Coolcations: Where To Beat the Heat This Summer
Sweltering on a crowded beach this summer? That is so last year. As heatwaves break records across the globe, coolcations have officially emerged as the breakout summer travel trend.
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What is a Coolcation? The Breakout Summer Travel Trend
Coolcations are the breakout travel trend everyone’s talking about.
Driven by record-breaking heatwaves, these vacations won’t have you melting into a puddle before noon. They prioritize destinations chosen for their temperate climate, places where summer feels like it used to: breezy, pleasant. Perhaps a sweater after sundown.
The five spots below trade triple-digit misery for milder temps and no shortage of things to do, both inside and out.
Duluth, Minnesota
Lake Superior’s Natural AC
Perched on steep hills overlooking Lake Superior, Duluth has a secret weapon when it comes to weather: the lake effect. If you nerd out to meteorological phenomena, you might have heard that this effect causes snow in winter. In summer, it means a gust of wind off the water can easily drop the temperature by 10 degrees.
That fresh-air magic makes Zenith City perfect for an active getaway. Get lost in over 9,000 acres of parks and 300 miles of trails in town. You can bike the Lakewalk, climb the five-story observation tower in Enger Park, or play beach volleyball on the world’s longest freshwater sandbar. July and August are ideal for chartering a boat to catch some of Duluth’s famously large trout. It’s also when free weekly concerts by the pier return for those cool summer evenings.
And when you want some AC, head indoors for the 39-room Gilded Age mansion, Glensheen, or hang out at Zeitgeist downtown, a creative hub for art, theater, comedy, film screenings and a restaurant, all under one roof.
Average summer temps: Daily highs hover in the mid-to-upper 70s, with overnight lows dipping into the 50s.
Marquette, Michigan
The Upper Peninsula’s Waterfront Escape
Speaking of lakes, Michigan’s got ’em, and Marquette, the biggest city in the Upper Peninsula, is comfortably surrounded by nearly 300 bodies of water and more than 80 miles of Lake Superior shoreline.
You’ll want to spend time in and on the water. The bravest leap from the ancient Black Rocks at Presque Isle Park into the crystal-clear, 55-degree water below. Those who prefer less free-fall action can hike the loop around the 323-acre “island,” kayak its nearby coves or climb Sugarloaf Mountain for one of the best views in the Midwest.
Hungry? The classic pics are a Cornish-inspired pasty at Lawry’s or fresh whitefish right off the boat at The Vierling. Cap it off with a malt at the 1896 soda fountain, Donckers.
Average summer temps: Highs often hit the mid-70s, but it’s not uncommon to have summer days in the upper 60s, with lows settling into the 50s.
Portland, Maine
A Coolcation with a Culinary Edge
Cobblestone streets, a steady ocean breeze, and one of the hippest food scenes in the country make Portland a coolcation with a culinary edge. It is a premier choice for travelers seeking a cool summer vacation layered with world-class dining. Wander the Old Port, stopping for lobster rolls (Highroller Lobster Co.), oysters on the half shell (Eventide Oyster Co.), and small-batch ice cream (Coastal Creamery). Save room for dinner – this city has more James Beard nominees per capita than just about anywhere.
Beyond your plate, you can catch a ferry to Peaks Island for a day of biking, beachcombing and the obligatory stop at the quirky Umbrella Cover Museum. If you want to see lighthouses, there are six within a 20-minute drive of the city. If you only see one, make it Portland Head Light, the state’s oldest, a picturesque white tower on a rocky outcrop.
Average summer temps: June to August are comfortable and mild, with average highs ranging from the mid-70s to low 80s and lows hovering around 60 degrees.
Buffalo, New York
The Only Lower 48 City to Never Hit 100°F
Looking for cool? Buffalo is the only city in the Lower 48 that has never hit 100 degrees. Lake Erie’s lusty summer breeze is such a big deal that it influenced the city’s design, from the all-natural AC at city hall to the country’s first urban parks system, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the 19th-century landscape architect best known for Central Park.
Design fans flock to Buffalo to admire Olmsted’s gardens (the roses at Delaware Park peak in summer) and the visionary homes created by Frank Lloyd Wright. Even if you’re not an architecture buff, you should visit Wright’s sprawling Martin House estate, boasting nearly 400 art glass windows. When you want to get outside, head to Canalside for kayaking, paddleboarding or just a beer on the water.
And of course, you can’t leave without trying the wings. You can order them at hundreds of restaurants in town, but if you want to be thorough, take The Wing Ride, where you’ll cycle and taste your way through chicken wing history as you learn how this Buffalo snack became a global sensation.
Average summer temps: Highs range from the mid-70s to the low 80s, making for a warm but not too warm daytime. At night, temperatures dip into the high 50s and low 60s.
Asheville, North Carolina
High-Elevation Blue Ridge Mountain Relief
While the rest of the South wilts, Asheville stays cool thanks to its prime location in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway, and watch the temperature drop with every mile of elevation. It’s not uncommon for temperatures at the top to be 10-15 degrees cooler than the surrounding foothills.
Pull over for Craggy Gardens – the Catawba rhododendrons are spectacular in June, and the contrast of delicate blooms against dramatic mountain vistas is like nothing you’ve ever seen. Or stop at one of the dozens of overlooks along the scenic parkway. Each had a view just a little different.
Back in town, you can tour the Biltmore, tube down the French Broad River or hop between the area’s 50-plus breweries and taprooms (Asheville beats out every other U.S. city for the most breweries per capita). And don’t skip the River Arts District, where working studios sit alongside a seriously good coffee scene.
Average summer temps: Downtown, summer is warm, with highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s, but along the Blue Ridge Parkway, daytime temps in the 70s are more typical.