boat tours.