Farther south, you have North Carolina's Outer Banks with its idyllic barrier islands and cozy lodging, which has been a number one trending destination. In 2026, more than 200,000 people voted, and Georgia's Golden Isles got a score of 91.59. When you see the natural beauty and all you can do here, it's no wonder that the Golden Isles made the top of the list. The Golden Isles are made up of St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and Little St. Simons Island, off the coast of southern Georgia from the port city of Brunswick, about a 90-minute drive from Savannah. It's a region known for its salt marshes, massive oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, long stretches of beaches, and luxurious lodging.