15 Best Places to Travel in July to Soak Up Summer Vibes
Summer travel is in full swing!
July marks the midpoint of summer vacation season, so if you haven't made your plans yet, get on it! The Good Housekeeping team has been exploring (and evaluating) for the annual Travel Awards, and we're excited to share sneak peeks of some new places plus recommendations for our classic summer vacation faves. We especially leaned into getaways that have special programming in July, like fireworks or drone displays, food fests and even book-themed gatherings. So put in your PTO and get ready, here are the best places to travel in July.
Sandy Springs, Georgia
Fourth of July will sparkle in the Atlanta suburb of Sandy Springs thanks to a massive Stars & Stripes fireworks celebration. Make it a great night by listening to live music and picking up dinner from one of the food trucks. "The town shows genuine Southern hospitality," said a Good Housekeeping editor who visited.
About 20 minutes north of Atlanta, Sandy Springs boasts 22 miles of riverfront along the banks of the Chattahoochee River. You can kick back kayaking, hiking and exploring some of Sandy Springs' 20 parks. Young kids will especially love the funky playground at Abernathy Greenway Playable Art Park.
Stay at Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Suites, which has family-friendly perks like free breakfast, an in-room fridge and microwave, an outdoor pool and a free shuttle to the Metro station.
Gaylord Hotels, multiple locations
Kids will have a super summer vacation at four Gaylord Hotels that have launched an exciting collab with DC Comics. Wanna-be crimefighters can sleuth around the hotels on a Riddler-themed scavenger hunt, meet Wonder Woman and other superheroes, watch DC movies poolside and so much more. GH testers recently checked out all the fun at Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center near Denver, but locations in Nashville; Grapevine, Texas; and Kissimmee, Florida have the epic extra programming as well. Since Gaylord is part of the Marriott property, you can earn and use your Bonvoy points.
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Park City, Utah
For one of the most scenic fireworks displays in the country, take your crew to Forum Fest at Canyons Village in Park City, Utah. The three-day shindig, which kicks off on July 3, includes live music, kids' and family activities, public art displays and nightly drone and fireworks shows.
While you're in town, you can try one of the many epic nature activities, including a yoga class in a crater. Thrills for kids include an amazing alpine coaster, and teens 16 and up can even bobsled on an Olympic track. The Waldorf Astoria Park City has a fantastic location at the base of the mountain playground.
Maui, Hawaii
Maui fulfills bucket-list fantasies all year long, but July is a particularly good month to bring the kids. The island is full of mini vacationers from all over the world, so they'll likely find an international buddy at the pool, luau or kids' club. July is also most likely to have warm, sunny weather and the least amount of rain.
Explore staying at the GH Family Travel Award winner Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, they'll be plenty of buddies for your little ones to play with at the sandy-bottom kids' pool and in the supervised kids' club. "My daughter still fondly remembers playing with children from Japan that she met at the resort," says one GH staffer. Winner of a Good Housekeeping Family Travel Award, the oceanfront resort also wows travelers of all ages with rooftop stargazing programs, a nightly luau and recently renovated rooms.
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Burlington, Vermont
Thanks to Amtrak's Ethan Allen Express service from NYC to downtown Burlington, city dwellers can place the vibrant town on the top of the list for a car-free long weekend getaway. The scenic ride (an attraction in itself for train buffs of all ages) whisks passengers through the Hudson Valley, Green Mountains and finally, to the city on the shores of Lake Champlain.
Burlington's culinary scene exceeds expectations (Get to Church Street Marketplace!) and biking is a common way to get around for the whole family. Set up your home base downtown at Hotel Vermont, which has plush rooms and suites, a fun "bedtime menu" for kids and adults and windows that open so you can savor the breeze off the lake.
Jungala Park Hotel, Cancun, Mexico
If you're planning to head to Mexico on the kids' summer vacation, do it in July before the threat of late summer or fall hurricanes. A GH tester spent Mother's Day weekend at the new Jungala Park Hotel on the expansive VidantaWorld Rivera Maya complex. "From an easygoing lazy river to water slides that went upside down, the resort's new waterpark is perfect for kids of all ages and their parents," she said. Thatched cabanas with excellent amenities and food service leveled up the experience.
Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, Virginia
The Omni Homestead Resort, winner of a Good Housekeeping Family Travel Award, is planning extra programming for the Fourth of July weekend. The historic property, which caters to multi-gen groups, created a star-spangled lineup that includes duck race around the lazy river; social hours; a carnival and, of course, fireworks. That's in addition to the usual activities like the water park for kids and the relaxing thermal pools for grown-ups.
Elms Hotel & Spa, Missouri
Attention Midwesterners who want a wellness getaway within driving distance: A couple of days at The Elms Hotel & Spa near Kansas City will refresh your body and mind. Recently renovated, the massive spa at the historic property is well known for The Grotto, its relaxing take on a Roman bath. Pure bliss!
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Visit our neighbor to the North on July 4-13 for the annual Calgary Stampede, a rodeo and music festival rolled into one. It's also a quirky food paradise, with eats like ramen poutine and peanut butter corndogs. Stay at the Le Germain Hotel Calgary, which is less than a mile from all the festivities.
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Columbus, Ohio
Word up, the Columbus Book Festival takes place July 12-13 at the city's charming downtown library and surrounding area. More than 200 kids' and adult authors will be in town, signing books and leading fascinating panel discussions. A bookish downtown scavenger hunt is even in the works. Book a room where a GH tester and her kids stayed last year: The Junto is a fabulous and family-friendly downtown boutique hotel.
Algarve, Portugal
What's the hot European destination for Americans this summer? Portugal, in particular, the coastal Algarve region. According to a report from United States Tour Operators Association, Portugal is only second to Italy on traveler's wish lists. For romantic getaways and epic girls' trips, you can't beat the W Algarve. Its rooms have private balconies with dreamy ocean views. Ah!
Traverse City, Michigan
Traverse City is the "Cherry Capital of the World" so, of course, the town has an entire festival devoted to the delicious fruit. Now in its 99th year, the National Cherry Festival runs from June 28 to July 5. The festival hosts 150 events and activities for visitors of all ages, including a pie-eating contest. You can also visit the Cherry Republic (shown) in nearby Glen Arbor to shop and sample your way through more than 200 cherry products. Stick with the theme and stay at the Cherry Inn & Suites. The kids will love its sandy shoreline!
Alaskan Cruises
If you can't stand the summer heat, may we suggest booking an Alaskan cruise? Cruising weather is typically best in July with the lowest chance of rain and high temps in the 60s. Several cruise lines sail to Alaska, but if you have both grandparents and young kids in your group, Princess Cruise Lines is a fantastic pick.
Supervised kids programs for ages 3 and up make at-sea days extra fun for little ones. Teens have their own hangout space while adults might want to spend some time at the spa or Vegas-style casino. Sailings start in Seattle or San Francisco — both tend to have cooler summertime weather if you want to tack on a few days of sightseeing before or after cruising.
Lexington, Kentucky
Known for its championship thoroughbred horse farms, bourbon distilleries and delicious eats, the “Horse Capital of the World” is a fab road trip destination for friends' or couples' getaways. Once you get there, you can leave your car parked.
Town Branch Commons, the recently completed 5.5-mile greenway trail, connects the bustling downtown to the historic Bourbon Distillery District.
Stay at The Manchester Hotel, a high-end boutique property is located on the former grounds of Central Kentucky’s first registered bourbon distillery and boasts 125 beautiful guest rooms.
Jacksonville, Florida
You might think of Miami and Orlando as the Florida hot spots, but Jacksonville is an up-and-comer, according to data from Skyscanner, a search engine and travel agency. Located in the Northeast part of the state, the city boasts 22 miles of beaches, cultural attractions and has many affordable places to stay. The budget-friendly Hampton Inn Oceanfront Jacksonville Beach has a stretch of sand just for resort guests plus a pool with waterfall features.
Karen is a seasoned journalist who specializes in travel, book, lifestyle and food coverage. Cicero has visited almost every state with her family (look out Wyoming, she’s coming for you next!). She has spoken at several travel industry conferences, including PRSA and the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Alliance and was previously the senior editor at Parents. A mom who goes overboard for all the holidays, Cicero lives in the Christmas city itself: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
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