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Best Summer Vacation Destinations in the United States

The summer season is currently on full blast, and the hot sunny days mean it’s time for a vacation! And if you live in the USA, you’re in luck: There are so many summer-perfect destinations that it can be difficult to decide where to go. Whether you’re heading to the beach, going on a cross-country road trip, exploring a new city, or camping in the mountains, you’ll certainly find your preferred activity in the United States, and there definitely will be no shortage of fun!

Not sure about which of the 50 beautiful USA states will be best for your vacation? We’ve got you covered. Here are some of the best summer destinations in the U.S. that you should add to your travel itinerary.

Manitou Island, Michigan

If you’re looking for an undiscovered beach destination, then Manitou Island is the place to go. This breathtaking island offers an escape for those who are looking for solitude in nature. The place offers a lot of outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, paddling, kayaking, and camping. Visitors interested in wildlife will also find diverse flora and fauna on its beaches and wilderness areas.

You can learn more about the history of Manitou Island by exploring the North Manitou Village and the ghost town of Crescent, taking care to respect the privacy of those who are living on the island. Manitou Island is accessible only via a boat, but you’ll surely have a great trip across Lake Michigan to get there as there are wonderful views in any seat on the boat.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

You’ll never run out of things to do in Cape Cod. This part of Massachusetts offers every kind activity you could want—no wonder it is one of the top vacation spots in the country! Enjoy gorgeous beaches, dine on fabulous seafood shacks, explore picture-perfect lighthouses, or simply lounge on the sand while stargazing or watching the seals play in the waves. The shoreline also offers a range of outdoor activities like sunbathing, swimming, beachcombing, kayaking, snorkeling, and sailing.

Visit the Salt Pond Visitor Center, the town’s main visitor facility that features a museum, bookstore, and an indoor theatre. Don’t forget to add the Province Land’s Visitor Center to your itinerary—it features an observation deck with a stunning 360-degree view of the Province Lands dunes, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Outer Beach. Get your camera loaded with lots of storage as there are plenty of scenic surroundings in Cape Cod, and you’ll surely love to shoot photos at its colorful downtown area.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco is without a doubt one of the greatest cities in the world. People are drawn for its lively crowd, eccentricity, beautiful scenery, and rich history. The place has been a famous destination for foodies for its variety of great restaurants, as well as food markets where they do market-to-table demonstration by local chefs. Thousands of visitors also take a cruise on the bay for a tour of the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary and the country’s first lighthouse. It’s not all grim history at Alcatraz, though: the island offers the most breathtaking views of the San Francisco skyline.

Summer is the most fun time of the year in the Bay Area. San Francisco offers many activities to do and discover during summer, with festivities, races, attractions happening almost every day of the week. The longer days of summer opens up more opportunities to experience everything the City by the Bay has to offer. And surely, nobody will go home without taking a picture with one of the seven modern wonders of the world, the Golden Gate Bridge. Take a selfie on San Fran’s famous cable cars and make the Lombard Street, dubbed the most crooked street in the world, your photo background!

Ocean City, Maryland

Ocean City is a family-friendly and affordable summer destination in the Mid-Atlantic. This resort town has ten miles of family-friendly beach, a famous Boardwalk, delicious bites, exciting attractions, and free events. The place receives up to 8 million visitors each year, making it one of the east coast’s most popular destinations. Tourists flock here for its warm sands and the fun-filled water adventures it offers, such as swimming, surfing, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. If you love the view of the ocean then this is the place for you!

It’s also worth noting that the Ocean City Boardwalk has long been a favorite American summer destination as it offers several amusement park rides, stores, and arcades. The place is perfect to explore on a bicycle or roller skates. Don’t miss the chance to visit Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum, where both kids and adults can discover and enjoy fun & quirky stuff, and ride the Boardwalk’s Ferris wheel, where you’ll get a picturesque view at the top!

The Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, is a destination that all Americans should see at least once in their lifetime. 6.38 million visitors flock here annually for the breathtaking natural scenery that stretches for 277 miles. You can explore the canyon as you wish, and we recommend taking your time as a day trip could be too short to truly immerse yourself in all the place has to offer.

The Grand Canyon Village is the most popular entryway into the park. Visit Yavapai Point, one of the best spots to view the canyon. The Horseshoe Bend is another top attraction for tourists coming from the eastern end, offering visitors and photographers with stunning views. Havasu Falls may be difficult to reach, but you’ll be rewarded with its famous jaw-dropping sceneries resplendent with turquoise-hued waters. Visitors must hike 10 miles into the canyon and 10 miles back up to the rim to get here, but the trip is well worth the effort.

