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Forget the household names! Fall is the season where hidden gems shine brightest, at least according to Alaska Airlines.

The popular carrier has blown the doors off with their latest report, revealing the top 3. U.S. small towns to explore this fall.

Many of us seek out iconic city adventures in such places as Chicago, New York, or San Francisco, but scattered around the country are delightful towns often overshadowed by the grandeur of America’s finest metropolises.

But in the wise words of Michael Scott, “Well, well, well, how the turntables”…

Alaska has seen a strong spike in bookings for places without the crowds and towering skyscrapers in favor of simple down-home fall splendor.

These are the top 3 U.S. hidden gems surging in popularity this fall:

Santa Rosa: Gateway To Wine Country & So Much More

Despite popular belief, Napa is not the only major wine town in California. In fact, it’s not even the biggest in the state.

Lodi may take the cake on that one, but it’s Santa Rosa that has made a name for itself in the wine world and also serves as a gateway into Napa, among other delightful towns nearby.

But let’s stick with Santa Rosa proper, an often overlooked city that’s suddenly been thrown into the spotlight this fall, especially with Alaska’s new flights from Vegas.

So, why visit Santa Rosa other than to go winery-hopping?

The city of 177,000 people is surrounded by beautiful landscapes you can’t help but want to explore.

Take Sonoma Coast State Park ($8 admission) for sample size, where epic coastal views reign supreme over all the ‘leaf peepers’ snapping photos like they’ve never seen a tree before.

Kidding, of course. But, truth be told, this is one of few State Parks this time of year where you’ll forget all about the colors of leaves in place of colors of wines and stunning aqua-blue views.

And don’t sleep on Santa Rosa’s food scene either; it goes way beyond wine!

Check out nearby Michelin-starred French Laundry – so good that California’s Governor Newsom couldn’t resist the urge against breaking his own 2020 lockdown mandates by attending a dinner party here.

If that’s not a selling point, then what is?

Travel Tip: Check out Santa Rosa’s top hidden gem filled with history and scenic fall photo-ops: Jack London State Historic Park.

Bellingham: Springboard To Vancouver Or Relaxing Hideaway?

Which do you prefer: Picturesque lakes, numerous islands, and tranquil waterfalls or a buzzing cultural city, majestic mountains, and world-class cuisine?

Well, good news is you’re in the right place for both…sorta.

Just as Alaska Airlines described, Bellingham is a “hidden gem” nestled on the coast between Seattle and Vancouver, Canada.

Since Bellingham has its own airport, it makes for a relaxing fall escape on its own with astounding nature at your fingertips… or you can scooch across the border for a taste of the city life.

Any way you slice it, you’re in a great spot. You’ll find gorgeous coastal and inland views at such places like San Juan Island and Lake Padden, whichever suits your vibe, and ample ferry rides are provided to reach the various islands off Bellingham’s shores.

Not to mention a charming downtown filled with cozy cafes, scenic parks, and a booming arts scene.

Travel tip: Vancouver is roughly an hour’s drive by car or bus from Bellingham. Make sure to bring your passport and note that Global Entry is not accepted in Canada’s Nexus lanes.

Missoula: This Ain’t Yellowstone

Montana has been hyped up ever since the mega-hit TV show Yellowstone was released. But Missoula doesn’t convey the rootin’ tootin’ cowboy shootin’ image you may have emblazoned in your mind.

Missoula is where college town meets mountainous paradise – a place to bar-hop in the lively University District or relax along the Clark Fork River and dozens of scenic hiking trails.

For the more adventurous, there’s whitewater rafting to tap into your adrenaline rush or come late November, you can hit the slopes just 20 minutes from downtown.

Travel Tip: You may be surprised by Missoula’s multiple luxurious resorts set amidst vineyards, casinos, and vast ranches. Check them out here.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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Last Updated 7 months ago

Are you planning an Alaska cruise this year?

Cruises to Alaska are extremely popular right now, and 2024 is expected to be a record-breaking cruising season according to Cruise Industry News.

Alaska is a unique and beautiful destination that is well-suited for exploration via cruise.

This is because it’s difficult or impossible to travel between many destinations in Alaska except by boat or by air. It’s a huge state (larger than California, Texas, and Montana combined) so a cruise is a great way to visit multiple destinations in a limited amount of time.

I took my second Alaska cruise last May, and these are the common mistakes I saw many travelers make. Be sure to avoid these mistakes to make sure you have a great Alaska cruise experience!

