10 Summer Weekend Getaways By Linda Tagliaferro It's heating up in the city and you're not sure if your A/C will make it through the summer. Your nerves are jangled from dodging traffic en route to work, and your cat and your significant other are extra-edgy because of cool air deprivation. It's time for a summer weekend escape. Here are ten super getaways that will leave you stress-free on a white sand beach or give you time to hone your shopping skills. So pack your swimsuit, some sunscreen, a pair of sandals and a stack of red-hot romance novels for a cooler, calmer 48 hours. 1. Shelter Island, New YorkTucked away between the North and South Forks at the eastern end of Long Island is an 8,000-square foot island with a pristine shoreline inhabited by protected birds like the piping plover and the osprey. Shelter Island offers sugar-white sands and rolling hillsides, together with a New England ambiance. Reach this tranquil beachside community via a ten-minute ferry ride from either the northern or southern tips of Long Island. Enjoy the island's quiet pace by lolling on the beach, renting a bike, boating or exploring antiques shops. Take a guided walk in Mashomack Nature Preserve - 2,000 pristine acres owned by The Nature Conservancy. Choose from bed-and-breakfasts, quaint inns and lodges for your stay. Island restaurants abound with fresh-caught seafood and other tempting fare. For information, call 1-800-9-SHELTER or visit www.onisland.com/si/chamber.
2. Vail, Colorado
Most people think of Vail as a winter wonderland for skiing enthusiasts. It certainly is, but this getaway offers summer fun at lower prices than during its winter season.
Observe the spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery from your hotel (during July, the area is punctuated by brightly-colored wildflowers) or engage in more active pursuits. There's golf, swimming, tennis and kayaking. Intrepid travelers can opt for whitewater rafting or hot air ballooning. Want to sit back? Then take a Jeep tour or check out the scenery on a chairlift ride.
From early June until the end of July, enjoy Budweiser Hot Summer Nights, free concerts offered every Tuesday night at the Ford Amphitheater. The Bravo Vail Valley Music Festival will entertain you with chamber, orchestra and jazz music from late June through early August. But some like it hot, so don't forget Vail's Southwest Chili Fest on June 23, when you can discover which local restaurant can cook up the best chili, served with perfectly-prepared margaritas.
Contact the Vail Valley Tourism & Convention Bureau at 800/525-3875 or www.visitvailvalley.com. 3. Brunswick and the Golden Isles of Georgia
Hugging the Southeast Atlantic coast of Georgia is the quaint town of Brunswick and five nearby island getaways: St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island. You'll find the historic ruins of once stately plantations, a lighthouse museum, Victorian homes and much more on these serene isles.
Tennis courts as well as golf courses abound. Take a leisurely sail or rent a bike. Shop for antiques or enjoy a lazy day on inviting beaches. Spend your evenings stargazing or take a casino/dinner cruise featuring live music. Throughout the summer, enjoy live Jazz in the Park on Jekyll Island.
Call 1-800-933-COAST or visit www.bgivb.com. 4. The Mississippi Gulf Coast
One of the fastest-growing U.S. pleasure destinations, the area of Mississippi bordering the Gulf of Mexico is a perfect spot for a weekend getaway. With 26 miles of sugar-white beaches, 21 golf courses and fabulous cuisine - all at affordable prices - you're sure to spend a rejuvenating 48 hours here.
Relax on the stunning shoreline, or take a ferry ride to a chain of untouched islands including West Ship Island, which boasts a historic fort. Or pack a picnic and paddle your own canoe along the Wolf River.
Searching for weekend glitz and glamour? Try your luck at one of the twelve casino resorts on the Coast. With top performers like Jay Leno and Bill Cosby, casino shows will entertain you when you're not at the roulette wheel.
Call 800/237-9493 or visit www.gulfcoast.org.
5. The Outer Banks, North Carolina
Escape to the northern coast of North Carolina and experience more than 130 miles of unspoiled coastline. From the Wright Brothers National Monument commemorating their historic flight in the area, to the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and the North Carolina Aquarium, the Outer Banks offer a wealth of weekend exploration.
Action-seeking travelers can choose from hang-gliding, windsurfing or fishing. Enjoy the national parks, wildlife refuges and forests, featuring kayaking, hiking, bird watching and other nature adventures. For a more leisurely weekend, stroll through the art galleries, historic sites or boutiques.
