Looking for some great travel ideas for spring or summer vacation destinations? We have a few amazing updated destinations to add to your list. Many of these destinations are close enough to combine into one unforgettable road trip!
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- Vacation Destinations: 2025 U.S. Travel Ideas for Summer
- Travel Ideas for Summer #1: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- 2. Key Largo, Florida
- 3. Estes Park, Colorado
- 4. San Antonio, Texas
- 5. Austin, Texas
- 6. Orange Beach, Alabama
- 7. Tampa, Florida
- Essential Road Trip Packing List Items:
- FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions) About These Summer Trip Ideas:
- Keep reading for more great travel ideas:
Vacation Destinations: 2025 U.S. Travel Ideas for Summer
Our Travel Makes Me Happy team has voted on our favorite summer destinations for recent trips and we’ve compiled them into a guide to help you plan your next amazing getaway! We have great tips on where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in these fun locations!
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Travel Ideas for Summer #1: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Why Visit Ft. Lauderdale:
Fort Lauderdale offers stunning Atlantic Ocean beaches, a lively Intracoastal Waterway marina, and fun activities like water taxis, boat tours, and waterfront dining in Las Olas. It’s also a great starting point for a Florida road trip, with easy access to West Palm Beach, Miami, Key Largo, and even Key West!
We discovered how much we loved Fort Lauderdale when flying out after a cruise and taking an amazing sightseeing boat tour before our journey was over. We wanted to return and explore Fort Lauderdale with more time so we immediately planned another trip to experience more activities in the area.
This is a great first stop (or final stop) on a trip that can easily include Miami (South Beach), Key Largo, and all the way to Key West if you have time.
What to See:
- Eat on Las Olas Blvd – Lots of shopping and great restaurants.
- Hugh Taylor Birch State park and Cole Hammock Park
- Bonnet House Museum and Gardens – We loved the garden decor and it felt like a hidden paradise!
- Riverwalk and water taxis – We stayed at a hotel close to one of the stops and used it every day.
- Las Olas Beach
- Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse – Nice lighthouse and museum on the ocean.
- Secret Woods Nature Center – 57 acre nature park with shaded trails, butterflies, and reptiles! FYI – not pet friendly (not allowed).
Getting There:
- The Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Airport (FLL) is easy to navigate and not as busy as MIA. It is about 35 minutes from Miami so you could fly into either.
Where to Eat:
- Nanou French Bakery – We loved the food here and ate there several times. I loved the smoked salmon club sandwich!
- Boatyard – Great food and views of the marina!
- Cafe Seville – Wonderful paella, but the grouper with jalapeño sauce was my favorite!
Where to stay in Ft. Lauderdale:
- Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina – We stayed here and loved the location although it is not on the beach if that is what you are looking for. The water taxis pick up just outside.
- B Ocean Resort – Beachfront and they have great Mojitos at the Florida Bar!
- The Atlantic Hotel and Spa – Beachfront and really amazing stay!
- Royal Beach Palace – Cute reasonable hotel with a retro motel feel, yet still in the perfect area.
Find more great travel ideas with our new article on the Best Things to do in Miami’s South Beach!
2. Key Largo, Florida
Why visit Key Largo:
Key Largo is a great stop if you are doing the Hwy. 1 drive to Key West from Miami, but it is also a perfect destination on its own.
- It is located only 61 miles from Miami and approximately 89 miles from the Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood airport so flying into either would be perfect to rent a car and take the relatively short drive to paradise.
The weather is warm (ok, hot) in summers and still mild during winter on average. I really enjoy the relaxing beach vibe there and exploring the state parks in the area.
What to See:
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park – Explore the underwater world via glass-bottom boat, snorkel, or scuba dive.
- Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park – Ideal for nature lovers and bird watchers.
- Beautiful Gulf & Atlantic Views – Sunset spots are everywhere!
Getting There:
We found it easiest to fly into the Miami or Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood airports and rent a car to drive to Key Largo.
Where to Eat:
- The Fish House – The smoked fish dip here was the BEST! It was even featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives so we had to check it out. The key lime pie here was also in our top 5.
