What’s Your Ideal Summer Escape?

Which of these sounds most appealing to you? Turquoise waters splashing over your toes as you gaze out into a seemingly endless ocean … reveling in nature as your explore the wonders amid a national park … screaming at the top of your lungs as you plunge down the world’s tallest roller coaster … or traveling back in time as you explore a historical city landmark?

If you’re like me, all four! And Travelocity customers seem to agree, ranking their top four most-wanted attractions in a summer vacation as Beaches, National Parks, Amusement Parks and Historical City Landmarks in our recent Summer Vacation Index survey. Grab your favorite summer staples and check out your vote for best attraction of the summer, or go ahead and experience them all with a little inspiration below.

Beaches

It’s hard to beat a day at the beach. And summer’s sultry weather makes it even easier to find an excuse to grab your favorite swimsuit, a colorful towel and some flip-flops for a casual afternoon filled with sand and sun. Whether you love to get out into the water to meet your favorite sea creatures on an exotic snorkeling adventure or would rather lounge under a palm tree, beaches offer the perfect escape for both adventure lovers and thrill seekers.

Stay close to home without feeling like it with a weekend jaunt to Florida’s Miami Beach, or go a little further south to the Florida Keys for a remote Caribbean escape — complete with the opportunity to explore the only living coral reef in the U.S.! — that only seems worlds away. (Perfect for those who would rather trade in flight time for more beach time.) Or head west to SoCal for sand, surfing and scenic views in places like San Diego’s Coronado Beach, home to the glamorous must-visit Hotel Del Coronado; L.A.’s urbanized Venice Beach; or the small beach city of Carmel-By-the-Sea, a breathtakingly beautiful stop along California’s coastal highway.

Still want more beach ideas, or looking for a place that will add prestige to your passport? Check out our Beach Sale, and start dreaming of your next vacation to the Barbados, Turks and Caicos, Hawaii or even Bermuda …

National Parks 

Maybe beaches aren’t your cup of tea. (Or your glass of lemonade, it is summer after all.) Perhaps you already live by a fantastic beach, and are looking to explore a different kind of scenic wonder. Lucky for you, there are 59 national parks in the U.S. to choose from, and all of them are sure to make even the most screen-dependent members of your family drop their devices and take in the views. This year marks the National Park Service’s 100^th year, making the journey to finding your park even more exciting.

Opt for American classics everyone must visit at least once in their lifetime, like Arizona’s Grand Canyon, Colorado’s Rocky Mountains or Montana’s Yellowstone National Park. Stick to one state and hit nine in California, home to the favorites like Yosemite National Park and Death Valley, along with some more hidden gems like Channel Islands — five islands off the Southern California coast that make up one of America’s most remote of national parks. Think there’s too many to explore them all? Set a goal for yourself and before you know it you’ll get there, like the family behind 59 Before 18!

Amusement & Theme Parks

If your summer isn’t complete without a hoarse voice and totally-worth-it rollercoaster headache, then buckle up for the ride of your life! Amusement parks take center stage in the summer, where “kids” of all ages can enjoy the rush of simply letting go and savoring a moment of free-falling fun.

Growing up, amusement parks were always at the top of my list for a summertime adventure that wasn’t too far from home and wouldn’t break the bank (and I couldn’t resist the entertainment of convincing my parents to ride the highest coasters and the wettest water rides.) Whether it’s a trip with a little one to meet Mickey for the first time at a Disney theme park, satisfying a movie buff’s hunger to experience the big screen in the fast lane at Universal Studios, or testing your bravery on the tallest of rides at Six Flags, there’s truly something for everyone!

Another great thing about theme parks? They’re often located in attraction-packed destinations, so if you want to squeeze in a little sightseeing, hit the beach or even stop by a national park or historical landmark, you’ll likely find one nearby. Great options include Orlando and the Los Angeles area, but don’t forget unique favorite in between like Pennsylvania’s Hersheypark, Ohio’s King’s Island and Cedar Point and Missouri’s nostalgia-inducing Silver Dollar City. Sounds like a good excuse for a road trip to me!

Historical City Landmarks

Is there a timeless treasure you’ve always wanted to see? Make this the summer you do! Your Facebook friends will be jealous when you take a selfie alongside your favorite historical city landmarks, and who can blame them? These storied attractions have stood the test of time, amazing travelers for decades … or even centuries!

No journey to the past is complete without a visit to Colonial Williamburg, and a short 2.5-hour drive to Washington D.C. to see how things have evolved since America’s Founding Fathers first established our country. For more American firsts, head to Boston, home to the first large free municipal public library, the first subway system, the first public school and the first public park — how’s that for a trailblazer? For controlled cultural chaos, New Orleans is the perfect spot, where the famed Bourbon Street brings together European-style architecture, creole cuisine, classic jazz music and a whole lot of fun.

Prefer to head to the West Coast? You’ll find plenty of history on that side of the country, too! Check out San Francisco’s awe-inspiring Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island (also a national park!) and San Diego’s Balboa Park to name just a handful.

So, you’ve decided to pick all four attractions for your summer adventure? Good choice.

Go ahead, inspire us! Share your summer stories in the comment section below and tell us where you’ve found your most memorable attractions.

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