TRAVEL AWAITS ARTICLES: 5 North American Island Getaways

Note: This is the second in my series on Travel Awaits Articles. Like the first, it was published in 2019. But this one is still my most widely-read article with around 15,000 views. If you want to know more about the places highlighted here, please go to the complete and original article where the links are all included. 

We have hesitated to go back to Hawaii because it is truly quite expensive to have an island getaway there. And there are islands -- from the New England coast to the Florida Keys and the Los Angeles coast up to the Pacific Northwest -- much closer to where you may be, each with a distinctive island charm.

1. Martha’s Vineyard

If you live in the New England area, Martha’s Vineyard is a wonderful alternative.. The mainland ferry dock in Wood’s Hole is just an hour and a half from Boston and the Steamship Authority ferry ride takes only 45 minutes. The island has many museums, art galleries, and unique landmarks. In fact, there are four museums right in Wood’s Hole. You may opt to go on a day trip or stay for a weekend at many lodging options. There is a good public transportation system on the island.

Oak Bluffs is famous for the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association's Giant Tabernacle surrounded by about 300 lovely vacation gingerbread cottages in all colors and designs. There are also four museums, including the Cottage Museum. Edgartown has an old scenic lighthouse is in Aquinnah and five museums. It's connected via a small ferry to the small island of Chappaquiddick (where Ted Kennedy’s car accident led to the drowning of his young female companion). Look for the Giant Pagoda Tree in the middle of town. West Tisbury hosts the most art galleries and Falmouth has the most (nine) museums. 

2. The Outer Banks

Highway 158 cuts through North Carolina and connects to Highway 12, which runs through the Outer Banks. Depending on where you are in the state -- of Virginia -- the drive will take only about three to four hours. Best during late spring, summer, or early fall, the barrier islands jut out 26 miles from the coast. They offer a lot of history and charm rests because of a unique terrain and distinctive weather. 

The whole family will love kiting or hang gliding at the 426-acre Jockey’s Ridge State Park, home to the largest and tallest active sand dune on the East Coast. Movie buffs will be happy to discover the Inn at Rodanthe. The Wright Brothers chose Kitty Hawk for their historic flight and Big Kill Devil Hill commemorates their feat. The Lost Colony on Roanoke Island is where, in 1585, 115 pilgrims preceded those in the Jamestown Colony in Virginia (1607) and the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts (1620). Finally, there are four beautiful lighthouses, built to help maritime commerce, to see -- the Ocracoke Lighthouse (1823), Bodie Lighthouse (1846), Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (1870), and Currituck Beach Lighthouse (1875). Still ships sank and the Outer Banks became  known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, as explained at The Ocracoke Museum.

3. Florida Keys

The Florida Keys is made up of about 1,700 islands.  To get there, you drive the "Overseas Highway, a breathtaking narrow highway with water on both sides, punctuated by connecting bridges -- there are 43, with the Seven-Mile Bridge as the longest -- and sometimes patches of swaying palm trees. 

We stayed at the Sunshine Key Resort and Marina on Big Pine Key, one of the islands. It has blue water on all three sides, all kinds of amenities, and lots of activities. There was also key deer roaming around the island. They grow to only a third of the size of regular deer. 

A public bus can take you from Big Pine Key to Key West, the southernmost Key, in 45 minutes, While there, visit Mallory Square for great shopping, stay to celebrate a spectacular sunset, visit Truman's Little White House, explore the Hemingway House and Museum, and dance the night away at Sloppy Joe’s, Hemingway’s favorite hangout. Don't forget the photo-op at the Southernmost Point of the US, only 90 miles from Cuba. 

4. Catalina Island

Catalina is just an hour by ferry from Los Angeles. A hilltop tour reveals a priceless view of the harbor, which is smaller and less luxurious than the one in Monaco but has the same look as a playground of the rich. At the highest point on the hill is Wrigley Mansion who was responsible for creating this island destination. There’s a Wrigley Memorial Tomb down the hill.and the former spring training houses of the Chicago Cubs, previously owned by Wrigley. Deer flourish since there is no predator larger than the small fox on the island. So deer hunting is legal on the island some days of the week.

The island is known for its Old Hollywood charm, especially with Avalon Casino, not a gambling den but a 140-foot-tall circular building that juts out into the harbor. A Ballroom with a 20,000-square-foot dance floor occupies the top floor. The ground floor has the fabulous Catalina Theater with 1,154 seats. It's where the first talking movies in the country were shown. 

Marilyn Monroe used to live in one of the pastel-colored wooden homes that are spread across Catalina’s flats and hillsides. The Square and the commercial buildings are adorned with beautiful colorful tiles, just like those in Mexican, Spanish, and Portuguese towns. Finally, the small pier overlooks a busy beach with lots of water activities. It's also a jumping-off point for side trips to Lovers Cove.

5. Vancouver Island

Victoria on Vancouver Island is less than three hours from Vancouver, including the one-and-a-half-hour ferry ride from Tsawwassen near the U.S. border. It takes roughly the same time via a ferry from downtown Seattle. If you are in the Pacific Northwest, this is a most  charming weekend getaway.

The oldest Chinatown in Canada is in Victoria's two rows of small side shops on a tiny side street called Fan Tan Alley. The beautiful British Columbia Provincial Legislature is across the Victoria Harbor stands because the city is the provincial capital. And, also facing the harbor is the Fairmont Empress Hotel, known for both its grandeur and its upscale afternoon tea.

But the decided highlight is the beautiful Butchart Gardens, north of the city near the ferry dock, It’s composed of five sections -- the Sunken Garden, the Rose Garden,  the Japanese Garden, the Italian Garden, including the private garden of Mrs. Butchart, and the latest addition, the Mediterranean Garden. It's the most beautiful garden I have ever seen and it inspired me to extend the garden in my home.

We were pleasantly surprised with these charming island getaways in North America. I am sure you will not be disappointed with any of these five.

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