- Sundowners – Live music, great seafood, and sunsets! We were happy here. (make reservations to be next to the water)
- Ms. Mac’s Kitchen – We ate here twice! Love the decor inside too!
- Dry Rocks – Inside of the Baker’s Cay Resort. We had small plates outside with a beautiful view. They had live music and great cocktails too!
Where to Stay:
- Reefhouse Resort and Marina – It is in a perfect location and we really enjoyed our stay there because of the private beach and activities that were available from the hotel. We loved this hotel!
- Hampton Inn Key Largo – Nice location and grounds here.
- Largo Resort – Fun resort in perfect location.
- Baker’s Cay Resort – Our favorite in this area! We love the beach area and the hotel grounds as well as the food/drink offerings! (it can be pricey, but possible to use Hilton points or reward nights) We have a Hotel Review of Baker’s Cay Resort to check out!
- Pelican Key Largo – On bay side with colorful cottages. We liked this place a lot.
- Seafarer Resort and Beach – Cute little cottages on bay side of Highway 1.
Tip: Many of these vacation destination ideas can be combined on one trip with other locations because of the closeness to other destinations.
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Why Visit Estes Park:
Estes Park is truly a gem to visit in Colorado. The mountain scenery is amazing!
It’s a great destination throughout the year but it’s especially nice in summer when everything is green and blooming.
There is an easily walkable downtown area with great shops and restaurants and Rocky Mountain National Park entrance is a short drive outside of downtown.
Wildlife is abundant here in the summer and it is not uncommon to see herds of wild Elk strolling through town (keep a safe distance).
What to See:
- Rocky Mountain National Park – Scenic drives, easy hikes (we have an easy hike guide), and stunning alpine lakes.
- The Stanley Hotel – Inspiration for The Shining, plus a fun music venue, cocktail destination, and brewery.
- Safari Truck Tour in RCMP – Great for wildlife viewing and getting to the best spots!
- Aerial Tramway – Get panoramic mountain views.
- Mustang Mountain Coaster – So much fun!
Getting There:
- The easiest way to get here is to fly into Denver International Airport (DEN) and rent a car to drive the hour and 20 minutes to Estes Park. We usually stop in Boulder and visit the Pearl St. Mall area to eat/shop on the way.
Where to Eat:
- Bird & Jim – We loved the food here at lunch. The buffalo burger was a hit with my husband.
- Ed’s Cantina – Great outdoor seating with a view and the food is always amazing!
- The Post Chicken and Beer – Great food and brewery!
- You Need Pie! Diner and Bakery – We ate here at least 3 times on one trip!
Where to Stay:
- The Stanley – (also Aspire Lodge, and they have condos and houses for rent with amazing views)
- Historic Crag’s Lodge – Quirky, and lodge-feel with a great location.
- The Maxwell Inn – On the river and another favorite of ours.
- The Estes Park Resort – On the lake and indoor pool – good year-round.
- Murphy’s Resort (also has lodges and cottages)
4. San Antonio, Texas
Why Visit San Antonio?
San Antonio is a great destination for a summer trip with the charming Riverwalk area that is easy to navigate and of course, The Alamo.
There is so much more to this Texas beauty though, and its proximity to Austin makes it easy to combine both during a road trip.
There’s an easy way to get around San Antonio (Hop on Hop off Bus) where you can see everything that the city has to offer besides the Riverwalk area.
What to See:
- San Antonio Riverwalk – It’s easy to walk along the river and there are so many restaurants and bars to stop at.
- Historic Pearl Brewery – They have food and craft booths on the weekends as well as a food hall.
- Historic Market Square – Colorful and fun place to eat, drink, or shop. It is also a stop on the hop on hop off bus tour.
- King William Historic District – This is a stop on the hop on hop off bus tour and this posh historic neighborhood has uniquely German architecture.
- The Missions of San Antonio – We took a ride share to the park headquarters to get maps and they had exhibits with information on the history. We then rented (outside of the headquarters) electric-assist bikes and were able to ride to each mission and on the paved path along the river until winding up back at The Alamo. This was the highlight of our trip!
- Tower of the Americas – The view at the top of the observatory is amazing! There is also a nice restaurant and snack bar.