Choosing The Wrong Cruise

One common mistake that many people make is not considering the itinerary, dates, or cruise line for their Alaska cruise.

The Alaska cruise season runs from late April through early October, but July and August are the warmest and sunniest months for visiting Alaska.

If you want to see lots of wildlife like whales and bears, the best time to go is June through August. If you want to go salmon fishing, that window of time is also your best bet.

When it comes to itinerary, you’ll need to decide if you want to cruise the Inside Passage (usually a week-long cruise starting and ending in the same port) or see more on a Gulf of Alaska cruise (which usually starts or ends in Anchorage.)

As for cruise lines, I went with Holland America, which I really enjoyed — it’s more of an adult crowd (although still family-friendly) and focuses a lot more on the culture, history, and nature of Alaska.

Holland America along with Princess Cruises are considered the two best cruise lines for Alaska cruises.

Packing Poorly

Obviously, an Alaska cruise is nothing like a Caribbean cruise — you’re going to a destination that gets COLD, even during the summer months.

While summer is certainly the warmest time to visit Alaska, it can still be very chilly.

The key to a successful Alaska cruise is packing lots of layers. I often started the day wearing a base layer, a light jacket or sweater, and then my heavier winter coat. As it got warmer, I was able to shed a layer as needed.

One thing you should not forget? Lots of rain gear! I saw so many people who weren’t prepared for the frequent rain in Alaska.

Be sure to pack an umbrella, a rain poncho (this was a lifesaver!), moisture-wicking wool socks, and water-resistant boots or sneakers for your Alaska cruise.

You can also leave most of the formalwear at home. While your cruise might have one or two dressy nights for dinner, Alaska cruises tend to be a lot more casual overall.

Booking Same-Day Flights

A HUGE mistake that first-time cruisers make is booking a same-day flight for arrival day.

You might see that your cruise doesn’t officially depart until late afternoon and think that you can get away with arriving on a flight early in the morning and then heading straight to the cruise port. Wrong!

If your flight is delayed or canceled for any reason, you’ll miss your whole cruise. It’s not worth the risk. Arrive in your departure port city at least a day early.

For Alaska cruises, this will most likely be Seattle or Vancouver.

You can book your departure flight for the same day because you will most likely have to be off the ship early in the morning on departure day. But for arrival day, don’t even think about it!

Not Booking A Balcony Cabin

The temptation to save money and book an interior cabin or an exterior cabin with only a window might be strong, but I highly recommend booking a balcony cabin for your Alaska cruise if you can.

I normally don’t mind just having a window-view cabin on cruises, but I was extremely glad to have a balcony on my Alaska cruise.

This is because a LOT of what you do is scenic sailing. It’s not like your typical cruise where the only view for miles on end is the ocean.

On an Alaska cruise, there will be many times when you’re cruising past jaw-dropping scenery, like in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Yes, you can watch this from the public upper decks of the cruise ship, but it gets really crowded since everyone has the same idea.

It’s so much nicer to have your own balcony where you can relax on lounge chairs and watch the scenery glide by in comfort and privacy.

Waiting To Book Shore Excursions

One big mistake that many Alaska cruisers (including myself) make is waiting too long to book shore excursions.

I booked my Alaska cruise pretty last minute (about one month in advance) and most of the shore excursions through my cruise line were already sold out.

While there are some cruise destinations where you can wait to book your shore excursions, Alaska is not one of them. There’s limited inventory and many of the most popular excursions sell out in advance.

This goes for excursions offered by your cruise line and third-party shore excursion operators. So don’t wait to book excursions!

Overlooking DIY Excursions

Okay, now that I’ve talked about the importance of pre-booking your shore excursions, let’s talk about another option — DIY excursions.

Many cruisers don’t realize that it’s possible to visit many places independently in Alaska, saving you a lot of money compared to booking through your cruise line.

For example, in Ketchikan, I knew I wanted to visit Totem Bight State Historical Park. A guided tour booked through my cruise line would have cost $60 per person, but to visit it independently, it was a simple 25-minute bus ride on the local bus for $2 per person and $5 per person for the entry fee.

Similarly, I paid $45 per person for the Glacier Express bus in Juneau to visit Mendenhall Glacier, which included a round-trip bus ride from the cruise port and the glacier entry fee — a big savings compared to the $80 excursion through my cruise line.

Dale Peterson

Dale is a full-time traveler and writer with over 6 years of experience. She’s traveled to more than 55 countries around the globe and specializes in covering solo travel and digital nomadism.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

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.