There’s no doubt that travel has seen highs and lows over the past few years.  But now that most things have fully opened back up, more and more people are itching to travel again.  Then the question becomes… where should you go?  There are endless options, whether you’re looking to stay within the United States, or travel abroad.  Forbes is on a mission to help you pick a place, with their top 50 best places to travel in 2023! And you might be surprised to see the two Georgia locations on Forbes’ list!

On this list of 50 destinations to travel to, only 11 places in the United States made the list.  Of course, the US has so much to offer, whether you’re looking for beaches, mountains, deserts, or anything in between.

And while there are many great places in the US, the majority of Forbes’ list is international destinations.

But, the fact that only 11 places in the US made this list makes it even cooler that two Georgia locations are on Forbes’ list! We’ll start with those two spots, and then highlight other US locations on the list!  To see the international locations, click here!

• Athens, Georgia

  That’s right, Athens, Georgia made this list of best places to travel! It’s just under a 2 hour drive from here, and as most people know, it’s home of the now back-to-back National Champions, the University of Georgia Bulldogs!

  While the college town is a large part of Athens, the Forbes list highlights other great attractions in the area, like the Georgia Museum of Art, the State Botanical Garden, and Bear Hollow Zoo.  Not to mention, a really cool beer trail to explore the local breweries.

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• Okenfenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia

  This location in Georgia is a bit further for us, about 4 hours South.  It’s in Folkston, Georgia, the southeast corner of the state.  There’s over 500 square miles of wetlands in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.  There are many water trails to explore via canoe, or you can enjoy beautiful scenery with hiking and fishing in the area.  And you can’t forget the wildlife!  There are many turtles and alligators too!

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• Chattanooga, Tennessee

  Chattanooga boasts a lot of natural beauty.  It’s in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and right on the Tennessee River.  There are many great outdoor activities, and many great restaurants too.

  There’s also the Incline Railway up to Lookout Mountain, plus a lot of history to explore with Civil War sites and more.

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• Marathon, Florida

  This small city is made up of 13 small islands that make up the Florida Keys.  There’s world-class fishing and an abundance to water sports to enjoy.

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• Page, Arizona

  Page, Arizona is a great place for the outdoor enthusiasts.  It’s a small town on the southern shore of Lake Powell.  Nearby you have Horseshoe Bend (famous meander of the Colorado River), plus Antelope Canyon- known for its unique light beams.

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• Kanab, Utah

  Kanab, Utah is close to both Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon.  There’s also the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Park close by as well.  This is a great spot to explore many of the great national parks in Utah.

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• Hocking Hills, Ohio

  This area of Ohio has many waterfalls, cliffs, caves, and forests.  There are many state parks and nature preserves to check out and enjoy beautiful sights.

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• Encinitas, California

  This is a surfer’s haven.  It’s just 25 north of San Diego and hosts many great dining options and unique boutiques.  There’s also Grandview Beach, which is a great spot for surfing, while Moonlight Beach is the best spot to catch the sunset!

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• Colorado Springs, Colorado

  Colorado Springs is home to the US Air Force Academy and the US Olympic and Paralympic Training Center.  But there’s also Garden of the Gods- a natural red rock formation, where many enjoy hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and more.  There are also many unique microbreweries to check out here too!

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  A post shared by Visit Colorado Springs (@visitcos)

• Riverhead, New York

  This is an historic town on the North Shore of Long Island. There’s plenty to do in the area, including the Long Island Aquarium.  There’s also the Jamesport Brewery, which is located on a working farm.  And if you’re there, make sure to take a picture with the famous “Big Duck” – a 20-foot tall building shaped like a duck.

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  A post shared by Rolando Pujol (@rolandopujol)

• St. Albans, West Virginia

  It’s just about a 30 minute drive from Charleston, West Virginia.  But this small town has a lot of charm.  You can enjoy the beauty of nature, or check out the downtown area.  There’s also a lot of history in the area too.

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  A post shared by Saint Albans, WV Fire (@stalbanswvfire)

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