Unique America

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Escape The City: 8 Cheap Day Trips Out Of Seattle

By uniqueamerica on December 26, 2016 Washington

Seattle can be an exciting place, but we all need a break from the city every once in awhile. The slow-moving traffic, huge crowds, and towering buildings can make us so much more anxious than when we spend even just a few hours out of the busy metropolitan area. If you’re seriously in need of time away from the chaos of Emerald City, look into some of these nearby trips for some peace and quiet. 1. Hop on a ferry to Bainbridge Island Bainbridge is only about a half hour from Seattle, with lots of opportunities for outdoor activities like…

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8 Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurants You Need To Experience In Salem

By uniqueamerica on December 25, 2016 Oregon

Portland may be Oregon’s largest city, but most people don’t know Salem has a thriving dining scene as well. There are local restaurants dotted across the capital city, serving every type of cuisine – from breakfast cafes to exquisite fine dining options. But some are harder to find, and have unassuming storefronts that a lot of diners pass up, even though their dishes go beyond expectations. These are just a few of the many restaurants across Salem that may not look like like much from out front, but you’ll be glad you went in. 1. Word of Mouth People come…

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Where To Get Your Kicks On Route 66 In California

By uniqueamerica on December 23, 2016 California

A road trip down Route 66 never gets old. This iconic route (known as America’s “Mother Road”) runs from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California for about 2,448 miles. Over the years it’s been renamed in various segments, but you can still follow the same historic route across the country today. It passes through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and lastly, the beautiful Golden State – with lodging options, classic restaurants, roadside attractions, and bright neon signs lining the way. These are five of the many unique stops you won’t want to miss along the stretch through…

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Why You Should Plan A Trip To The Long Beach Peninsula

By uniqueamerica on December 22, 2016 Washington

You can’t go wrong with a trip to the Long Beach Peninsula. In the southwestern corner of Washington, this stretch of land between the Pacific Ocean and Willapa Bay has miles of sandy coastline, excellent small town restaurants, and homey places to stay with up-front ocean views. These are just a few (of the many) reasons why this area by the coast should be on your bucket list. You can drive on their long, dreamy stretch of Pacific coastline. Long Beach is famous for their 28-mile stretch of Pacific coastline. The white sand on the beach is packed so densely,…

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Visiting Cannon Beach, Oregon: What To See, Where To Eat

By uniqueamerica on December 21, 2016 Oregon

About 80 miles west of Portland, Cannon Beach has a perfect blend of small town charm and oceanside scenery. With several B&Bs, 5-star restaurants and specialty shops, this tiny community is the perfect destination to plan a quiet getaway, romantic vacation, or trip with the whole family. Here’s a handy guide to some of the local highlights you won’t want to miss. What to see: Haystack Rock & Needles Standing 235 feet tall just off the coast, Haystack Rock is the defining icon of Cannon Beach. For even more dramatic views you can walk out to this massive sea stack…

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These 8 Seaside Towns In California Are Wonderfully Charming

By uniqueamerica on December 20, 2016 California

California has more to see than Los Angeles and San Francisco. Up and down the coast, there are dozens of small towns where you can find ocean views and a quiet, more peaceful way of life. They’re not filled with giant skyscrapers, but rather small antique, book, and clothing shops, art galleries, museums, and parks. These are just eight of the many quaint seaside communities you should stop in sometime to explore. 1. Carmel-by-the-Sea Carmel-by-the-Sea is like stepping into a storybook on the Monterey Peninsula. Set along a white sandy beach, this small European-style village has fairy-tale cottages, shops, and…

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8 Trails You Need To Conquer In Mount Rainier National Park

By uniqueamerica on December 18, 2016 Washington

Mount Rainier National Park is a wonderland for Northwest hiking. This area surrounding our tallest peak in Washington provides a scenic outdoor playground for visitors of all ages and skill levels. You can take short, family-friendly trails here through alpine meadows, or longer, steeper hikes for more of a strenuous challenge. These are just a few of our favorites. 1. Naches Peak Loop Difficulty: Easy (3.2 miles round-trip) Naches Peak Loop kicks off by Tipsoo Lake, and leads along a hillside through lovely grassy meadows for about 3.2 miles round-trip. It’s an easygoing walk with only about 600 feet of…

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Why Smith Rock State Park Should Be On Your Bucket List

By uniqueamerica on December 17, 2016 Oregon

Smith Rock may not be a national park, but this hidden gem of Central Oregon is more than bucket-list-worthy. The state park is widely known for its world-class hiking & climbing opportunities, and the views of sheer basalt and tuff cliffs are seriously larger-than-life. Nestled in the High Desert, by the towns of Redmond and Terrebone, Smith Rock is widely considered to be the birthplace of modern sport climbing. The Crooked River snakes its way through the dramatic canyon, with hiking trails of various lengths throughout, and opportunities for both novice and experienced rock-climbers. Aside from drawing in climbers from…

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Pizza & Views: Try A Slice From These California Restaurants By The Coast

By uniqueamerica on December 16, 2016 California

Pizza is delicious no matter where you eat it, but there’s something extra special about a hand-crafted pie by the coast in California. The local restaurants use fresh, quality ingredients, cook the crust to perfection, and they’re conveniently located only minutes away from the Pacific Ocean. Plus, most of them also serve a variety of other authentic Italian dishes too, and a great selection of beer and wine to pair with. These are just a few of the many local hot spots near the coast to pick up a slice. 1. Sunset Pizza & Pasta – Sunset Beach Sunset Pizza…

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Washington’s Capital City: 8 Places To See Around Olympia

By uniqueamerica on December 14, 2016 Washington

Seattle may be the biggest city in Washington, but Olympia has its own fair share of unique attractions, local restaurants, and relaxing parks to offer. The city’s population is just under 50,000, but somehow it still maintains a vibrant small-town feel. It’s only about 30 miles south of Tacoma – and a short drive away from Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park – but you don’t even need to leave the city to find trails to hike and places to camp. These eight spots are some of our favorites to explore around our quirky state capital. 1. Mima…