Planning a summer vacation can be tricky, right? Do you stick with the same tried-and-true destinations you’ve loved in the past, brave the crowds on a European adventure or head somewhere with cooler weather to escape the summer heat?
If you’re looking to visit a destination that’s a little more under the radar in the summer months, there are plenty of incredible options to consider, both here in the U.S. and abroad.
Related: Summer travel checklist: 12 things to do now to make your trip great
In Europe, swap out the throngs of tourists characteristic of the region’s most-visited cities for charming destinations like canal-filled Hamburg, Germany, or Norway, where majestic fjords await you. Everyone seems to be going to Tokyo right now, but the northern island of Hokkaido has plenty to offer. And stateside, summer is a great time to head north to Oregon’s high desert, the Gulf Coast of Florida or somewhere in between.
Whatever type of vacation you’re looking for, these underrated destinations might just be your new summer go-to.
Alesund, Norway
Norway is an ideal place to visit during the summer months, especially if you hope to escape the heat. In Alesund, summer temperatures are usually below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing for comfortable weather to explore the postcard-worthy town built in the Art Nouveau style. In fact, there’s an entire museum dedicated to the town’s architecture; the Art Nouveau Center, or Jugendstilsenteret, explores how the people of Alesund rebuilt in this style after a devastating fire in 1904.
The town itself has plenty to do, from the Atlantic Ocean Park aquarium, where visitors can gaze at seals, penguins, fish and Norwegian crustaceans, to hiking to the top of Mount Aksla for the perfect photo op. It’s also the perfect home base for visiting some of Norway’s beautiful fjords, including the UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord, which can be visited by various boat and land cruises.
TPG tip: At night, rest at the Mr & Mrs Smith-affiliated Hotel Brosundet, located within a former fisherman’s warehouse. Rates at this adults-only hotel start at $180 or 16,250 World of Hyatt points per night this summer.
Bend, Oregon
If you’re trying to avoid the crowds at national parks this summer, Bend has a ton to offer nature-wise and it’s an especially nice place to visit in the summer months (just try to get there before August, when wildfire smoke can start to interfere with outdoor plans). To get there, fly into Portland and spend a few days taking in the city’s vibrant culture and food scene with a few nights at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, Portland before driving three hours southeast to Oregon’s high desert.
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There are several indoor and outdoor activities to fill your schedule. You can rent a tube to float the Deschutes River, hike to the 97-foot-high Tumalo Falls (a Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the Tumalo Falls Day Use Area), take in an outdoor concert at the Hayden Homes Amphitheater and learn more about the region’s culture, history and wildlife at the High Desert Museum.
After a day on the river or the trails, head to one of the famed breweries along the Bend Ale Trail, like Sunriver Brewing Company or The Ale Apothecary.
TPG tip: Hilton renovated the former DoubleTree into the Newberry Hotel Bend, Tapestry Collection in 2024. Located in historic downtown Bend, the hotel is within walking distance of the riverfront and many restaurants. Rates start at $200 or 70,000 Hilton Honors points per night this summer.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
For a taste of European charm sans crowds, Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, should be on your must-visit list. Spend your trip roaming the storied streets of Ljubljana’s Old Town or take in the scenes on a city cruise. History buffs should venture up on the funicular to Ljubljana Castle, dating back nearly 1,000 years, while the highly manicured Tivoli City Park is sure to impress all.
Ljubljana is also a great place to base yourself for day trips to places like scenic Lake Bled, the otherworldly caverns of Postojna Cave Park and Nova Gorica, the 2025 European Capital of Culture (and one of TPG’s best places to visit in 2025). Save time for dinner at Hisa Franko, a three-Michelin-star restaurant about two hours from Ljubljana.
TPG tip: Root yourself at the InterContinental Ljubljana, where you can book a room for $174 or 31,000 IHG One Rewards points per night this summer.
Columbus, Ohio
A quick, easy and affordable summer vacation is waiting for you in Columbus, right in the heart of Ohio. Sure, it might not have the glamour of Los Angeles or the cosmopolitan energy of New York, but what it lacks in those ways it certainly makes up for with friendly people, family-friendly activities and lots of opportunities to get outdoors.
For families, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has a slew of creatures to visit, including polar bears, gorillas and red pandas, and throughout the summer, there’s live music and craft beer on tap. Animal lovers can also go on a safari at The Wilds, an animal conservation center that offers open-air safaris to see rhinos, zebras, giraffes and cheetahs. If that’s not enough, the 36,000-square-foot Legoland Discovery Center will keep kids and kids-at-heart entertained and engaged for hours.
