12 Best Places To Travel at the Beginning of Summer
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June kicks off the summer travel season, but so many families haven't locked in their travel plans yet! The main reason: indecision. "Airfare and hotel prices are high, so I really want to make sure where I go is worth the money," one would-be traveler told us. Another confessed that she's just overwhelmed with the possibilities: "For the last three years, we've had to plan around what we thought were Covid-safe trips. Now everywhere is back on the table."
If you're also having trouble choosing a vacation, this list of the best places to visit in June is your golden ticket. Travel experts helped curate the choices based on value, special events and availability. We also sprinkled in some of our favorite picks from the 2023 Good Housekeeping Family Travel Awards.
Some of this month's picks are shoulder-season destinations with great deals. "Off-season destinations, like Mexico, are a miracle for your budget," says Henley Vazquez, co-founder of Fora, an innovative travel agency. "Will it be hot in Mexico in June? Yes, but it will also be hot where I live, and I don't have a beach and countless pools to keep cool."
Whether you've been eyeing a beach trip, a trip to Europe, a Route 66 adventure, a multi-generational getaway or a national park pick, our list has you covered. So go ahead and book a vacation now before your dates sell out! Soon, you'll be having the time of your life.
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
SpongeBob and other popular Nick characters feel like part of the fam at the all-inclusive Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana and its sister property in the Rivera Maya.
During their Summer of SpongeBob celebration, running from May 26 to September 5, epic activities such as Nick Live! Dance Shows, episode-viewing parties and extra character meet-and-greets level up an already fun activity lineup. Guests celebrating their birthdays at the resort get even more special treatment, including a call from SpongeBob. A promotion running through early September takes up to 40% off regular rates.
ULUM Moab by Under Canvas, Utah
Be one of the first guests to stay at ULUM Moab, a safari-inspired desert oasis near Utah’s famous Looking Glass Arch and Canyonlands National Park. It's glamping on steroids. Baristas at the on-site restaurant whip up specialty coffee drinks (or smoothies if that's more your thing) to fuel your morning. Fifty suite tents are comfortable, chic and packed with sustainably-sourced amenities (think: Turkish bath robes) that you'd expect from a luxury hotel.
Activities range from tranquil to adventurous. You could have a yoga sesh and a dip in the pool in the morning and be off on a mountain biking adventure in the afternoon. At night, s'mores and stargazing are dreamy. Suite tents sleep four, so there will be enough space for the kids if you want to bring them. (But it's a great spot for a couples' trip or a girlfriend getaway, too.) ULUM Moab operates from March to October; the earlier in summer you get there, the more comfortable the temperature will be.
Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Visit Dollywood on or before June 11 to experience the theme park's annual Flower & Food Festival. More than one million blooms, playful sculptures made from plants plus an umbrella sky (pictured) add an extra dose of color and whimsy to a park that already has the Great Smoky Mountains in its backyard.
Come hungry because the park offers limited-time treats like berry and honey funnel cake and cookies decorated like a beehive. The food and fun continue over at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa, where lavender lemonade will be served in the lobby and kids can create garden gnomes and birdhouses at a camp. P.S.: A new roller coaster — the longest in the park's history — opens in May. Whee!
The Cove at Sylvan Beach on Oneida Lake, New York
Here's a glorious new option for a vacay with extended family: The Cove at Sylvan Beach, about an hour south of The Adirondacks in upstate New York, appeals to all ages. Kids score a playground with a zipline and a heated pool. Lake activities — ranging from fishing to kayaking — bring the whole family together.
Plus, every family receives a private pontoon boat to use for their stay. More like a lake house rental than a hotel, the property features two- and three-bedroom cottages with a full kitchen, washer and dryer and other conveniences. There's even one four-bedroom penthouse suite with floor-to-ceiling windows and a home gym. Cross-check those calendars and make a plan to get away this summer!
