24 Best Islands within the US to Visit

Are you trying to find romantic, tropical, or simply plain cool islands within the U.S. to go to? What, you say, islands within the U.S.?

Yes, and also you don’t even want a passport. But you’ll wish to think about travel insurance similar to you’ll another journey. Insurance like World Nomads and TravelInsurance.com.

Whether your imaginative and prescient of island ambiance leans towards crystal clear water, coral reefs, and tropical bushes or ventures to mountains, pine forests, and rugged terrain, we’ve received an island vacation spot for you and your crew. There are even city islands, imagine it or not.

We’ve searched the shorelines from the Atlantic to the Pacific and the Gulf to the Great Lakes. So, let’s get began!

Here are the most effective rugged, romantic, and stress-free U.S. islands for {couples}, households, teams, or single vacationers.

TLDR

How to Prepare for an Island Vacation

After checking Skyscanner for the most effective offers on flights, motels, and rental automobiles, you’ll wish to get that pen and paper (or keyboard and fingers) prepared to start out a packing record.

An island vacation usually brings to thoughts sand, solar, and surf. That means sunscreen, sunscreen, and extra sunscreen. Additionally, you’ll wish to deliver hats, sun shades, swimwear, sandals, strolling sneakers, and backpacks (to carry the sunscreen, in fact).

For a rugged island journey, pack climbing sneakers and lengthy sleeves, and rugged pants. Hikers can come into contact with mosquitos and branches within the forests. You may wish to embody a pleasant outfit for dressier eating places.

Best Islands within the U.S. to Visit

1. Mount Desert Island – Maine

Widely recognized for the coastal city of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island sits off the coast of Maine alongside the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Maine.

Rather than tropical touches, this U.S. island gives a panorama of mountain forests, jagged cliffs, rugged shorelines, and harborfront fishing village cities.

Explore the paths of Acadia, watch the dawn from Cadillac Mountain, or go to the Asticou Azalea Garden. Sightseeing cruises on the Margaret Todd, a four-masted schooner, make distinctive journey reminiscences.

Looking for motels close to Acadia?

The pet-friendly Holiday Inn Bar Harbor Regency Hotel overlooks Frenchman’s Bay and is about three miles from Eagle Lake in Acadia. There’s an oceanfront lounge, an on-site marina, a pool, a sizzling tub, a tennis court docket, and a few eating places.

2. Cape Cod – Massachusetts

Shaped like a fishhook, Cape Cod is surrounded by Nantucket Sound and Buzzards Bay on the Atlantic Coast. It’s about 65 miles lengthy and positioned North of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

The iconic island has a number of lighthouses, beautiful beaches, and gardens in addition to pine forests, and ponds alongside the island’s National Seashore. You can take pleasure in and e book the Cape Cod Caper Scavenger Hunt or Cape Cod Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour.

The Blue Dolphin Inn, positioned in Eastham, sits on six acres and has a pool, a picnic space, and barbecue amenities. Guest rooms have a mini-fridge, a coffee maker, and a non-public patio. Nauset Lighthouse is about 5 miles away.

See Related: Most Beautiful Places in America to Vacation

3. Nantucket – Massachusetts

With cobblestone streets, cedar-shingled buildings, and sand dunes, the New England paradise of Nantucket units a standard New England scene. The Massachusetts island sits off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard within the Atlantic Ocean.

Spend time perusing maritime historical past museums, zipping about on golf carts, or crusing in Nantucket Sound.

Take a four-wheel drive tour and go nature-watching at Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge or indulge your love of lighthouses at Sankaty Head Light, Great Point Light, and Brant Point Light.

See Related: Best Vacation Dresses for Summer & Beach Trips

4. Martha’s Vineyard – Massachusetts

The New England village island of Martha’s Vineyard gives coastal cottages, sandy seashores, rocky shorelines, and a laid-back ambiance alongside Nantucket and Vineyard Sounds. It’s roughly 9 miles huge and 26 miles lengthy on the furthest level.

Access to Cape Cod is simple through the Hyannis/Oak Bluffs ferry port. Once on the island, dine on conventional seafood, watch the sundown from Aquinnah Cliffs Overlook, or go to Oak Bluffs and its vintage Coney Island carousel, the Flying Horses Carousel.

To discover the island, you possibly can e book a small group tour or an all-island tour.

Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites is a casually elegant romantic resorts class lodge. Formerly often called the Colonial Inn, it has a health middle, a salon and day spa, free bike rental, continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and a non-public courtyard.

It’s inside quick access to the retailers and eating places within the resort city of Edgartown.

