Are You Sick of The Summer Heat?

We know that typically, hot summer weather is exactly what Americans are looking for (except for the Southerners, who have other problems). However, what is there to do when it simply becomes too hot?

Even if sunshine is definitely always welcomed in any kind of setting, the summer months can sometimes become simply unbearable, mostly due to the hot temperatures and humidity. That’s when we try to turn to a cooler breeze and a little bit of shade, where mild temperatures let us breathe and think. If you’re in a very similar situation and you’re looking for colder places, well, you need to read this article!

Woods Hole, Massachusetts

In Woods Hole, you will discover there’s only a population of under 800 people, and yet, it’s one of the most charming places in the southwestern corner of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

The home of the Woods Hole Science Aquarium (which is also the oldest in America), the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the 19th-century Nobska Lighthouse, summers in this small community are always quite adventurous.

Moreover, you can actually have plenty of fun. On top of that, daily highs hover around 25 degrees Celsius, which definitely makes it the ideal place to shelter yourself from the heat.

Hood River, Oregon

Only 95 kilometers from the city of Portland, the port town of Hood River is located at the meeting point of the Columbia River and Hood River. It’s also surrounded by a wide variety of fruit orchards.

The coastal breezes from the rivers and the Pacific Ocean make it one of the coolest and most pleasurable places to visit throughout the summer. It’s also a fairly popular destination for kiteboarding and windsurfing if that’s your thing. Most tourists come here to see the gorgeous waterfalls along the Columbia River and, of course, to visit the wine country close to Mount Hood.

Carmel-By-The-Sea, California

Considering that the daily highs here are around 20 to 22 degrees Celsius in the summer months, we can safely say that Carmel-by-the-Sea is definitely one of the best places to hide from the heat with your family.

Located on one of the most sought-after places on California’s Pacific Coast Highway and a bit south of Monterey Bay, this tiny city features hills, cliffs, and wide vistas along the coast. The city has always been at the top of the list for many tourists, artists, and writers. In fact, there’s a sea of old houses and cottages scattered in the city, with plenty of locally owned galleries and studios waiting for you to visit them.

Traverse City, Michigan

Summer temperatures in Traverse City usually range from 24 to 26 degrees Celsius, which makes this town located on the shores of Lake Michigan an ideal place to hide from the heat. Also known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,”  visitors will definitely find tons of things to do here, mainly cherry-related.

From cherry-picking to tasting an assortment of cherry products at the local shops and restaurants around the city, the fact that you can shelter here in the summer months is just “the cherry on top.”

Moreover, in July, there’s a National Cherry Festival, where 500,000 visitors come here every year, while the area’s surrounding countryside awaits with another fruity delight: grapes and wine production.

Durango, Colorado

Durango is a railroad town located along the San Juan Mountains, and it’s definitely a great place to hide from the southwest’s often scorching summer heatwaves. Visitors can hop on a train ride on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge rail lines to the closest mining site in Silverton.

Or, they can take a wet and cool raft ride on the Animas River if they are brave enough and don’t mind dealing with a little bump on the road here and there (everywhere, to be honest). Also, at the neighboring Purgatory Resort, outdoor lovers can dive into mountain biking, ziplining, and hiking, all in a “warm” atmosphere of only 25 degrees Celsius.

Bryson City, North Carolina

On the southern side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park lies Bryson City, an ideal place for summer outdoor fun with temperatures that don’t go higher than 20 degrees Celsius. Lovers of whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, and other outdoor activities will find a great deal of fun things to do in Bryson City.

In the meantime, the Nantahala Outdoor Center provides all sorts of boat rentals, hiking trails, and stores that will make your time there more entertaining and interesting.

Ouray, Colorado

The county seat of Ouray County, in Ouray, hosts some of the best and breezy summer temperatures. Just to get an idea, they never go higher than 20 degrees Celsius. Surrounded by mountains and cliffs, the town is also known as the “Switzerland of America,”  and it’s the ideal spot for climbing, biking, and hiking.

With some of the best views of the San Juan Mountains, visitors will definitely love the panoramic vistas of Ouray. In the town center, history aficionados can admire breathtaking Victorian-era buildings from the town’s mining past. Moreover, Main Street has been fully designated a National Historic District!

Leavenworth, Washington

Designed after a typical German Bavarian town, Leavenworth has a full schedule all year round. During the summer months, tourists can enjoy leisure time on the Wenatchee River, with all kinds of interesting activities like fishing (here’s a great fishing rod holder for your gear), rafting, hiking, and biking through the numerous trails.

If you’re into shopping, you can visit their charming boutiques and then try an authentic German American meal at any of the local restaurants. But what completely captured our hearts are the summer temperatures in the mid to high 20s, which makes Leavenworth a true capsule to a completely different world!

Jackson, Wyoming

Jackson, a historic Western town, is the ideal gateway to both the Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Probably one of the reasons why Jackson boasts such breezy temperatures relies on the fact that it’s surrounded by majestic mountain scenery.

But its wildlife and the wide range of outdoor activities are two other things that make this town such an ideal summer escape. The historic district has wooden walkways and vintage saloons, and the downtown boasts local eateries, shops, art galleries, and small theaters that continue to attract tourists from all over the world.

Stowe, Vermont

In Stowe, the daily high temperatures you should expect from June to August revolve around 18 degrees Celsius, which makes it the ideal “cave” for scorching summers. If you’re into outdoor activities, you’ll be pleased to know that Stowe Recreation Path runs for 8.5 km.

You can also stroll over the charming wooden pedestrian bridges and stop at boutique shops and local restaurants located on Mountain Road. It’s true that Stowe is mainly known as the ideal location for skiing in the wintertime, but many Americans prefer coming here in the summer months as well.

Sun Valley, Idaho

Sun Valley is a resort city located in Blaine County, and you might have heard of it because it’s one of the few places with many hours of sunshine. But another amazing thing about the Sun Valley is that during the summer, you can enjoy more bearable temperatures that don’t go higher than 20 degrees Celsius, which makes it the ideal place to visit during your holiday.

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