11 Social Distancing Vacation Spots 2021: Domestic U.S. Travel

Beaches empty due to quarantine and self-isolation in sunny weather

Ever trying to look on the bright side of the viciousness that COVID-19 has brought about, I look toward social distancing vacation spots in 2021 that will bring some measure of rest and relaxation while allowing my travel companions and me some measure of travel safety. To that end, any domestic U.S. travel I embark on in the coming year will not be the sort of destination I typically go to. Major cities are, for the most part, off the list during the pandemic, and the places I choose will be those suitable for some decent vegging out. Not that I haven’t been doing plenty of that at home during the retreat the coronavirus has forced upon us, but a social distancing getaway is still good for the soul—and for the mind.

Of course, before you go on any vacation in 2021, you should check the restrictions both in your destination and for returning to your home state. It would also be a good idea to confirm that hotels, restaurants, and attractions are open and to learn about current restrictions at each.

This post may contain affiliate links in which the Bashful Adventurer earns a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase from the site.

Here are the Bashful Adventurer’s suggestions for domestic U.S. social distancing vacation spots in 2021:

Table of Contents

Newport, RI

A more subdued Newport may be the perfect destination for a traveler in need of a social distancing vacation. Hit the beach and watch the waves roll in, enjoy a bit of luxe while gazing at the “cottages” on the Cliff Walk, or do some recreational shopping while watching the boats bob at Bannister’s Wharf.

Where to Eat: Clarke Cooke House and 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille are both viable choices for seafood and other fare. For coffee and great views, go to the Coffee Grinder at Bannister’s Wharf

Where to Stay: Castle Hill Inn, in a handful of guestrooms at Bannister’s Wharf, or at the Newport Marriott

What to Read: Murder at the Breakers by Alyssa Maxwell

Helpful Connections: Discover Newport Travel Advisory

You Might Also Like These Posts:

Cold Spring, NY

This charming town on the Hudson River offers windowshopping, river watching, and a dose of history. George Washington had a role in naming the place. Just 50 miles from New York City, it’s perfect for a daytrip or stay for a long weekend.

Where to Eat: Enjoy French food at Brasserie Le Bouchon, 6 Main Street, Cold Spring, NY 10516. The restaurant’s balcony is perfect for people-watching in good weather. For coffee: Rincón Argentino, 21 Main Street, Cold Spring, NY 10516. For ice cream: Moo Moo’s Creamery, 32 West Street, Cold Spring, NY 10516

Where to Stay: Stay in historic Hudson House River Inn, 2 Main Street, Cold Spring, NY 10516. It’s been around since 1832! Book a room with a balcony to maximize your social distancing.

What to Read: Around Cold Spring by Trudie Grace

Helpful Connections: Cold Spring Chamber of Commerce

You Might Also Like These Posts:

Southport, CT

The exterior of the Delamar Southport in Southport, Conn. Photo credit: L. Tripoli. — The Delamar Southport in Southport, Conn. Photo credit: L. Tripoli.

Whether you make your trip to Southport, Conn. a beach weekend or not, luxuriate at the Delamar Southport, a 45-guestroom hotel that mixes the charm and service of an inn with the efficiency of a much larger establishment. A spa just adds to the bliss, as does the mouth-wateringly good onsite restaurant, Artisan, and its wine list.

The vast outdoors does tend to foster social distancing. Nearby beaches and nature preserves include Southport Beach, Sherwood Island State Park, and Lucius Pond Ordway/Devil’s Den Preserve. Be certain to check current restrictions on admissions before visiting.

Where to Eat: Artisan, 275 Old Post Road, Southport, CT 06890

Where to Stay: Delamar Southport, 275 Old Post Road, Southport, CT 06890

What to Read: Fairfield and Southport by Beth Love

Helpful Connections: Travel Advisory for Connecticut During the COVID-19 Pandemic

You Might Also Like These Posts:

Key Biscayne, FL

The Bashful Adventurer at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini. — Surfside dining at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.

Escape high-energy Miami for low-key Key Biscayne, just over the Rickenbacker Causeway. Head to the beach at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, check out the Cape Florida lighthouse, and generally enjoy some sun and fun in this social distancing vacation spot.

Where to Eat:

For casual dining, head to Boater’s Grill in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park for a burger or seafood. Go for cocktails and empanadas at Novocento; and head to Stefano Versace Gelato for an after-dinner sweet.