5. Block Island – Rhode Island

Situated simply south of mainland Rhode Island, Block Island has about 17 miles of rocky seashores dotted with lighthouses, bluffs, and winding pathways.

Popular actions on Block Island, Rhode Island embody bicycling, climbing, fishing, crusing, birdwatching, and nature viewing at Block Island National Wildlife Refuge.

For a romantic adults-only getaway, Payne’s Harbor View Inn is a scenic selection. It’s positioned in New Shoreham and options vintage touches like four-poster beds and pedestal sinks.

Some rooms have a balcony with ocean views. Ballard’s Beach, Block Island Historical Society, and Fred Benson Town Beach are close by.

See Related: Most Beautiful Cities in the World to Visit

6. Manhattan – New York

Yes, Manhattan is an island – folks don’t simply name it “Manhattan Island” for funsies!

If you want your isles with museums, skyscrapers, tradition, delicacies, and a vibrant ambiance, this borough of NYC is the island for you.

If you continue to don’t imagine us on the island factor, there are 21 bridges and 15 tunnels main into Manhattan. There’s even a film known as 21 Bridges starring Chadwick Boseman to assist show this level. Check it out. RIP Chadwick.

The Hudson, East, and Harlem Rivers kind the boundary waters across the island.

The Empire State Building, Central Park, Broadway reveals, Times Square, and world-class museums just like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of Modern Art are only a few of the island points of interest you’ll discover in Manhattan.

You can even take pleasure in a scenic Manhattan dinner cruise.

From the Upper West Side to Midtown, Chelsea, and Midtown South, you’ll discover a wide selection of motels to accommodate households, {couples}, teams, and single vacationers.

The New Yorker, a Wyndham Hotel is centrally positioned (close to the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, and Penn Station) for straightforward entry to points of interest and actions. Suites have separate seating areas and two bogs.

With artwork deco decor, this New York City lodge options free Wi-Fi, on-site eating places, and even a small museum devoted to Nikola Tesla. The inventor and engineer truly lived within the New Yorker for about ten years starting in 1933.

See Related: Best Place to Stay in New York for Sightseeing

7. Fire Island – New York

Fire Island, a skinny barrier island off the southern coast of Long Island, is a well-liked seasonal resort vacation spot. Take the ferry and arrive within the city of Kismet and seize a chunk at pizza retailers or snack shacks round city.

Check out the nineteenth Century Fire Island Lighthouse, have a picnic at Robert Moses State Park, or go to the Sunken Forrest, a uncommon ecological habitat of maritime forest, flowers, and shrubs protected by excessive dunes.

See Related: Chicago vs New York: What’s the Difference?

8. Assateague Island – Maryland/Virginia

Assateague Island shares a border with Virginia within the south and Maryland to the north (close to Ocean City). The 37-mile-long island and its wild horses have been made well-liked within the 1947 e book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry.  

Visitors to this Atlantic coast island take pleasure in kayaking, crabbing, wild horse viewing, and stress-free alongside stretches of sentimental sand.

Check out the 142-foot-tall Assateague Lighthouse (in-built 1867), the place you’ll have terrific views of Assateague Island National Seashore. The horizontal bands of pink and white are a particular contact.

Assateague State Park, on the northern finish of the island, is bordered by the Atlantic and Sinepuxent Bay. The park gives tenting, swimming, seashore lounging, and wildlife viewing.

There aren’t motels alongside this secluded stretch often called Assateague, however the city of Chincoteague (and, sure, there are Misty and pony-related themes throughout city to please the children) gives a number of. Don’t miss an opportunity to expertise Grand Boat Tour around Chincoteague and Assateague Islands.

9. Outer Banks – North Carolina

The Outer Banks (or OBX) is a well-liked stretch of Atlantic barrier islands that run from Corolla within the north to Cape Hatteras within the south (and onward to Ocracoke Island through a ferry). Along the best way, you’ll go the cities of Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head.

For lovely huge seashores, sand dunes, sea oats, family-friendly points of interest, nice seafood, and an informal angle, you possibly can’t go incorrect.

There are many things to do in Outer Banks, well-liked actions and points of interest embody Jockey’s Ridge State Park, the Wright Brothers National Monument, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, offshore charting fishing journeys, wild horse tours, and the wealthy historical past of the Lost Colony outside drama.

See Related: Best Places to Stay in Outer Banks to See Wild Horses

10. Emerald Isle – North Carolina

Emerald Isle sits alongside North Carolina’s Crystal Coast on the Atlantic Ocean. If you’re into fishing, you’ve made a terrific selection with Emerald Isle.

