Why just travel to someplace you’ve never been, doing something different among total strangers in an effort to satisfy your need for a break from the routine. Instead, go to Destination Oh Yeah! We’re going to give you some unusual but spiritually strengthening travel tips and highlight our picks for where you can go to for all of the Oh Yeah!

OUR 4 BEST TRAVEL TIPS

To achieve this status a PLACE has to bring together ‘compelling’ and ‘beautiful’ to have an especially strong cool factor. The THINGS TO DO should be either highly engaging or profoundly restorative producing fresh insight into the incredibleness of the world God has given us. These spaces reveal through FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP the spiritual side of flavor and the pursuit of collaboration. All of this leads to new, divinely orchestrated and invigorating TIME WITH GOD. Here’s a look at what goes into choosing our USA based picks for 2025. Contact us and tell us about your Destination Oh Yeah!

BEST PLACES TO BE

The best places to be this year include one or more of these 5 qualities:

BEAUTY: We’ve all heard the saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It’s true, and when you go where God is you’ll find that the Spirit gives you eyes to see more more beauty in more places more readily and much more incredibly. Looking across the dramatic landscape of Yosmite Valley from high above Glacier Point – that’s beautiful. But as Editor Kimberly Bloom shares in her article, Garden View, in ripen – a gardening lifestyle magazine, gardeners can beautify a little spot. Look for the places where people lovingly care, tenderly steward and graciously share. That is beauty on a powerful level. Liz Bell Young in her book, let there be HAVENS, AN INVITATION TO GENTLE HOSPITALITY, describes how an overnight accommodation with nothing more than the simple basics this way, “Gravel, because it sounds beautiful”. When you look for the beauty in places you find Destination Oh Yeah!

QUIETNESS: Look for and plan to be in a space that nurtures your ability to achieve quietness of spirit. Life is too loud. You need ahhhh… We’re not just talking audible noise, the busyness of ‘go’ can be way louder. The Bible gives you practical wisdom on bringing quietness to the places in your travels:

Quietness in the waiting: Waiting is part of travel whether it is at the airport, in traffic, at a restaurant, in line for an experience, hotel check-in … you name it! It can be a source of frustration or you can discover the goodness of God when you wait quietly.

Quietness in the learning: Travelers don’t just go and do. They grow from the continual flow of learning experiences on every trip. Each challenge, joy, encounter with others, surprise, process – God is there for you when you say, teach me, and I will be quiet.

Quietness in the difficulty: We’d all like for every trip to go flawlessly. When problems happen, when people are difficult, when your best plans fail, whatever is fighting against you just be still, keep your mouth shut and watch in silence and God will fight the battle for you.

Quietness on the mountain – alone: Jesus knew how to rock quietness and you can too. Get to the mountain top of your travels for the big view. Intentionally allow yourself to be alone. Peaceful? Inspired? Good, but then also make it a time for active prayer and communion with God because this is may very well be the prep time for what’s next – your walk-on-the-water moment to comfort and encourage others.

EASY: The place where you go should have a general sense of being easy. Be honest, it’s easy to pack too much into your travel plans. We know – going is a big investment of time, intentionality, resources and so much more. You want to get the most out of all of that. But, don’t over do it. Let God give you grace in the go. That means to put your trust in the leading of God’s Spirit to reveal the fullness of the more simple. In today’s culture that sells over-the-top travel, it’s important more than ever to not despise small things. This isn’t so much about managing expectations. It’s about envisioning your travels orchestrated by a big God who truly wants to show you how to define easy.

SUBTRACTION: Places that let you or ideally by default force you to subtract rather than add will ultimately rank highest on your satisfaction list. In our Faith & Fitness Magazine article, Do you have an addition problem?, Pastor and Discipleship contributor Chris Timm shares that, “We’re hardwired to keep adding.” He goes on to say, “Instead, strategically look for ways and areas to do less.”

