5 Refreshing Escapes to Beat the Heat

90 degree weather not your thing? Understandable. We’ve partnered with Ava Roxanne Stritt of the luxury blog Spa Travel Gal to enlighten us on the best places to beat the heat before we melt.

Omni Grove Park Inn Spa – Photo by Ava Roxanne Stritt of the travel blog Spa Travel Gal

If you’re like me, you’re looking for a way to escape summer’s scorching temperatures. Why not head beyond the crowded beaches for your vacation and discover somewhere new? Read on to explore five stunning escapes to take you away from the hot temperatures and immerse yourself in cooler adventures.

Head Out to the Mountains

Omni Grove Park Inn – Photo by Ava Roxanne Stritt of the luxury travel blog Spa Travel Gal

Nestled in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville, North Carolina, the Omni Grove Park Inn offers a wonderful refuge away from the humid heat found down below.

This stylish and serene sanctuary is the ideal place to indulge in the many luxuries found within the beautiful spa, offering 43,000 square feet of tranquility. Cool down in the restorative mineral pools or beside the soft sound of waterfalls, surrounded by thousands of glittering stars.

Move Far from the Equator

Jasper, Canada – Photo by Ava Roxanne Stritt of the luxury travel blog Spa Travel Gal

When it’s heating up, head north and away from the scorching temperatures at the Equator. Instead, make your way to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, a 700-acre mountain resort, located in a picturesque escape among the lofty peaks and ridges of the majestic Jasper National Park. Here you’ll find scenic paths and routes crossing the ranges, cedar cabins, and tranquil natural surroundings to enjoy.

Treat yourself to a variety of activities – whether staying outdoors to canoe or kayak in the refreshing waters, mountain biking or horseback riding, or simply relaxing within the Fairmont Spa.

Cool Down in the National Parks

South Carolina National Park – Photo by Ava Roxanne Stritt of the travel blog Spa Travel Gal

Few things can be more enjoyable in summer than a morning hike among the cool shade of trees. Fellow Gnomad, Erin Bender, shares some of Travelocity Gnational Gnomads’ favorite national parks, with some great gems to choose from, for your vacation spot.

Only 20 minutes from downtown Columbia SC, Congaree National Park is home to the largest intact expanse of old growth bottom land hardwood forest still remaining in the southeast United States. Escape the bustling city and get lost in your thoughts amidst fresh air, cool waters and scenic forest in next to no time flat. Drop a canoe in the water at the boat landing and paddle the park’s extensive Blue Trails system. You’ll be rewarded with some remarkable views. Come late May through mid-June, locals flock to Congaree National Park to witness the rare phenomena of synchronized fireflies. For approximately two to four weeks each year, hundreds of lightning bugs blink in unison, turning the dark forest into a magical wonderland. The best part? Not too many know about Congaree’s twinkling light show. No large crowds, tickets or required bus transportation here. (So let’s keep it our little secret, ok?)

Dive into Freshwater Lakes

With lots of beautiful freshwater lakes to choose from around the country, lake swimming is one of the best ways to cool down when the weather heats up.

Lake Tahoe, California

Lake Tahoe is undoubtedly one of the most popular and beloved spots – for good reason. Located on the border between California and Nevada, not only is it one of the biggest and deepest lakes in the country, it boasts a spellbinding shoreline that stretches for over 70 miles of quiet, yet incredible scenery. Dive into its pristine blue mirrored waters for a wonderful summer experience.

Chill in a Glacial Pool

There’s a good reason that Montana’s Glacier National Park is known as the Crown of the Continent. This stunning and diverse national park boasts an array of lakes, rivers, waterfalls and breathtaking mountain ranges, carved out by millennia of glaciers moving through the landscape. The result is visually awe-inspiring, and the glacial pools are certainly one of the coolest places you’ll be able to beat the heat in.