The Atlantic Ocean surrounding the Outer Banks provides an array of fresh local seafood, including tuna, crab, flounder, shrimp, oysters and clams. Many Outer Banks restaurants have nightly specials.
Call 1-877-BY-THE-SEA or visit www.outerbanks.org.
6. South Padre Island, Texas
This tranquil island lies just across the mainland from Laguna Madre Bay. Known for its superb beaches, South Padre Island is the perfect weekend getaway for those who enjoy sun, sand and water sports. Experience a wealth of natural wonders, including the Laguna Madre Nature Trail, a boardwalk that stretches across four acres. The trail will bring you up-close-and-personal with pelicans, roseate spoonbills and other colorful birds.
Take a romantic horseback ride against a backdrop of sand dunes. Sit or splash in the surf or spend some time kayaking or windsurfing. Take a lesson in how to create a magnificent sandcastle. Or maybe you'd rather whoosh down the water slides at Jeremiah's, a cozy water park with seven slides, a video arcade and a snack bar.
Call 1-800-SO-PADRE or visit www.sopadre.com.
7. Galena, Illinois
Just a three-hour drive west of Chicago, this picturesque town lies amid the rolling hills and rugged cliffs of Northwest Illinois. More than 85 percent of Galena consists of National Register Historic Districts with 19th century architecture. Stay at bed-and-breakfasts in restored mansions in town or throughout the outlying countryside. Visit LinMar Gardens, 3.5 acres ablaze with colorful flowers in the summer. Take a fun-filled hayride or a jaunt in a replica of an old-fashioned stagecoach. Tour historic homes, hike nature trails or go bird watching in two state parks.
Call 1-888-8-GALENA or visit www.galena.org.
8. Florida's Space Coast
Just 45 minutes from Orlando, Florida's Space Coast cities - Titusville, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and Palm Bay - offer 72 miles of serene, secluded sandy beaches, seaside horseback riding, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and more.
For an out-of-this-world experience, visit the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Later, get down to earth by strolling through historic districts with antique shops and outdoor cafes. Nature lovers will enjoy the 220-square mile Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge surrounding the NASA Kennedy Space Center. Here you'll observe manatees, bald eagles and Atlantic loggerhead turtles.
Spice up your summer with authentic Cajun food, entertainment and arts and crafts displays at the mid-August Cajun Festival in Cocoa Beach. With over 1,400 restaurants in the area, ranging from casual dining to gourmet eateries, you'll have ample opportunity to savor the local fare.
Call 1-800-USA-1969 or visit www.space-coast.com.
9. Santa Catalina Island, California
Just 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, this gem of an island stretches 21 miles in width and rises to towering peaks as high as 2,000 feet. It's home to many natural wonders, including birds such as the bald eagle, the Catalina quail and red-tailed hawks, as well as wild-roaming animals like the American bison.
Sit back in a helicopter and observe the rugged coastline and secluded vistas. Or take an ecotour in an open-air Jeep along back roads. Boat tours take you to view colonies of sea lions and schools of flying fish. Or opt for a glass bottom boat ride or a submarine tour of the underwater wonders.
Scuba dive, snorkel, bike or kayak, or just sit back and enjoy the scenery. Accommodations range from camping to cozy inns to hotels on this tranquil island.
Call 310/510-1520 or visit www.catalina.com.
10. Billings, Montana
If you want to escape to a sublime combination of the Old West and the New West, plan a weekend in Billings. This town in Southeastern Montana is rich in the history of legendary figures like Calamity Jane, General Custer, Lewis and Clark, Sitting Bull and Buffalo Bill. You'll be surrounded by six stunning mountain ranges available for hiking, biking, fishing, boating or just observing the natural beauty on a leisurely picnic.
Summertime fun includes the Strawberry Jazz and Arts Festival, where you can savor fruity fare while listening to cool jazz on a warm day. July 19 to 22, the big sky of Montana fills with hot air balloons for the Big Skyfest. July 21 to 22 is the annual Summer Fair, and from August 10 to 18, experience MontanaFair, the largest event in the state, which includes a carnival, concerts, rodeos and even horse racing.
Call 800/735-2635 or visit www.billingscvb.visitmt.com.
More on Weekend Getaways
|
