It’s that time of year when everyone seems to be dreaming up their top summer holiday destinations and with Easter approaching (and a late Easter at that), it really is time to start planning that Summer sojourn. Here’s the top 5 on our list:…
1. Yellowstone National Park
If you want to escape searing temperatures you’ll find the climate at Yellowstone perfect; not too hot or humid & with so much to do, Yosemite makes a perfect family getaway. Whether it’s waterfalls, geysers, mountains & valleys or wildlife that you’re after, Yellowstone has it all & more. Read our Yellowstone guide for more on what the park has to offer and for trip planning tips.
Staying in Jacksonville for some of the trip will please those who don’t like to venture too far from civilisation and there’s plenty to keep kids entertained here too with a shootout staged every evening & regular rodeos.
Click here for our guide to Yellowstone
2. Boston & New England
Although Boston can be searingly hot & humid in the summer months, it’s wealth of green spaces and numerous opportunities to get out on the water mean it is still a pleasant city to visit at this time of year. The beaches of New England are also great at this time of year, with beautiful white sand & plenty of sunshine. You can make like successive American presidents and head for Martha’s Vineyard or resorts such as Nantucket or Cape Cod. Maine has some particularly beautiful coastline with beaches at the southern end of the state and a more wild and rocky aspect as you head north.
There’s more ideas in our Boston city guide or click here for more holiday Inspiration
Cape Meares
3. Oregon
Still a relatively un-touristy destination, at least for Brits, Oregon has loads to offer visitors, from the laid back, cool vibe of Portland with its vibrant street food scene, to beautiful Crater Lake to stunning Pacific beaches & lighthouses. All of Oregon’s coastline is protected by the ‘Beach bill’ which means every single mile is open to the public, no private beaches at all.
Click here for more Oregon ideas
4. North Carolina
North Carolina has a lot to offer a visitor and has the benefit for us Brits of being on the East coast and therefore offering a shorter flight time.
If you fancy a beach break head for the Outer Banks, a series of barrier islands off the North Carolina coast which were the location of the first flights performed by the Wright Brothers, at what is now the Wright Brothers National Memorial. The islands offer miles of pristine beach as well as some pretty towns & lighthouses. Should you get bored of beach life, you can experience a range of activities including fishing, kite surfing and horse-riding.
If mountains are more your thing then consider a visit to the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park with its lush forests and enormous variety of wildlife. The park offers a wealth of hiking opportunities and there’s also canoeing, kayaking and whitewater rafting if you can’t keep off the water.
For more info, see our Mountains and Beaches of North Carolina road trip.
The view of Half Dome from Sentinel Dome
5. California
California is a great destination in summer with temperatures at their best, miles of coastline and great cities like San Francisco. Not only that but inland Yosemite National Park is within easy reach and offers an array of hiking and wildlife possibilities. Great for keeping kids entertained and teenagers out of wi-fi reach, for a while anyway!
Click here for our guides on Yosemite or San Francisco