The Bogue Inlet Pier and Fort Macon Park are well-liked fishing spots. Additionally, you possibly can go surf fishing and e book constitution fishing journeys. Reel in flounder, cobia, and black drum.

Emerald Isle Woods Park and Hammocks Beach Park are prime points of interest for seashore and nature lovers. The Salty Pirate Waterpark, the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, and Emerald Forest Mini Golf attraction to the children within the group.

11. Kiawah Island – South Carolina

The stretch of barrier island often called Kiawah Island makes wonderful islands within the U.S. to go to. Located south of Charleston, between the Kiawah River and the Atlantic Ocean, it’s about 10 miles in size and 1.5 miles on the widest level.

The island is dwelling to celebrities similar to Ray Allen, Dan Marino, Tara Lipinski, and Joe Gibbs.

Kiawah Island has been developed as primarily a non-public golf and seashore resort. Relax on the seashore, take pleasure in nice eating, or follow that swing at premier island golf programs like Turtle Point Golf Course, the Pete Dye-designed Ocean Course, and the Jack Nicklaus-designed Kiawah Island Golf Resort.

Boating, fishing, and bicycling are additionally well-liked.

The Andell Inn, a part of Residence Inn by Marriott, contains a swimming pool, a enterprise middle, health amenities, and assembly house on a lakefront setting.

Some visitor rooms have a kitchenette, additional seating house, residing space, and eating house. It’s near Cougar Point Golf Course and Kiawah Beachwalker Park.

See Related: Best Pink Lakes in the World

12. Hilton Head Island – South Carolina

Hilton Head, South Carolina is likely one of the hottest trip islands within the U.S. The Atlantic Coast island is legendary for its golf programs and 12 miles of pristine sandy seashores. Discover golf programs, arts and tradition, luxurious resorts, and Lowcountry delicacies.

Check out websites such because the Harbour Town Lighthouse and Museum, Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, and the Coastal Discovery Museum.

For a soothing and splendid keep, think about the Sonesta Resort – Hilton Head. It has a bar, assembly and occasion house, on-site eating, free Wi-Fi, two swimming swimming pools, and a full-service spa. The Van Der Meer Tennis & Shipyard Golf Course is throughout the highway.

13. Jekyll Island – Georgia

Jekyll Island is a part of Georgia’s Golden Isles and contains Sea Island, St. Simons Island, Little St. Simons Island, and town of Brunswick on the mainland. Accessible by the Jekyll Island Causeway, Jekyll has 10 miles of shoreline and is the southernmost of those isles. It’s discovered north of Florida’s Amelia Island.

Amid a setting of saltwater marshes and tropical palm bushes, the entire household can take pleasure in a wide range of actions and points of interest such because the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, the St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum, a 25-mile Historic District bicycle path, and horse-drawn carriage rides.

Jekyll Island dolphin tours are nice enjoyable for the entire household.

Jekyll Island Club Resort is a luxurious keep in a nineteenth Century Victorian resort. Guest rooms have seating areas, free Wi-Fi, and luxurious furnishings.

There’s a swimming pool, a health middle, a bar, a placing inexperienced, and a restaurant at this pet-friendly resort. It’s not beachfront, however there’s a free shuttle to and from the seashore.

See Related: Best Places to Visit in the US

14. The Florida Keys and Key West – Florida

For an entire string of tropical isles within the U.S. to discover at your leisure, you possibly can’t beat the Florida Keys.

Whether it’s Key Largo, Islamorada, and Marathon, or Big Pine and Key West, all of them supply the pure magnificence and tropical ambiance of palm bushes, heat breezes, and plenty of water-based actions and points of interest alongside the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Coast.

Some of the Keys have a extra party persona (we’re taking a look at you, Key West) with world-famous bars, stay music, and nightlife, however all make a wonderful family vacation, honeymoon, or group island journey.

To discover all the Keys, you could wish to drop anchor within the center part of Marathon. It’s centrally positioned to simply journey north or south. You can go to websites like Bahia Honda State Park, Theater of the Sea, the Dolphin Research Center, and extra.

On your go to, you may also e book a bus tour and revel in a full-day trip adventure.

Located close to Florida Keys Country Club on Marathon, Skipjack Resort & Marina has an outside pool, a poolside tiki bar, on-site tennis courts, and a marina. Guest rooms have a mini-fridge, a microwave, cable TV, and a balcony.

