Amazing Late Summer Trip Ideas

Modern cities, verdant valleys, charming towns, as well as a few of resort towns over the border, are among the top late summer travel destinations in the US. You'll find fewer queues at well-known landmarks in August and September because those months are typically when most destinations say goodbye to the summer throng. Depending on where you are in North America, the weather near the end of the summer varies drastically. The good news is that a lot of the towns and cities on our list provide fantastic indoor activities for people of all ages. You may still spend a lot of time outside, whether it is boating on magnificent lakes, tanning on the beach, or hiking and camping in national parks. Want to enjoy the final summer sunrays? Plan a trip to one of the locations listed below.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Spectacular shows, shops, and casinos

Las Vegas is enjoyable all year long, though if you go in the late summer, it may get quite hot. There is a ton of indoor entertainment available in the city, especially around The Strip. There are numerous opulent resorts, casinos, theaters, pubs, and nightclubs along this well-known section of South Las Vegas Boulevard. Families can spend a lot of time touring the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, and the Ethel M Chocolate Factory. At Circus Circus Las Vegas, the Adventuredome has indoor roller coasters, clown acts, vintage rides, and 4D cinemas. Visit the Freemont Street Experience at dusk to take in the 6 minute long Viva Vision audio-visual shows.

Orlando, Florida

Great for family getaways all year round

Thanks to the renowned theme parks at Walt Disney Resort and Universal Orlando, Orlando is one of the most family-friendly towns in the United States. Late summer travel means fewer visitors and shorter ride waits. When you're outside, we advise having an umbrella or raincoat because the weather can become quite overcast. Orlando offers a wide range of entertaining activities outside of its theme parks. At iFLY Orlando or Andretti Indoor Karting and Games in Marietta, you may participate in indoor skydiving. Visit the Kennedy Space Center in the Orlando area if you want to take it easy. The original Space Shuttle Atlantis, the Astronaut Hall of Fame, a 3D IMAX theater, and a launch simulator are all located at this fully functional NASA launch facility.

New York City, New York

Iconic museums, fun celebrations, and Broadway shows

In New York City, a late-summer holiday typically brings a ton of theatrical productions and cultural events. The Armoury Show, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Shakespeare in the Park are a few of the city's most well-liked events. As an alternative, you can go to the Theatre District to see a variety of plays, including ballet and concerts of classical music in addition to Broadway and stand-up comedy. The museums in New York have a wide range of engaging exhibits and activities. The American Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Whitney Museum of Art are must-see locations. Finally, relax with a drink at one of the city's rooftop bars to round off the day while taking in the breathtaking views.

Chicago, Illinois

Street art, free concerts, and urban hikes galore

One of the best US cities to visit in the middle of the summer is Chicago. August and September have moderate enough temperatures to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. Along with this, there are a ton of free events throughout your vacation, such as the Grant Park Music Festival and the Chicago Blues Festival. Along with futuristic attractions like the well-known Cloud Gate and Crown Fountain sculptures, Millennium Park offers playgrounds, a splash park, and walking trails. You can stroll the 18.5-mile Chicago Lakefront Trail or take a leisurely boat ride along the Chicago River. Additionally, there is a ton of flora to discover in Chicago, including Grant Park, Maggie Daley Park, and Lurie Garden.

Cancun, Mexico

Pristine beaches, mysterious cenotes, and Mayan ruins

Thanks to its stunning coastline, top-notch resorts, and interesting historical sites, Cancun makes a wonderful vacation destination all year long. The beaches of Playa Langosta, Playa Delfines, and Playa Tortugas are excellent for swimming and tanning. For those who want an active vacation, there are nature trails, bike rides, jungle tours, and adventure circuits accessible. A cultural distraction from the beach is provided by the El Ray Archaeological Zone and the El Meco Archaeological Site. Checking out the cenotes close to Cancun is another smart move. These natural pools, which are numerous in the Yucatán Peninsula, have mineral-rich water and distinctive rock formations. For extra convenience, the majority also offer walking trails and diving platforms.

Oahu, Hawaii

Festivities centred around Hawaiian food and heritage

Between August and September, Oahu celebrates a number of events honoring the region's culture, cuisine, and music. A month-long celebration called Aloha Festival features entertaining parades, regional cuisine, and Hawaii's biggest street party. There are plenty of things to do in Oahu in the late summer even without the festivals. Because it stays quite cold throughout day, you can engage in a variety of outdoor activities without getting too hot. Thanks to beautiful trails like Diamond Head, Kuliouou Ridge Trail, and Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail, hiking is a great activity.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Plenty of fun and variety behind superb sandy shores

A well-known resort area in the Dominican Republic is Punta Cana. If you go around the end of the summer, there will be fewer people on the beach and lodging will be more reasonably priced. However, there is a potential of storms in September, so the weather can be a little unpredictable. In Punta Cana, you may still take advantage of sunny days, which are perfect for swimming and tanning on Bavaro Beach, Macao Beach, and Juanillo Beach. Enjoy a spa treatment or sign up for salsa dancing lessons on days when it's raining. If you're looking for a nice souvenir for your trip, there are also lots of indoor shopping malls.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Dramatic peaks and geothermal landscapes

Over 2 million acres of Yellowstone National Park are stretched over Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Due to its diverse terrain and countless outdoor activities, the park is a well-liked destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The many natural treasures of Yellowstone National Park can be explored via hiking. Grand Prismatic Spring, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River are all must-sees. Don't forget to visit Old Faithful, a cone geyser that explodes between 100 and 180 feet into the air about 20 times every day. Visit Yellowstone before the start of fall to take use of the park's many services and campsites, which become unavailable starting in mid-September. Additionally, several of the eateries in the national park's vicinity have shortened hours.

Napa Valley, California

Wine tastings and train rides during harvest season

Since the region's harvest season lasts from August through October, late summer is the busiest time to visit Napa Valley. Wonderful wineries, old buildings, and nature trails may be found in picturesque villages like Angwin and Calistoga at this time of year. However, we strongly advise planning ahead and arranging your hotel, wine tastings, and tours. Take a picturesque trip through Wine Country's magnificent landscape, rich vineyards, and rolling hills by boarding the Napa Valley Wine Train. Go to Lake Berryessa in the northeast of Napa Valley if you want to avoid the crowds. Three leisure areas and two marinas rent out kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards at this 20,700-acre lake and reserve.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

A great town for outdoor activities, wildlife spotting, and Wild West fun

Jackson Hole is a terrific location for outdoor activities in the late summer when it's much cooler all day. At the Grand Teton National Park, where miles of paths wind through mountains and around lakes, hiking is a must-do activity. If you wish to climb the Teton Range, in particular the 13,770-foot-high Grand Teton peak, schedule your trip within the first two weeks of September. All year long, Jackson Hole provides many possibilities for wildlife viewing. One of the biggest elk herds in North America can be found there, along with bison and grizzly bear numbers. Jackson's western rodeos, chuckwagon feasts, and recreations of frontier town justice transport you back to the Wild West.