Shares
Share on Pinterest
Share with your friends










Submit

Everybody loves summer but sometimes it just leaves you feeling a little… well, hot, sticky and sweaty. These three adjectives needn’t be the only ones to describe your summer plans. In anticipation of the rise in temps come July and August, plan a getaway that’s cool, refreshing and (mostly) sweat-free. Chill out, literally and figuratively, with these summertime options across the U.S. Here are the best places to hit up this summer if…

RELATED: Which all-American summer vacation should you take? (QUIZ)

Ben and Jerrys Tour

Ben & Jerry Factory Tour

…You want to cool your taste buds

Experience a sugar high—and possible brain freeze—at the beloved birthplace of Chunky Monkey and Cherry Garcia. The Ben & Jerry Factory is nestled within the charming Vermont town of Waterbury (near Burlington) and remains the state’s #1 tourist attraction. The interactive factory tour guides guests through the ice cream-making process while providing a colorful history lesson behind the iconic ice cream company. The tour ends (where else?) at an ice cream shop. Order the Vermonster Sundae (a 20-scoop sundae in a bucket) before paying your respects in the Flavor Graveyard, where the company pays homage in headstones to no longer offered “dearly de-pinted” flavors like Wavy Gravy and Rainforest Crunch.

Oregon's Cannon Beach at sunset and in between storms. People can be seen strolling on the beach.

Oregon’s Cannon Beach at sunset

…You want a beach with a breeze

With daytime summer highs in the 60s, Cannon Beach is refreshing contrast to the sunbaked beaches of, say, Florida. The rugged Oregon coastline beckons with firm, yet soft, sand ideal for long walks. Go ahead and sport that cozy scarf while strolling. Fans of the film “Goonies” will recognize the massive rock formations in the ocean off Cannon Beach as the one-time home of One-Eyed Willie’s treasure-filled pirate ship.

Statue of Liberty Museum

Statue of Liberty Museum, New York

…You love air conditioning

After catching a cool breeze and skyline views while on the ferry to Liberty Island, head to New York City‘s newly opened Statue of Liberty Museum. The $70 million addition to the island, which opened in May, is free for all visitors. It features cultural artifacts, a theater and multimedia displays detailing the story behind the Statue of Liberty—one of the world’s most recognizable women, standing 305 feet above the water of New York Harbor. Her original torch, which was replaced in 1984, is featured prominently in the museum for visitors to appreciate … along with the museum’s air conditioning.

water slide in wisconsin dells

…You’ve got the kids in tow

Splash your way through the “Waterpark Capital of the World.” The Wisconsin Dells boasts the largest concentration of indoor and outdoor waterparks per capita on earth and suit everyone from the littlest swimmers still sporting water diapers to the kiddie daredevils eager to plunge down multicolored slides. The town itself may be pure kitsch on a hot summer’s day, with numerous fudge shops, “yesteryear” photo studios and souvenir shops tempting travelers with sugary smells and neon signs, but the waterpark scene is F-U-N for kids (and adults) who just want to stay cool.

Majestic caribou bull in front of the mount Denali, ( mount Mckinley), Alaskal (Majestic caribou bull in front of the mount Denali,

Majestic caribou bull at Mount Denali, Alaska

…You want to see snow

The Alaskan sun doesn’t set until after 10 p.m. in July and much of August, which means more daylight to catch a glimpse of the snow-capped peaks within Denali National Park. (It’s even been known to snow in mid- to late-August.) Mount McKinley, the continent’s highest peak, rises majestically above a landscape where hiking and wildlife spotting are top activities through summer. Staying in or near Denali means you’ll have it mostly to yourself as the day-tripping cruise-goers head back to their ships.

NoMad Las Vegas

NoMad Las Vegas

…You want to test run a new bikini

Cool off poolside at one of the newest pool parties in Sin City. The NoMad Las Vegas launched JEMAA this year on its third-floor roof deck in swanky-yet-serene environment that evokes the iconic Majorelle Garden in Morocco. The party happens every weekend, with an exciting list of celebrity DJs like Mark Ronson and Questlove providing a seductive soundscape.

Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park, Washington state, USAHoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park, Washington state, USA

Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park, Washington

…You want to chill out in in silence

Get away from the noise—far away. Enjoy 50-degree temperatures with early-morning summer hikes into Hoh Rain Forest along with a heavy dose of silence. The Quietest Place in North America resides in this part of Olympic National Park (west of Seattle) in Washington state. It’s called the One Square Inch of Silence, a silent sanctuary that remains free from human noise pollution (including airplane traffic overhead).

Bavarian style house, Frankenmuth, Michigan. Nikon D300 (RAW)

Bavarian style house, Frankenmuth, Michigan. Nikon D300 (RAW)

…You’re already planning for Christmas

If you’re singing “Jingle Bells” in July, head to this charming town in the middle of Michigan. Every day is Christmas in Frankenmuth, otherwise known as Michigan’s Little Bavaria. It’s home to Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, which promotes itself as the “World’s Largest Christmas Store” and is illuminated 365 days a year with more than 50,000 strings of lights. The Old Christmas Station Restaurant serves up Christmas cookies alongside a museum of antique ornaments. Ho, ho, ho to holiday cheer in summer.

Orbitz, app, iPhone, travel, deals

Tagged: Las Vegas, Midwest, New York, Oregon, Seattle, Vermont

Note: Orbitz compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site.

Erica Bray

Erica Bray

Erica is a practical free spirit who loves travel, yoga and ice cream. A Northwestern University-trained journalist with more than 15 years of experience straddling digital and broadcast media, Erica can be found doing handstands everywhere she travels -- even risking arrest in some cases. Learn about her at www.erica.media.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *