6 trips to take before summer ends

Sure, the summer solstice has come and gone, but there’s plenty of sunshine and outdoor fun still to be had this season. If you’re like us, then you tend to have the travel bug all year long. But, admittedly, certain destinations are best experienced during the warmer months. From National Parks to lake districts, check out our list of summertime destinations to visit before the season ends. You’ll be surprised at some of the last minute flight deals you can find, so don’t pack away the flip flops and swimsuits just yet!

Minneapolis

With its famed lakes and killer emerging food scene, Minneapolis is one city you should definitely check out before the weather turns. Their famed Lake District is one of the most beautiful areas in country. Bike trails, beaches and parks line the lakefronts making it an amazing spot to visit when the sun is out. Head to Lake Calhoun for an active day of paddle-boarding or kayaking. For a more serene setting, rent a bike and take a spin around Lake of the Isles. When you’re done, cross the might Mississippi River via Hennepin Avenue and check out the city’s buzzing Northeast neighborhood. A number of excellent micro-breweries, cafés and food trucks speckle the tree-lined streets. Pop into Dangerous Man Brewing Company for a flight of craft beer, then dine on some lightly battered Atlantic cod fish and chips for lunch at one of the outside tables at Anchor, a neighborhood favorite. A trip to Minneapolis is never complete without a visit to Stone Arch Bridge. Formerly a railroad crossing, the old arched bridge stretches across the Mississippi River and has since become a pedestrian footbridge and iconic city landmark. Walk over the bridge and along the river promenade in Downtown East. Here you’ll come upon the beautiful Gold Medal Park and a lovely Saturday farmer’s market at Mill City Farmer’s Market with fresh flowers, food and live music in the summer only.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Summer in Cape Cod is about as American as it gets. Families spend the day at the beach and dine together al fresco, enjoying the fresh-caught bounty of the ocean. Grinning children bounce around dressed in brightly colored outfits, matching their just-as-preppy parents, and dogs tug at the end of leashes to greet people passing by. In Cape Cod, you’re hard pressed to find a home not proudly displaying an American flag year round, but the flags fly extra valiantly from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Patriotism oozes from every estate, storefront, and person you meet, and there’s perhaps no place more American to head for a late summer weekend. Chatham is the perfect town for a quintessential weekend on the Cape. The Captain’s House Inn is a lovely place to stay, or you can splurge for the iconic Chatham Bars Inn, right on the beach. You can spend all day out on the ocean by joining a sailing excursion or chartering a fishing vessel. If you just want to relax, lay by the beach and wait for the tide to change. The beach in some places along the Cape starts out just a few meters wide and becomes a mile wide at low tide, giving you plenty of space to play, sunbathe or explore. Chatham also has a lively Main Street, and it’s one of America’s most charming ones. The long drag is dotted with locally owned boutiques, souvenir shops, candy stores, and plenty of bars and restaurants. Cars creep through searching for a place to park, while families walk care-free along the sidewalk, dipping in and out of the storefronts. When you get hungry, dinner at Imprudent Oyster is a must. This popular eatery is both casual and old-school. We consider it one of the best seafood spots on the East Coast, and their Oyster Rockefeller with lobster is unforgettable. Hurry now, because summer is still in full swing on the Cape!

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

While there are plenty of fantastic summer spots in the USA for a last minute getaway, don’t forget about our neighbor to the north. Canada is a wildly stunning and picturesque destination, but one spot in particular stands out for an epic summer escape: Banff National Park. It only takes 1.5 hours from Calgary International Airport to find yourself in the middle of Banff’s rugged, jaw-dropping wilderness. Here, the Rocky Mountains soar up to the sky, dramatic glaciers glide across the earth at an unseeable pace, and brilliant emerald-colored lakes leave an imprint forever on your mind. The outdoor haven still has plenty of summer liveliness left in it this year, so get your hiking shoes ready and have those binoculars in hand because the wildlife spotting is epic. Elk, moose, big horned sheep and bears roam Banff’s dramatic terrain, and to catch a glimpse of one would be the thrill of lifetime. There are numerous great lodges to choose from, but the crown jewel of Banff National Park is certainly the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

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Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York is one of the most beautiful corners of the county, but it’s pretty darn cold in the winter, so go now! A 4.5 hour drive from New York City puts you on a whole other—much more peaceful—planet. If you want to arrive a little closer to the Finger Lakes area, fly into one of the Rochester, Ithaca or Syracuse airports. Beautiful scenery and delicious wine await you at this outdoor oasis. Spend your days hiking to waterfalls or biking one of their many trails. Watkins Glen State Park has 19 gorges and waterfalls alone! Then, get out on one the lakes and enjoy the water and calming breeze. There are numerous boat cruises and fishing charters to pick from. Two beloved towns in the area are Burdett and Watkins Glen. Stay at the charming Burdett House B&B and you’ll be close to many of the area’s great wineries, like Silver Springs Winery and Catherine Valley Winery. Beyond great Syrahs and Rieslings, the Finger Lakes regions is also home to numerous breweries, cideries and distilleries.

Seattle

August is an ideal time to visit Seattle, when the weather is around 73 degrees and rainfall is at its lowest. Later in the month, kids go back to school and the crowds die down a little, so start scheduling for a weekend then. Set on the Puget Sound, the city skyline is defined by its famous Space Needle and Mount Rainier in the background. Come for a few days and enjoy a great combination of urban life and nature. While you’re in the city, be sure to spend an afternoon at Pike Place Market. While a farm-to-table movement has been sweeping the nation over the last decade, this market has been doing it for over 100 years. Built in 1907, the farmer’s market has focused on local Northwest producers from the beginning with the motto: Meet the Producer. Sample tasty eats and watch the fish fly out out the hands of local fishmongers. Don’t spend all your time in the city though. Hop aboard the ferry to Bainbridge Island and get a view of the lovely Puget Sound coastline. When choosing a place to stay, there are a wealth of options in Seattle, from trendy hotels downtown to classic inns and B&B in the historic sections of town.

Lake Superior and the North Woods of Minnesota

Standing on the craggy shores of Lake Superior, it’s hard to believe you’re looking at a lake. For as far as the eye can see, a vast stretch of water extends to the horizon and beyond. The largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior has so much to offer during the warmer months. As the perfect home base for a long weekend getaway, check out the town of Grand Marais in the North Woods of Minnesota. At the first hint of warm weather, the town comes alive. Locals come out of hibernation and reopen their shops and restaurants, and visitors flock from near and far to take in the stunning views of Lake Superior and enjoy all the outdoor activities. From hiking to wine tasting, there’s truly something for everyone in Grand Marais, and tons of delicious eats to go along. Of the dozens of trailheads around, our favorite is the Oberg Mountain Loop along the Superior Trail. It begins a bit steep and delivers some stunning views at the top. Afterwards, head to North Shore Winery, set in an ultra modern building at the end of a gravel road. On a hot summer day, you can’t beat sipping their crisp Viognier while enjoying live music outside. Spend of the rest of your days on the lake, either kayaking, sailing or joining on one of the many guided cruises. Rest your head at night at the lovely Blue Fin Bay Resort, set on the shores of Lake Superior. Here, you’ll wake to the sound of crashing waves each morning and be in awe of watercolor skies while roasting s’mores at night. You might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights!