25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Americans are traveling almost as much as they were before the pandemic. Pre- and post-travel COVID testing has become a regular part of trip plans, and the rising cost of gas is not deterring Americans from taking road trips. Anything near the water or a national park continues to garner enthusiastic interest, especially among families looking for safe gathering places. Many have taken the plunge and are traveling internationally, with European destinations like Athens, London, Rome, and Paris seeing renewed popularity.
We have put together a list of 25 destinations that should fit the wishes of most travelers this summer, from the low-key to the magnificent.
Willamette Valley, Oregon
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Wine lovers flock to this 150-mile-long valley that runs from Portland to Eugene, but there's so much more. Brilliant sunshine and temperature highs in the 70s make summer an ideal time to take in the sights along the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway or kayak and fish in the Willamette National Forest's Clear Lake. If the temperature rises, experience refreshing mists along the Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park.
Adventures of a different sort can be found along the South and Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trails, which highlight local producers and restaurants that serve chinook and steelhead salmon, apples, berries, lavender-flavored goodies, and other homegrown delicacies. Pick-your-own farms dot the valley. Oenophiles may have brain lock with 700 wineries to choose from, each having its own style and varietals. Oregon's craft beer makers also have a big presence, including one of the few breweries in the United States that is owned and operated by monks.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
The 8-square-mile spring-fed lake became known as the "Newport of the West" when Chicago's industrial kingpins built their summer homes along its shore. Many still-standing mansions can be observed up close via the 21-mile Geneva Lake Shore Path or from the deck of a paddlewheeler. Swim at a sandy beach, rent a pontoon boat, or go zip-lining for some family fun.
Golfers have their choice of three championship courses at the Geneva National Resort & Club or the dozen or so along the Lake Geneva Area Golf Trail. Book a class at the Lake Geneva School of Cooking or learn how to fly fish, play tennis, or water ski. Peruse the gardens at Black Point Estate, the 19th century Queen Anne–style residence of brewer Conrad Seipp. Scan the skies at the Yerkes Observatory, home to the world's largest refracting telescope.
Block Island, Rhode Island
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Block Island, Rhode Island
At 7-by-3 miles with a year-round population of 1000, Block Island tends to mainly attract day-trippers who ferry over from Point Judith and alight in New Shoreham for lunch and shopping. Those who stay are rewarded with laid-back small-town life. One third of the island is protected from development; there are no high-rise condos, just a handful of B&Bs, a marina hotel, and a smattering of Victorian-era layer-cake hotels perched on bluffs, situated to catch ever-present sea breezes.
It's easy to explore by bike. Ride through stone-walled fields on Corn Neck Road, stopping to hike out to the rock-strewn Mansion Beach. Continue north to the massive dunes at Sandy Point and the 1829 North Light, or stop at Southeast Light atop the 200-ft Mohegan Bluffs and climb the 141 stairs down to the isolated beach. Beginners and experts can try kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding on one of the island's many ponds. Local seafood is not to be missed — swordfish, yellowfin tuna, squid, lobster, and the quahog clam — and a sweet scoop to finish it off is easy to find.
Ogunquit, Maine
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Ogunquit, Maine
In the Abenaki Indigenous language, Ogunquit means "beautiful place by the sea." Artists have enjoyed the town's charms for the past century, but visitors by the tens of thousands come now for the 3-mile-long, wide sandy beach — a rarity in Maine. It is especially popular with families, who push strollers along the clifftop paved 1.25-mile Marginal Way for easily accessible views of the coastline.
Those looking for a more strenuous hike can head to the trails around Mount Agamenticus. The town radiates old-fashioned New England charm, complete with lobster shacks, art galleries, diners dishing out stacks of blueberry pancakes, candy purveyors, and antique shops. The Ogunquit Museum of American Art, which also has a 3-acre sculpture garden, and the Ogunquit Playhouse offer cultural diversions.