Less agenda, less stress, less list, less posting, less distractions even less food and less comforts – all of these equal more. My wife and I once set alone on the beach in the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a couple of hours at least. No music, no books, no pressing plans… just a bottle of water, each other and the setting sun. Wow, it was the best place to be ever. ⊕

DISCOVERY: The best places where God can wow you are those destinations where you discover both compelling and beautiful. The nature of God is reflected in us as we uncover new truths, journey with Christ, and explore and understand the world around us through faith. So, as you plan your travels look for and go to places where you can practice “discovery”:

How was this place established and how has it grown over the years?

Who are the people of this place?

What challenges and opportunities does this place have?

Why do I find myself in this place and what positive contribution and influence can I make?

Where are the unique stories in this place and how did those stories come about?

BEST THINGS TO DO

One of the big questions you’ll no doubt ask yourself when you’re going to a destination is, “What am I going to do while there?” That’s usually shaped in part by whether your going for work or pleasure. Maybe you’re going to fellowship with family or friends or present to colleagues or total strangers. Maybe you’re serving in a role of giving or you’re arriving with a need to be met. Whatever the case, a destination becomes Destination Oh Yeah! when you have a good grasp of not just what you’ll do but what you should and need to do. Where the DO isn’t just an opportunity but especially a purpose.

Prayerfully plan so that things you do are either highly engaging or profoundly restorative. Either way you’ll get fresh insight into the incredibleness of the world God has given us.

HIGHLY ENGAGING: Activities that are highly engaging fuel physical activity, stimulate thinking and thought, foster conversations, and nurture spiritual passion and processes. When you are engaged, you do things that interest you – things that give you enjoyment or challenge you. The things you do become more faith strengthening when you gain an awareness of and understanding of how your passions are put in you by God. Then you start to realize that the things you do can steward your calling, enable you to be a positive influence in the lives of others and build a better relationship with God.

Prior to a trip don’t just think about what activities will engage you, consider how you can intentionally engage with others and how your involvement with them can make a difference in their lives. This transforms “doing” into “doing it with a God-directed purpose.

If you rarely or never think this way you may find it odd – a stretch. But that’s good, let it stretch you into being the better you, the more fulfilled you that Christ intends. The things you do can be a means by which you become more likeminded with Christ.

PROFOUNDLY RESTORATIVE: Also look to do things during your travels that will refresh your Spirit, renew you mind, and nurture you in the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, self-control, kindness, faithfulness and gentleness. Sound boring? It isn’t. In fact as the Bible explains, don’t just hold a spirit-filled life as an idea in your head or a sentiment in your heart, work out its implications in every detail of your life. These profoundly restorative activities and experiences are the far more interesting things you do with your life.

BEST FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP

A magnificent meal enjoyed over good conversation with others is the recipe for wow! Savory dishes experienced together makes for some of the most memorable moments of a trip. Here’s how to transform eating another meal into one of the most celebrated highlights of your travels.

THE SPIRITUAL SIDE OF FLAVOR: Don’t set yourself up for disappointment. The spirit in which the meal is prepared and served is more critical than the ingredients, freshness, quality or any other aspects of the food. I once went to a McDonald’s and the woman who served me took the Chick-fil-a “My pleasure” to a whole new level. She was genuinely happy and realized that her job wasn’t just an opportunity to put a smile on someone’s face – it was her ministry to make each customer interaction a moment of refreshing connection. Bring the Spirit of God to a meal with your attitude, your conversation and more and the food will taste all that much better. If you’re prepping a meal for others OR prepping a meal together with others to intentionally develop hospitality, either way, pray over that meal as you’re making it. This is so much more than saying a blessing before you eat, it is making the entire meal an offering to God.

THE PURSUIT OF COLLABORATION: Rich fellowship at the dinner table begins before the food is ever served. In fact it can begin before you even gather for the meal. Think about those who will serve you and those who will join you. Ask God to guide you to minister in some way to them during the meal. Pray about how you can give your conversations to God before you ever say the first word. This is more than just being thankful and gracious. Make the fellowship a collaborative effort every bit as important as the actual meal.