Columbus is also home to great breweries and restaurants, various sporting teams and a historic German village.
TPG tip: Buckeyes fans will swoon over the Ohio State-themed Graduate Columbus, which can be booked for $125 or 41,000 Hilton Honors points this summer.
Niseko, Japan
Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, might be famous for its epic winter sports conditions, but that doesn’t mean it’s a place you should avoid when there’s no powder on the slopes. In the summer months, Hokkaido is the perfect place for some outdoor adventures combined with the best of Japanese culture.
During the summer months, travelers to Niseko can spend days golfing, tree trekking, canyoning, zip lining, rafting or taking the summer gondola for views of the mountains in between mouthwatering meals at traditional izakayas, some of the world’s freshest sushi and intricate tea ceremonies.
TPG tip: In Niseko, points and miles enthusiasts can find great summer deals at a handful of hotels, including the Hilton Niseko Village ($87 or 28,000 Hilton Honors points per night), the Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono ($240 or 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night) and the ultraluxe Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve ($341 or 70,400 Marriott Bonvoy points per night), which offers mountain-view rooms, a full-service spa and a Japanese onsen.
Mendoza, Argentina
Since Argentina is in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are flipped, and the warm summer months in the U.S. are the colder winter months in Argentina. While the vineyards surrounding Mendoza, the epicenter of Argentina’s wine country, might not be in bloom during a visit in June, July, August or September, they’re still pleasant to experience this time of year.
Though wineries in the area are on the slower side when the temperatures drop, they’re great to visit for a fireside wine tasting and learning more about the country’s wine industry, even if you can’t stroll through the vineyards themselves. Travelers can also take advantage of the beautiful Andes by going out horseback riding or taking a day trip to the nearby thermal springs.
For something totally different from summers up in the Northern Hemisphere, take advantage of the snow up in the mountains and plan an entire Argentinian ski trip to Mendoza resorts like Las Lenas and Los Penitentes.
TPG tip: Luxury hotels abound in Mendoza. But the best deal is usually found at Hyatt’s Category 4 Park Hyatt Mendoza, which has rates starting from $200 or 12,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
Bozeman, Montana
People flock to Bozeman in winter to hit the slopes, but you shouldn’t sleep on the southern Montana city’s summer offerings, especially now that you can fly directly from New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on American. For folks who like to spend quality time outdoors, the city transforms into a summer wonderland complete with kayak trips down the Madison River via the Bozeman Kayak Company, white water rafting, zip lining, hiking, mountain biking and fly-fishing.
In August, take your Western experience to the next level by checking out the Bozeman Stampede, a full-fledged rodeo with bull riding. If you prefer something more tame, enjoy a calm horseback riding experience through scenic vistas.
TPG tip: The area’s lodging game is strong, too. If you want to stay in the great outdoors without “roughing it,” try Under Canvas North Yellowstone (about 40 minutes from Bozeman) for luxury tent living and access to outdoor activities like fly fishing and hiking starting from $329 or 24,250 World of Hyatt points per night. There are also more cosmopolitan hotels like the Kimpton Armory Hotel (from $254 or 65,000 IHG One Rewards points this summer) and plenty of smaller points hotels in the greater Bozeman area.
Hamburg, Germany
Venice, Italy, is absolutely brimming with tourists over the summer — so why not consider Hamburg, Germany, known as the “Venice of the North,” thanks to its large systems of canals that travelers can experience on boats, instead?
As Europe’s second-largest port, Hamburg is a maritime city and home to the International Maritime Museum. But that’s not the only popular museum to explore; others include Miniatur Wunderland (where the world’s largest model railway and miniature replicas of famous towns reside), a chocolate museum and various art museums.
Hamburg really comes to life in the summer, especially at its many beaches and beach clubs, where you can have your feet in the sand and a drink in your hand. It’s also a great home base for day trips, with many castles and historic mansions, like Ludwigslust Palace, not too far away. Summer is also full of festivals, including Spielbudenfestival, a festival for street performers and artists, in July and the International Summer Festival, which showcases live performance art like theater and dance throughout the city for three weeks in August.
TPG tip: As a major city, Hamburg offers many well-known hotel brands, including Westin, Le Meridian, Marriott and Autograph Collection. Rates at The Westin Hamburg Elbphilharmonie start at $289 or 49,000 World of Hyatt points per night this summer.
