The Best Staycations by State

For your next staycation, why not book a hotel room right near all the best spots in town? The Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook, Autograph Collection in Birmingham is in the perfect location, with weekend rates that won't cause sticker shock. On top of all the swanky hotel amenities, you can check out the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Birmingham Zoo in the area. Both are walking distance from the hotel and a fun way of escaping the norm, just steps away from home.

Alaska's a pretty massive state, so even staycations might require a bit of a drive, but a visit to the Redoubt Mountain Lodge in Tyonek is worth the trip. The spot is perfect for disconnecting and a great place to bring the kids—the ideal remedy for any nature deficit you're been struggling with. At the lodge you can fish, kayak, bear watch, hike, paddle board and more. It's also all-inclusive so once you book, you can simply settle in and enjoy.

If you're looking for a health and wellness trip, make sure to check out the The Royal Palms Resort and Spa in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt, located in Phoenix. Take a dip in the pool or treat yourself to the Citrus Ritual (an al fresco, full-body exfoliation treatment) with breathtaking red-tinged hills and palm trees as the backdrop. This hotel is centrally located and perfect for a quick weekend that is all about you.

If you want to see some of the most beautiful spots in your state, national parks are a great place to start. Take Mesa Verde National Park in Montezuma County for example. This park offers hiking, awesome scenery and incredible cliff dwellings that were built over 700 years ago. If you're located closer to Denver and looking to be pampered a bit, stay at the all-inclusive C Lazy U Ranch. This luxury guest ranch house offers horseback riding, fishing and other great ranch activities, plus a spa on the banks of Willow Creek where you can really treat yourself.

What's a staycation without some wine? The Connecticut Wine Trail is a vino-lover's dream. Just look at a map of Connecticut's best wineries and you'll be floored by all the options that are open for tastings year-round. Hummock Island in Westport offers a great oyster tour that will turn anyone into a true bivalve believer. Lastly, taking a train from the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat company in Essex is a fun family-oriented activity. In addition to sightseeing, there are different happenings available onboard, from dinners to murder mystery shows.

A seasonal beer garden recently opened along Delaware's Christina Riverwalk, and we couldn't be happier. Constitution Yards Beer Garden is the perfect place to unwind with a craft brew in hand, or even to try out axe throwing. If you're looking for something a little more low-key, head over to the UDairy Creamery in Wilmington. Built in 2011 in association with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Delaware, the facilities will teach you how ice cream gets from the cow to your cone, with fun tours and activities along the way.

If you love hunting for seashells on the beach, you have to get to Sanibel & Captiva Island on Florida's south western coast. Discover 15 miles of protected beaches in a place that has been saving 65% of its land for conservation since the 80s. Facing the Gulf of Mexico, hotels like Sundial Resort offer affordable stays, educational excursions and beach-front properties. You might even hear the ocean from your room if you're lucky. While on Sanibel Island check out the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum—it's the only one of its kind in the country. This spring, an aquarium will be completed, bringing this family-friendly destination to another level. In the evening, leave the kids with a sitter and check out Crazy Dingo Brewing—this recently opened, sustainable south Florida brewing company just opened and provides a unique taste of the Sunshine State.

Midway between Jacksonville and Savannah you'll find Georgia's Golden Isles. Compromised of four barrier islands, this destination is unique in so many ways, and will wow you with breathtaking views of sprawling marshland. One of the islands (Jekyll Island) is famous for the amount of strangely beautiful driftwood that shows up on its sandy shores. One stay at the the Golden Isles can change your whole perspective of Georgia.

Hawaii in general can be a state where the lines between vacation and real life are very thin. The Halekulani Hotel in Honolulu lets you know you're on vacation in a swift and luxurious way. This isn't just any old resort—the Halekulani Hotel focuses on authentic Hawaiian culture in a way that respects native Hawaiians and allows its guest to learn about rather than exploit the many beautiful traditions that began on the island. ‘The Secret of Spearfishing’ is a new program that allows guest to immerse themselves in a generations-old sustainable practice while being educated on fisherman culture that is very dear to Hawaii. Have you booked your stay yet?

Sometimes a good old check-in to the nearest hotel is just what the doctor ordered. In the Boise area, Inn at 500 Capitol is perfect home base for a night out on the town. It provides all the necessary amenities in the heart of Boise. You'll be happy to crash at this pad after bellying up to the bar at Pengilly' Salloon or hitting up Humpin' Hannah's for games and live music.

Speaking of staying where the action is, check out the Park Hyatt Chicago. From here you're close to Magnificent Mile, the gorgeous Gold Coast neighborhood, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Old Chicago Water Tower, Newberry Library and more. But why leave when you can dine at one of the fanciest restaurants in the city? NoMI Kitchen offers a modern take on French cuisine. What is better than that?

Indiana is a great state with even better cities. Check out Newfields, a quirky art museum in Indianapolis, situated on a 152-acre campus that is perfect for relaxed roaming. While you're in town, have dinner at Le Méridien Indianapolis and check out a race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway—those three activities alone will fill up any weekend.

High Trestle Trail is a 25-mile trek that crosses through through three counties in central Iowa! This awesome trail is perfect for any workout buff that wants to get some good cardio in on their next staycation, whether on foot or two wheels. If food and drinks are more your thing, make the short trip to Des Moines to try out the Asian-inflected eats at Harbinger, followed by the killer cocktail lineup at Hello, Majorie. It may not constitute as an entire staycation, but it can change the rhythm of your routine.

If you're a fan of lazy afternoon walks then you have to check out the epic national parklands throughout Kansas. At Lewis and Clark National Park, there's plenty of terrain perfect for beginner hikes that don't require two much fuss and are a great way to slowly immerse yourself into staycation mode. For adventure seekers, Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve northwest of Wichita provides lots of opportunities to view wildlife.

If you're curious about the south and its fascinating history, check out Louisiana's Plantation Country. You'll be able to visit multiple plantation houses and learn the story behind each one, digging into details about the culture, architecture, music, and spirituality. An important aspect of visiting is taking in the history of the enslaved through eye-opening tours of historic locations.

If you want to get back to basics during a relaxing staycation in Maine, check out Portland's Pomegranate Inn. This quaint bed and breakfast is perfect for a quick and affordable getaway. While in town, check out the Portland Lobster Company for a quick bite of the area's specialty seafood by the water.

The seaside town of Ocean City is often busy with tourists during the summer season, but plan a staycation during the week for a dose of summertime fun. Enjoy the white sand beaches, stroll the boardwalk in search of tasty bites, and make sure to carve out time for a quality seafood dinner. If you prefer to be poolside, hit up Splash Mountain Amusement Park nearby—a fun destination for families with kids in tow.