With 40 locations sprinkled across the country, many IHG® Army Hotels are conveniently situated near major U.S. attractions. From national parks to bustling cities to historic treasures, guests don’t need to travel far for activities, events, and entertainment.
Although there are countless attractions to consider near IHG® Army Hotels, we’ve picked the five most travel-worthy destinations within proximity of our locations. Stay an extra day or two to check these adventures off your list!
New York City - Holiday Inn Express® on Fort Hamilton, New York
Let’s start on the East Coast with Fort Hamilton, N.Y., which is just 30 minutes outside of NYC. Dining, shopping, tours, art, history, live entertainment—there is so much to do, it can almost become overwhelming! Consider how you want to experience the city, then plan your itinerary.
Get some perspective with a bird’s eye view of NYC from the Empire State Building. Now celebrating its 90th anniversary, this architecturally stunning and historic structure is the most photographed building in NYC. Skip the 1,872 steps to the 102nd floor observatory and take the elevator to gain a remarkable view of Manhattan. If you visit on a clear day, you can even view six neighboring states! It’s a great way to start your trip and literally see where you want to head next.
If you’re feeling ambitious, grab a cab, then take the Staten Island Ferry to Ellis Island where more than 12 million immigrants pursued the American Dream. Experience the National Immigration Museum, explore your family history, and say hello to Ms. Liberty.
Or if you’re an art enthusiast, revel in the endless galleries in the art capital of the world. The Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and Museum of Modern Art share art, culture, and creativity from a broad spectrum. Or, choose a more intimate atmosphere at more than 500 private galleries in NYC.
And of course, there’s rest or recreation in Central Park, shopping on 5th Avenue, entertainment at Radio City Music Hall or Madison Square Garden, and taking time to reflect at the 9/11 Memorial.
(You might want to add a few days to your stay.)
Savannah - IHG® Army Hotels on Fort Stewart, Georgia
Located just half an hour from Fort Stewart in Georgia, Savannah is one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the U.S. This unique city was beautifully laid out in 22 town squares by its founder, Gen. James Oglethorpe.
In Savannah, you’ll quickly notice trolley, bike, and walking tours that provide visitors with a view of the striking architecture and distinctive layout of the city. Whatever tour you choose, you’ll hear colorful stories from each square and learn more about pirate lore, Girl Scout Founder Juliette Gordon Low, songwriter Johnny Mercer and the location of the Forrest Gump bench in Chippewa Square. If you hang around until dusk, stroll downtown with local spirits during a ghost tour in one of the most haunted U.S. cities.
Once you get a lay of the land, it’s worth heading back to Forsyth Park, known for its iconic fountain and dramatic Spanish-moss draped oak trees. Take a walk, snap some photos, or grab a snack at the café and enjoy the breathtaking setting.
Or wander toward the river for drinks, dining, shopping, art, and entertainment. Formerly where seafood was bought and sold, Savannah’s cheery City Market and historic River Street now boast award-winning dining, quirky artwork, candy shops, wineries, fine gifts, and endless events. The Waving Girl statue on River Street is a tribute to a local girl who greeted incoming ships by waving her towel in hopes to find her long-lost lover.
Prefer to relax with your toes in the sand? Visit laid-back Tybee Island just outside of the city. Here, you’ll find Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse, dating back to 1736, and Fort Pulaski, where the Union Army forced Confederate troops to surrender during the Civil War.
Savannah’s charm, romance, and energy will have you planning your return trip before you leave town.
San Francisco - IHG® Army Hotels on Parks PFTA, California
If you are staying at the IHG® Army Hotels on Parks PFTA, California, in under an hour you can take on the sights, sounds and flavor of San Francisco.
Climb San Francisco’s distinctive hills and get a broad view of the city by hopping on one of Muni’s historic cable cars or streetcars. (Muni is San Fran’s public transportation system.)