- The Saga – A musical and amazing light show projected onto a church detailing the history of San Antonio as well as art by French artist Xavier De Richemont. Bring a chair or something like a beach towel to sit on.
- The Menger Hotel – It is worth just stopping by and visiting the lobby and historic bar.(it’s also reportedly haunted)
Getting There:
The San Antonio airport is easy to navigate and not far from the Riverwalk area.
Where to Eat in San Antonio:
- Rosario’s – We visited the location in Southtown in the King William area. It gets pretty crowded so plan ahead. The food was amazing! Lots of great places to go in that area as well.
- The Esquire Tavern – They are the oldest bar on the Riverwalk area. They have a really nice vibe and decor. The food (loved the deviled eggs!) and cocktails were great!
- The Friendly Spot and Icehouse – Great front lawn vibe with retro lawn chairs. The food and drinks were good and it is relaxing to sit and people-watch.
- Supper – Farm to table food that is always great! It is inside the Hotel Emma.
Free
Where to Stay in San Antonio:
- The Menger – Our absolute favorite! We go to the bar/grill for pub fare even if we are not staying there. The hop on hop off bus picks up next to the bar entrance as well.
- Sheraton Gunter – Great location.
- Hilton Garden Inn Riverwalk – We stayed here twice and found the breakfast to be amazing here while the location was perfect.
- Crockett Hotel– Historic hotel near everything.
- Hotel Valencia Riverwalk – Beautiful hotel with balconies overlooking the Riverwalk in some rooms.
5. Austin, Texas
Why Visit Austin?
Austin is a fun place to visit all year and during the warmer months you may get to experience their famous resident bats at dusk rising from the Congress Avenue bridge! (we visited in the winter last time and only saw a few bats)
Austin is known for the live music that is found in so many places around town. Austin City Limits is also hosted here as well as SXSW(South by Southwest Film Fest).
You’ll see the motto “Keep Austin weird” on many souvenirs and art around town. There’s even a Museum of the Weird on 6th Street.
We had the best time on the Wine and BBQ tour that took us to the Texas hill country and several places in-between. We had such a fun group!
The small-group secret food tour (Zac was our guide) was also a must-do for us and we loved it so much that we went back to a couple of the restaurants from the tour again before we finished our trip.
What to See:
- Rainy st clubs and restaurants (we loved Stagger Lee, Banger’s Sausage House and Beer Garden, Little Lucy’s Mini Donuts, and Unbarlievable!) The crowd skews younger at some of the bars, but still fun!
- See the Bats emerge from under the Congress St. bridge at dusk.
- Yeti flagship store – I know this isn’t for everyone, but they had such a cool bar with “loaner” Yeti’s for the drinks and unique furniture made from Yeti items. It’s just over the Congress St. Bridge.
- Zilker Park – We loved walking the trails here and spent a whole day just walking around and enjoying the sights. The Botanical Gardens are also in this area. (we did take a ride share to Zilker Park and walked back)
- Zilker Botanical Gardens – Great view of the Austin skyline from the zen garden area here. It was a nice walk-through with some really nice areas.
- Dirty 6th St. clubs and venues for live music – We didn’t spend a huge amount of time here because it really reminded us of Bourbon St., but we did visit the Jackalope Bar and caught some nice live music at Chupacabra Cantina.
- Texas hill country wine and bbq tour – This was our absolute favorite (could have been the wine) and we would like to return and stay at one of the winery bed and breakfasts.
- Original Whole Foods Market – We just had to stop and have a snack on the rooftop garden seating area. It is located on N. Lamar and was easily walkable from our downtown hotel.
Getting There:
The Austin airport is smallish and easy to find your way around. It is also only an hour and 35 minutes away from San Antonio so it is relatively easy to do both if you rent a car.
Where to Eat:
- Gloria’s Latin Cuisine – The banana leaf-wrapped tamales and Mojitos were amazing!
- Le Cafe Crepe – We loved everything here! I had the strawberry, banana, Nutella crepe and it was perfection. The decor was great as well.
- 1886 Cafe and Bakery in The Driskill Hotel (Hyatt) – Our favorite!