Ready your travel bags and your cameras, because you don’t want to miss out on the precious moments of this summer! Of course, we would love to remember every moment of our summer trips, and there is no better way to keep them with Nixplay frames. These smart frames not only display a great assortment of your photos, but also play video clips of the summer you’ll never forget.

Edward Cruz is a staff writer for VIPpromocodes.com, a website that provides the latest promotional codes, exclusive sales, and offers for all of the top stores in the U.S.A.

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How To Make Your Fourth of July Party More Memorable

The Fourth of July is the best time to showcase your love for the country and your appreciation for its history. But aside from barbecues, picnics, and fireworks, how else can you make your Independence Day celebration an extra memorable affair?

Well, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for some easy, fun ways to spice up your Fourth of July party!

Have An All -American Feast

Make sure your party’s food matches the theme perfectly. You can play with a red, white and blue color palette, only serving dishes in these colors. Make sure to have a lot of USA flag toothpicks on hand for extra patriotism!

Hold A Burger-Eating Contest

There’s nothing All-American quite like a juicy hamburger, so it’s only fitting to celebrate Independence Day with a burger-eating contest. The first to finish the whole burger wins!

Hold A Patriotic Paw-ty

Events are simply more fun when there are dogs involved. If you have a spacious yard, you might want to consider throwing a dogs-allowed Fourth of July party. Ask your guests to dress up their pooches in their best red, white, and blue, and give prizes to the best-dressed furry guests.

Help The Kids Create Fourth Of July Rockets

Can’t set off fireworks where you live? That’s totally fine. Join in the fun by creating rockets made of paper, decked out in patriotic hues. For busy moms and dads, this should keep the kids busy for quite a while! When they’re done, hold a contest to see which rocket can fly farthest.

Host A Historical Quiz Night

Rev up your guests’ competitive sides with a trivia game about American history! Have questions with different difficulty levels, and prepare themed prizes for the winners.

PS: Display your favorite Fourth of July memories on a Nixplay Frame! Get 15% off select smart frames, beginning July 4!

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

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5 USA Vacation Spots Where You Can Bring Your Pet

Our pets are our babies—they’re our best friends and the loves of our lives, and even if they sometimes make a mess out of our stuff, we have to admit that our lives would be less colorful without them. Our hearts break every time we leave them at home when we go on vacation, and we can’t stand the sight of their sad, hopeful eyes as we close the door behind us on our way out.

Thankfully, dogs and cats are more welcome everywhere these days, and thousands of establishments across the USA have opened their doors towards our furry friends. Here are some excellent vacation spots where both you and Fido can have fun this summer.

Huntington Beach, California

This Southern California city is one of the most famous pet-friendly destinations in the USA. The city’s main draw is Huntington Dog Beach, a 1.5-mile stretch of sand where your pooch can run free. The city also hosts several events for our furry friends, including Corgi Beach Day, a gathering of corgis and their owners, and Surf City Surf Dogs, an annual dog surfing competition. After a day of frolicking under the sun, you can stop by one of the city’s many animal grooming centers and pet-friendly cafes to unwind.

Nantucket, Massachusetts

Nantucket, a quaint island off Cape Cod, has a great variety of trails and beaches that your pooch can explore to its heart’s content. You can even visit a farm or go sailing with your pet! You also shouldn’t miss exploring Nantucket’s historic downtown with your pooch—don’t hesitate to pause every once in a while to admire the architecture of the town’s well-preserved buildings. Just make sure your pet is on a leash when you’re exploring, and you’re good to go.

Bar Harbor, Maine

The town of Bar Harbor loves dogs so much, the townspeople named a beach after a local yellow Labrador named Brady. Start your day with a handcrafted cup of joe at Coffee Hound Coffee Bar, which is run by a dog-loving couple, and stop by the aptly named Bark Harbor dog store to pick up some treats and supplies for your pooch. When you’re all fueled up, go hiking at Acadia National Park, and finish your day with a sunset cruise.

Lake Placid, New York

Beautiful Lake Placid is one of the oldest vacation destinations in the USA, and one of the most pet-friendly. People will stop to pet your dog, and some shopkeepers will gladly offer your pooch treats. Got an active dog? Walk the 2.7-mile trail around Mirror Lake, and unwind on the beach while your pooch swims in the clean water. You can also visit the John Brown Farm, which has a nice trail suitable for pooches of any age.