Boater’s Grill, 1200 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne FL 33149

Novocento, 620 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne, FL 33149

Stefano Versace Gelato, 260 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne, FL 33149

Where to Stay:

Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, 455 Grand Bay Drive, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

What to Read: Key Biscayne: A History of Miami’s Tropical Island and the Cape Florida Lighthouse by Joan Gill Blank; Key Biscayne by James Kushlan and Kirsten Hines

Helpful Connections:

Village of Key Biscayne COVID-19 Information

You Might Also Like These Posts:

Colonial Williamsburg, VA

The Governor's Palace at Colonial Williamsburg. Photo credit: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, HABS Reproduction number HABS VA,48-WIL,41- — The Governor’s Palace at Colonial Williamsburg.
Photo credit: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division,
HABS Reproduction number HABS VA,48-WIL,41-

Step into the past—and to an area that has survived other troubled times—with a visit to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. Enjoy the historic site itself, but also indulge a bit at the Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, which is open as of this writing for manis, pedis, and massages. For a spiritual experience of a different sort, take a ghost tour of this historic community.

Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, 307 South England Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185

Where to Eat: Try Chowning’s Tavern for some colonial-inspired food (which tends to be meat heavy, but there are vegetarian options). Order some syllabub for dessert at the King’s Arms.

Chowning’s Tavern, 109 East Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185

King’s Arms Tavern, 416 East Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185

Where to Stay: There are a handful of lodging choices at various price points. Although the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites is closed as of this writing, other options are available. Best of all? You can stay in a colonial house onsite (with contemporary amenities) (bathrooms!).

Griffin Hotel, 302 B Francis St East, Williamsburg, VA 23185

Colonial Houses, 310 South England Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185

Williamsburg Lodge, 310 South England Street, Williamsburg, VA 23184

Williamsburg Inn, 136 Francis Street East, Williamsburg, VA

What to Read: Colonial Williamsburg Hauntings by Colonial Williamsburg staff; Ghosts Amongst Us: Scary Tales from Colonial Williamsburg by John P. Hunter; 1776: A New Look at Revolutionary Williamsburg by K. M. Kostyal

Helpful Connections:

Colonial Williamsburg Resorts Operational Changes | Colonial Williamsburg Resorts (colonialwilliamsburghotels.com)

You Might Also Like These Posts:

Mendocino County, CA

Seeking a socially distant vacation on the West Coast? Head to Northern California for a stay in Mendocino County on the Pacific Ocean. Luxuriate in one of the many inns, head to the charming town of Mendocino for shopping, or head to Fort Bragg for a ride on the antique Skunk Train. Don’t forget to check out one of the many beaches, nearby vineyards, and those amazing redwood trees!

Where to Eat: Dine in at all three of the inns below.

Where to Stay:

Inn at Newport Ranch, 31502 N Highway 1, Fort Bragg, CA 95437

Brewery Gulch Inn, 9401 North Highway 1, Mendocino, CA 95460

Little River Inn, 7901 North Highway 1, Little River, CA 95456

What to Read: The Mendocino Coast by Barbara Dorr Mullen

Helpful Connections:

Visit Mendocino

You Might Also Like These Posts:

Visiting the Mendocino Coast – BashfulAdventurer.com

Old Forge, NY

Get ready for some cold weather in Old Forge, NY. It set a record back in 1979 for having the coldest temperature ever recorded in New York state: -52 degrees. Frosty! Dress accordingly. Any visit to the Adirondacks involves fresh air and scenic views. For some, it might also involve great snow mobiling.

Where to Eat: Go for a clam pot at Tony Harpers Pizza & Clam Shack and swing by the TOW Bar Inn across the street for a cocktail or two.

Tony Harpers Pizza & Clam Shack, 3062 State Route 28, Old Forge, NY 13420

TOW Bar Inn, 3065 State Route 28, Old Forge, NY 13420

Where to Stay:

Great Pines Lodge, 4920 State Route 28, Old Forge, NY 13420

Water’s Edge Inn, 3188 State Route 28, Old Forge, NY 13420

What to Read: Learn about life in the olden days and about an extraordinary, and sad, crime in Murder in the Adirondacks by Craig Brandon

Helpful Connections:

Visit Adirondacks FAQs

You Might Also Like These Posts:

Salem, MA

There’s more to Salem, Mass. than witches and ghosts (although the witches and ghosts are well worth a visit all on their own). There’s literary tourism (thanks, Nathaniel Hawthorne and the House of the Seven Gables), American history, and a good mix of art, shopping, and water watching (thanks, Salem Harbor). Be sure to check out Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie for sweets and Crow Haven Corner, the oldest witch shop in Salem.

Where to Eat:

Nathaniel’s at the Hawthorne Hotel

Finz Seafood & Grill, 86 Wharf Street, Pickering Wharf, Salem, MA 01970

Where to Stay: Be entranced by times past at the Salem Inn, which consists of several houses dating back to the 1800s. Or try the Hawthorne Hotel, which also has plenty of charm.

