Vacations are precious and should be taken as often as possible. Going on a getaway doesn’t have to be expensive with tricks like traveling off-season or going to affordable destinations. Get inspired to start packing with these budget-friendly summer vacation ideas.
Monterey, California
Monterey is a scenic, historic coastal treasure two hours south of San Fransisco. Enjoy boutique hotels, shops, and restaurants on John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row. Spend a day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium getting up close and personal with sea turtles, stingrays, and jellyfish and be sure to explore the aquarium’s 45 interactive exhibits. Play a round of golf at one of the world’s most beautiful courses, Pebble Beach Golf Club. Take a scenic drive along the 17-Mile Drive, a rugged route along the Pacific coastline showcasing the best of Monterey’s natural beauty and million-dollar real estate.
South of Monterey is the posh seaside village of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The town is filled with designer stores, gourmet restaurants, and fine art galleries. Stay in a luxurious home or cottage in Carmel-by-the-Sea and enjoy the full experience of small-town living. They provide vacation rentals Carmel CA with ocean views or luxury in Carmel Highlands. Renting from Carmel-by-the-Sea vacation rentals means easy access to Carmel beach, art galleries, bistros, and boutiques.
Middleburg, Virginia
Not all luxury destinations come with luxury pricing. Middleburg sits 45 minutes outside of Washington, D.C. and boasts beautiful wineries, a quaint downtown with historic charm, and plenty of quality bars and restaurants. The city has over 160 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, endless natural beauty, and plenty of southern hospitality. Enjoy impeccable wines while taking in the Blue Ridge and Bull Run mountains at any one of the area’s 20 wineries.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan has something for everyone, from nature lovers and beach bums to foodies and night owls. Old San Juan is home to vibrant colonial houses set against the Atlantic Ocean, maze-like cobblestone streets, historic churches, and quiet plazas. Foodies will find casual eateries serving staple dishes and farm-to-table bistros putting a fresh spin on cuisine with local ingredients. San Juan enjoys an average temperature of 85 degrees, perfect for unwinding on white-sand beaches or swimming in the turquoise water. The city’s lively nightlife scene is a fusion of Spanish, African, and American influences and there is something to do every night of the week.
Lansing, Michigan
Michigan’s capital city of Lansing is a diverse place with something to offer visitors of all ages. The state is famed for its hospitality and mixture of bustling, urban cities, and quaint countryside. A Lansing trip offers both a taste of Midwestern spirit and the cultural amenities expected of a state capital. Explore four arts districts filled with colorful street art and unique eateries, museums, galleries, and shops. Enjoy outdoor recreation like biking, kayaking, or canoeing, along 30 kilometers of trails following the Grand and Red Cedar Rivers. Follow the Lansing River Trail to see historic Old Town, the Lansing City Market, Potter Park Zoo, and Michigan State University.
The Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau has plenty of trip ideas to suit every personality. Find attractions and events fit for foodies seeking the hottest restaurants, the latest Broadway shows for art aficionados, or historical hotspots for history lovers.
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
The buzzing metropolis of Santo Domingo is both the capital of the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean’s largest city. Down every street, visitors will hear the sounds of merengue, bachata, and salsa music playing and enjoy the smells of local cuisine drifting out from cafes. In the center of Santo Domingo is the Zona Colonial where the city’s first church, the oldest surviving European fortress, and the oldest street in the Americas can all be found. Among the city’s colonial architecture are popular clubs, cultural institutions, and fine restaurants.