Solana Beach, California
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Solana Beach, California
Just north of Del Mar, Solana Beach offers a San Diego experience without the big-city vibe. Locals and tourists spend weekends cruising the 2.5-block Cedros Design District, looking for art, food, drinks, and fun at some 85 different shops. The district is also home to the Sunday farmers market, which, in addition to local food, wine, beer, and crafts, has an open-air food court. The Belly Up Tavern, in operation since 1974, draws national blues, rock, folk, and Americana acts.
Solana's dramatic cliff-backed beaches are a huge draw for swimmers, surfers, sunbathers, and nature-lovers. Fletcher Cove Beach, with a protected inlet and grassy park at the top, is most popular. Explore the tidal pools at Tide Beach Park. San Elijo State Beach has camping, swimming, surfing, and a reef that attracts snorkelers and divers. Hikers can find 7 miles of trails at the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Reserve, a shallow-water estuary where the Escondido and La Orilla Creeks meet the Pacific.
Deep Creek Lake, Maryland
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Deep Creek Lake, Maryland
Perched in the far western corner of Maryland, Deep Creek Lake is the state's largest freshwater lake. Families have been vacationing here since the lake was created in the 1920s to generate hydroelectric power. The 65 miles of shoreline provide plenty of nooks and crannies to explore by kayak, canoe, jet ski or motorboat. High-quality bass fishing makes the lake popular for tournaments.
Because much of the land around the lake is private, hikers head to Deep Creek State Park for its trails or to nearby Swallow Falls State Park to bathe in the swimming holes created by the Youghiogheny River. Whitewater enthusiasts can try their luck on the manmade recirculating rapids at the top of the Wisp Resort. The ski area also offers zip lines, chair-lift rides, and two 18-hole golf courses. Got bored kids? There's laser tag, mini golf, go-karts, and video games in several arcades.
Homer, Alaska
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Homer, Alaska
In a state that's off the beaten path, Homer is even further off the path at the end of Kenai Peninsula, a 4- to 5-hour drive from Anchorage. It's long attracted hippies, artists, and fisherman who troll the halibut-abundant waters. Part of Homer, including some of its more popular restaurants, boatyards, and a giant RV park, is on a spit of land that juts 5 miles into gorgeous Kachemak Bay. The Homer Spit has stupendous views of fjords buttressed by the snow-capped peaks of the Kachemak Bay State Wilderness Park, a destination for thrilling hikes.
Tourists swell the town's population in summer, looking to mountain bike, fish for halibut and salmon, and to take bush flights to view grizzly and brown bears in the wild. Sea-kayak trips in calm bay waters reveal whales, porpoises, seals, and otters. The Pratt Museum serves as a catch-all cultural institution, highlighting art, natural history, Native cultures, homesteading, fishing, marine ecology, and native plants.
Lake Placid, New York
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Lake Placid, New York
Site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, Lake Placid has long drawn winter sports enthusiasts. But the town and surrounding area in the Adirondack Mountains shine just as brightly in summer. Lake Placid is a good base for hiking, biking, and exploring the magnificent Adirondack wilderness. There are some 2000 miles of trails for all levels. Take a hike on one of the 46 High Peaks, comprising over 4000 ft of trail, or stroll the 2.6-mile loop around Mirror Lake. If you prefer something less strenuous, drive to the summit of Whiteface Mountain for stunning views. Stay in a grand old-world ski lodge or rent a lakeside cabin and launch a kayak or stand-up paddleboard from your yard.
Take an elevator to the top of the 90-meter ski jump for amazing views, or ride the Cliffside Coaster, which parallels the 1980 Olympic bobsled track. The kids will love The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, with its live animals, interactive walking trails, suspension bridges, and a trampoline that looks like a spider web.
