5 last minute summer vacations!
Many of us can already sense autumn just around the corner. Some of us may already be daydreaming of pumpkins and falling leaves. But summer isn’t over yet! Labor Day weekend is here, a long holiday weekend perfect for last summer hurrahs and getaways.
We’ve curated a list of five sizzling spots that have been hot all summer long and where warm, sunny days are still on the calendar. If you haven’t gotten away yet this summer or just need one more escape, make it happen in these last few weeks of summer and consider one of these top destinations.
O’ahu
The Hawaiian Islands have become synonymous with “vacation” and “escape” since the 1950s and the island of O’ahu is the perfect last-minute summer vacation. It offers everything we seek from this string of islands in the Pacific, along with its own unique sights. Spend your days relaxing on sandy beaches or beneath banyan trees, taking surf lessons and listening to hula music, and exploring the lush, prehistoric landscapes we dream of on the Mainland. Be sure to also visit Pearl Harbor National Memorial, stroll along iconic Waikiki Beach, and immerse yourself in the subculture of Waimea Bay.
We suggest you try:
Food hopping around the island...shrimp trucks, pancakes houses, shaved ice stands, poke places, and Chinatown
Visiting UNESCO World Heritage site, Byodo-In Temple, a detailed replica of the 1,000-year-old Byodo-In Temple in Japan
Hiking the Diamond Head Summit Trail to take in views of the volcanic crater and Honolulu beyond
Kayaking out to Chinaman’s Hat, an island off of the East shore
Splurging on a helicopter tour to get a different view of the Jurassic landscape
Puerto Rico
This tropical island in the Caribbean entices with rum and salsa dancing, cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial buildings, a stunning coastline, and a lush interior. You will feel worlds away from everyday life as you sip piña coladas, scuba dive turquoise waters, and fall asleep to the beats of Latin music. And yet, because Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, you won’t even need your passport for this summer escape! End the season with the magic of Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays and old forts, the flavors of mofongo and lechón, and the beauty of the island’s waterfalls and forests.
We suggest you try:
Booking photoshoot in front of the distinct Parque de Bombas de Ponce, or Old Ponce Fire Station, more than 100 years old
Taking a private tour of the El Yunque waterfalls
Conquering “The Monster,” the 8,300-foot long zipline in Toro Verde, considered the longest zipline in the world
Exploring the moats, tunnels, and interior of Fort San Cristobal, one of the biggest fortresses on the American continent
Eating your way along the “pork highway” of Guavate, where restaurants specialize in lechón, a whole-pig, slow-roasted over an open fire
Miami
If you're after a tropical climate and Latin vibe but can’t get out of the States, Miami is the place for your final summer romp. The city is a blend of turquoise waters, neon signs, palm trees, skyscrapers, and white sandy beaches. Lounge under umbrellas at iconic pools or along renowned Miami Beach, or cool yourself in the city’s many museums, art galleries, and luxury boutiques. And there won’t be any reason to slow down come nightfall when Miami’s famous night scene comes alive. Those wanting to temper this nonstop tempo with some peaceful nature will find countless escapes at state and national parks.
We suggest you try:
Experiencing a unique photoshoot in front of the amazing street murals of Wynwood Art District or the many Art Deco hotels on Ocean Drive
Spending a lazy, sun-soaked day on Miami Beach
Taking in the city lights and Biscayne Bay from one of the many rooftop bars Downtown
Immersing yourself in Miami’s Latin culture, flavors, and sounds with a visit to Little Havana and Little Haiti
Experiencing the incredible nature and wildlife at Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park
San Francisco
San Francisco is magical year-round, but if you’re after a city that stays cool during the summer months while offering everything from resident parrots to warm fortune cookies, it’s the perfect destination. Explore countless neighborhoods steeped in the many cultures that have gravitated here, from Japantown to Chinatown, North Beach to the Mission District. The city is vibrant, colorful, and romantic all at once, with cable cars, piers, parks, museums, and world-class restaurants bursting from its six-square miles, high on a hill and overlooking its famous bay. You might even get some of that famous S.F. fog!
We suggest you try:
Spending the afternoon at the Legion of Honor Museum then watching the sunset from Lands End Trail
Booking a photoshoot in front of one of the city’s famous sights, from the Victorian “Painted Ladies” of Alamo Square Park to the Golden Gate Bridge at Marshall Beach
Eating dim sum at the 100-year-old Hang Ah Tea Room in Chinatown then shopping for the perfect silk robe
Catching a show at one of the city’s famous music venues like The Fillmore, The Masonic, or the Warfield Theater
Enjoying the many attractions, from bison to Japanese Gardens, in Golden Gate Park
Los Cabos
In Baja California, Mexico you’ll find a summer getaway that treats you to two towns just 30 minutes apart, both offering dazzling desert and glittering water, utter relaxation, and nonstop diversions. Those seeking luxury resorts, nightlife and dancing, waterside cabanas, and beach-to-bar energy head to Cabo San Lucas. Those dreaming of art galleries, street food, and strolling down quiet colonial streets opt for San Jose del Cabo. Either way, there are beaches and water activities, local flavors, and sunsets perfect for the last days of summer.
We suggest you try:
Kayaking to El Arco, a beautiful rock arch with the Sea of Cortez meets the ocean
Participating in the release of baby turtles into the Sea of Cortez at sunset
Taking surf lessons in nearby Todos Santos, a surfing hotspot in Mexico
Exploring the desert, canyons, and dunes by ATV at Wild Canyon Adventure Park
Dancing the night away in Cabo San Lucas at one of its famous nightclubs, like El Squid Roe or Blue Marlin Ibiza