Summer is here and it’s the most popular time of year for family vacations to the beach, life-changing trips overseas to world-famous cities, and much more. Summer is high season for most of these top tourist destinations, despite record-high temperatures with potential health hazards.
Do you ever crave a break from the soaring temps? I know I do! While loads of families are flocking to Florida for summer break, I’m looking for the first flight out! Check out some of my favorite cool summer vacation ideas, literally and figuratively, in the United States and abroad.
In the US, head to the Mountain States
You don’t have to go too far to find the perfect cool weather destination; there are plenty of places to seek refuge and relaxation right here in the USA. Some of the best places to visit in the summer are in the US Mountain States, which include Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Below are three of my favorite places in the region for a cool weather destination in July or August. I’ll be visiting one of these states in July on a luxury train… Take a guess which state?
A Lake Como destination dupe: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Coeur d’Alene is a hidden gem in northwest Idaho, just a short drive (30 miles) west of Spokane, Washington. Summer temps are mild in this picturesque slice of the northwest, ranging from the low 50s to the low 80s, with an average daily high of only 80 degrees in the hottest months.
This French-named town has a lot of je ne sais quoi, with its luxurious lakeside, country club lifestyle that’s perfect for a family vacation in Idaho. Coeur d’Alene’s main attraction is the stunning Lake Coeur d’Alene. The massive lake’s crystal clear waters and surrounding fir and spruce forest makes it a super affordable Lake Como destination dupe. Enjoy the water from the 135 miles shoreline, or by renting a boat, kayak, or paddleboard.
When you’re not enjoying all the lake has to offer, you can hike the neighboring 120-acre Tubbs Hill park, which has a beginner-friendly trail. There’s also the North Idaho Centennial Trail, which takes you all the way to the Washington state border. You can also get a thrill by ziplining through the breathtaking mountains with local favorite Timberline Adventures.
If you go, you have to stay at the epic Coeur d’Alene Golf and Spa Resort, home to the world’s only floating island green with stunning lake views from nearly every hole. Even non-golfers will swoon over the views from the property.
The best of the West and cowboy culture: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
You might know Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Valley as the gateway to some of the US’s most loved National Parks, Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Better yet, you may know it for its world-renowned skiing. Did you know that it’s home to dozens of summer activities perfect for a chilled-out summer vacation?
With temperatures in June, July, and August ranging from the high 30s (brrr!) to the low 80s and an average daily high of only 79 degrees, you can experience a full range of activities on a summer trip to Jackson Hole. Such a wide breadth of temperature lets you white water raft during the day and cuddle up around a fire for s’mores at night. Who doesn’t love both? There’s truly no limit to amazing things you can do in Jackson Hole during the summer: hiking, climbing, biking, canoeing, fishing, and so much more. My advice? Since Wyoming is “the Cowboy State,” take the opportunity to saddle up for horseback riding or watch the wild Jackson Hole rodeo! Yeehaw! 🤠
One of the best things about Jackson Hole is its amazing accommodations. The choices are endless — well-maintained dude ranches, campsites, and even luxury hotels. It’s a difficult decision! One of the best places to stay in Jackson Hole is the Snow King Resort, a luxurious mountain lodge not too far from the town square.
A cool outdoor summer adventure for individuals and families: Glacier National Park, Montana
Based on the name, you might expect to find penguins and frigid temps in Montana’s jaw-dropping Glacier National Park. Not to worry, as this place may be on the chilly side, but there’s much more than just ice! In fact, Glacier National Park is at the top of cool weather summer vacation ideas because it has a bit of everything. The park offers icy mountain peaks contrasted with vibrant forests and fields of wildflowers, with glacier-fed lakes surrounded by active, playful wildlife (especially the goats!).
Summer weather in Glacier National Park can only be described as perfect. The average daily high is idyllic 77 degrees, which seems impossible to someone like me from south Florida, where temps hover around 90+ degrees in summer!
Your itinerary for a summer 2024 trip to Glacier National Park can be as packed as you want. The park’s main attraction is its more than 700 miles of hiking trails. Some favorites are Avalanche Lake Trail and Hidden Lake Trail. But there are also more than 700 bodies of water to match! The park has several places where you can rent a boat and set sail on an ancient lake. Other activities in Glacier National Park include bus tours, guided rafting, and horseback riding (which you can only do in summer). This is a great place, even for solo travelers, since there are so many easy opportunities to have a park-endorsed guide accompany you on your outdoor activities.
You can camp in the park if you wish, but I prefer to stay at one of the area’s many gorgeous hotels and lodges, such as the historic Prince of Wales hotel, which dates back to 1927, or the modern yet quaint Tiny Home Village at St. Mary Village.
Find cool weather bliss anywhere in Alaska
If you know me, you know that Alaska is near and dear to my heart. I return almost every year to some of my favorite destinations in the state and am always discovering more of Alaska’s limitless nature and beauty. If you’re looking for a relaxed summer vacation where you need a jacket, you can skip Canada and go straight to our northernmost state!
The following places are some of my favorite in “The Last Frontier,” and none of them exceed the low 60s on an average day in summer. That’s what I’d call a cool weather vacation!
