Summer Vacation Destinations

Summer is a great time to hike the Grand Canyon

It seems the travel bug?bites everyone during June, July and August,?but what are the best summer vacation destinations? The answer depends on what your definition of summer fun is,?though there are definitely a few travel hot spots that stand out from the rest.

Bask in the glory of summer at one of these popular vacation destinations:

It is?sunny year-round in Hawaii, but that doesn’t stop the a steady stream of tourists from hitting the islands'?famous beaches during the summer months.?Visitors come for the surfing and the white sand beaches, but Hawaii offers other adventures for those who find sunbathing a bore. Once you get tired of your deck chair, explore Hawaii’s hiking trails and active volcanoes, or take a helicopter?or boat tour.

Italy’s island paradise Capri sees a major tourist influx during the summer months, and for good reason. Gorgeous beaches, striking Medieval architecture and white washed beach villas make Capri a playground for the rich and famous throughout the year.? However,?it is the summer?months when?business really booms.?Keep in mind that?Capri?isn’t for the budget conscious.? The luxury getaway has?a price tag to match its glamorous surroundings, though?if you’re looking for that once in a lifetime experience, this Italian isle?is a perfect fit.

If the beach – and the relentless heat – aren’t your cup of tea, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula beckons. This family-friendly vacation destination makes for an active getaway for the entire clan.? The?area?boasts 1700 miles of shoreline along three of the Great Lakes, which yields?plenty of canoeing, fishing and hiking. Rent a cabin and explore during the day; enjoy family cookouts at night. The temperatures stay comfortable, so you don’t have to worry about?high humidity levels.

Who says your summer trip has to be all about the great outdoors? A city break could be your ticket to fun.? Just ask the thousands of people who flock to Las Vegas every summer. In Sin City, you still get to soak up some rays at the majestic and elaborate pools housed at most Vegas resorts, but there’s much more to take in. World-class shops, resturants, night clubs and casinos make Vegas a summer adventure wonderland.

Speaking of city breaks, hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to London during the summer months. Although summer is the most expensive time to check out this European capital, the expense can be well worth it, as you enjoy taking in all of the famous London landmarks. Once you’re done sightseeing, tour the area's famous?shops and dine at world-class restaurants that dot the city.? Also, don’t forget to check out the West End to take in a show or head to Brixton or Camden?to?enjoy?local bands in action.

Make like the movie stars and head to New York’s Hamptons for a glamorous summer beach experience. The nightlife in the Hamptons is legendary, and there’s a good chance you could spend your evening hobnobbing with the rich and famous. During the day, enjoy the beaches?and local vineyards.? You can also?do some shopping at the one-of-a-kind boutiques that dot the main seaside villages.

There are 388 National Parks in the United States.? With so many options, you can essentially choose your own outdoor adventure, including?hiking the Grand Canyon and white water rafting through Yosemite.? If sitting around on your summer vacation just won’t do, get out there to explore nature by foot, boat or bike, and then throw up a tent at night so you can sleep under the stars.

Nothing makes a summer vacation better than getting a good deal when you book?your trip.? One of the best ways to save on a summer escape is to find a package deal.? Doing so allows you to?reduce the cost of flights, hotel rooms and car rental.? Instead of paying for each individually, travel packages combine different features and offer them to you?for a single?discounted rate.?

Another way to save is to be as flexible as possible with your travel plans.? For example, you can?save a ton of money by flying midweek rather than departing?to your vacation destination on a Friday night and returning Monday morning.? Likewise, many hotels offer reduced?rates to last-minute travelers?in an effort to fill?their properties to capacity.???

Finally, look for travel discounts from organizations and clubs, such as AARP and AAA.? Active duty military personnel and veterans can also score discounted rates at hotels and reduced-price admission to top tourist attractions across the United States.

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Summer Vacation in Houston, Texas

Planning a fun-filled summer vacation in Houston, Texas, requires a game plan. With so much to see and do in the popular southern tourist town, you need to buckle down and research possible itineraries to ensure that you make the most of your seasonal getaway.

When it comes to wrangling some down-home family fun in the summer sun, it doesn’t get much hotter than Houston, Texas. America’s fourth largest city has something for everyone, from massive parks and high-tech adventures to art-tastic exhibits and dozens of historic hot spots. Houston is also home to some of the most popular tourist attractions on the planet. If you are planning a summer vacation in Houston, Texas, be sure to stop off at the following must-see sites:

Escape the scorching summer heat by diving into Houston’s Downtown Aquarium. The massive structure features Texas-sized adventures for visitors of all ages. At the center of the awe-inspiring six-acre entertainment and dining complex, sits a 500,000-gallon aquatic wonderland which boasts more than 200 species of aquatic life from around the world. Along with dozens of denizens of the deep, the aquarium also houses the sunken hull of a 17th century Spanish galleon shipwreck, ruins of a lost Mayan civilization and a 20-foot long Reticulated Python. If that’s not enough to float your boat, then consider that the aquarium also features a Ferris wheel, a train ride that tunnels through a shark tank, and a couple of white tigers.