Savannah, Georgia
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Savannah, Georgia
Combining the food, style, and history of New Orleans and Charleston, Savannah is leaping up the list of hip destinations in the "New South." The historic district's 18th and 19th century buildings — many with ironwork details — and the Spanish Moss-draped live oaks echo the Crescent City, as does the partycentric River Street area. Critics have anointed Savannah one of the next foodie meccas. Southern staples — always heavily influenced by African foodways — are getting even more tweaks from eager young chefs. Boutique hotels with rooftop cocktails are a good way to end a walking tour centered around the art galleries of the Starland District.
Book a tour of the 160-acre Bonaventure Cemetery. Among notables buried there are poet Conrad Aiken and Johnny Mercer, songwriter extraordinaire. When it gets too hot, head to the SCAD Museum of Art, the Jepson Center for the Arts, or historic landmarks like the 1770s-era First African Baptist Church, a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Winter Park, Colorado
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Winter Park, Colorado
Nestled at 9000 ft in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests 67 miles west of Denver, the Winter Park ski area has become a year-round destination. There's no shortage of outdoor activities: mountain biking; golf; mini golf; hiking to high-mountain meadows strewn with wildflowers; kayaking, paddleboarding, and whitewater rafting on the nearby Colorado River; fly-fishing; rock climbing; horseback riding; yoga; zip lines; and hot-air balloon tours.
Get a thrill from your seat at the once-weekly High Country Stampede Rodeo in Fraser, as you careen downhill on the 40 miles of bike trails at Trestle Bike Park, or while you or whoosh down the 3000-ft alpine slide. Maybe tubing down an astroturf-covered slope is more your speed. Winter Park is also a great base to explore Rocky Mountain National Park. The Rendezvous Event Center hosts a different festival each month (blues, jazz, country; beer, wine) and a free concert every Thursday.
Skagit Valley, Washington
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Skagit Valley, Washington
An agricultural epicenter known for its miles of daffodil and tulip fields, which are celebrated at spring festivals, the valley that is 60 miles north of Seattle offers a relaxed rustic experience on sunny and long summer days. The rural region is defined by small towns and the Skagit River, which runs out of the nearby Cascade Mountains into Puget Sound, bringing with it five varieties of salmon — and the bald eagles that feed on them. The Skagit Wildlife Area offers prime bird-viewing.
Summer is the best time to stay on a farm or visit U-pick farms and farmers markets for fresh berries, fish, oysters, and produce. Explore the valley's pastoral history via a self-guided heritage barn tour, or follow the Skagit Farm to Pint Ale Trail and learn how locally grown hops and barley make it into your glass. The Museum of Northwest Art highlights Indigenous art and culture, and the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum features traditional and contemporary textiles.
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
A half-hour south of Daytona Beach, this seaside town is known for surfing and ample wildlife viewing, especially in the Indian River Lagoon, a brackish inlet that acts as a safe harbor for birds, fish, dolphin, manatee, and other marine species. Take a guided kayak tour or a pontoon trip led by a naturalist from the Marine Discovery Center. Many come for the 17 miles of beach — much of it public (and some of it dog-friendly), including the vast Smyrna Dunes Park.
The town encourages a "trail" mentality to exploring, with itineraries highlighting local shopping, beer, spirits, arts, music, farmers markets, and history. The Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum, a unique portrayal of small-town Black culture, is a stop on the history trail. Check out the exhibitions by artists-in-residence at the Atlantic Center for the Arts or attend an art walk on the five-block main drag, Flagler Avenue.
Santa Ynez Valley, California
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Santa Ynez Valley, California
Inland from Santa Barbara sits a less-discovered wine region — even though it was the setting for Sideways, the 2004 wine-focused road trip comedy. The Valley, nestled between the Santa Ynez and San Rafael mountains, has many varietals: from big Syrahs to crisp Sauvignon Blancs, ripe Pinot Noirs to bold Cabernets. Small towns dot the valley — each with its own character and shopping and restaurant scenes (with ex-pat New York and LA chefs) — from the agricentric Los Olivos to Solvang, which was founded by Danish immigrants in 1911.