BEST TIME WITH GOD

You’ll know you’ve arrived at Destination Oh Yeah! when you experience time with God. What that time will look like exactly, the way(s) God uses to speak to you, how much time it is and the results will vary from one person to another and in fact may be different for you each time. So, don’t get distracted by trying to define it. Rather, put your energy in simply pursuing the presence of God.

DIVINELY ORCHESTRATED: When you’re traveling, it can be an especially opportune time to connect more closely with God. Some of the usual day-to-day activities are paused and you may find you can have some unique alone-time. Travel can create interruptions – exceptions to the tight agendas and busy routines we often craft and manage. So, you may find that your time with God has similarities to the story of Samuel in the Bible. He kept on being awaken at night – by God. In fact it happened 3 times and he’d run to the other room thinking Eli the priest was calling him until Eli realized what was up and said to Samuel, “Nope, that’s God. If it happens again then tell God you’re listening.”

It may at first seem magical or mystical, but the real truth is God wants to speak to you – AND give you some real clear direction. So, beyond that business meeting or important presentation, that family schedule, the meticulously planned group itinerary, or even the Disney World Lightening Lane Pass time window, it’s important for you to travel knowing that God has appointments scheduled for you. They’re the most important appointments you’ll have your entire trip.

The characteristics of a divine appointment put the oh yeah in the destinations. You’ll discover you’re not just going somewhere you want to go to do something you want to do. This is how you go where God is.

INVIGORATING: Travel can be demanding, busy, exhausting and full. That’s why travelers often enjoy a good shower at the end of the day – it’s invigorating. The traveler who intentionally schedules some spa time, a gym workout or at least a run in the park knows that a commitment to including activities like these are well worth it – delivering even more wellness and refreshment.

Find out for yourself how spiritually, mentally and physically invigorating time with God can be. That morning Bible reading and prayer, a solitary activity with 30 minutes of praise and worship, the mountain top experience or even sitting on a bench in Time Square or Chapultepec Park with thousands of people all around you – time with God will refocus you, energize you and spiritually transform you.

AND NOW – OUR 2025 PICKS FOR DESTINATION OH YEAH!

If you want to travel in the MIDWEST then America’s gateway to the west can bring on the wow factor. Visit Gateway Arch National Park to learn about America’s westward expansion and the role Christians had in westward expansion. Want an adventure? Don’t just stand outside and look up, go to the top of the Arch. The Missouri Botanical Garden gives you an impressive collection of God’s creative nature. There are vibrant church communities for fellowship. Plan ahead and you can take a part of a day to serve alongside Christians meeting the needs of those in their community. All summer the Friday Night St. Louis Fish Fry Season celebrates a Catholic tradition throughout the city.

Explore the SOUTHEAST United States by making travel plans to Shenandoah National Park. This is one of our all time favorite places and for good reason. The park and surrounding region features hiking trails, adventure, easily accessible vistas, good food, homegrown entertainment and surrounding communities (with all kinds of small churches to visit). No wonder the Blue Ridge Mountains gave John Boy Walton such inspiration to share with others. Let this trip be the perfect opportunity to start your own pilgrimage into personal journaling. If you’re fortunate enough, find yourself alone engulfed in a full covering of fog so thick that you can feel it.

Explore the grandeur of America’s coastal WEST by traveling along the iconic Highway 1. Where to stay? If you book far enough in advance, we recommend Kirk Creek Campground. It’s the inspiration for the Summer 2025 cover of map – A Travel Lifestyle Magazine. Long known as an oceanside paradise, each campsite overlooks the Pacific Ocean. With so much to see, do and experience you’ll find this campground gives you plenty of space to take in the fullness of God’s Oh Yeah! It’s a full 7 hours from Pirate’s Cove in Newport Beach, site of historic baptisms that took place in 60’s and 70’s and highlighted in the movie Jesus Revolution. We’re not sure if there will be more Pirates Cove Baptisms while you travel but we think just about any place along the coast will do just fine.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION OH YEAH!

We’re limiting our 2025 picks to just the 3 above. That means there’s more room on this page for you to share your pick. CONTACT US and tell us where you recommend for others to go. Send us a picture and a paragraph sharing about how it inspires you as Destination Oh Yeah!