7 Fantastic Destinations You Don't Need A Passport To See

You don't need a passport to go on a memorable vacation this year.

Travel experts have ranked the top U.S. vacation spots for 2013, and the list includes a dizzying array of options, from spectacular northern lights in Alaska to the gorgeous beaches of tropical islands.

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No matter which destination you choose, you can make it easier on the wallet with tried-and-true travel tricks such as "flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Those are slow days," says Clem Bason, president of the travel site Hotwire.com.

And reserve hotels and cars early, then rebook if you see a lower price.

If the initial price tag looks daunting, "Look at all the expenses, and see where you can save," says Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com.

"The airfare might cost a lot, but you might be able to save by booking a house instead of a hotel or eating meals in. And if you have your heart set on a certain time or destination, book early."

Here are a few prime U.S. vacation spots to inspire your 2013 travels.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tenn., is getting a lot of attention these days, thanks to the television show of the same name.

But look beyond TV to the real city, and you'll find a "confluence of music, food and fashion," Bason says. Chefs, fashion designers and musicians are flocking to Nashville because it's an affordable city for startups, making it a "hot spot for live music, new restaurants and one-of-a-kind clothing boutiques. It's guaranteed to be a good time."

In 2013, Nashville is christening a new Johnny Cash Museum and the new 16-acre Music City Center as well as several new hotels, which means you might be able to score a deal on a luxury room, Banas says. "Hotels often offer low introductory rates to show off their new properties."

Nashville's food, hotels and entertainment are overall more affordable than similar experiences in larger cities such as New York, Bason says. "You won't pay out the ears during your visit."

Fairbanks, Alaska

This year, the aurora borealis is reaching the peak of an 11-year upswing in activity, and Fairbanks, Alaska, is a good place to view it.

The northern lights "are a Taj Mahal or a Great Wall of China," says Robert Reid, U.S. travel editor of the website Lonely Planet.

"Seeing them should be on everyone's bucket list. It's the best fireworks show in the world."

Fairbanks offers an excellent vantage point for about 240 days out of the year, especially in late summer when the daylight isn't as strong, Reid says.

But, there's more to do in Fairbanks than just sky watch. You can partake in the Great Fairbanks Pub Paddle, a bar crawl by kayak up the Chena River; take in a dog sled race; or sample local Native American Athabascan cuisine at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center.

"It's not cheap to get there, but it's worth it," Reid says of Fairbanks.

Florida

The state of Florida is rolling out the red carpet in 2013 in honor of the state's 500th anniversary.

Juan Ponce de Leon first set foot in the Sunshine State in 1513, near St. Augustine, while searching for the Fountain of Youth.

The fountain has yet to be discovered, but "There are special events planned across the state to celebrate, all year long," Banas says. VivaFlorida.org is "the one-stop shop for event listings."

In addition to heritage trails, historic sites and cultural events, "The space shuttle Atlantis will go on permanent display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and Universal Studios is opening its new Transformers ride next summer," Banas says.

"Florida has beaches, theme parks, historic sites, (baseball) spring training, and it's affordable. There are so many low-cost flight and hotel options, and you don't need a passport to have a tropical vacation."

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