Suffice to say that none of us had ever seen a year like 2020. As the light at the end of the tunnel increases in brightness, it's clear that 2021 is on track to be travel's ultimate "bounce back" year. Each state has a particular place that seems poised to shine during the next 365, so check out which places made the cut.

Birmingham is still teetering on the edge of "underrated" and "buzzworthy", making 2021 the year to get to know this Southern star. The city will continue to see its solid bar and restaurant scene expand and is expected to see the grand opening of the impressive multi-use stadium Protective Field, which will inject the Uptown district with even more vibrancy.

The quadrennial gathering of native peoples called Celebration had to be cancelled in 2020, but the event is scheduled to take place this year. This fascinating festival pays tribute to the songs, crafts, and dance of the state's first residents and it helps make the capital a must-visit in summer 2021.

Sedona is always a good idea and in 2021 this wellness-focused town surrounded by red rocks will see a grand hotel opening worth shouting about. Ambiente will be America's first "landscape hotel", meaning it will seamlessly blend into its surroundings and it will provide one more reason to spend time in Arizona's shining jewel.

Rogers continues to rocket up the rankings of charming small towns and this shows no signs of slowing down in 2021. In addition, after a summer of delays and postponements, the newly enhanced Arkansas Music Pavilion (AMP) will be back entertaining music fans this summer.

Last year ruined the 50th birthday party for Comic-Con, but it will be back and better than ever this summer. The San Diego region will also see the arrival of the stunning Alila Marea beach resort in Encinitas, one of the nation's most anticipated new hotel openings.

Glenwood Springs and its breathtaking Hanging Lake provided a much-needed breath of fresh air and rejuvenation in 2020, but this year will see the spa town become an overnight stop on the new Rocky Mountaineer train journey between Denver and Moab, Utah.

Connecticut is one of our most underrated winter heavens, as snow-based recreation can be found all over the state during the first few months of 2021. The capital Hartford takes center stage the rest of the year though, with the recently updated Mark Twain Museum finally able to properly show off its recent improvements.

Home to a beachside residence of soon-to-be President Joe Biden's, this lovely seaside town is set to see a little more limelight than it's used to this summer. Rehoboth Beach will stay lively through autumn with the return of its beloved jazz festival in October, an event which was forced to be postponed in 2020.

The furthest south you can go in the continental USA, the Florida Keys are a wonderland of islands, beaches, and wildlife. Explore them in-depth this year to find your own hidden corner of American tropical paradise.

A land of waterfalls, cute small towns, cozy cabins, and vast mountain vistas, you need to get to know Northeast Georgia. The dreamy towns of Dahlonega and Helen make a fine base for exploring the region.

The story of Hawaiin tourism in 2020 was full of stops and starts, but the newly re-imagined Queen Kapiolani Hotel helped end the year in style. Get to know this hotel in 2021 and you'll enjoy unobstructed views of Diamond Head and a location just steps from Waikiki Beach.

While skiers wait for the finishing touches to be put on the resort's first significant expansion in 20 years, a brand new state-of-the-art lift has already been introduced for this winter. This, in addition to other tweaks, promises to make this 2021 a memorable season at Sun Valley.

This scenic national forest is home to endless recreational opportunities and the famous Garden of the Gods rock formations. No matter the time of year you visit in 2021, you are sure to be pleasantly surprised by the beauty of southern Illinois.

The capital of the Hoosier State will see the Indy 500 return to Memorial Day weekend in 2021 (it was moved to August last year) in addition to witnessing a significant extension to its excellent Indy Cultural Trail. This, in addition to a resurgent cultural calendar, make the state's biggest city the best place to go this year.

After being postponed last year, the fun, frivolity, and tasty food-on-a-stick of the Iowa State Fair return to Des Moines this summer. If this isn't enough to draw you in, then the prospect of getting to know one of the nation's friendliest big cities before everyone else does should.

The city's Delano District looks set to continue its cool ways with the arrival of a new wine bar while the city will also welcome a brand new minor league baseball team called the Wichita Wind Surge. In addition, the esteemed Botanica Wichita botanical gardens will introduce a fascinating insect-focused exhibit in spring.

We were supposed to be able to spend all of 2020 celebrating the 100th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition, but we all know why those plans were scuppered. Bardstown is still the best place to sample whiskey in the state and this year it will host the 30th-anniversary edition of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival.

No Mardi Gras parade this year, but expect spring and summer to revolve around outdoor gatherings and socially-distanced events all while showing off the latest hotel openings, all with a NOLA twist.

