If you’re looking to plan a summer getaway, you can avoid overtourism — and its stress on locals — by choosing a lesser-known vacation gem. Whether you want to rev up or chill out, these underrated summer travel ideas will help you escape the daily grind.
Summer is a time for outdoor adventures, and you’ll find plenty of that to go around in these destinations. But if your vibe is more wine country or fine dining, you’ll find that, too. No matter where you head, a comfortable hotel makes all the difference on vacation, so you’ll find a hotel option for each destination, as well.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
The scenery and amenities of Jackson Hole don’t stop when ski season does. The jagged peaks of Grand Teton National Park border this lively valley 48 miles south of Yellowstone, America’s first national park.
Set up base camp at The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection, a sleek boutique hotel with incredible views and some rustic-lodge flair. Then go wild outdoors with trail rides, mountain biking, fly-fishing, whitewater rafting and stargazing at the Snow King Observatory & Planetarium.
Afterward, cool down with a visit to the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and embrace the local tradition of the Jackson Hole Town Square Shootout (6 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the summer). Or keep your pulse rate up with Sunday “Church,” an evening of boot scootin’ at the Stagecoach Bar.
Asheville, North Carolina
A gateway to the Appalachian Highlands, Asheville manages to stay grounded while catering to travelers with glam tastes. Start with a free summertime spin on “America’s Favorite Drive,” the Blue Ridge Parkway. Or go play in the cooler temperatures of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 37 miles west, as black bears forage to reach peak weight before winter.
Then settle into the AC Hotel by Marriott Asheville Downtown and explore highlights that include the River Arts District, Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail and bluegrass events like the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival.
Refresh yourself with a blood-orange IPA at Pisgah Brewing Company, or try the Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar, which serves tasty items with clever names like “the Mal-Cheese Falcon” and “the Hummus Games.”
Sonoma County, California
Dip into mud baths and geothermal pools at the chic, midcentury modern Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs, a Member of Design Hotels in Calistoga, near the border between Sonoma and Napa counties. This serene spot makes the perfect base for sipping heritage-vine pinots nourished by Pacific fog and ancient soil.
But the fun of Sonoma County extends far beyond its legendary vineyards. Hop in the car and head to the coast to scan for whales, wander the forest among stately redwoods, and bliss out over fried eggplant chips or piquillo peppers stuffed with Dungeness crab at the innovative Bravas Bar de Tapas in nearby Healdsburg. The sheer variety of things to do make the area one of the best summer vacation spots in the U.S.
Utah Crater and Park City, Utah
Escape the sun and slip into a geothermal hot spring inside Utah Crater, a beehive-shaped limestone cave located in Homestead, Utah. With average temperatures of 94 F, the sapphire water is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboard yoga, and scuba diving.
The attraction provides instructors for folks new to diving (and 10+ years old), as well as refreshers and certifications. Already licensed to dive? Take a plunge as visitors splash above. (Reservations are required.)
Conveniently located 20 miles south of Utah Crater is The St. Regis Deer Valley. This pet-friendly Park City resort, which offers ski access in the winter, serves as a luxurious home base from which to explore the area — assuming you can tear yourself away from the resort’s guided hikes, lawn games and “dive-in movies” at the pool, that is.
New England’s Farm Coast
An hour or less drive from Boston, Massachusetts, and Newport and Providence, Rhode Island brings you to the long-overlooked region of New England’s Farm Coast. Harbors, lighthouses and villages punctuate rolling hills: scenes more evocative of the 19th century than modern life.
Book into the nearby Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New Bedford to embrace this underrated travel destination and its “coastal grandmother” cool. Browse galleries, geek out over agritourism and sample seafood straight off the boat.
Olympia, Washington
Olympia, Washington, serves as a gateway to Mount Rainier National Park, 65 miles southeast, which showcases the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.
But don’t sleep on the city itself. This funky, laid-back city helped unleash grunge and keeps the flame alive at Rainy Day Records and the Capitol Theater (peep the theater’s vintage concert posters from bands like Kill Rock Stars and local legend Sleater-Kinney).
Savor seasonal flavors, like a lavender latte at Ember Goods or Hama Hama “Summer Blue” oysters at Chicory Restaurant — all part of the city’s fab food scene.
Stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Olympia, which has spacious rooms and an indoor heated pool. Catch a show at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, just 1.5 miles away. And make sure to stop by the capitol building, which sports the world’s largest Tiffany chandelier under the continent’s tallest masonry dome.
Mackinac Island and Bay Harbor, Michigan
“Coolcations” are all the rage as summertime temperatures spike. And Mackinac Island in Lake Huron delivers on summer comfort with highs in the 70s. Plus, it serves ridiculous helpings of charm.
Horse-drawn carriages rule the roads in this car-free area brimming with clapboard Victorian architecture. Anchor on the mainland at the gracious Inn at Bay Harbor, Autograph Collection. Then head northeast about 40 minutes from the hotel to Mackinaw City and hop the ferry to Mackinac Island. Golf, explore historic forts, bike 8.2 miles around the island and picnic at Marquette Park (extra gorgeous during early June’s lilac bloom).
Foodies shouldn’t miss the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival, celebrating the area’s world-famous treat, in late August.
Tucson, Arizona
Ironically, warm-weather destinations can be the coolest places to vacation (figuratively, not literally). In the summer, you’ll evade crowds and likely find some sweet deals along the way. With that in mind, saddle up for Tucson, where the nightlife and fine dining scenes don’t dip when the mercury rises.
The first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the United States, Tucson blends foodways beautifully. On the casual end, this means Sonoran hot dogs: bacon-wrapped beauties in bolillo rolls with toppings like jalapeños and pinto beans. Try them at El Guero Canelo, hailed as an American Classic by the James Beard Foundation.
Choose The Leo Kent Hotel, Tucson, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel for your Tucson vacation. From here, you can visit the baroque San Xavier del Bac Mission, Tumacácori National Historical Park and the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory on Mount Hopkins.
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