6 of the Best Summer Escapes Across the USA

July 17, 2016
wta_admin
4 min read
summer escapes across the usa

Summer in the city can be a thrilling adventure. It can also be a hot, sweaty mess! When the dog days of summer hit, the only thing we can think about is taking a little getaway. Maybe you only have the weekend, and want to go somewhere close by. Luckily, there are so many beautiful summer escapes across the USA.

summer escapes across the usa

6 Summer Escapes Across the USA

1. The Catskills, NY

If you have lived through a NYC summer, give yourself a pat on the back. No summer in NYC is complete without a weekend getaway. Most people consider The Hamptons to be the spot of choice for weekends away. However, with the ridiculous traffic and ridiculous prices, it's not always the most relaxing. The Catskills offer a nice alternative. The Catskills are a mountain range about 2-3 hours north of NYC. A shady, cool respite from the oppressive heat, The Catskills are a breath of fresh air in July (quite literally).

summer escapes across the usa

 

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2. Santa Margarita, CA

Located in San Luis Obispo Country, Santa Margarita is the perfect place to go on a digital detox from your fast-paced Bay Area life. A small-town feeling with wide open spaces, you'll get the best of Central Coast California in Santa Margarita. Opportunities for deep relaxation and high-octane adventure both exist here. Santa Margarita Lake gives life to this area of California, along with the various nature trails and hikes that are threaded throughout. Santa Margarita is about 3.5 hours south of San Francisco and 2 hours north of Santa Barbara.

summer escapes across the usa

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3. Ocean City, Maryland

If you live in Washington D.C., you definitely need an escape from the summer city heat (and upcoming election talk). Ocean City is very much a classic boardwalk ocean getaway. With three different boardwalks to choose from, you can take your pick of shopping, food, and even an amusement park. Ocean City's beaches have perfectly soft sand to lay on all day long. Plenty of nightlife means that the party doesn't have to stop when darkness falls.

summer escapes across the usa

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  • Rent a condo for the weekend to take advantage of having your own kitchen
  • Castle in the Sand for a private beach and Olympic sized pool
  • Spinnaker Motel for the classic old-timey beach vacation

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  • Take your beach towel and a magazine and plop down on the beach for the day
  • Bike along the Boardwalk
  • Kayak or Stand Up Paddle on Chesapeake Bay

4. The Berkshires, MA

About halfway between Boston and NYC, The Berkshires are a major summer arts hub in the Northeast. Nestled amidst a mountain range in Western Massachusetts, The Berkshires come alive every summer with arts festivals. Fun can be had on any budget here, from a free dance performance at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival to a weekend stay at a plush spa. Great Barrington is the main town in the Berkshires, with a quaint small town feeling plus loads of culture. Don't forget that the Berkshires also allow for outdoor opportunities galore!

summer escapes across the usa

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5. St. Simons Island, GA

When you spend a summer in the Southeast, you end up spending most of your time inside where the air conditioning is. Occasionally it's nice to escape somewhere where the breeze is blowing and you can spend a day sitting on the beach. St. Simons Island recently came in as number 1 on Travel and Leisure's list of favorite beach towns in America. For Southern charm, St. Simons cannot be beat. Golf courses, BBQ joints, and wildlife galore make this island in Georgia a perfect summer getaway.

summer escapes across the usa

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6. The Sequoias & Kings Canyon, California

If you want to feel like you're walking through a fairy tale, The Sequoias and Kings Canyon in Northern California are a must-visit. The forest is dense and the color of the light seems like twilight even during broad day because it's filtered through the canopy of the trees. Just an hour and a half south of San Francisco, these California National Parks are the perfect place to restore yourself and reconnect to nature. Take a weekend to explore what the land of Californian redwoods has to offer.

summer escapes across the usa

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If the summer hustle and bustle is getting to be too much, know that you always have the option of getting away for a while. These 6 summer escapes across the USA are sure to grant you some sweet, cool relief. If this list inspired you to go away this summer, check out these weekend yoga retreats on WeTravel: