Summer’s here, and that means kids are out of school, the ties are loosening up and vacations are right around the corner. Most find it relaxing to spend their vacations in a far remote island in Southeast Asia or in a ski resort atop the snow capped mountains of Switzerland. However, summer in popular vacations spots could not only cost you a small fortune, but you may end up settling for below-par accommodations due to the surplus of tourists. Why not think outside the box when planning your vacation?
North America is a great destination for people who want to witness the wonders of nature, experience culture and create memories of a lifetime! A great article entitled 31 Places to Go This Summer from the New York Times gives readers an insight on a few places to visit (or live) if you ever find yourself in the Canada or the U.S., they include:
The Eastern Cities
The cities of the Eastern Seaboard of the continental United States encompass Philadelphia, New York City and Boston. If you’re looking for a history fix, these regions may just be for you. Located in the North Atlantic coast, these cities offer rich culture, vibrant cuisine and memorable entertainment. The first spot you may want to visit is Philadelphia, the southernmost city of the three. Known as the city of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia offers visitors tours of historical sights of which there is no comparison.
Further north, New York City is the jewel of the East, housing more than 8 million people in four diverse boroughs. Known as a center of culture, fashion, food and entertainment, NYC promises visitors the vacation of a lifetime.
From museums, ballparks, famous universities, historical sites and beautiful trails, Boston is seen as one of the most popular cities in the Eastern Seaboard. If you ever find yourself in Boston, why not go to a Red Sox game? You may find this American pastime addicting.
Western Roadtrip
If you’re the kind of person that loves road trips, cruising your way toward the western United States may be just what you’re looking for. A roadtrip through the Southwestern-most states will take you to places such as the great Mojave Desert, the legendary Grand Canyon, the famous casinos on The Strip in Las Vegas, the sun-kissed beaches of San Diego and the movie studios and attractions of Los Angeles. If you plan on visiting the Southwest, be sure to plan in advance for the best deals.
Niagara Falls
One of America’s oldest state park, Niagara Falls is considered one of the most popular romantic and wedding destinations in North America. Located on the border of New York State and Ontario, Canada, Niagara Falls offers the beautiful splendor of the natural world with tours of its caves, falls and hiking trails. If you’re looking for a place to have a second honeymoon, this just may be the place.
San Francisco and the Bay Area
With the contrasting colors of the blue Pacific piercing orange hues of the monolithic Golden Gate Bridge, visitors everywhere are experiencing the culture and attractions that the San Francisco has to offer. Nicknamed the Paris of West, San Francisco has something for everyone! With its east-meets-west food scene, psychedelic and punk rock music scene, natural and historical settings, San Francisco is definitely a city to witness first hand.
Montreal
If you’re looking to visit French-speaking country without actually going to France, why not visit France’s little brother, Montreal? A center of entertainment and culture, Montreal has something for both food and music lovers. Hosting a variety of music, art and food festivals, especially in the Summer, Montreal has been rising to the top of the list of most popular francophone destinations in the world. A day in Montreal will be just what you need to immerse yourself in the Quebecois lifestyle. You may finally come to realize what the phrase “joie de vivre” really means.
Railroad to Pacific Northwest
If you’ve ever enjoyed riding the European countryside by rail, you may find yourself doubting whether North America has something for you. What many don’t know is that the North American rail system rivals that of Europe. The U.S. rail system constitutes a network of rails that takes tourists from the bustling city of Chicago, through the Great Plains and national parks of middle America, up to the evergreen forests and metropolitan areas of the Pacific Northwest. There’s no doubt that traveling the U.S. by rail provides visitors one of the most scenic rides that showcases the true beauty of America.
If you’re planning on visiting some keynote cities in North America like New York, San Francisco, or Chicago for a short period of time, make sure you look online for any seasonal deals for hotels and vacations packages. If you want to really experience North America and decide to take a long vacation, sites such as Unclebobs.com can help you store your furniture for an affordable price.
North America has something for everyone: beautiful beaches, snow-capped mountains, scenic forests, panoramic deserts and culture-rich, historical cities. If you’re deciding whether to go to Bali or Monaco this Summer, why not give North America a second look? You won’t be disappointed.