Arguably the East Coast's most stunning national park, Acadia is the place to go this year in Maine to wrap your arms around the wonder of the great outdoors. Explore the trails, carriage roads and rocky outcrops of this magnificent coastal haven, and you may even notice slightly fewer crowds as the park is set to introduce a new reservation system this year.

The beloved Annapolis Maritime Museum is expected to reopen this year with fresh new renovations and enhanced exhibits, while over at the U.S. Naval Academy, they will be commemorating their 175th anniversary throughout the year.

Last year was supposed to be the year that Plymouth threw a party for the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower landing, but sadly much of the commemoration had to be postponed. The town will make up for lost time this year with a full roster of celebrations and educational experiences to mark the momentous occasion.

Among the highlights of this gorgeous section of Michigan is the nation's longest canopy walk-which offers an exhilarating experience no matter the season-and Frankenmuth, one of the most magical Christmas towns in America. Rest assured, regardless of the time of year, Great Lakes Bay offers surprises and plenty of space for outdoor recreation and is poised to become more well known in 2021.

This perenially-underrated national park has recently made headlines for receiving official "Dark Skies Park" certification, which officially makes it one of the finest places in the land to admire the stars. Spend your days canoeing or kayaking the vast uncrowded waterways and your nights watching the sparkling show overhead.

There's no better way to chase away the doldrums of winter than by digging your toes into the sand on Mississippi's Gulf Coast. From well-known names Gulfport and Biloxi to cute small towns like Pass Christian and Ocean Springs, here you will find a welcoming vibe and plenty of space on the beach to stay safe.

Call it "The Lake", "The Ozarks" or the "LOTO", around these parts there's only place to go when you want to get away from it all on the water. Join the Missourians who make this their summer weekend home and the growing crowds from further afield who are discovering that the lake itself might just be the real star of the Netflix show Ozark.

Americans flocked West last summer looking for socially-distanced road trip experiences which also ticked a box on the bucket list, and nowhere was as sought after as Yellowstone National Park. Look for the wide-open spaces and wondrous wildlife to keep its hold on our attention, especially for those who have spend part of 2020 transfixed by the action-packed show Yellowstone. While Montana owns less of the park than other states, it serves as the perfect gateway.

After being delayed by the events of 2020, American swimming fans will finally get to watch their heroes take to the pool at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in June. After being cancelled last year, 2021 will also see the return of the NCAA College World Series and will no doubt also see the continued rise of the city's eclectic neighborhoods and hip eateries.

Las Vegas is always leading the way when it comes to re-inventing itself, and 2021 will see it evolve from the mixed bag that was 2020. The new downtown hotel Circa and its unique "futuristic-retro" atmosphere will truly come into its own while on the other side of town the long-awaited transformation of the Hard Rock to the Virgin Hotel is set to finally debut in spring. And as far as headline residencies, the city will see Usher come to town for a stay at Caesars Palace.

The White Mountains will begin 2021 the way they start every year: by blossoming into a winter wonderland that keeps those warm holiday vibes going until springtime. Afterwards, this stunning region will continue to be the state's finest spot for outdoor recreation and a fantastic base for leaf-peeping expeditions.

Long known as the grandest seaside resort in the Garden State, 2021 will see Cape May shine the light on another side of its history: abolitionism. This beachside town was a beehive of abolitionist activity and this year will see the long-awaited opening of the Harriet Tubman Museum, paying respect to the famous Underground Railroad hero who spent time working (and planning) in Cape May.

ABQ is ready to bounce back in a big way, with none of the scheduled 2021 events as colorful or impressive as the return of the world-renowned International Balloon Fiesta in October. Before they take flight, fill your days in the city with exploring its unique cuisine (New Mexico chile is perhaps the nation's most underrated ingredient) and taking in stunning views on the Sandia Peak Tramway.

Rest assured that the natural beauty and romantic small towns of the Hudson Valley haven't lost any of their charm, so this year is destinated to see a joyous reunion between it and its many travelling admirers who stayed home in 2020. This year will see the long-awaited opening of LEGOLAND New York, and attraction destined to delight children of all ages from the moment it opens.

Durham saw its momentum only momentarily clipped by the events of 2020, but this year will see this town continue its climb up the ranking of trending destinations. The cultural and food/craft beer scenes continue to pick up accolades while the buzz from the shops of the Brightleaf district continues to grow.

You've seen the movie, you've streamed the TV series, so why not finally get up to Fargo and see what all the fuss is about? This year will see this unique city on the Plains remain home to a burgeoning foodie scene and retain its top ranking as the best place to finish off a "Lower 48" or "All 50" road trip.