- Delano Pizzaria (we loved the dessert pizza!)
- Salt Lick BBQ (we stopped here on our bbq and wine tour and loved it!)
- Velvet Taco on 6th and Congress St. (the combinations here sound like they don’t go in a taco, but they do! and are delicious.) We had the Korean fried rice taco and the chicken and waffle taco. They were both amazing! I still think about them and wish we had a location near our hometown.
Where to Stay in Austin:
- The Driskill Hotel – (Hyatt) This historic hotel is absolutely beautiful and even if you don’t stay here visit the 1886 Cafe for coffee or breakfast. We also just got out of the heat to relax in the lobby for awhile too.
- Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown – We stayed here and were very happy with the location and room.
- JW Marriott Downtown – A couple on our tour were staying here and they raved about it. There is an amazing lobby too.
- Hilton Austin Downtown – They have a really nice rooftop pool here and it is centrally located.
- Holiday Inn Express and Suites
- Mint House SOCO – on S. Congress at the opposite side of the river, but still not too far away.
We combined our epic day in Austin in a short YouTube video ☀️
6. Orange Beach, Alabama
Why Visit Orange Beach:
- Orange Beach, Alabama is a beautiful beach town that we visit often. It is only 2.5 hours away from our home so it is great for a quick getaway. The white sand beaches are wonderful and stretch several miles. It is not as crowded as nearby Florida beaches (Pensacola, Ft. Walton, and Destin), but it is just as nice to visit in summer or anytime.
Some call it part of the “redneck riviera“, but that doesn’t seem to capture the beach vibe here. Orange Beach, Alabama is a small paradise!
What to See:
- The Wharf – Entertainment district with great bars, shopping, a music amphitheater, and restaurants in Orange Beach. They have many sunset and dolphin tours that leave from the marina and have many festivals here.
- OWA – An easy-to-navigate amusement park and entertainment district (and huge indoor waterpark) on the expressway leading to Orange Beach.
- Florabama – It is an amazing multi-level music venue, bar, restaurant, and shop just over the Florida line near Orange Beach.
- Tanger Factory Outlets – great shopping and sales!
- Gulf State Park – Free bike rentals and many facilities with a boardwalk.
- Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo – Close to Orange Beach and a great restaurant near entrance.
Getting to Orange Beach:
- It is an easy drive from southern states take the beach expressway
- nearby airports are Pensacola (PNS) or Mobile (MOB)
Where to Eat:
- The Gulf – This amazing outdoor restaurant is housed in repurposed shipping containers and has the perfect Gulf view! We love the steamed snow crab legs and their Mojito’s (of course).
- Safari Club Restaurant – This is a hidden gem in Gulf Shores next to the Zoo. Great food and cocktails!
- Cobalt – An upscale, yet casual restaurant on the Intercoastal with amazing marinated crab claws and (usually) amberjack (my favorite). We usually come for lunch because it gets crowded for dinner.
- Yo Ho Rum and Tacos – This economical and fun restaurant at The Wharf usually has live music and the shrimp burritos are my favorite! If you go sit outside in back with a great view of the marina and sunset.
- Live Bait – The food is good, but the live music, mechanical shark, and general vibe is what makes it fun! It is a destination in itself.
- Southern Grind – Amazing coffee and food! We love the coastal teal decor and even order the Jamaican Island coffee to have shipped home. We never miss coming here several times on a trip.
- BuzzCatz Coffee and Sweets – We love the breakfasts here and coffee! It is a “must stop” on our trips. Great logo too!
Where to Stay in Orange Beach:
- Condos – Orange Beach has many great condos to book and we usually use companies such as Brett-Robinson Realty but (I don’t know if I even want to tell this secret, but every other year we book a full month in a gulf front condo or beach house for Nov. or Dec. for less than a week costs in summer through Brett-Robinson Realty). The Phoenix properties, beach houses in Ft. Morgan, and Seaside Beach and Racquet Club are our favorites.
- Island House (Hilton Doubletree)
- Hilton Hampton Inn Gulf Front
- IHG Holiday Inn Express Gulf Front
- Sleep Inn on the Beach
7. Tampa, Florida
Why Visit Tampa?
