There are certainly benefits to traveling off-season, that is, traveling during early spring or fall before or after the hectic summer glut. City attractions are less crowded, airfare may be more reasonable, it’s easier to find hotel rooms, and of course those rooms are usually less expensive In fact, for the majority of US vacation destinations, in you have the profound luxury of off-season travel you should take advantage of it.
There is, however, a special class of popular tourism destinations that truly peak during the summer. It’s a class known as
cold places! If the highs are barely hitting the 60s come October, then summer’s the time to visit!
But don’t get ahead of me. Truth is this has less to do with
your comfort than it does with the comfort of the locals. That’s right. The same way that a more southern destination like Dallas, Texas may relish in a joyous Oktoberfest, or even the enormous Texas State Fair, later in the year after the averages begin to shy away from the high 90s, so will these following destinations significantly ramp up their party potential come the warmer months. It’s not better
just because it’s warmer, but rather because the warm weather mentality results in many more things for you, the tourist, to do.
So unless you have a personal attraction to being cold, here are three cities that just can’t wait for winter.
Chicago, Illinois (Average Low for December – 22° F)
Chicago winters are a thing of legend. Somehow the worst storms and freezes of the season manage every year to descend on Chicago in rapid succession. Though its summer highs have a reputation all their own, summer is undoubtedly the time to visit Chicago, and here are three great attractions to consider:
Taste of Chicago
June 27 – July 6, 2008
Live shows, family entertainment, and of course food from over 65 popular Chicago restaurants makes Taste of Chicago the veritable toast of Grant Park every summer. Rich Italian, surprising soul food, and the Chicago-bred deep dish pizzas and hot dogs will leave grease running down your chin and a smile stretching across your face. Expect to see plenty of celebrity chef sightings (another Chicago staple). With so much to do, in fact, one trip probably won’t be enough.
Taste of Chicago is hosted for 10 days in downtown Chicago’s Grant Park. Admission to the festival is free, however their will be concession prices at each individual booth ranging from $1-8.
Architecture Cruises
Although offered year-round, a calm day in late or early summer is the perfect time to experience one of Chicago history buff’s most alluring attractions. Load up on a spacious ferry and cruise the river while an expert docent relays the fascinating history behind well-known landmarks. Eager to answer your questions, these historians are trained to entertain as well as inform, so don’t be shy.
There are a number of cruise companies to choose from with fares ranging from $16-30, the primary difference being the length of the cruise. Quality is consistently good. Common embarkation points include the Wrigley buildings and the Riverside Gardens.
Navy Pier
A premier Chicago attraction beloved by locals as much as the tourists, Navy Pier is a never-ending carnival. Once a bulk shipping pier along the Chicago River, Navy Pier is now home to countless shops, games, street-style food stands, fine dining cafés, and even rides. Pier Park offers carnival-style rides including a 150 ft. Ferris wheel. As an extra summer treat, Navy Pier hosts fireworks displays two nights a week between Memorial and Labor Day.
Admission to Navy Pier is free, however rides, parking, and of course food are not.
Recommendations for your Stay
Hotels in Chicago:
For Chicago, Illinois hotels near Chicago O’Hare Airport.
For downtown Chicago, Illinois hotels along the Magnificent Mile.
The Chicago North Shore is home to several charming suburbs that offer easy access to Chicago with a personality all their own:
For a relaxing Schaumburg, IL hotel.
For a Chicago area hotel in Wood Dale near Itasca.
For fine Chicago North Shore hotels in Deerfield.
Boston, Massachusetts (Average Low for December – 27° F)
New England has the distinct pleasure of a breathtakingly beautiful autumn. Seeing the subtle transformation of verdant greens to fiery reds and oranges is a worthwhile addition to your life’s bucket list. But go a month later and it all turns bad. Crushing blizzards, freezes, subzero temperatures, it’s no way to spend a vacation. Thankfully, they save up the best for the summer months.
Freedom Trail
For a thorough tour of this historic city, the 2.5-mile Freedom Walking Trail is your best bet, and since you’ll spend nearly the entire time outside, you won’t want it to be only 40 degrees. With 16 distinct and intriguing stops to admire including Boston Common, King’s Chapel, the Paul Revere House, the
USS Constitution, and Bunker Hill Monument, you won’t realize that you’re actually getting a nice workout. How many vacation attractions can say that?
You’re free to tackle the trail on your own; however a guided tour may prove more inviting to history fans. Individual tour prices run from $12-43, depending on what special activities are included.
The Fourth of July
A city so entrenched in the profound events of the early United States is sure to know how to celebrate Independence Day. In fact, Boston is the site of the oldest 4th of July celebration in the country. A full day’s worth of excitement stretches across the city, including solemn flag raisings and festive parades, ending in the annual Boston Pops Concert on the esplanade of Charles River. The concert is matched by a brilliant fireworks display.
Almost all of the celebration events are free, including the concert, however seating fills up quick and early, so plan ahead.
Recommendations for your Stay
For your convenience, try this Boston Logan Airport hotel.
Denver, Colorado (Average Low for December – 16° F)
Okay, so Denver does have one thing going for it come wintertime: skiing. It’s the sweet lemonade they’ve made out of the lemons of occasional single-digit temperatures. But unless you’re a ski fan, you should save that trek to the Rockies for the summer. Here are a couple of ideas to get your started:
Cherry Creek State Park
Denver’s mild summers take on an adventurous and utterly revitalizing spirit at Cherry Creek State Park, home of the Cherry Creek Reservoir and countless outdoor activities to enjoy. Cherry Creek is a paradise brimming with first-class hiking, fishing, biking, ice skating, and horse riding, and the views are unrivaled. There are seven official trails of varying difficulty, and the region has been properly groomed for safety without inhibiting the sense of the wild.
Water World
Not just another water park, the 64-acre Water World is among the country’s biggest and most highly rated. Open from late May to Labor Day, the park features nearly fifty tube and body rides along with a long lazy river and vast continuous wave pool. The “Voyage to the Center of the Earth” community tube ride stands out as an unusual favorite. Although it is a water ride, it takes place entirely inside and features highly-themed surroundings like something you might find at Disneyworld. Extensive children’s play areas are also a big hit.
Adult general admissions runs about $34 and carry-in restrictions are very tight so call ahead if you plan to bring food or drink.
Reccommendations for your Stay
Two great hotels for staying near Denver International Airport:
For Denver Airport hotels.
For Denver Tech Center hotels with an available airport shuttle.
And that’s just the start. There are great travel options in the United States no matter the season, but when planning your trip just remember that if it’s too cold to stand outside where you’re going, chances are there won’t be anything to do out there anyways. Live it up, and travel warm!
