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Too much noise isn’t just irritating, it can have a profoundly negative impact on your physical and mental well-being. Studies have shown that prolonged noise exposure can impair sleep, increase your risk of stroke and heart disease and increase cortisol and stress levels. You may not even be aware of how much noise is interfering with your health, yet it’s all around us, from honking cars to ambulance sirens to barking dogs. That’s why taking time away in a serene environment can work wonders for your mind and body. Here are five destinations in the U.S. where you can get some peace and quiet, relax and soak in the healing power of nature this summer and fall.
Hiking in Maine
Acadia National Park is a breathtaking destination that can get very busy in the summer, so to avoid the crowds, head to its quiet side, the Schoodic Peninsula. This lesser-known part of the gorgeous, rugged park gets only around .4 percent of the park’s visitors, so it’s ideal if you want to commune with nature, not other tourists. Once you’ve biked or hiked your way around the Peninsula, relax and unwind at Salt Cottages in Bar Harbor or indulge in understated elegance at The Claremont Hotel, located in Southwest Harbor, Maine.
Bird Watching in Arizona
Listening to birdsong can have significant mental health benefits, so if you’re feeling anxious and stressed out, spending time among our feathered friends might be worth a try. Nicknamed the “Hummingbird Capital of the U.S.,” Sierra Vista’s San Pedro National Riparian Conservation area has approximately 300 species of birds and is an ideal destination for those who want to experience the calming benefits of birdsong. Lodging options near the conservation area include the 10-room Casa de San Pedro B&B, rustic Ramsey Canyon Cabins and the Ramsey Canyon Inn.
Meditation and Yoga in Montana
Unplug and enjoy a quiet respite at Feathered Pipe Ranch in Helena, Montana. Set amidst millions of acres of forest and mountains, the retreat offers the Mindful Unplug Experience, where participants spend seven days away from the noise and frenetic pace of regular life and take time to enjoy guided meditation, yoga, drumming circles, forest bathing, and more. During the Dude Ranch Cowgirl Yoga retreat in Bozeman, Montana, guests can deepen their yoga practice and “explore the magical horse-human connection in and out of the saddle.”
Boating and Mineral Springs on the Oregon Coast
Spending time near water can bring tranquility to even the most frazzled among us. Oregon’s plentiful coastal bays and calm Alpine ponds are the perfect places to enjoy a variety of paddle sports, including kayaking, canoeing, rafting and stand-up paddleboarding. Oregon also boasts 48 rivers designated “wild and scenic,” including the Grande Ronde River in Northeast Oregon, where you can float and camp to your heart’s delight. Prefer something a little less adventurous? Visit the Stephanie Inn on Cannon Beach, about 80 miles west of Portland, for a luxurious stay complete with views of the dramatic monolithic sea stacks carved from cliffs by the Pacific Ocean. For deep relaxation in a stunning setting, you can soak away your worries at Crane Hot Springs, just outside the tiny town of Burns, Oregon. Rustic lodging choices include everything from a teepee to an authentic sheepherder wagon that’s been converted into a guest room.
Whale Watching and Stargazing in Northern California
Leave the hustle and bustle of city life far behind and head to Fort Bragg, California, on the Mendocino Coast to immerse yourself in nature and wildlife. Gaze at the stars in a pitch black sky, go whale watching, kayak the Noyo, walk the ocean cliffs in MacKerricher State Park or visit the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, 47 acres of botanical beauty on the Pacific coast. Stay at the luxurious and secluded Inn at Newport Ranch, a property with 10 unique guest accommodations located on 2200 acres of preserved land where you can partake in forest bathing, foraging and more. Or, book an ocean-front room at the Ocean View Lodge, a 20-minute walk to the famous Glass Beach.
Have you ever visited any of the above states? Where did you go? Let us know in the comments below.