Tampa is a great place to visit during the summer (or any season). There’s some great activities as well as less crowds than other popular “beach” areas.
We loved the Riverwalk area near the Convention center at sunset! We took a downtown Tampa food tour and loved it! We also used the free trolley to get all around town which was convenient.
What to See:
- Tampa Riverwalk – A beautiful place to explore on foot or by bike.
- Ybor City – Historic district filled with Cuban culture and amazing restaurants.
- Sparkman Wharf – Trendy food and drink spot on the waterfront.
- Harbour Island – It’s a residential district just across the bridge/river from Tampa Water Street and has some amazing restaurants and bars on the water.
- Indian Rocks Beach – It is a nice beach area on the Gulf side about 30-40 minutes away from the Downtown Tampa area. Definitely worth a visit if you have a car.
- Hillsborough River State Park – They have class 2 rapids — in Florida!
- Busch Gardens – If you are theme park-inclined it is really like a zoo and theme park in one. They have several fun coasters too.
Getting To Tampa:
- The Tampa airport is really easy to navigate and not far from the downtown area if taking a taxi or ride share.
- Tampa is not far (1.45 hr) from Orlando if on a driving vacation.
Where To Eat:
- Columbia Restaurant – We love the original restaurant in Ybor City the most. It has unique decor in each room and such vibrant colors!
- C.W. Gin Joint – Really nice atmosphere, live music, great drinks, and the food we had was fantastic.
- Gallito Taqueria at Sparkman Wharf – Everything we had from there was great!
- Anchor and Brine – Located along the River inside and outside the Marriott Water Street. We had several nice meals there and beautiful sunsets!
Where to Stay in Tampa:
- Tampa Marriott Water Street – This is my absolute favorite! Amazing rooftop pool and close to everything.
- J.W. Marriott Water Street – Wonderful rooftop pool/bar and next to Amalie Arena – Go Bolts!
- Embassy Suites Hilton Water Street – Spacious rooms, Starbucks in lobby, and nice rooftop pool!
- Courtyard Marriott Tampa Downtown
- IHG Holiday Inn Express and Suites Tampa Airport
- Sleep Inn near Busch Gardens
An Epic Summer Awaits if you Add These Travel Destination Ideas for 2025 to Your list !
Essential Road Trip Packing List Items:
Packing the right items can make your summer trip much smoother, safer, and much more enjoyable. Here are five essentials you’ll want to bring along on your next adventure.
- Portable Phone Mount – A sturdy phone mount is a must for easy access to navigation and hands-free calls. We love this budget-friendly one on Amazon!
- Reusable Water Bottle with Filter – A reusable water bottle (like this Brita one on Amazon) with a built-in filter ensures you’ll always have access to clean water and be well-hydrated.
- Compact Car Emergency Kit – From flat tires to minor injuries, you’ll want to be prepared with essential tools for being on the road!
- Travel Cooler Bag – A soft-sided, insulated cooler bag keeps drinks and snacks fresh and accessible, saving you time and money on stops. (Amazon)
- Portable Power Bank – This budget-friendly option (Amazon) can keep all your devices charged, and has a solar panel so everyone in the car can stay connected.
FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions) About These Summer Trip Ideas:
The best time to visit depends on the location! Coastal spots like Fort Lauderdale and Key Largo are great year-round, but summer offers vibrant beach experiences. Mountain destinations like Estes Park shine in summer with lush greenery and hiking opportunities. Spring and early summer are ideal for Texas destinations to avoid extreme heat.
Absolutely! All these locations offer activities for families, from beach outings and boat tours to hiking and interactive museums. Places like Orange Beach and Estes Park are particularly great for outdoor-loving families.
Consider booking flights and accommodations early for the best deals. Travel during shoulder seasons (late spring or early fall) to avoid peak prices. Look for budget-friendly lodging options and explore free or low-cost attractions like state parks and self-guided tours.
Renting a car is often the best option, especially for road trips through Florida or Colorado. Cities like San Antonio and Tampa have great public transportation and walkable districts. Many places also offer bike or scooter rentals for easy exploration.