10 of the most Interesting (and Unusual) Vacation Spots in America!

Flooded beaches, overcrowded streets, and tourists stopping to take photos at every moment. Popular vacation destinations can be a good time, but sometimes you want to get away from all of the noise.

Places like New York, Disney World and the Grand Canyon are some of the most frequently-visited spots in the U.S. Approximately 105 million people visited Florida alone last year!

But there is a long list of lesser-known places that make for the perfect getaway. From haunted hotels, to eccentric towns, to historic monuments, if you want to find an under-the-radar place to visit, this is the list for you.

Here are 10 interesting and unusual vacation spots to visit in the U.S.

1. Metropolis, Illinois

Not everyone knows that there is an entire town dedicated to Superman in located along the Ohio River with a population just over 6,000. Deemed the "Hometown of Superman," Metropolis is the name of the fictional city that appears in this DC comic. A bank in the town calls itself "the home of super financial services" and a sign in one of the local grocery stores tells its customers that, "Just as Superman stands for truth, justice and the American Way, Food World stands for quality, convenience and friendly service." As you can also imagine, there are Superman souvenirs virtually everywhere and a 12-foot, two-ton bronze Superman stands tall in town square.

2. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve - Snake River Plain, Idaho

This monument and preserve in the Snake River Plain in Idaho is one of the most unique spots to visit on vacation. Between 15,000 and 20,000 years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions transformed this space into a vast and rocky landscape. The area, which is characterized by expansive dormant lava fields, covers approximately 618 square miles of space. Life forms struggle to inhabit this location because of high temperatures. The soil in the summer can exceed temperatures of 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Craters of the Moon also offers various hiking and cave trails for visitors to walk through as well as campgrounds for people to stay the night. Visit the website to find out everything you'll need to know about visiting this historic spot.

3. The Clown Motel, Tonopah, Nevada

In this sleepy, central Nevada desert town, you'll find one of the creepiest places to spend the night: the Clown Motel. Tonopah, which was once a goldmining spot with a population of about 50,000 is now home to just 2,500 people. You are greeted by a lobby full of creepy clown dolls the minute you walk through the door. And after that, each room in the hotel has a haunting clown theme, portraits of some of the most famous clowns decorating the walls. If that's not enough, the Tonopah Cemetery right next door is the burial ground for townspeople that died of a plague in 1902 and some miners that were killed in a fire in 1911.

4. Glass Beach, Fort Bragg, California

This is a sight to see. Glass Beach, which is located in MacKerricher State Park near Fort Bragg, is covered in a seemingly infinite amount of sea glass. Unfortunately, the story of how this came to be isn't so great. The reason for such an abundance of sea glass is because of years of dumping garbage into a coastline spot in the northern area of the town. In 1906, Fort Bragg residents started dumping garbage in a beach area that they named Site 1. For decades, garbage was dumped in various sites in the area. But finally in 1967, the California State Water Resources Control Board closed the area for good. Cleanup programs removed great amounts of the trash, biodegradable products degraded and metals were sold or used for art projects. But a lot of the glass remained by the water, and was eventually smoothed over and turned into beautiful pieces of sea glass. Now the sea glass covers the beach, creating an almost whimsical aesthetic.

5. Jules' Undersea Lodge, Key Largo, Florida

The only underwater hotel in the United States, Jules' Undersea Lodge is only accessible via a 21-foot scuba dive into the Emerald Lagoon in Key Largo. In fact, you must have a scuba certification to do so. The hotel's name is inspired by the novelist Jules Verne, the author of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Formerly an undersea marine lab operated off the coast of Puerto Rico in the 70s, this underwater vacation lodge features 2 bedrooms and one bath retreat. With giant glass windows in the rooms, you can wake up each morning to a variety of sea creatures swimming by. But make sure to book your spot now as the space can only be rented for one night.

6. The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado

For those looking for a thrill, go book a room at this iconic spot. Novelist Stephen King stayed in the entirely vacant hotel with his wife one evening in 1974, and it later became the inspiration for the Overlook Hotel featured in his 1977 bestseller The Shining. The hotel has been considered by many to be extremely haunted, and the place offers tours that inform the public about its paranormal history. This vast and immaculate 140-room Colonial Revival is located in Estes Park, Colorado and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The room rates can be a bit pricey, but this is a historic spot worth visiting. The website even offers a Ghost Adventure package which includes things like a guaranteed room on the fourth floor (the supposed most haunted floor in the hotel) and a REDRUM mug (MURDER written backwards, an iconic scene in the film adaptation of The Shining).

7. Monarch Grove Sanctuary, Pacific Grove, California

A more unconventional option for a visit to California, the Monarch Grove Sanctuary is a space that allows visitors to observe thousands of Monarch butterflies before they migrate South. Every October, you can watch as 25,000 monarch butterflies stop in at this sanctuary. According to its website, these butterflies hang together in groups from eucalyptus trees in order to maintain body temperature. By doing so, they create a magnificently beautiful work of natural art. The sanctuary is free to the public, allowing anyone to observe this stunning phenomenon.

8. Lower Antelope Canyon, Arizona

While the Grand Canyon is a hugely popular destination spot, there is another canyon in Arizona you can visit that's a bit more unconventional. Lower Antelope Canyon, which is located just south of Lake Powell, is characterized by elaborate sandstone shapes that were formed by natural elements such as wind and water. It's a natural phenomenon by stepping inside feels a bit like you're observing a work of art sculpted by an artist.

9. Peabody Hotel, Memphis, Tennessee

This luxury hotel in downtown Memphis is famous for the "Peabody Ducks." Yes, you read that correctly. During your stay at this spot with over 450 rooms, you will also be sharing a space with a number of ducks that live on the hotel rooftop and regularly take strolls through the lobby. The story goes that the general manager of the hotel at the time, Frank Schutt, thought it'd be funny to leave three duck decoys in the fountain after returning from a hunting trip. The guests were highly amused with the idea and since then, five real Mallard ducks have played in the fountain every single day. The ducks have sort of become celebrities, making appearances on night shows and Sesame Street.

10. Treehouse Cabins, Southern Missouri

These cabins will take you back to the days of playing in treehouses as a child in your friend's backyard. With a truly authentic and rustic cabin feel, these Missouri treehouses offer the perfect vacation for a family or a romantic getaway for couples. Remember how we talked about getting away from the bustle of a hoppin' vacation spot? Enjoy wonderful solitude among the forest, nestled away in a treehouse. While there are a variety of spaces available, the Tree House cabin includes amenities such as a covered deck, a river view, a native stone fireplace, a cedar long queen-sized bed and can sleep up to six people. For a romantic getaway, couples can stay in the Treetop Hideaway cabin which comes with a private deck and a whirlpool tub for two.