See Related: Fun & Best Things to Do in Miami, Florida

15. Marco Island – Florida

Just off the southwest Gulf Coast of Florida, Marco Island is close to Naples on the mainland. 

The island is dotted with golf programs, resort motels, fashionable boutiques, and an extended sandy seashore alongside the Gulf of Mexico. It’s the one developed island amongst Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands and contains a community of waterways and canals all through the island.

Check out Briggs Nature Center, Marco Island Historical Museum, Marco Island Center for the Arts, and Collier Seminole Park. Tigertail Beach Park is well-liked for kayaking, paddle boarding, and swimming. You can even e book Marco Island’s Dolphin, Birding, and Shelling tour.

The beachfront Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa has a pool, occasion house, a bar, an on-site restaurant, a full-service bar, and a health middle. Suites have a mini-fridge, a coffee maker, a sleeper couch, and a non-public balcony. Golf programs, retailers, and eating places are close by recreation choices.

16. Sanibel Island/Captiva Island – Florida

Islands in America embody the nature-loving isles of Sanibel and Captiva. Technically, they’re two separate islands, however they’re so shut collectively, you actually don’t discover whenever you’re coming into one and leaving the opposite.

The tropical isle of Sanibel is stuffed with cute pastel properties, palm-tree-lined pathways, and pristine seashores topped with seashells. It’s related to mainland Florida by a causeway close to Fort Myers and Cape Coral. You’ll enter Captiva at Blind Pass.

The J.N “Ding” Darling Natural Wildlife space takes up a big a part of the japanese facet of the isle.

These laid-back islands in America attraction to nature lovers and beachgoers for his or her calm waters. Of course, children are welcome, however they could be happier at one of many extra thrilling trip islands within the US. You can all the time add somewhat pleasure to the journey with a Sanibel Island sunset sail or jet ski tour.

17. Santa Catalina Island – California

One of the most effective islands within the U.S. for an island getaway, Santa Catalina Island is positioned about 20 miles off the coast of Newport Beach, California.

It’s a part of the Channel Island chain and options wildlife, diving websites, seafood eating places, and beautiful surroundings. It’s roughly 22 miles lengthy. It’s eight miles huge on the widest level.

From Two Harbors to Avalon, there are a number of seashores, campgrounds, and parks on Santa Catalina Island.

Spend a enjoyable day on a zipline eco-tour excessive above the island, visiting Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden, lounging amongst cabanas and palm bushes of Descanso Beach, snorkeling at Lovers Cove, or strolling across the postcard-perfect Mediterranean-inspired city of Avalon.

Don’t miss the Semi-Submarine Tour of Catalina Island.

See Related: Best Things to Do in Monterey, California

18. San Juan Islands – Washington

You’ll even discover concepts for island holidays within the Pacific Northwest. The San Juan Islands archipelago, made up of 172 isles and reefs, is positioned in Washington state between Seattle and Vancouver, Canada.

Ferries can be found to a few of the primary islands: Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan. Bill Gates is rumored to personal a house on one of many isles.

Adventure-seeking San Juan Island lovers can go to old-growth forests at Moran State Park, go whale-watching at Lime Kiln State Park, or take a look at Friday Harbor. You can even take pleasure in whale watching in addition to e book a sea kayak tour.

Looking for lodging on Orcas Island?

Deer Harbor Inn, positioned in Eastsound, is an efficient choice. There’s a lounge, a backyard, outside BBQ amenities, and free Wi-Fi. All visitor rooms have a coffee maker, and a few have a kitchenette.

19. Oahu – Hawaii

You knew Hawaii was going to land on this record someplace, proper?

Hawaii is worth visiting. It’s probably the most well-known islands within the U.S. The chicer of the Hawaiian isles, Oahu is dwelling to Waikiki Beach, the North Shore, Pearl Harbor, and the state capital of Honolulu.

The island has been featured in motion pictures and was the house of the Hawaiian monarchy. There aren’t any energetic volcanoes (bummer) on Oahu, so should you’re into that, it’s finest to decide on a unique island.

Still, the Gathering Place (as Oahu is understood) is a well-liked island for households and {couples}. It’s probably the most visited as a result of many activities in Oahu, hiking trails, and pure points of interest.

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa is the right anchorage to your Oahu trip.

While the children will love the cuddly characters and Disney-themed environment, the grown-ups can take pleasure in luxurious lodging, native tradition, and the world-class spa. The spa gives therapies for each member of the household.

See Related: Best Things to Do in Waikiki, Hawaii

20. Maui – Hawaii

The second largest of the Hawaiian islands, Maui contains a romantic setting with the journey of volcanoes, waterfalls, the Haleakala National Park, and the Hana Highway.

