National Geographic Traveler USA - 08.2019 - 09.2019

³In search of an idyllic escape? Here are 21 amazing islands in 21 U.S. states and territories.

BEST LIST

AMERICAN ISLANDS

Maine’s Monhegan

Island waves the

Stars and Stripes.

As an inveterate island

explorer who’s visited more

than 130 of them for my

Islands of America website,

I’m a firm believer in the

restorative power of escap-

ing to places that leave the

rest of the world behind.

With islands offering beach

walks, boat trips, sunshine,

and saltwater, it’s a wonder

we travelers ever come

home. In fact you could

spend the rest of your life

hopping around America’s

20,000-plus named islands

that feature everything

from architectural wonders

and seafood festivals to

wild bison. The hundreds

of barrier islands also per-

form an essential service,

protecting the mainland

from storm surges. Here

are some of my favorite

islands and why they make

for great getaways.

—Anna Marlis Burgard

NATGEOTRAVEL.COM