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This Island Off the Coast of Georgia Was Just Named the Most Underrated U.S. Destination—and It's a Retiree Haven With Pristine Beaches
U.S. News & World Report recently released its Best Underrated Travel Destinations in the U.S. list—and one little-known coastal destination made the top of the list.
If you're still trying to decide where to go on vacation this summer—and you want somewhere relatively quiet, affordable, and under-the-radar—you're totally not alone. Thankfully, U.S. News & World Report has you covered—it just released its annual Best Vacations rankings. And one unexpected destination came out on top.
Each year, the news publisher evaluates 1,500 vacation destinations around the world and ranks them across a number of categories, including one that highlights the most 'underrated' destinations in the country. The publication uses a ranking system that takes into account readers' rankings as well as a score that its travel editors assign each place. Travel editors score each destination across 10 categories—like culture, food, and adventure. For this particular list, the news organization also took other factors into account, such as the size of crowds and the number of things to do at each of the locations.
After evaluating all the data, it named St. Simons Island, Georgia, the most underrated travel destination in the U.S.
St. Simons Island is the largest barrier island in Georgia's Golden Isles, as everything you could want from a summer getaway: a pristine beach, miles of walking paths and bike trails, ice cream shops, and dozens of restaurants serving up casual (but delicious) fare. Don't skip the milkshakes at Frosty's Griddle & Shake or the pulled pork at Southern Soul BBQ. All in all, the island is list is a charming enclave of natural beauty, locally-owned stores, and family-friendly activities.
But while St. Simons might indeed be 'underrated,' it's been on Travel + Leisure's radar. It was recently named one of the best small towns for a summer getaway, and we also think it's one of the best places to retire on the East Coast.
As an added bonus, it neighbors Sea Island, Georgia, which is home to Sea Island Resort, which frequently makes appearances in our World's Best Awards. Still, St. Simons has managed to keep a low-key profile
'... It's often overlooked by out-of-state beachgoers in favor of Florida and South Carolina locales.'U.S. News & World Report said in its report.
Here are the top 10 most underrated travel destinations in the U.S. that made the list—you can find the full report at U.S. News & World Report.
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Associated Press
33 minutes ago
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Inviting the World to Explore Hainan, Overseas Tour Operators Hainan Tour 2025 Will Kick Off Soon
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We sincerely invite tour operators from around the globe to join us in charting the future of Hainan's tourism development. Elite Gathering: Welcoming Global Guests to Hainan This event not only aims to showcase Hainan's scenic landscapes, rich cultural heritages, and high-quality tourism services but also deepen international tourism cooperation and enhance its global reputation as a premier travel destination. A total of 450 distinguished tour operators from around the world have been invited, along with prominent figures from international tourism organizations and domestic industry associations, as well as representatives from airlines, hotel groups, cruise companies, and media outlets—making this an event of unprecedented scale. Together, they will witness Hainan's transformation into an international tourism and consumption destination, explore new opportunities for inbound tourism development, and drive Hainan's tourism industry toward greater internationalization. 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Travel + Leisure
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I'm a 5'3' Traveler, and These Are the 12 Petite Styles I'm Adding to My Suitcase From Amazon This Summer
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Prices start at just $16, and you can rest assured your days of taking trailing hems to the tailor are numbered. Shopping for cropped pants is the cheat code for finding full-length pants as a petite person, and this relaxed-fitting linen-cotton blend pair is a perfect example. The adjustable elastic waistband and loose, casual drape make them effortlessly comfortable, while the wide-leg cut strikes just the right balance: flowy, not overwhelming or baggy. The brown shade is a dreamy neutral, but they also come in 24 other summer-ready colors, making them one of the most versatile pieces to dress up or down depending on your accessories. Matching sets can be difficult to shop for if you're petite, but when in doubt, a cropped pant is your best bet. I love the casual yet stylish nature of this two-piece set, and while the pieces look pristine when worn together, they're also simple enough to be worn with countless other items in your closet. 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Finding the perfect pair of shorts is no small feat no matter your height, but for petite shoppers, the challenge is uncovering options that don't truncate your torso and make you look even shorter. This pair from Amazon is as perfect as it comes, with a mid-rise cut and 3.5-inch inseam that offers just the right amount of coverage for lasting comfort. They're made from a stretchy cotton blend that's breathable (an essential in the summer heat), and they come in sizes 0 to 20 with seven wearable colors to choose from. One petite shopper even admitted that while they 'struggle to find shorts that are not too short and not too long,' these fit so well they 'want to get them in every color.' Maxi dresses are one of the most timeless summer staples, and petite shoppers can still wear the breezy style without getting lost in fabric. 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Yahoo
4 hours ago
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North Georgia-based nonprofit Builders for Christ constructs foster home in Calhoun County
EDISON – Wayne Trundle gazed up at the tall wooden frame of a soon-to-be vaulted living room. Behind him, the sound of hammers cracked against long plywood strips as sawdust flew into the humid air, swirling with the swarms of southwest Georgia gnats. It was the first week of June, and for Builders for Christ, a nonprofit that does construction work for church organizations, that meant the start of its major annual project. 'A lot of the guys come every year, and it's like a big family reunion,' Trundle, the project manager, said. 'We look forward to seeing each other, catching up. It's amazing to see with the volunteer help and shared knowledge what will get done here.' The eclectic crew was made up of about 70 people, from ages 5 to 85: electricians, construction workers, retirees, businessmen, preachers and quasi-engineers. They traveled from all around Georgia and Alabama in trucks, camper vans and RVs, landing at Rehoboth Ranch Ministries in Calhoun County. 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The hands come in both small and large sizes. Seniors, retired from construction, wear tool belts and hats with sun shades as they saw away at lumber. Small children carry long pieces of lumber – a boy on each end. Many, like Trundle, are retired after decades spent working in construction. Some of them, like 18-year-old Kyle Sumners, grew up on construction sites. He was 10 when he first accompanied his grandpa, who had learned about Builders for Christ when they did work on his own church, to a project. At 10 years old, Trundle mainly helped his grandpa in the tool trailer and toted lumber. At 18, his favorite job is setting trusses and decking the roof, a part of the project he now leads. 'From a little boy, I've always loved fiddling around, working on stuff, helping my papa or dad with something,' Sumners said. 'It's fun to me, watching something start out as nothing, and by the time you're done, it's something.' It's now a family affair for the Sumners. This year, they traveled six hours from their home in Wolfsburg, Ala., to Edison in their grandparents' motor home. They're 'camping' out along with several other families on the Rehoboth Ranch property. The rest of the Builders for Christ are scattered throughout Calhoun and Randolph counties at rentals or in churches kind enough to open their doors. Bobby Lunceford, the nonprofit's president, said not only do the builders volunteer their time, but they pay to be there. A $125 payment goes to groceries and insurance. They don't make any money. 'We don't have money left over at the end, and we don't want any,' Lunceford said. Sumners said it makes him happy to know that his hard work is for other people. 'Knowing that you come out building something, and it's gonna be done within a week – to put up a whole entire house or church for someone … it's pretty incredible,' he said. The future tenants of the home should not let the speedy work concern them. Lunceford said in 30 years, the builders have never failed an inspection. The builders work from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., rising early to eat breakfast together, pausing for lunches and dinners. The team ate with Sean and Melissa, the future heads of the household. (The couple asked that their last name be left out of the story to protect their children's privacy as they continue to foster.) Sean said that they got to share their story with the group, the same one he and Melissa shared with The Albany Herald about one year ago, when the space, now filled by their future home's frame, was just a grassy hilltop. Right now, he and Melissa are fostering four kids along with raising the six kids they've adopted. They say they hope to be able to add two more to the family with the added space. 'We have mixed emotions,' Sean said. 'We're humbled and grateful that people are taking the time to come out and build it – the trust the Lord has in us in providing his people and resources.' He said watching the progress, from a slab on Sunday, to a structure with walls and a roof just days later, was exciting. Melissa said she's ready for the slower pace the countryside offers, a space with land and animals where the children can play and grow. She's also excited for more room in the house, and the industrial sized laundry room and pantry. 'With large families, I don't think people think about how much it takes,' she said. 'The washers, as you can imagine, are always running.' Once the first round of work is completed, the family will have a ceremony to write scriptures on the framing. Sean said if funds allow, they hope to move in to the house in time to host Thanksgiving dinner there. 'We're excited to move forward,' Melissa said. 'We're overwhelmed.' Wayne Trundle gazes up at the framework. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganBuilders for Christ volunteers are all ages. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganThree volunteers measure out plywood. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganWelcome Home Rehoboth Ranch on Sunday, June 1. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganWelcome Home Rehoboth Ranch on Wednesday. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganVolunteers pause for a break on the roof. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganKyle Sumners carries a long piece of plywood. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganThe volunteers wore shirts representing the religious nonprofit as they worked. Staff Photo: Lucille Lannigan