Key Largo, Florida

A vacation in the Florida Keys is always a good idea, especially when you’ve got a furry friend or two in tow. Key Largo, in particular, has several pet-friendly resorts, as well as restaurants with outdoor patios for your dog or cat. Dogs are also welcome at a number of attractions and parks in Key Largo and the surrounding islands. You can bring Fido to the National Key Deer Refuge (but be on the lookout for alligators), as well as Jack Watson’s Nature Trail in Big Pin Key.

We wish you and your pet nothing but happy, sunny days this summer! Don’t forget to capture your vacation memories on a Nixplay Frame! Get 15% off selected frames, only until June 30!

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

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5 Spooktacular Places For A Picture-Perfect Halloween

Still deciding on where to celebrate this Halloween? This handy guide should get you started.

Tokyo, Japan

Halloween in Japan is a vibrant spectacle, with several celebrations across the country. Tokyo’s Kawasaki Halloween Parade, where you can march through the streets dressed in the most elaborate costumes, is the biggest of them all. If you’re in the city on the last weekend of October, don’t miss it!

Oaxaca, Mexico

The Mexican city of Oaxaca celebrates Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on November 1 and 2. It’s not the rambunctious, spooky festival most people associate Halloween with. Rather, it’s a 3,000-year-old tradition of paying tribute to loved ones who have passed away, marked by cemetery visits and overflowing food and drinks.

Transylvania, Romania

Transylvania is the location of Dracula, probably the most famous vampire tale in history. It’s a fitting setting with its dense forests and medieval castles, one of which was the home of Vlad the Impaler, one of the most notorious monarchs of the Ottoman empire. What better place to celebrate the most haunted day of the calendar than the hometown of the man Dracula was based on?

Corinaldo, Italy

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Corinaldo is a well-preserved medieval town located in Italy’s Le Marche region. It’s a lovely place to visit, with its churches, museums, and historical buildings. But every October, this charming locale becomes the “Italian capital of horror,” marking the holiday with the annual Feast of the Witches carnival.

Salem, Massachusetts

Anyone with a rudimentary understanding of US history (or anyone immersed in pop culture) knows that the town of Salem in Massachusetts is one of the best places in the country to celebrate a goosebump-inducing Halloween. Step back into the past to visit the city’s haunted houses and historical attractions, then ramp up your celebration in the evening by attending one of the many parties and activities in the city.

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Wherever you end up this Halloween, don’t forget to take lots of photos and display them on your Nixplay Frame! Take advantage of our Halloween offer and get up to 20% off all Nixplay 13-inch frames, only until November 4. Don’t miss out on the Halloween fun!

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

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The Best Places To See Fall Foliage

When you think of fall or autumn, the Northeastern corner of the United States might come to mind, with people from all over the world flocking to New England to witness the changing colors of the leaves in the picturesque countryside. However, plenty of places around the world experience equally beautiful and photo-ready autumns, all of which make for dazzling images you can showcase on your Nixplay Frame.

Here are four of our top picks for the best spots around the world to photograph fall foliage!

1. Kyoto, Japan

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Is there anything more beautiful than the striking red color of the Japanese trees in autumn? Kyoto’s famous temples become surrounded by deep red momiji (maple leaves) in autumn, making for a lovely sight. The fall foliage here is best seen in late November when the leaves are at their brightest and most beautiful.

2. Vermont, USA

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The fall foliage in Vermont is the stuff of legends, with the mixture of yellows, oranges, and reds providing the perfect inspiration for your pictures. The foliage lasts all the way up until winter, and the ensuing snowfall makes the scenic region even more irresistible.

3. Bavaria, Germany

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Famed for its castles and beer, Bavaria has been the home to real-life fairytales for centuries.  Visit around September or October if you want to marvel at the region’s impressive fall foliage before it gets too cold, and don’t forget to indulge in some hearty German food while you’re there!

4. Husafell, Iceland

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Husafell is a unique destination in the fall. Here you can visit Hraunfossar, the waterfalls of the Hvita river, which are surrounded by beautiful yellowish shrubbery that contrasts with the barren landscape of Iceland. If you go from September onwards, you may even be lucky enough to witness the aurora borealis, AKA the northern lights. If you’re looking for new photos to display in your Nixplay Frame, it doesn’t get much better than autumn foliage juxtaposed with this celestial display!

Wherever you end up deciding to see this season’s fall foliage, be sure to bring a camera with you to snap the breathtaking shots you’re sure to witness! Send your photos to your Nixplay Frame from wherever in the world you may be, and relive the best moments of your trip the moment you return home.

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

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