Best Last-Minute Summer Vacations

This city was one of the first in the U.S. and has the history to prove it: The Providence Athenaeum library shelves first editions by Louisa May Alcott and Walt Whitman. Summers in the city means WaterFire season, which is an art installation of about 100 bonfires blazing on Providence’s rivers. Also, expect to eat well and find your creativity inspired. The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is in the city, near Brown University; stop by to pick up some unique souvenirs.

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Don’t let thoughts of rain keep you away; August is Seattle’s driest month. The West Coast city is a cultural epicenter whose residents pride themselves on environmental consciousness (lots of bikes). Make sure to visit the iconic Space Needle—built for the 1962 World’s Fair—and stop by bustling Pike Place Market, which includes the world’s first Starbucks. Escape to calmer surroundings at Volunteer Park and Gas Works Park, which both offer sweeping views of the city.

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Nantucket is the name of the island, town and county, which might seem a little confusing for such a simple vacation escape. Here, you’ll get the full upscale New England coastal experience, with idyllic bike paths, harbors and beaches, and of course plenty of chances to chow on clam chowder.

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The Florida county’s tagline is “The Best of Everything,” and with Palm Beach’s tropical climate, pristine beaches and shopping scene, it’s hard to argue with that. The Esplanade shopping center on Worth Avenue is a favorite of designer Vera Wang’s and the combination historical mansions-museums in Palm Beach are quite the sight. Looking for a little more action? Try out water sports or start a game of golf.

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Consider a jaunt up to our Northern neighbor, especially to visit Vancouver, named one of the world’s most livable cities. Water surrounds Vancouver on three sides and mountains on one, and ethnic food options abound within the city. Consider staying over in the Corkscrew Inn, which houses a wine museum and the world’s largest collection of corkscrews. Take a trip out to Granville Island where glass and pottery artists keep studios.

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Influences from Spain and nearby Mexico add some flavor to the sunny SoCal city, where people love their beaches (visitors do, too). Balboa Park, called the “Smithsonian of the West” is a concentration of nine theaters and 15 museums including surfing and air and space museums. And no matter your age, the San Diego Zoo is a must.

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The Midwest City can claim top architecture, world-renowned dining and perhaps soon Olympics host to its name. A visit to the metropolis is incomplete without a walk in Millennium Park and pictures with the reflective sculpture people affectionately refer to as “the bean.” (Really “Cloud Gate.”) Take in the impressive buildings and learn about their history on an architectural boat tour that cruises down the city’s rivers and check out the beaches that border Lake Michigan.

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The fact that Napa Valley is wine country probably is enough to sell you on a visit. The Northern California destination is also home to premier restaurants, including French Laundry, and more spas than you could get mud masks at. Visit the wineries on an organized tour or on your own, and choose between quaint bed & breakfasts, ritzy hotels and private resorts for lodging.

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The creepiest places in the U.S. are right here.