The Browns are a winning team again and the city will cap a memorable football season by hosting the NFL Draft in late spring of 2021. The event will include plenty of opportunities for fans to get involved and even non-football fans who visit this year are certain to fall head over heels for this ever-evolving lakeside 'Land.

The coolest spot to enjoy the fresh air and space in OKC? That's the sparkling new Scissortail Park, which in 2021 will continue to impress the locals during its first full calendar year open. This year will also see a host of openings and cultural events.

Spend your days chasing waterfalls and your afternoons reliving the memories over swoon-worthy glasses of wine in the Willamette Valley. This bucolic region will undoubtedly continue its rise up the rankings of viticulture-forward vacation spots in 2021, so visit as soon as you can.

The peaks of the Poconos become Pennsylvania's outdoor playground each year and are all set to continue shining as the best place in the state to enjoy your own space this year. Whether you choose to stay in the countryside or in a charming small town nearby like Jim Thorpe, you are sure to be smitten with the Keystone State's recreation paradise.

From pop-up igloos to socially-distant seaside hiking trails, Newport will start the year by continuing to serve up its signature brand of coastal fun. As as the weather warms up, the hip new Wayfinder looks set to come into its own while this summer is also expected to see the return of the Newport Jazz Festival.

Fresh off being named the friendliest city in the USA by Conde Nest Traveler, Grenville looks set to pick right back up where it left off before 2020 threw us all curveballs. Falls Park on The Reedy will be as relaxing as ever and provide the perfect outdoor recreation space if you need it while Main Street looks set to bustle under its atmospheric canopy of lights once again.

In addition to being a great jumping-off point to visit the ongoing improvements at Mount Rushmore, the city is scheduled to see the return of famed Native American cultural showcase The Black Hills Pow Wow in 2021.

Like the train in the famous song "Chattanooga Choo Choo", this city keeps chugging along and picking up steam as a top-notch destination. Visit the Tennessee Aquarium and nosy around hip North Shore before waking up early the next day in order to pop into one of the city's legendary down-home cafes for a breakfast full of fresh-baked biscuits.

The northeastern region of the Lone Star State is often overlooked, but 2021 is shaping up to be a terrific year for travelers to get to know Tyler. Visit "The Rose Capital of America" in spring to see some of the most gorgeous flower blooms in the country (the displays at the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden and the Azalea & Spring Flower Trail are especially fetching) and explore the enchanting landscapes of the nearby Piney Woods.

Moab always makes for a remarkable base from which to explore Utah's red rock wonders, but in 2021 it will serve as the finish line for the newest service from iconic Canadian train tour provider Rocky Mountaineer. The Rockies to the Red Rocks service will start in Denver, terminate in Moab, and treat guests to spectacular Southwest scenery along the way.

The Green Mountain State's version of the Grand Canyon may not boast the splendor of its cousin in Arizona, but it's still spectacular. Perhaps the best part about the gorge is that it's relatively unknown outside of its home state, so you should be able to find plenty of space to enjoy the surrounds.

Where else can you whitewater raft right through downtown before hopping out of your vessel in order to head straight to an awesome craft brewery? Hardly anywhere, that's where. Richmond continues to grapple with its past (as we saw last year in the removal of its Robert E. Lee statue and re-commitment to funding the somber Slave Trail), but its present-day status as a destination is ultra-bright. Visit for a scintillating street art scene, ultra-hip dining and enthralling African-American historical sights.

Like a string of pearls dangling between the state of Washington and Vancouver Island in Canada, the San Juans were offering social-distancing before it was even a "thing". This year will continue to be a fantastic time to breath in the fresh air on these rugged isles while safely enjoying the islands' towns and offshore sea life.

As this cool riverside state capital continues its ascent up the "must-visit" charts, now is the time to get there before it reaches the pinnacle. Enjoy the independent shops downtown before taking in views of the Kanawha River from Haddad Park and catching a concert at the legendary NPR Mountain Stage.

The Badger State's biggest city missed out on both the Wisconsin State Fair and Summerfest last year, but both are set to return better than ever in 2021. If you visit this winter though, be sure to enjoy a socially-distanced bloody mary session, as sipping them is the city's favorite way to stay warm. The local tradition of the Lenten fish fry is also a bright spot in the cold winter months.

The wide-open spaces of Wyoming were a godsend to socially-distanced travel last year, and 2021 will see the theme continue with the debut of a new stretch of the legendary Continental Divide Trail that runs through the state. It's in the state's biggest city where the light will shine brightest this year though, as summer is set to see the return of the Cheyenne Frontier Days-arguably the West's best rodeo and festival-for its 125th anniversary.