Sitka, the best fishing in Alaska
This Pacific Ocean fishing village is the definition of a perfect summer refuge for those of us who want to escape the heat and chill out. Sitka is known as Alaska’s fishing capital, with great opportunities to get on the water and enjoy delicious seafood dinners. The main summer event highlight is the Sitka Summer Music Festival, which is a must-do for lovers of classical music.
Summer temperatures range from the high 40s to the low 60s; the average daily high in July and August is 60 degrees. Kick back on a fishing boat to enjoy the Sitka summer sun without the scalding temps!
This little city punches above its weight in accommodation options, but of all the choices, I highly recommend Westmark Sitka Hotel for its central location and airport shuttle, Sitka Hotel for its harbor views, or the Sitka Lighthouse for an unforgettable, unique experience.
Skagway, the home of vintage trains
In Alaska’s panhandle is a small town of 1,000 that sees up to one million visitors each year. Why? Skagway is the epicenter of Klondike Gold Rush history. If you enjoy legends and lore, you’ll love learning about Skagway’s epic railroad history. In the summer only, you can take a ride on the re-opened vintage gold rush railroad, which is the top activity when visiting Skagway.
Skagway’s summer weather is typical of Alaska; temperatures range from the low 50s to the high 60s, and the average daily high in July and August is 63 degrees.
The town is best known for day-tripping, but it’s worth staying overnight, in my opinion. Everything is small and local in Skagway, so book early to snag one of the 9 rooms at the boutique White House Inn, which is listed on the National Historic Register.
Juneau, the underrated capital city
I used to call Alaska’s capital city home! Juneau is a lovely city, boasting surrounding mountains 4,000 feet high topped by a large ice mass called the Juneau Icefield. Ice is pretty popular here! One of Juneau’s top attractions is the 13-mile river of ice, the Mendenhall Glacier.
There are so many outdoor activities you can enjoy without suffering in the summer heat. Juneau’s summer temperatures range from the high 40s to the low 60s, with an average daily high of 60 degrees. My favorite activity is a day trip to visit a classic fjord with breathtaking views of sheer rock walls a mile high, a 600-feet deep lake, beautiful waterfalls, huge icebergs, and plenty of wildlife views. There’s truly so much to experience in Juneau. Check it all out on my in-depth guide to Alaska’s capital city.
Since I lived there, I have countless hotels I could recommend, but my top three places to stay in Juneau are the Alaska Capital Inn, the Marriott Four Points by Sheraton, and the historic Baranof Downtown, BW Signature Collection.
International destinations — Ireland or Iceland
For otherworldly nature and wildlife: Iceland
No list of cool weather destinations would be complete without Iceland. The “Land of Fire and Ice,” settled by Vikings, lives up to its reputation as an otherworldly place. Iceland is a large island, though smaller than the area of Colorado, south of the Arctic Circle. The weather in Iceland in summer is always in the 50s and a bit windy, and many vacationers like to visit during this time for a refreshing summer break.
One of the highlights of Iceland is seeing the Northern Lights, which I was lucky enough to witness on my trip. Even though this is a winter activity, there’s no shortage of things to do and beauty to indulge in during an Icelandic summer. One of the top activities in Iceland is to rent a car in the capital city, Reykjavik, and drive the Ring Road loop around the island. This is the best way to see all of its natural glory! Iceland has unbelievable scenery, black sand beaches, herds of wild Icelandic ponies, the iconic Blue Lagoon, and heavenly waterfalls galore. I really enjoyed ice caving in the middle of nowhere (our tour departed from Vik) and stopping for a farm-to-table meal on a family farm along our route.
Those who live in the US are lucky to have many options to choose from when traveling to Iceland. The shortest flight from the United States to Iceland is a 6-hour direct flight from Boston Logan to Reykjavik Keflavik International. In terms of where to stay in Iceland, you can choose to do as the locals do by staying in a countryside cottage, or what’s called sumarbústaðir, or “summer houses.” If you prefer a traditional hotel in the capital, there are the luxurious Hotel Borg and the Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel, for example. However, since peak season tends to sell out quickly, you might consider one of the island’s more unconventional accommodation options, such as glamping or a farm stay.
For culture and castles: Ireland
Similar in name, but completely different in atmosphere is Ireland. Also an island nation, Ireland shares many of the same characteristics as Iceland in terms of nature and cool summer temperatures topping no more than the high 60s. Irish winters are brutal, so you’ll definitely want to make this trip in the summer!
Ireland makes up for what Iceland lacks in historical places and bountiful urban life. In Ireland, there are stunning countryside castles everywhere you turn and a vibrant modern culture to experience in the Dublin metropolis. This is the place to visit if you enjoy visiting museums and monuments, in which case, the Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden should be at the top of your list. Your Ireland summer itinerary should also include a road trip along the Causeway Coastal Route, joining the crowd at a summer music festival, and indulging in Guinness in its hometown.
More than a dozen US cities have direct flights to Dublin, with the shortest flight (6 hours) leaving from Boston. However, the highest volume of direct flights depart from Chicago, which drives down the price and may often be the most affordable choice. Most accommodation options are in Dublin, including the trendy Alex Hotel, the stylish Iveagh Garden Hotel, and the mid-century stunner, The Mont. However, if you want to make your homebase in a traditional Irish town, opt for Galway, where you can stay at the striking waterfront Galway Bay Hotel.