Designated driver services are available, or explore the vineyards by bike or e-bike. Take in the refreshing 80-foot-drop of Nojoqui Falls or head to the ocean and enjoy the hot springs and longer trails at Gaviota State Park. In Solvang, eat aebleskivers (a Danish donut hole) and visit the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art and the Hans Christian Andersen Museum.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Wind River Range, Wyoming
With scenery to rival the ever-popular Tetons, Wyoming's Wind River mountains are an undiscovered gem;13,000-ft snow-capped granite peaks? Check. Clear, cool mountain lakes? Check. Glaciers? Check. Elks, moose, grizzlies, pronghorns, and wolves? Yes. Hikers and campers come for the blissful solitude and to walk the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. It is a destination for those looking to truly get off the grid. Hire a guide from the nearby Wind River Reservation for a thrilling whitewater trip through Wind River Canyon. Learn more about Native cultures at the Northern Arapaho Experience Culture Room and the Shoshone Tribal Cultural Center.
Book a fly-fishing guide and hook some brook, rainbow, or cutthroat trout in one of the alpine lakes. Pinedale — at 7000 ft — is one of the closest towns for services. Its Museum of the Mountain Man celebrates those rugged individuals every July with a 2-day festival; the museum also hosts a free music series all summer.
Emerald Isle, North Carolina
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Emerald Isle, North Carolina
Part of the southern Outer Banks, this barrier island offers 12 miles of sandy beach, fewer crowds than the northern section, and endless water sports. Surfers and kite surfers can test their mettle on the ocean, whereas the calm waters of Bogue Sound are perfect for kayaking, windsurfing, and paddle boarding. Fish from the Bogue Inlet Pier or charter a boat to go after Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, red drum, sheepshead, and black drum. Bring your catch home or just let one of the island's chefs shower you with the local bounty — including shrimp, blue crabs, and oysters.
Shell hunters converge on The Point, a huge sandbar at the island's southern tip. Even better shelling and solitude can be found at Hammocks Beach State Park and Bear Island, reachable only by ferry or kayak. Take a cool walk at Emerald Isle Woods Park. Off the beach, there's a massive water park and the North Carolina Aquarium, both of which will keep the kids entertained.
Flagstaff, Arizona
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Flagstaff, Arizona
With daytime highs around 80 and evening lows in the 50s, Flagstaff — at 6900 feet — is a cool, in all senses, escape. Flagstaff is a popular base camp for visits to the Grand Canyon but offers plenty on its own, especially for adventure seekers. Hike off the 11,500-foot summit at the Snowbowl resort, explore one of the hundreds of trails in the Coconino National Forest, or rent a fat-tire bike for a ramble on some single track in what is considered a mountain-biking mecca. Learn about the area's volcanic beginnings at the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Arizona's Indigenous peoples at the Wupatki National Monument and the Walnut Canyon National Monument.
Splurge on access to the Lowell Observatory telescope where you and nine guests can stargaze for 75 minutes. Historic Route 66 runs through central Flagstaff; use it as a jumping-off point to wander the Old West shops and sights of the historic downtown and railroad district.
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Situated on the north shore of 25-mile-long Lake Coeur d'Alene, this midsized town has become a destination for second-home buyers and tourists seeking recreation and relaxation. The lake is a central attraction in summer, where boaters, paddlers, and jet skiers take to the water. With hundreds more lakes and rivers nearby, the region lures migrating waterfowl, eagles, ospreys, and other wildlife. The 88-acre Cougar Bay Preserve is a prime site for seeing birds, moose, beavers, and otters.
