Vacation This Summer Without the Heat to These 6 Cool Destinations

Traveling is one of the most rewarding things to pursue in life—seeing new places, experiencing local history, and meeting new people can be so exciting.

But traveling during summertime is often filled with hot days at the beach and unforgiving humidity. If you ever feel uncomfortable in hot climates with lots of sun, we know exactly where to travel to stay cool this summer.

Non-tropical locations can be the perfect way to still travel during June and July on a budget—beaches all across the world are popular and expensive during peak travel months.

The heat can really be overrated with all the extra work it brings, like remembering sunscreen, towels, and food for the beach, umbrellas, and swimsuits—that haul can get really heavy for just a day trip!

Venturing to a colder destination may be just the solution you didn’t know you needed this summer. Stay warm in your lodging areas and inside, then escape to the wintery magic of ice caves, waterfalls, cliffs, and more!

If you dislike heat and tropical destinations, there are places that will still fill that craving for exploration without blistering weather. Here are some favorite places for where to vacation this summer.

Enjoy your time off your way by beating the heat!

The Northern Lights, Alaska

You’ve probably seen the Northern Lights in movies and dreamt of seeing them yourself—the end of summer and autumn are great times to see them in all their glory!

The lights are visible at all times of the year, but the warmer months typically see a more brilliant display.

Traveling to see them at the outskirts of town is an excellent way to get away from the crowds (and the heat.) This could be one of your best summer vacations ever, seeing such magnificent natural wonder!

As a result of solar wind activity, this astrological phenomenon looks like color-changing curtains dancing across the night sky. Originally named “Aurora borealis,” which means the “dawn of the north,” the lights have been observed since ancient times.

Let the snow and the magic of these dancing lights be the highlight of your summer.

Learn more about visiting the Northern Lights in Alaska >

The Coasts of Ireland

The land of rolling hills of green is a great place to visit this summer. Often raining gently with a mild breeze, the island usually stays fairly cool. And with several breathtaking coasts across its lands, you’ll be transported to a magical land.

Our favorite places are:

Giant’s Causeway

Ireland is a land of tall tales and ancient fairytales, and the Giant’s Causeway is no exception. Legend says that the area was once home to a giant named Finn McCool. When Benandonner — a Scottish giant—threatened Ireland, Finn tore parts of the coastline and its rock to throw at his rival.

The rock formations are bizarre yet completely natural — columns of varying heights in hexagon shapes were carved out by volcanic activity. Be sure you don’t miss these must-see sites while visiting, from the Camel to the Wishing Chair, it’s a place you won’t want to leave.

A little more than an hour’s drive from Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland has its own great history and lively atmosphere worth exploring.

Learn more about Giant’s Causeway >

Cliffs of Moher

Featured in classic movies like The Princess Bride and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, these spectacular cliffs give a majestic view of the sea. A haven of wildlife, the cliffs stretch for 5 miles along the Atlantic Ocean.

On the West Coast near Galway, the natural splendor has inspired poets, artists, and musicians for centuries. The view has never been more inspirational.

The drive up itself is a natural wonder to behold, so enjoy the view while you drive in.

Learn more about the Cliffs of Moher >

The Ring of Kerry

No visit to Ireland is complete without a visit to the Ring of Kerry. This road in the southwestern tip of Ireland takes you through 10,000 years of history and the majesty of Ireland’s natural world.

Ancient brick walls still stand where monasteries and grand castles once ruled the land, marking places where great battles raged back in the day.

From thick forests to magnificent waterfalls and winding rivers to the crashing waves of the ocean against the towering cliffside, it’s an adventure you won’t forget.

Learn more about the Ring of Kerry >

Niagara Falls (U.S. and Canada)

Say hello to a cool-down! The misty atmosphere around the memorable waterfall is the perfect summer getaway to keep you nice and cool.

This epic waterfall has been the site of inspiration and awe since the beginning of time. The Cave of Winds is nearby to see the waterfalls in all their wonder from a different angle.

There are many tours and attractions available to see the state park that hosts Niagara on both the American and Canadian sides, with hiking trails, the Maid of the Mist boat tour, dining, and more.

Niagara Falls is one of those natural wonders everyone needs to see at least once in their lifetime. It’s definitely one of the best places to visit in the world!

Learn more about Niagara Falls >

Ice Caves, Swiss Alps

This summer, experience the winter wonderland of ice and the beauty of glaciers. Ice caves dwell beneath giant glaciers, creating beautiful refractions of light and havens of rock and ice formations.

Switzerland has some of the best ice caves known to man. A naturally formed ice cave the size of a cathedral was discovered in the Swiss Alps and is the perfect place to feel transported instantly to a different world.

Many areas of the world have guided tours of ice caves, the best being in Switzerland and Iceland. Depending on which cave you want to visit, different times of the year will allow better access and temperatures for your journey, but typically late summer is a great time frame to look at.

Learn more about Ice Caves >

Find Your Perfect Summer Travel Destination

Traveling in the summer doesn’t have to be an overheated nightmare — the beauty of cool destinations is that they can be visited all year round, but are especially empty and a little less frigid during the summer.

Places that are naturally blanketed in the snow all year long are a great place to visit to give you a break from summer outdoor activities like trekking to beaches, hot hikes, and melting by the pool.

You’ll be delighted to try something new while staying cool and comfortable this summer. You never know, adventure might even be right around the corner!

Explore excursions in Alaska and more >

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