When you think of travel experts, you might not immediately think of Al Roker or your favorite kooky weather lady on the 5 o’clock news.
However, this is a rare exception. I mean, who has better insight on sunny days ahead than The Weather Channel?
Summer and sun are synonymous with each other, which is why it’s the most popular time of year to burn through your well-deserved PTO.
But, as you’re about to see, you don’t have to follow crowds to your beach of choice as we reveal 4 surprising destinations named the best sunny U.S. getaways this summer — and none of them are in Florida.
4) Sedona, Arizona
If you’ve heard Houndmouth’s hit song “Sedona,” besides being one of the catchiest tunes to ever hit my eardrums, it scrupulously paints the picture of a “Saturday night kind of pink,” an ode to the cotton-candy skies above the wondrous landscapes it’s known for.
At least that’s what I take, but who knows what the lyrics really mean…
Bidi Bidi Bom Bom, ya know?
Sedona is known to be a quirky town, where vortex seekers and crystal shops meet scenic trails and jaw-dropping red-rock views, but it’s unabashedly original and feels far removed from the glitz and glamour of Scottsdale, arguably Arizona’s most popular getaway.
Arizona and summer aren’t often associated with each other when it comes to vacations due to the triple-digit heat, unless resort pools are involved — and Sedona has that too.
The Weather Channel claims to “expect hot and dry desert conditions” with average highs of 97°F.
3) Mammoth Lakes, California
What’s largely known as a ski destination transforms into an alpine playground come summertime, so if you were to fly into Mammoth, you’ll arrive at sapphire lakes and open trailheads instead of ski crowds.
The region’s staggering mountains are unmatched, giving Colorado a run for its money. Better yet, ski season doesn’t end with a sun-drenched summer; it typically extends until July.
The crisp mountain air becomes, well, crisper, and you can enjoy all aspects of town, whether perusing the village or scoring a patio seat at a cozy cafe.
Though if it were me, you could find me hanging out at Mammoth Brewing Company. It seems like the kind of place Sam Elliott would hang out, and that’s a-okay with me.
The Weather Channel claims to “expect high and dry conditions” with average highs of 78°F.
2) Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Hotel haunts, healing waters, and off-the-wall oddities — Eureka Springs packs a punch for its pint-size townscape.
The historic Crescent Hotel & Spa is said to be one of the most haunted hotels in America, and that’s not a Halloween gimmick.
A ghost tour through town is a must in summer, too, but so is simply wandering the hallmark setting chock-full of eclectic shops and Victorian homes stacked along steep Ozark streets.
As you might have drawn from the name, Eureka Springs rise to fame all started with supposedly curative waters, promoting healing powers that you can still seek out around town and decide for yourself if they really work, or if they’re as useful as Spencer Pratt’s crystals.
Your call. We’re just the messenger.
The Weather Channel claims to “expect warm and green conditions” with average highs of 88°F.
1) Lake Placid, New York
If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that there’s no better place to plop down in an Adirondack chair than the Adirondack Mountains.
Lake Placid is a small village smack dab in the heart of it, and apparently, the top sunny getaway, much to our surprise as well.
Typically viewed as a gleaming fall wonderland perfect for PSL runs and photo ops, summer brings boat rides on Mirror Lake, mountain hikes, and sunny patio weather without the fall foliage crowds taking over the roadways.
Plus, if you come in summer, you can get a feel for if you want to come back in peak season in one of the Northeast’s prettiest small towns.
‘Til then, it’s a low-key spot to enjoy a charming hideaway in between its Winter Olympic legacy and the craze of fall each year.
The Weather Channel claims to “expect cool mountain air” with average highs of 74°F.
