If you’re in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region and dream of a warm getaway with tropical vibes, you don’t need to leave the country to have that experience. By driving down I-81, you’ll discover some of the best spots that feel surprisingly close to a classic island vacation.
The Best Tropical-Like Escapes Along I-81
Sure, the best way to have a tropical vacation is by booking a Bermuda cruise, but if you want to skip the airport and pack minimally, here are some of the best stops worth seeing.
Soak in Natural Warm Springs
Want to soak in warm, relaxing water without flying to a tropical island? Head to the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia.
Here, the natural mineral springs keep the pools and baths at around 98 degrees. It feels a lot like the geothermal pools or lagoon-style spots in, say, Hawaii or the Caribbean. You can float in the outdoor pools for hours, surrounded by beautiful nature, with no schedule or pressure to do anything (just what you’d find at an island resort!).
If you want more options, Capon Springs and Farms in High View, West Virginia, and The Lodge at Woodloch near Hawley, Pennsylvania, are all-inclusive resorts with a laid-back island atmosphere that are also worth visiting along I-81.
Visit National Parks with Jungle-Like Trails and Waterfalls
If you crave lush greenery and the sound of rushing water, Shenandoah National Park’s waterfalls and forested trails give off that humid, misty feel that reminds many of rainforest hikes in Central America or Southeast Asia. Just make sure to visit in the summer!
You can start with the Dark Hollow Falls or the Whiteoak Canyon trails. Here, cascades tumble into clear pools, and summer humidity makes the air thick. The vegetation gets dense with ferns and rhododendrons, making you feel like you’re walking through a jungle. Only without the extreme heat or swarms of bugs you’d deal with farther south.
Walk Through Tropical Plants and Butterflies
Hershey Gardens in Hershey, Pennsylvania, gives you a direct taste of tropical flora through its indoor Butterfly Atrium and vast outdoor collections.
Inside the atrium, butterflies flutter around freely among the exotic plants. It genuinely feels like stepping into a Caribbean greenhouse, with heat and moisture creating an enclosed paradise even when it’s freezing outside.
The outdoor gardens are worth exploring, too. They’ve got seasonal blooms and different themed areas that keep things colorful and fragrant throughout the year. Kids love the children’s garden, and the quieter paths are perfect if you just want some peace.
Skip the Beach and Hit an Indoor Water Park Instead
Massanutten Resort near Harrisonburg, Virginia, and its large indoor water park make a good alternative for a beach vacay on a tropical island.
Kept at comfortable temperatures year-round, the 6,000-acre park has slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and hot tubs that let you splash and float like you’re at a resort in the Bahamas. The wave pool does a pretty good job of mimicking ocean swells, and the lazy river gives you that same drifting, relaxed feel you’d get while floating in the Caribbean.
You still get that reliable warmth and the vacation mindset that people are usually chasing on beach trips, just without the flight or the sand in your suitcase.
Ready to Skip the Airport and Hit the Road?
Whether you choose one destination or string these stops together, there’s enough variety here to work for different types of travelers. The trip can be just as refreshing as flying somewhere tropical, only for less money and definitely less planning stress.
So, skip the rush of airport travel, load up the car, and head down I-81. You might be surprised how well it scratches that tropical itch without leaving the region.
