Iowa: Awaysis Park, Storm Lake

The Des Moines Register denotes Awaysis Park as "one of Storm Lake's must-see beaches." This is because the land-locked state's best beach, located a little more than an hour from Sioux City and two-and-a-half from the capital, "includes a swimming beach, picnic area, and iconic lighthouse...[plus] the newly redesigned Kolb Gardens, walking trails, restrooms, and concessions."

Kentucky: Buckhorn Lake, Buckhorn

USA Today ranks the beach at Buckhorn Lake in Eastern Kentucky, about two hours from Lexington, highly because "swimmers and sunbathers flock here from Memorial Day to Labor Day" to swim but also for rental pontoon and fishing boats. There's also a "lakeside bathhouse, changing rooms and showers as well as a guest-use marina open from April through October."

Nevada: Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe

CNN Travel indicates that "70 miles of shoreline ring North America's largest alpine lake, including some of the world's prettiest patches of sand above 6,000 feet." Expect crowds at this half-mile crescent jewel, so make sure to properly socially distance while you're there. And theater lovers, take note: In non-COVID times, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival offers performances every day in the summer, in a stunning amphitheater overlooking Lake Tahoe. If you're not quite ready to travel yet, you can still get an up-close look at Lake Tahoe and a variety of other fabulous places.

Oregon: Cape Kiwanda, Pacific City

Take a picturesque, two-hour drive from Portland and you'll find yourself on a stretch of Pacific Ocean sand, frolicking in the long shadow of a monolithic 327-foot sandstone Haystack rock that sits one mile from the coast. This is about as impressive a beach site as there is in the continental United States. To stretch your legs and ring up some steps on your FitBit, PDXMonthly suggests you "scale the six-story 'Great Dune' that connects the cape with the shore, and safely take in that splendiferous view."

Pennsylvania: Presque Isle State Park

While most Philadelphians and east coast Pennsylvania residents flock to the Jersey beaches, westerners call Presque Isle State Park along Lake Erie their summer home away from home. Tripping.com says this is Pennsylvania's only "seashore and has not one but 11 beautiful beaches." There's a lighthouse, great picnic opportunities, and swimming in holes with lifeguards on duty during the summer.

Virginia: Virginia Beach and Sandbridge

For some, Virginia Beach may be more familiar than the state of Virginia itself. And there's a good reason why, what with the "Cape Henry Lighthouse, iconic three-mile-long Virginia Beach boardwalk, and Ocean Breeze Water Park," says the Washingtonian. If the hustle, bustle, and crowds of this popular stretch get to be too much for you, head south to the Sandbridge portion of Virginia Beach. There, you'll find a more "secluded island-like vibe for families or couples." Nothing goes better with a beach day than a great book.