Lexington, Kentucky
You don’t have to love horses to love the “Horse Capital of the World,” which also happens to be an incredible summer destination. However, if you do love horses, Lexington, Kentucky, and the surrounding area have plenty of places where you can get an up-close look at the majestic creatures, including the Kentucky Horse Park and various horse farms.
Lexington is also big on bourbon and has a handful of must-visit distilleries in town, like James E. Pepper Distilling Co. Some well-known distilleries, such as Woodford Reserve and Maker’s Mark, are also not too far away. In fact, Kentucky has its very own Bourbon Trail, so you could plan an entire vacation around visiting the distilleries across the state.
TPG tip: There are plenty of points hotels in Lexington, and which one you choose may depend on why you are visiting. If you want to stay in the heart of downtown, book a room at The Sire Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton ($133 or 43,000 Hilton Honors points per night). For a stay closer to Kentucky Horse Park, try the Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa ($133 or 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night).
Jeju Island, South Korea
For people looking to spend time in Asia this summer, Jeju Island in South Korea has something for every type of traveler: There are big-city happenings and cultural experiences, beautiful beaches and resorts, picturesque waterfalls, hiking and scuba diving opportunities, all-terrain-vehicle adventures and more. It really is a place where you can spend a day relaxing in nature and then live it up in the city by night.
In and around Seogwipo, you can trek out to see the lone Oedolgae Rock formation jutting out of the ocean, snorkel around the Hwanguji Coast in natural beach pools, visit Yakcheonsa Temple (one of the largest in Asia) and eat traditional Korean food and Jeju specialties.
TPG tip: One notable place to stay is the JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa near Seogwipo on the southern part of the island. Opened in 2023, the resort features modern rooms, a sleek infinity pool and an impressive signature restaurant called Island Kitchen, where international fare is on the menu. Rates start at $622 or 52,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night this summer.
Charlevoix, Quebec
One of Canada’s most popular winter ski resort areas doubles as an incredible summer playground when the snow melts away each year, trading the white powder for sandy beaches and beautiful green mountainscapes.
Must-do activities include hiking in Parc National des Grands Jardin or one of the area’s other nature parks, taking a ferry ride to Isle-aux-Coudres and going on a whale watching excursion to observe majestic beluga and humpback whales.
TPG tip: Club Med’s first all-inclusive ski resort in the area, Club Med Quebec Charlevoix, is in the middle of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, making it easy to spend summer days hiking the lush trails or tackling them on mountain bikes, whale watching on the St. Lawrence River, horseback riding or just lounging at the hotel pool or spa. With the all-inclusive nature of the resort, rates cover your meals and drinks at two restaurants and three bars, so you can know exactly how much a vacation here will cost. Summer rates start at $940 for a two-night minimum stay.
Rosemary Beach, Florida
Florida is positively swimming with beach towns — but if you want to swap the well-known tourist spots for something quieter and more laid-back, head for Rosemary Beach. Located along Florida’s Highway 30A, this coastal community is small enough to explore its neighborhoods full of European colonial architecture on foot or by bike.
Beach access is limited to residents and guests only, ensuring the beaches never get too crowded. After a day at the beach, enjoy dinner with a side of ocean views at Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar or go more casual with tacos, pizza or vegetarian-friendly meals at Cowgirl Kitchen.
TPG tip: There are several carriage houses available to rent on Vrbo and Airbnb, or you can stay at The Pearl, a 55-room boutique hotel with access to complimentary chairs and umbrellas on The Pearl’s private beach and complimentary bicycles for exploring the surrounding area. Rooms at The Pearl start at $476 this summer, but you can book with points via popular credit card travel portals like Capital One Travel and Amex Travel.
Related: Beginners guide to 30A — one of the best-kept beach town secrets in the US
Annecy, France
Annecy, France, is often dubbed “the Venice of the Alps,” a nod to the canals that flow through this charming mountain village. In addition to strolling (or cycling) through the cobblestone streets and popping into local fromageries, wine shops and artisan workshops, visitors can walk or cycle along the Lake Annecy Greenway or explore the lake itself on a kayak or paddleboard. Scenic boat tours are also available.
Dining options range from the three-Michelin-star Le Clos des Sens to the no-reservations-required Bon Pain Bon Vin.
TPG tip: The newly opened Moxy Annecy is fun, funky and just a short walk away from the city center. Room rates this summer start at $129 or 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
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