#1 Door County, Wisconsin
Door County is on a peninsula between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, making the temperatures cooler and the breezes more frequent than most places in the summer. Door County boasts 300 miles of shoreline and 19 unique communities. Think sunsets over the water, cherry pie, local beer, lighthouses, canoes, live music, and most importantly—perfect temperatures!Best things to do:
- Visit a cherry orchard, then make your very own cherry pie.
- Explore a shipwreck via kayak.
- Visit a historic lighthouse. Better yet, ride in a boat to one.
#2 Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
The average summer high temperature in Wyoming tends to be between 75°F and 90°F. Paradise, right? Wyoming is not only popular in the summer because of its fair weather, but also because there’s so much to do and see—from wildlife viewing in the parks to alpine fly-fishing. Yellowstone National Park is the epicenter of a Wyoming vacation and it’s close to Grand Teton National Park, which is also a must-see park.Best things to do:
- Bike in Grand Teton National Park or on nearby mountain biking trails.
- Wait for a Geyser like Old Faithful to erupt.
- Keep your distance and photograph wildlife.
- Go fly-fishing in Jackson Hole.
#3 Lake Tahoe, California
Lake Tahoe is the epitome of a water-filled summer vacation—north or south. The massive lake embodies 72 miles of shoreline. Plus, the area sits at about 6,000 feet above sea level, giving surrounding towns cool temperatures and consistent breezes from the water.Best things to do:
- Go stand up paddlingboarding (SUP) on the lake.
- Explore the lake on a sailboat.
- Hike up to the Tahoe Rim Trail.
#4 Denali National Park, Alaska
Well, go big or go home, right? Talk about trying to beat the heat! If you’re looking for somewhere wild and unlike any summer vacation you’ve ever been on, then Denali National Park in Alaska is for you. It’s far and can sometimes be a difficult place to get to. Oftentimes visitors have to fly into Seattle and then on to Alaska, or they could opt to take a ferry or cruise to the Last Frontier.Best things to do:
- Take a float plane ride over Denali.
- Stay in a cabin in the park.
- Go backpacking in the backcountry wilderness.
#5 Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park is a huge area on Maine’s Mount Desert Island. Imagine ocean beaches, deep forests, and granite peaks that are perfect for hiking overlooks. Visitors often stay in the bayside town of Bar Harbor for their getaway summer or fall vacation.Best things to do:
- Go horseback riding.
- Explore the unique tidepools.
- Hike a summit trail for some of the best views of the park.
Whether you choose to go big in Alaska or keep it modest in Door County, we hope you get a chance to beat the heat this summer and enjoy being outside in nature!
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