No matter what the season, Space Center Houston is rated as the city’s number one tourist attraction. The facility provides out-of-this-world experiences for guests thanks to its various interactive displays and famous moon rock. You can also view astronauts training for their next space walk, blast off in a space shuttle simulator, and tour the Astronaut Gallery which houses the planet's best collection of spacesuits. Astronaut John Young's ejection suit and Judy Resnik's T-38 flight suit are just two of the most memorable spacesuits on display in the gallery.

Kids of all ages will roar with excitement during a summer trip to the Houston Zoo, which proudly holds the title?of seventh most-visited zoo in the United States. The massive animal refuge is conveniently located in Hermann Park, and features an array of more than 4,500 exotic animals including koalas, tigers, vampire bats and meerkats. In addition, Houston Zoo also offers a number of animal encounters that allow guests to get up close and personal with its furry residents. In fact, you can crawl right into the piranha exhibit and go nose-to-nose with some of the world’s most endangered species courtesy of the zoo’s see-through exhibits. Also, don’t miss the chance to cool off at the McGovern Children’s Zoo. The play area boasts eleven water features, including five jet fountains and three foaming fountains, in a Galveston coastal fishing village setting.

Located in the upscale River Oaks neighborhood of Houston, the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens is a stunning mansion nestled on 14 acres and houses a collection of priceless American Folk Art, furniture and antiques dating back to the 1600s. The gardens are equally spectacular and are in full bloom during the summer months.

In addition to the aforementioned attractions, Houston is also?known for having one of the most vibrant music scenes in the nation. The city’s hot and humid conditions are ripe for outdoor summer concerts. During the summer months, Houston sizzles with a full slate of live concerts played at outstanding outdoor venues, such as the Showground’s at Sam Houston Race Park and Miller Outdoor Theatre. The summer concert series boasts a diverse mixture of talent to please everyone in the family, from classical music to rock, pop and jazz.

To view a complete line-up of summer acts and get more information on where to go during your summer vacation in Houston, Texas, visit the Houston Visitors Center website. Ask for a visitor's packet geared to your needs to make planning for your crew a cinch. If you're traveling through Texas on your way to Houston, you can visit TravelTex to use their highly-acclaimed trip planner which features an interactive map, so you can plan pit-stops along the way.

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Summer Vacation in Martha's Vineyard

Summer vacation in Martha’s Vineyard is all about the Bs: beaches, biking, and bird watching. Best known as a playground for the rich and famous, the tiny island located off the south coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts is a tourist hot spot for New Englanders and others looking for a place to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Despite its reputation for catering to the world’s most affluent travelers, it is possible to vacation in Martha’s Vineyard during the summer months without breaking the bank. This is due in large part to the fact that nearly half of the 100-square-mile island is conservation land and open to the public.

When spending your summer vacation in Martha’s Vineyard don’t expect to be tempted by bright lights and high-priced big city attractions; rather, you will be likely be spending quiet days and peaceful nights exploring the following natural wonders that call the Vineyard home:

The 5,000-acre state park, located in the charming town of Vineyard Haven is a true natural gem. It was originally set aside in 1908 as a "Heath Hen Reserve," but the birds became extinct less than 30 years later. Still, the park remains a haven for bird watchers as well as nature lovers of all ages. Manuel Correllus can’t be beat when it comes to outdoor recreation. Visitors can hike, bike, ride horses, and picnic to their heart’s content throughout the summer months.

Take a step back in time to Oak Bluffs, a resort town peppered with colorful gingerbread cottages and old-fashioned charm. Located on the northern shore of Martha’s Vineyard, the tiny town explodes with throngs of shoppers and sunbathers during the summer months. Oak Bluffs' natural beauty can be taken in from its numerous walking and biking trails. Then, once you work up an appetite from all that fresh air, head to the town’s popular restaurant row where you can often see the likes of big name celebrities, such as Michael J. Fox, Ted Danson, Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama.

No trip to Martha’s Vineyard is complete without touring one of the island’s homegrown wineries. Chicama, located in the cozy town of West Tinsbury, is the island's only commercial vineyard and winery. Fortunately, you don’t have to have a champagne budget to visit. Chicama offers free tours and free wine tastings during the summer months. In addition to the popular vino, visitors are given samples of the specialty vinegars made from Chicama wines, including Greek Oregano, Dill, and Opal Basil.

Less than 20,000 residents call Martha’s Vineyard home during the winter months. However, that all changes from May until late September when the island’s population swells to more than 100,000 with an additional 25,000 visitors coming and going throughout the summer months. Needless to say, if you are planning to spend your summer vacation in Martha’s Vineyard be prepared for plenty of company.

What’s more, in addition to the ferries, which transport visitors to and from the mainland, beginning in May 2011 JetBlue will launch summer-season flights from New York nonstop to Martha’s Vineyard. Martha’s Vineyard tourism officials say they expect the discount commercial carrier’s service will further increase the number of visitors that descend upon the island during the summer months.

If jostling for beach space is not your idea of a good time, then steer clear of the Vineyard during the crowded July 4th weekend and the last weekend in August when the island hosts it annual Agricultural Fair. Rather, visit Martha Vineyard’s Chamber of Commerce website for a complete rundown on when the island sees a lull in summer crowds and how you can save during your retreat to the East Coast jewel.

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