The cable car system made its first appearance in San Francisco 150 years ago. Now listed as a National Historic Landmark, many of these cable cars have been meticulously restored to give riders the same experience in the city as locals had in the 1870s. One of the most popular routes is the Powell-Hyde line, starting at Powell and Market streets. From here, pass Union Square, climb up Nob Hill for unbeatable views, see the Cable Car Museum, cross Lombard, known as the “most crookedest street in the world,” and catch a glimpse of infamous Alcatraz Island. This line ends at the Fisherman’s Wharf, where you can grab some Ghirardelli chocolates, visit the Maritime Museum, schedule a tour on several historic boats, or catch street entertainers.
If you still have time, circle back to Alcatraz, a National Park Service site, and learn more about its complicated history. Also called “The Rock,” it’s best known as the site of a maximum-security federal prison, housing notorious criminals such as Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly.” California’s first lighthouse was on Alcatraz, and it also served as a fort and military prison.
And, of course, it’s worth stopping at the Golden Gate Bridge. Learn more about its history and construction; hike, bike, or tour the bridge and Golden Gate National Recreation Area; or just take in the postcard-like view!
San Antonio - IHG® Army Hotels on Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
While staying at one of the IHG® Army Hotels on Joint Base San Antonio, be sure to get a taste of Texas.
The Alamo is a must-see attraction, full of history and culture. Visit the Alamo Church, the site’s most recognizable structure, which initially operated as a Spanish mission church and still shows scars from the Battle of the Alamo. The Long Barrack, nearly 300 years old, was first used as the quarters and offices of Spanish missionaries. A living history encampment with demonstrations and exhibits that display artifacts from the Alamo share more of the famous site’s story.
Another remarkable scene brimming with Texas heritage is San Antonio Missions National Park. This is a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Constructed over 300 years ago, the Spanish established the San Antonio Missions to convert indigenous people to the Catholic faith. Four out of five of the Spanish missions are preserved as artifacts of the Spanish Colonial period. Daily programs, NPS ranger-led walks and talks, and an audio tour all provide insight to the history, landscape, and culture of the missions.
Tour the Spanish Governor’s Palace, an 18th-century structure listed as a National Historic Landmark. Grab tickets for a show at the Aztec Theatre, a nearly century-old intimate Meso-American structure in the heart of downtown. View the beauty of Riverwalk from the water on a boat tour. Indulge in delectable dining and local brews. And be sure to check out countless events, like the Texas Cavaliers' River Parade in April or the Ford Holiday River Parade at Christmas.
Mount Rainier National Park - IHG® Army Hotel on Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington
If your idea of an unforgettable vacation is ditching the hustle and bustle of city life to indulge in the wonders of nature, then Mount Rainier in Washington, just outside of IHG® Army Hotel on Joint Base Lewis McChord, will be your dream come true. Designated as the country’s fifth National Park, Mount Rainier is home to 280 species of wildlife, 275 miles of trails, and vistas of picturesque wildflowers.
If you’re excited to check out the park’s five developed areas, plan ahead! Not all entrances provide access to all areas of the vast park, and some sections are more remote than others. Determine what experience you want to have—camping in the wilderness or enjoying hotel amenities—and which sights you plan to see during your visit.
Mount Rainier offers endless recreation from camping to hiking to fishing to boating, which makes it a popular destination. During peak summer months, the wait to access certain areas of the park can take more than an hour. NPS rangers have provided visitors with a list of tips that share the best times to visit and how to explore the park safely.
Whether you choose to climb 2,400 feet in the gondolas at Crystal Mountain, explore an inland temperate rainforest in the Carbon River area, visit the Pioneer Farm Museum and Ohop Indian Village for some history and culture, or traverse the park by snowshoe in the winter, you will surely find endless adventures with a stunning backdrop.
These are our top five travel-worthy destinations near IHG® Army Hotels, but there are always amazing sites to see and side trips to plan near our other locations across the country!