Americana Motor Hotel, Flagstaff, Arizona
If you're road-tripping along Route 66, we've found the perfect overnight (or two) for you: the Americana Motor Hotel. Built in 1962, the newly reimagined hotel will re-open in June with geometric carpets, disco balls and other design elements that lean into its retro-chic vibe.
Its outdoor space is off the charts too! Yard games, swim-up movies at the heated pool and stargazing with the on-property telescopes help turn a good day into a great one.
Magma Resort Santorini, Greece
So you're thinking about going to Greece this summer? You're far from alone. Fly over in early June when it won't be quite as crowded and the weather is terrific.
The new 59-room Magma Resort Santorini, the first Hyatt resort in the Greek islands, still has space for summer visits. Nestled among vineyards, its location and design are stunning. Just picture yourself on one of these lounges in the water!
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is way more than a pretty beach town. It's jam-packed with culture, history and a fab lineup of summer festivals. A Summer Solstice Celebration takes place on June 23-24, featuring an original display of floats, vibrant costumes, music and more.
The Old Spanish Days Fiesta, returns for its 99th year from August 2-6, opening on the steps of the Old Mission Santa Barbara with a traditional flamenco and folklorico dance performance. There are so many awesome places to stay, from the budget-minded Hyatt Place Santa Barbara to the luxury The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara.
Sequoia National Park, Visalia, California
June is a great time for a 3 1/2-mile family hike to Little Baldy Summit in Sequoia National Park, says Shelly Rivoli, author of the new Hiking with Kids Southern California: 45 Great Hikes for Families. "It’s a good workout with nearly 800 feet of elevation gain, especially for those arriving from lower elevations," says Rivoli.
"The rewards of early summer include Sierra wildflowers and excellent chances of marmot sightings along the way — and the ultimate payoff of a 360º view from a granite dome at 8,044 feet above sea level makes it well worth the effort." Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch on top of the world before you head back down! The park's Wuksachi Lodge is open year-round.
Hotel Esencia, Tulum, Mexico
"I don't often go back to the same place with my family but I've been at this hotel in the Rivera Maya three or four times!" says Vazquez. It's hard not to share her enthusiasm: A stunning location on a white-sand beach surrounded by gardens with outstanding food and service makes Hotel Esencia a swoon-worthy getaway — with or without kids. Even sweeter, the property is running a 40%-off promotion through June 1, and flights to Mexico are reasonably priced, says Vazquez.
St. Petersburg, Flordia
For the largest Pride parade in the Sunshine State, look no further than Saint Petersburg. This is the 21st year for the rainbow-clad celebration organized by the non-profit St. Pete Pride. Join in the festivities on June 24 and then explore the area's award-winning beaches and cultural attractions. Standouts include St. Pete Beach and the Salvador Dalí Museum. Stay at the LGBTQ+ friendly The Don Cesar, aka "the pink palace," along St. Pete Beach.
Breckenridge, Colorado
If you have sticker shock over hotel and flight prices this year, consider a destination like Breckenridge, where summer is the offseason. The skiers are gone — but not the nature activities. Whitewater rafting, fly fishing, horseback riding and wildlife hikes get your family out in the fresh mountain air. Summer prices are a fraction of their winter rates at almost every resort in the area. An especially good deal: During certain dates in June, you can book large suites with a kitchen at the Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center for less than $300 per night.
Maui, Hawaii
If you're dreaming about a summer vacation in Maui, plan it for June when it's a bit less crowded (and less expensive) than July and August. Just for starters, your crew could swim under a waterfall, explore a black sand beach, snorkel around the most amazing coral reefs and eat pineapple right in the field where it's grown.
Almost every resort will greet family members with a flower or shell lei and many offer hula lessons and other iconic Hawaiian activities at no extra charge. It's fun trying the classic island food and drinks—you're practically guaranteed to come home a fan of POG (pineapple, orange and guava juice).
Maui resorts that earned a Good Housekeeping 2023 Family Travel Award include Wailea Beach Resort Marriott Maui, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa and the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa.
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