~ Top 10 Most Popular Resort Towns in the U.S. ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 Most Popular Resort Towns in the U.S.

Across seven states are some of the best resort towns in not only North America, but possibly the world. These are places where, by design or simply by nature, tourism makes the predominant contribution to the local economy. For winter or summer vacations, these top ten resorts offer all-round family vacations in safe, beautiful surrounds. For a relaxed, luxury holiday ... it just doesn't get any better than this. Whatever the season and your tastes, there is something here for the most discerning vacation connoisseur ... whether 8 or 88!


1. Key West, Florida   



The old town quarter of Key West is host to all the major hotel chains, offering five star resort quality and service. Key West has to be most peoples' idea of a tropical paradise ... the southernmost point of the mainland USA, below the everglades, on the lusciously warm Gulf of Mexico, closer to Cuba than Miami. Sheer bliss. The seas are calm, blue and inviting. The sun shines pretty much every day. The beaches are endless under swaying palms. Only four miles long and two miles across, Key West is a tiny haven away from the hustle and bustle. Here, Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams found inspiration and it's easy to see why. The island is totally low rise, with historic districts and a laid-back feel ... its not unusual to see chickens roaming the streets. And you can enjoy it all from the Hilton, Marriott, Waldorf Astoria, Hyatt and many more of the top resort hotels in the world.

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2. Ocean City, Maryland   



Ocean City or OC has just 7,000 or so permanent residents, but the population swells enormously through the annual vacationers who return year after year. It's a narrow barrier spit, extending some nine miles up towards the Delaware border on the Atlantic coast. This is a traditional seaside resort, with an excellent boardwalk, lovely beaches stretching for ten miles and an old fashioned, fun feel to the place. The three-mile long boardwalk is proclaimed as one of the best in America, with arcades, street performances and tram rides. Once the sun sets, typically with much grandeur over the ocean, things really come alive. There are free concerts to enjoy, outdoor movies and more. Step back in time and enjoy some simple, beach-side fun.

[MysteRy]

3. Aspen, Colorado   



For the winter, Aspen couldn't be better. Think powder snows, the playground of the rich and famous and nothing but luxury. All in a sublime Rocky Mountain setting, with an historic downtown and four major mountain resorts.  It's very name is synonymous with the best in skiing, snowboarding and (of course) apres-ski. The four distinct areas are Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands and they offer something for everyone, from beginner to expert and non-skiers too.  It has a fun, party atmosphere and is exclusive without being prohibitive or cliquey. Aspen lies to the south east of Glenwood Springs on Highway 82 and is less than 200 miles from Denver.

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4. Palm Springs, California   



You might not think of a resort town in the middle of the desert, but that's just what Palm Springs is. Under two hours inland from Los Angeles, to the north of the Salton Sea (an inland lake) is a resort of funky, ultra-cool modernist architecture from the Sixties, beautiful natural scenery and a fantastic climate. This is an oasis town devoid of the multi-storey large hotel chains. Instead you'll find unique villas, boutique hotels and low rise resorts. Palm Springs allows you to enjoy the desert with enormous cacti, sweeping golf courses and - of course - starry, starry nights. If you like the outdoor life and hiking, you couldn't choose a better resort town.

[MysteRy]

5. Stowe, Vermont   



Snowy Stowe is just a couple of hours from Boston, Portland and New York and within a short drive of Montreal. Despite being so near the cities, this is a secret destination with simply great winter sports and summer diversions. The resort is centred around a village that is at least 200 years old, nestled at the base of Mount Mansfield. The mountain, Vermont's tallest, rises to 4,395 feet and offers some formidable skiing. 116 ski trails provide some 39 miles of skiing and boarding, and there are more than 330 inches of snow every year. 90% of the slopes are covered by snowmaking facilities too. The cross-country skiing is also renowned, with over a hundred miles of groomed and natural trails. There is also superb hiking on the 300 mile Catamount Trail. This well maintained, fully joined up 300 mile trail spans the entire state of Vermont.

[MysteRy]

6. Orlando, Florida   



When you want to be close to the major theme parks and attractions of Florida, Orlando has some fantastic gated resorts where you can be very close to the fun, but in a safe and high class community with all the amenities you could ask for. The Kissimmee area in particular has some five star resorts that are within a few minutes' drive of  Walt Disney World Resort, Animal Kingdom, Sea World, Universal Studios, The Island Adventure, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom. In fact, there are even more theme parks and attractions here and these resorts put them right on your doorstep. You can expect luxury condos, usually with their own pool; 24 hour security, tennis, often golf and clubhouses. Some even have shuttles to the gates of your favourite theme park. The choice is superb ... to name but a few resorts: Windsor Palms, Sunset Lakes, Paradise Palms, Windsor Palms, Encantada, Emerald Island and Formosa Gardens.

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7. Keystone, Colorado   



Just a hundred miles further north is another superb resort in the Rocky Mountains, beyond Breckenridge. Established in 1970, Keystone is the largest in the county and houses three mountains and five bowls, with more than one hundred and thirty trails enabling skiing for every level of experience. One of its specialities is after dark skiing, with up to fifteen trails being floodlit. Or you can just enjoy dinner in one of the gourmet restaurants at 12,000 feet. There's a massive skating lake, sleigh rides and much more here amidst the forests. Over 1,200 different accommodations are available in the two snug villages.

[MysteRy]

8. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin   



Geneva Lake and its smaller neighbour Lake Como offer a great alternative to the unrelenting heat of the southern beaches. The resort is less than an hour from Chicago and has always attracted visitors from near and far to a distinctive destination. You can walk the shores, take a steamboat cruise, stroll past the mansions or through the authentic downtown. There are 22 great golf courses that have won several awards and some excellent eateries here alongside the lake shores. There's a huge choice of accommodation with resorts including Harbor Shores, Grand Geneva, Abbey Resort and plenty more. The temperatures rarely exceed the high 80s and there are winter sports available from December through March.

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9. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina   



Myrtle Beach almost always makes the top tens ... for its beaches, boardwalks and the family-friendly nature of this hospitable resort. It's really not hard to see why. There are sixty miles of safe, sandy beaches for starters. All manner of water sports are available, and the fun naturally centres around the Atlantic. This is a wide, sweeping cove that is protected from the waves and is just 98 miles north of Charleston. Away from the beach there are amusement parks and spectacular shows, water parks and a whole host of festivals. There are no less than 17 golf courses, designed by some of the greats including Palmer, Norman and Niklaus. Saltwater and backwater fishing is also very well catered for, with scores of charters. So, there's a wide choice for all members of the family.

[MysteRy]

10. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina   



Just 45 minutes north of Savannah and less than 100 miles south from Charleston is the resort town of Hilton Head Island. In truth it is only JUST an island, just about cut off from the mainland by the back rivers from Calibogue Sound and Port Royal Sound. But we don't need to be picky: it's just beautiful and perfectly sized: just five miles wide and twelve miles long. We're just above Florida here, in the warm south Atlantic and this is a classy but unpretentious resort, based around long, sandy beaches and a small marina with lighthouse. What's so nice about this place is that it is completely family friendly. There are no less than 24 golf courses, 250 restaurants, 12 miles of soft sandy beaches and 50 miles of trails to explore.  Not just people come here: the wildlife is incredible. Dolphins and loggerhead turtles are regular visitors, and a lucky guest may be able to see dolphins exhibiting the unusual behaviour of herding fish shoals onto shallow mud banks, lying on their sides and eating. It goes without saying that the fishing is excellent hear, as the dolphins and sharks will testify!