Runners, walkers, and cyclists have two paved paths to choose from: the 23-mile North Idaho Centennial Trail and the 73-mile Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes. For an easier walk, head to the city's Tubbs Hill park, which juts out into the lake. Locals sunbathe at the City Park and Beach and then head to the Coeur d'Alene Resort for a sunset cocktail. The main drag, Sherman Ave, is a good place to while away an afternoon shopping, take in the Museum of North Idaho, and then finish up with a grilled soy-marinated tri-tip steak and a local IPA.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
This hilly little town in the Ozark Mountains has attracted health-seekers since the early 19th century and hit its stride in the 1890s, hence the preponderance of Victorian gingerbread–like houses. The entire town is a historic district, making it seem like a time capsule. It's quaint but not staid; with ghost and cemetery tours and drag shows, the town does not shy from showing off its eccentric and diverse nature.
Delve into the past at the Eureka Springs Historical Museum or by visiting some of the old springs while following a downtown trail. You can no longer absorb the healing waters, but there are plenty of spas in town that offer a modern-day equivalent. Peruse the art scene on the second-Saturday gallery stroll; shop for leather biker gear, candy, local honey, antiques, and jewelry; or make reservations at one of almost 100 restaurants in the area. You can get your heart pumping on one of the hiking or biking trails at Lake Leatherwood City Park or Black Bass Lake.
Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada
One-hundred-mile–long Manitoulin Island on Lake Huron is the world's largest freshwater island; it's so big that it has more than 100 inland lakes. The island has been inhabited for more than 9000 years and is home to six First Nations preserves. Many visit for Indigenous-led tours and to appreciate the Native culture and arts showcased by the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation. Arrive by car or boat at Little Current, a port of entry for American visitors or those who are on Great Lakes cruises. The main street features a general store that has been run by the same family since the late 1800s; a museum upstairs is dedicated to the family's and town's history.
There's a smattering of restaurants and a brewery featuring ales named for the historic swing bridge, a town trail (the Cup and Saucer Trail), and nearby Bridal Veil Falls. Come August, the island goes crazy for haw berries, the red fruit of the pervasive hawthorn tree; islanders are known as "haweaters." Providence Bay is a popular destination for families thanks to its sandy beach, vacation rentals, and fish-and-chips joints, with freshly fried local whitefish.
Reno, Nevada
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Reno, Nevada
You can still get a quickie wedding or gamble the night away, but Reno has made itself known as hip, with a burgeoning tech industry and a vibrant food, cocktail, and art scene. Eye-popping murals and sculptures reflect the spirit of Burning Man, the annual desert festival. Fantastic hiking, biking, rock climbing, and boating can be had an hour away in Lake Tahoe, but it's just as easy to hit nearby Peavine Mountain, midtown Hunter Creek Trail with its payoff waterfall, or the wooded trails of Galena Creek. Whitewater is the name of the game in Reno.
At Wingfield Park — an island in the Truckee River, which cuts through the center of the city — kayakers, rafters, and tubers can run the class 2-3 rapids and do tricks in the play pools. Watch from the walkways of the Riverwalk shopping, arts, and food district. Car freaks will want to visit the National Automobile Museum, with more than 200 vintage vehicles. The 70,000-square-foot modernist Nevada Museum of Art offers both intriguing exhibitions and fantastic city and desert views.
Wellfleet, Massachusetts
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Wellfleet, Massachusetts
You'll leave the crowds behind when you pull up to Wellfleet, a quintessential New England small town (population: 2900) with saltbox architecture, high-steepled churches, lobster and clam shacks, and ice-cream parlors. It's known for its delectable oysters and massive sand dunes, protected from development as part of the 40-mile Cape Cod National Seashore. Explore the park from the Great Island Trail, which affords views of Wellfleet Harbor, tidal marshes, Cape Cod Bay, and abundant birdlife.
The Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is another prime bird- and animal-watching area. Spend a morning cycling down the Cape Cod Rail Trail, reward yourself with a croissant at the local French-style bakery, and then head to the big flea market. Wellfleet's creatives show off their work in the more than 20 galleries in town and at the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, which runs plays, music, and comedy shows through the summer. Or take the kids to the retro drive-in for a movie.