Whether your children are teenagers or tots, they’ll discover a wide selection of actions to go well with them as a result of there are numerous enjoyable and best things to do in Maui.

Snorkeling at Kapalua Bay Beach, trying to find sea turtles, zipline adventures, climbing within the Iao Valley, and dolphin sailing adventures are only a few concepts to get you began.

See Related: Warm Winter Backpacking Destinations

21. Hawaii Island (the Big Island) – Hawaii

The Big Island of Hawaii is the most important island within the United States. It is likely one of the best islands in Hawaii to go to.

Volcanoes National Park and its climbing trails and tropical rainforests draw guests of all ages to the Big Island of Hawaii. Two of the world’s most energetic volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, are positioned there.

Activities for the entire crew embody the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach (How cool is black sand!), the inexperienced sand of Papakolea Beach (Could inexperienced sand be even cooler?), zipline adventure, horseback driving, ATV tours, and eco and agriculture excursions.

From farms, coffee, and macadamias to bees and honey, the Big Island grows all of it (and desires to show you all about it).

The Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel has a pool, a health middle, two on-site eating places, and a non-public seashore space. Guest rooms have a mini-fridge and free Wi-Fi. Watersports amenities and bicycle leases (for an extra cost) are on-site.

See Related: Best Places to Travel in December on a Budget

22. Kauai Island – Hawaii

The fourth in our stream of Hawaiian island love, Kauai gives the wonder and thrill of crashing and cascading waterfalls like Wailua, Uluwehi, Opaekaa, Hanakapiai, Ho’opi’i, Kipu, and Kalihiwai Falls. Ironically, it’s additionally the fourth largest Hawaiian island at 553 sq. miles.

Nicknamed the Garden Island, Kauai is roofed by tropical rainforest, the Mount Waialeale Rainforest. Hike to the highest or take a guided 4-wheel drive journey. Couples and households can go on kayaking within the Wailua River, ziplining by tropical valleys, take pleasure in a food tour, or snorkeling on Poipu Beach.

Of course, you shouldn’t miss Kauai helicopter tours.

Looking for lodging on Kauai?

Kauai Shores Hotel has two outside swimming swimming pools, a six-acre courtyard, a beachfront restaurant, and a non-public seashore. Guests can take pleasure in free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, a mini-fridge, and a Keurig machine. Choose from mountain, backyard, pool, and ocean views. Opaekka Falls and Lydgate State Park are close by.

See Related: Places Similar to the Maldives to Visit

23. South Bass Island – Ohio

Situated about 22 miles offshore from Sandusky, Ohio, the small island of South Bass is about 3.5 miles lengthy and 1.5 miles huge. Put-In-Bay is a well-liked spot at this Lake Erie island vacation spot.

Visit the Put-In-Bay Winery, go fishing for walleye, discover Victorian motels, or go swimming, picnicking, and tenting at South Bass Island Park.

Nicknamed the Key West of the North, there’s a duplicate of Key West’s iconic buoy on the island’s northernmost bar, The Keys – Put-In-Bay. That’s a bucket lister proper there.

For lodging on South Bass, Put-In-Bay Resort & Conference Center is a superb selection. It’s inside quick access to eating and nightlife.

Amenities embody an outside pool with a swim-up bar, a health middle, an on-site nightclub, occasion, house, each day continental breakfast, and free Wi-Fi. Guest rooms have a mini fridge, a seating space, and a desk. 

24. Mackinac Island – Michigan

Another Great Lakes island vacation spot, Mackinac Island bobs about in Lake Huron between mainland Michigan and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. At lower than 5 sq. miles, the isle has wooded trails, rock formations, and horse-drawn carriages, making it a favourite amongst {couples} and households.

Speaking of horse-drawn carriages, horse followers, specifically, will love Mackinac for its equine scene. Go horseback driving, go to carriage museums, or hire a non-public carriage. Cars aren’t allowed on Mackinac. In reality, motorized automobiles have been banned since 1901. So horses sound like a terrific possibility.

Outdoor actions embody kayaking, crusing, and sundown boat cruises in addition to bicycling across the 8.2-mile exterior rim of land. Go climbing at Fort Holmes, the best level, or go to the famous Arch Rock, which spans greater than 50 ft huge above the water.

For Mackinac lodging, the charming (and fairly grand) Grand Hotel gives on-site eating, a pool, a salon and spa, the Jewel Golf Course, and the longest entrance porch on the earth (660 ft, in case you have been questioning).

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