8 Vacation Destinations You’ll Love This Summer

People love to travel during the summer because the weather is finally nice enough to get out and explore the world. The hardest part is figuring out which destinations you’ll travel to.

If you’re going to spend your time traveling, you want to make sure you’re in for a great trip. That’s why before you start packing your suitcase this summer, you’ll want to read about some of the most popular vacation destinations.

Check out these locations to see if any of them inspire you. You might find an interesting spot that leads to a summer vacation you’ll remember forever.

1. Outer Banks, North Carolina

The beach is one of the most popular summer vacation spots, just because it’s so easy to relax and have a great time while the weather is hot. Many people will travel to the beach this summer, but if you don’t want to get wrapped up in the big crowds, try visiting the Outer Banks.

The Outer Banks are a collection of islands just off the coast of North Carolina. That’s where people really go to get away. There are miles of sand without a high rise condo in sight, so you’ll be surrounded by nature.

Go check out the small town and find a quiet place all to yourself. You’ll find plenty of local shops and restaurants to keep you busy once you get tired of surfing the waves or walking the beach.

2. Estes Park, Colorado

Dreaming of getting away to the mountains? Estes Park should definitely make your bucket list. It’s tucked into the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, which means you won’t have to leave the mountain until you’re ready to go back home.

There are many different trails to hike and lakes to swim in, but if you end up going, you have to check out the Estes Park Aerial Tramway. It lets you soar over the small town one of the best views.

After you ride the tram back down to the small town, there will be lots of local events happening that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. It’ll be just busy enough to keep you entertained without making you feel swamped with other tourists.

3. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

For those who want to feel like they’ve escaped to the mountains, but don’t want to give up everything there is to do in the city, you’ll want to go to Pigeon Forge. It’s a mountain town that has plenty to do and a million different cabins you can choose from.

From horseback riding to the famous Titanic museum, there’s no end to the entertainment. It’s also right by Dollywood, which is perfect for anyone traveling with kids.

4. Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Known for being the vacation spot of the Kennedy’s, Cape Cod is one of the most popular places to go in the northeast. Rent a boat and take it out on the water for a day, or check out local wine tastings on the beach.

The charming atmosphere will win anyone over, and the picturesque town is the perfect place for a few vacation photos.

5. Phoenix, Arizona

People travel to Phoenix every year for the serenity it offers. A peaceful town out in the desert, Phoenix is a great place to go for a summer trip. You’ll have plenty of places to hike, gardens to see and even a zoo with over 1,200 animals to explore.

Don’t forget to look up all the museums Phoenix has and the IMAX theater, which will help you cool off after a day hiking in the sand.

6. Angel Fire, New Mexico

Don’t worry about having to endure the summer heat just to have a vacation. Travel to Angel Fire instead, where it averages 76 degrees in the summer and has no humidity.

Rent a place on a lake and take a canoe out, or pass the time rock climbing. It’s a small village up in the mountains, so if you fall in love with it this summer, you can go back in the winter to discover all skiing and snowboarding there is to do.

7. Lincoln City, Oregon

While everyone is heading to Portland to sit in traffic and bustle around the city, you should consider going to Lincoln City. It’s on the central coast and has multiple recreation sites to choose from.

It’s the perfect opportunity to rent an RV or pitch a tent and go camping. There’s plenty of fishing and swimming to do after you disconnect from the world and indulge in the beauty of being surrounded by nature.

Camping may be popular to do in the fall and spring, but summer is a great time to go too. You’ll get to see early morning summer sunrises and walk trails that are surrounded by nature in full bloom.

8. Pawleys Island, South Carolina

Everyone’s heard of Myrtle Beach and you probably know a few people who want to go before summer ends, but where you should really go is Pawleys Island. It’s a barrier island that has a beach state park and a small town vibe.

Forget having to navigate around tourist trap boardwalks just for something to do. There are many historic locations to visit as well as galleries to see and river cruises to take. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to go to if you want to tell great vacation stories about a place none of your friends have been before.

Do Some Research

Think about what you want out of your summer vacations. You may want to explore, relax, or even be catered to at a resort. After you figure out what kind of vacation you want to go on, do some research to find the best place where you can experience that in the best location possible.

These vacation destinations make a great list to start from when you’re trying to decide where to go. Read about what there is to do in each place and you’ll end up with a great trip no matter what you choose.