How the pause on international travel is guiding my family in completing our 50-state adventure

For countless families, 2020 felt like a standstill. With increasing travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders, families like ours found themselves spending much of the first half of the year at home.

Like many others, our family entered January 2020 with high hopes of exploring new destinations on our expanding bucket list. Although those plans shifted dramatically, a silver lining emerged: a newfound passion for discovering lesser-known spots across the United States.

We turned our focus to outdoor escapades and made strides toward our ambition of visiting all 50 states. Here’s how the evolving travel restrictions guided our family toward this goal.

Global travel restrictions compelled us to discover and appreciate the wonders of our own country

A military relocation in July took us from the familiarity of our home on a multi-state road trip from Missouri to Nevada. By summer, we were eager for a change of scenery, and the road trip became an exciting adventure for us.

When you're focused on globetrotting, it's easy to overlook the opportunities right at your doorstep. The saying "America the Beautiful" rings true for a reason. One of the most remarkable aspects of the United States is its diversity, with each state boasting unique characteristics. In our experience, no two states are alike, no matter the region.

As our international travel plans fell through, we developed a newfound appreciation for the U.S. and added numerous states and attractions to our bucket list, including those we had previously overlooked. This travel epiphany taught us that you don't need a passport to immerse yourself in diverse cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and enriching experiences; all of that can be found right here at home.

We visited popular tourist destinations — without the usual crowds.

Have you ever wanted to explore a popular tourist spot but were put off by the crowds? During our journeys, we visited some of the most iconic destinations without feeling overwhelmed or cramped. Plus, it was much easier to snap that dream photo we always wanted. We safely explored places like Zion National Park, Cadillac Ranch, Sedona Red Rocks, and Las Vegas without dealing with throngs of people or skyrocketing prices. It was truly refreshing to see these classic spots from a new angle.

We've compiled a bucket list featuring our state and the nearby areas.

It occurred to us that although we’ve traveled extensively across the U.S., we’ve spent so much time pursuing far-off international destinations that we’ve overlooked the beauty of the states right next to us.

The military offers us the rare chance to relocate every two years, but our recent adventures made us rethink whether we’re truly making the most of nearby travel options. Perhaps you haven’t explored the states surrounding your home base either. Due to travel restrictions, we've now added numerous in-state and nearby attractions to our must-visit list.

We dedicated our first free weekend in our new town to exploring Southern Utah and Arizona, and we plan to continue these adventures whenever we have a long weekend. Some of our spontaneous getaways have turned out to be more rewarding than experiences that required extensive planning and expense.

In summary

If your family shares our passion for exploring this vast and beautiful country, there’s no better time than now (with the necessary safety measures) to start. We embarked on this journey to see the world after our son was born, and now at 4 years old, he has already visited more than a dozen states.

Take a look around your state to discover attractions that would make for great socially distanced outings. Explore state and national parks, nature reserves, and open-air monuments. You might be amazed at how many fascinating places are right in your backyard.