Salem Inn, 7 Summer Street, Salem, MA 01970

Hawthorne Hotel, 18 Washington Square West, Salem, MA 01970

What to Read: Good House by Ann Leary, The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Helpful Connections:

Destination Salem – What visitors need to know

You Might Also Like These Posts:

Toms River, NJ

If you happen to be in southern New Jersey, swing by Toms River for some good food and a fantastic place to stay—at the historic Mathis house right on Main Street. Take a day trip to the beach at Seaside Heights or Point Pleasant, or just marvel at your surroundings at what now is known as Mathis House Bed and Breakfast and Victorian Tea Room. Learn more about Toms River at the Ocean County Historical Society.

Ocean County Historical Society, 26 Hadley Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753

Where to Eat: Go for reuben sandwiches or the French dip at The Office, or get some fresh seafood at Jimbo’s Bar and Grill in Seaside Heights.

The Office, 820 Main Street, Toms River, NJ 08753

Jimbo’s Bar and Grill, 715 Boardwalk, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751

Where to Stay:

Mathis House, 600 Main Street, Toms River, NJ 08753

What to Read: Along the Toms River by the Ocean County Historical Society; Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation by Dan Fagin

Helpful Connections:

Ocean County NJ Coronavirus Information

You Might Also Like These Posts:

Rhinebeck, NY

Stay over at the Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck, NY, and you will have slept at a place that George Washington slept at as well. The inn dates to 1766 and is as charming as you would expect it to be. Do some antiquing at the Beekman Arms Antique Market, which is just steps away from the inn.

Beekman Arms Antique Market, 42 West Market Street, Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Where to Eat:

Enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner at the Beekman Arms as well, or just stop by the tavern for a drink (but remember that current New York requirements mandate that food be served as well). Or visit Terrapin, which always has viable vegan and vegetarian options and is based in a former church.

Terrapin Restaurant, 6426 Montgomery Street, Montgomery, NY 12572

Where to Stay:

Beekman Arms & Delamater Inn, 6387 Mill Street, Rhinebeck, N.Y. 12572

What to Read: Rhinebeck’s Historic Beekman Arms by Brian Plumb and Matthew Plumb

Helpful Connections:

Beekman Arms & Delameter Inn Statement in Response to COVID-19

Dutch Tourism Coronavirus Update and Travel Information

You Might Also Like These Posts:

Concord, MA

Get a big dose of literary tourism in Concord, Mass.—once home to the Alcott family, the Emerson family, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Visit the Alcott home (although, as of this writing, the interior is closed to the public), the Old Manse (where Hawthorne and Emerson lived at various points), and Walden Pond, which Henry David Thoreau made famous. Also worth a visit: the Concord Bookshop and the Concord Museum.

Check out Author’s Ridge at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord to see the final resting place of some famous authors.

Concord Bookshop, 65 Main Street, Concord, MA 01742

The Old Manse, 269 Monument Street, Concord, MA 01742

Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, 399 Lexington Road, Concord, MA 01742

Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA 01742

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Bedford Street, Concord, MA 01742

Where to Eat: Concord’s Colonial Inn is a great choice for a romantic dinner in a setting that dates to revolutionary times. Meat eaters will love the Yankee Pot Roast at the Liberty at the Colonial Inn, and the butternut squash ravioli is quite good, too.

Concord’s Colonial Inn, 48 Monument Square, Concord, MA 01742

Where to Stay: March back in time by staying in the historic portion of Concord’s Colonial Inn, or opt for more contemporary accoutrements in the more modern portion.

Concord’s Colonial Inn, 48 Monument Square, Concord, MA 01742

What to Read: Perfectly Miserable by Sarah Payne Stuart; May Alcott: A Memoir by Caroline Ticknor

Helpful Connections: Visit Concord

You Might Also Like These Posts:

—Lori Tripoli

Lori Tripoli is the editor and publisher of Bashful Adventurer. Based in the New York City vicinity, she writes about travel for a variety of publications. Contact Lori at loritripoli @ bashfuladventurer.com.

Full Disclosure: The author visited some of the locations mentioned here on sponsored trips. All opinions, though, are the author’s own.

Share on Pinterest!

The Bashful Adventurer suggests social distancing vacation spots for 2021. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.

Where will you take a socially distanced vacation in 2021?

Newport, RI

Cold Spring, NY

Southport, CT

Key Biscayne, FL

Colonial Williamsburg, VA

Mendocino County, CA

Old Forge, NY

Salem, MA

Toms River, NJ

Rhinebeck, NY

Concord, MA

Leave a Reply Cancel reply