Orange Beach, Alabama
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Orange Beach, Alabama
A collection of barrier islands at the Florida-Alabama line, Orange Beach is aiming to increase its family-friendly vibe. It recently nixed development of two 36-story towers in favor of public beach access and a retail complex. The 8 miles of sand is a main draw, but nature-lovers can also find heaven on the 25-miles of trails at Gulf State Park or on a dolphin-watching trip into the Gulf.
Anyone in search of a good time will probably find it at the giant entertainment, shopping, and dining complex, The Wharf, which has a 112-foot-tall Ferris wheel and live music amphitheater that features national acts. With so much shoreline, it's never a chore to find waterfront dining — whether a quiet evening at a fine restaurant or a rum punch at a raucous beach bar. Learn how to blow glass or throw a pot at the Coastal Arts Center.Take the kids to Bamahenge, a replica of Stonehenge, or to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, where they might be able to pet a sloth.
The Azores
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
The Azores
The stunning nine-island Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic is focused on sustainability by capping hotel rooms, limiting visitors, and fiercely protecting natural areas. But tourists are surely welcome to the natural wonder, which has a lush Hawaiian vibe with its dark volcanic rock, deep blue seas, and spring-green hillsides. Blooming hydrangeas — introduced by Portuguese settlers — are ubiquitous during the summer. Coffee, tea, and pineapple all grow here. The small towns radiate Portuguese charm. Arrive in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel, where it's possible to hike into an ancient volcano caldera or bathe in a natural hot spring surrounded by lush tropical vegetation in Furnas.
On Pico, attempt the ascent of the 7700-foot Mt Pico. Be sure to sample Pico's wines, derived from the volcanic soils with Portuguese expertise. The Azores was a whaling epicenter; now the archipelago hosts divers and tourists who come to see sperm and blue whales, dolphins, rays, turtles, and other marine life that congregate in nutrient-rich waters. Seafood is abundant — particularly tuna — and island specialties include two shellfish: lapas (limpets), usually grilled, and cracas (barnacles).
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
British Columbia's very British small (under 100,000 residents) capital (in the shadow of Vancouver) is a showcase of colonial architecture, First Nations culture, and natural beauty. Victoria is also home to Canada's oldest Chinatown. Take a stroll through the 200-acre Beacon Hill Park or the 100-year-old Butchart Gardens to find out why this town at the southern end of Vancouver Island is known as Garden City. A guided sea-kayak tour will bring you up close with eagles, sea lions, porpoises, and seals that frolic in the Juan de Fuca Strait.
Seeing orcas and humpbacks breach are a highlight of whale-watching cruises. Take high tea at a historic grand hotel on the inner harbor or pick up some picnic items at the Bastion Square Public Market. An afternoon feasting on the natural history collections at the Royal BC Museum should engage the kids. If that fails, take them to WildPlay Element Park, with its zip lines, cargo nets, and tightropes.
Bergen, Norway
25 Fantastic Summer Vacations for Doctors
Bergen, Norway
Bergen is known for being one of the rainiest towns in Norway, but that does not stop tourists from flocking to the colorful wooden 14th century–era buildings in the old port, which now house shops, restaurants, and art galleries. The town was a linchpin in Germanic-Scandinavian trade; explore that medieval history at the Bryggens Museum. Fresh local seafood is still a major attraction at the old market. Cruise ships dock here for trips to the world-famous fjords, which can also be accessed via charters, or take a guided kayak trip of the local waters. The surrounding seven mountains offer a wealth of hiking opportunities, many starting in town. Or take the funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen for spectacular views. Fans of Scandinavian design and art can find something to hold their attention at each of the four major galleries — including one dedicated to Edvard Munch — at KODE. Chefs creating "New Nordic" dishes out of local seafood and organic produce are at the helm of Michelin-starred restaurants in Bergen.
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