Top 10 summer destinations: 2017

Tori Moss, Reporter
April 19, 2017

United States:

Orlando, Florida

A statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse stands before the Cinderella Castle in Disney World. Opened in 1971, Walt Disney World is visited by over 52 million annually. (via Orlando-Florida.net)

From theme parks to golfing, Orlando is a destination one is sure to enjoy. Along with dozens of theme parks and golf courses galore, Orlando is also home to some crazy nightlife and entertainment. For the animal lovers, Seaworld and Discovery Cove are the place to be. At these two attractions, tourists can swim with exotic animals of the sea and watch the animals perform. Along the lines of resorts and hotels, Orlando has a variety of options. The top places to stay in Orlando according to US News are: The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, Waldorf Astoria Orlando, and The Ritz- Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes.

San Diego, California

The San Diego skyline rises above the San Diego Bay. Known for its beaches and year round mild climate, San Diego was first settled by the Spanish in 1769, the first settlement by Europeans in what is today California. (via SanDiego.com)

Home to the one and only La Jolla Cove, San Diego has many other attractions a tourist would not want to miss. San Diego not only has lots of entertainment for adults, but they also have lots of amazing places to go for the family. Some of the most common places for families to visit are the San Diego Zoo and Seaworld. For tourists who love the historical aspect of traveling, San Diego has many museums and historical sights to see. Mount Soledad, USS Midway Museum, and San Diego Natural History Museum are only a few of the many historical places to visit in San Diego. The top places to stay in San Diego according to Fodors are: Balboa Park Inn, Catamaran Resort Hotel, and Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina.

The Outer Banks

A wooden dock stands in the ocean at The Outer Banks as the sunsets. Located in North Carolina, The Outer Banks is was visited by over 3 million people last summer. (via https://www.outerbankschamber.com)

Rated number one in family beach vacations in America, according to US News, the Outer Banks has a lot more to offer than just a beach. Some of the main tourist attractions include the Bodie Island Lighthouse, the Wright Brothers National Memorial, and the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. For those who love to fish, there are dozens of fishing piers in and near The Outer Banks. The Nags Head Fishing Pier, Avon Fishing Pier, and Avalon Fishing Pier are a few examples of areas to fish in or near The Outer Banks. According to US News, the top places to stay in The Outer Banks are: the Sanderling Resort, White Doe Inn, Cypress House Inn, and Devonshire Place at Bermuda Bay By Kees Vacation.

Portland, Maine

Two large boats are docked alongside a dock in Portland, Maine. Founded in 1786, Maine is nicknamed the Pine Tree State. (via https://www.visitportland.com/)

Either historical sights or kayak on a lake, Portland has hundreds of ways to spend a summer vacation. With over five lakes, there can never be a dull moment while visiting Portland. If one isn’t the history or water type, Portland has many other options as well. For example, Portland is home to hundreds of exotic birds and dozens of state parks. One of the most famous state parks is Acadia National Park, located about three and a half hours from Portland. According to Visit Portland, some of the best places to stay are: Portland Spring Resort, Homewood Suites By Hilton- Portland, and Inn at St. John.

Long Beach Island, NJ

Long Beach Island’s most famous lighthouse, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, is right along the beach in the middle of lots of plant life. Visited by about 20,000 on a year round basis, Long Beach Island is visited by a people from all over the country. (via http://www.familyvacationcritic.com)

With hundreds of stores and restaurants, Long Beach Island (LBI)  is a sure spot to travel this summer. Not only is Long Beach Island known for their 18 miles of beaches, but LBI is also known for their historical museums as well. Some of the museums to visit at Long Beach Island include,  New Jersey Maritime Museum and Long Beach Island Historical Museum. If traveling with family, Long Beach Island has many options for children and families in general including: water parks, mini-golf, bike rentals, and parks. According to Trip Advisor, the top places to stay in Long Beach Island are, Spray Beach Hotel, Sea Shell Resort and Beach Club, and Surf City Hotel.

International:

Jamaica

One of the many blue oceans and thousands of flowers in Jamaica. This island, Jamaica, was founded in 1962 by Christopher Columbus. (via https://www.tripadvisor.com)

Being one of the top international destinations for this summer, according to Business Insider, Jamaica is home to dozens of waterfalls, exotic natural life, and the world famous singer Bob Marley. For those Bob Marley fans out there, Kingston, Jamaica is the place for you. Kingston, Jamaica has many Bob Marley Monuments including the famous Bob Marley Museum. If Bob Marley isn’t the top priority on a one’s list, Jamaica has hundreds of other options as well. Some of these other options include, visiting Dunn’s River Falls & Park in Ocho Rios, lying along the Seven Mile Beach in Negril, and going to one of the world’s natural wonders, Blue Mountains National Park. According to US News, the top hotels and resorts in Jamaica are: Jamaica Inn, GoldenEye, and Round Hill Hotel and Villas.

British Virgin Islands

One of the many islands of the British Virgin Islands surrounded by a bright blue ocean. The British Virgin Islands originated in 1960 and is visited by approximately 40,000 yearly. (http://abcnews.go.com)

With 15 inhabited islands making up the British Virgin Islands, one will never be unamused when visiting one of the best international travel destinations. Some of the top beaches in the British Virgin Islands are, The Baths, Cow Wreck Bay, Savannah Bay, Norman Island, and Spring Bay. Although 15 inhabited islands make up the British Virgin Islands, the main islands are Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke. On all of these islands tourists can find a wide variety of water activities, land activities, Arts, Culture, Dining, and shopping. According to Trip Advisor, some of the best places to stay while in the British Virgin Islands include: Anegada Beach Club, The Heritage Inn, and Saba Rock Resort.

Cancun, Mexico

One out of the dozens of white sandy beaches in Cancun, Mexico. With warm temperature all year round, Cancun is visited by tourists every season.(https://www.tripadvisor.com)

Cancun, one of Mexico’s most famous cities, is home to many animals and historical sights. For a true animal lover, getting the opportunity to swim with dolphins at Delphinus Dreams Cancun could be the highlight of their trip. Instead of getting in the water and swimming with animals, tourists could take a trip to the Interactive Aquarium located in the La Isla Shopping Village. For those travelers who love to explore the history behind the destination they are in, Cancun has hundreds of opportunities to tour old mayan ruins. Some of the most popular mayan ruins include, Chichen Itza, El Rey, and Tulum. According to US News, the best places to stay in Cancun are: Le Blanc Spa Resort, Secrets The Vine Cancun, and Live Aqua Cancun.   

Atlantis in the Bahamas

The resort Atlantis surrounded by the light blue ocean. Atlantis was built in 1998 and is 685 acres.(http://www.atlantisbahamas.com/)

From water adventures to climbing up a rockwall, Atlantis in the Bahamas has activities everyone will enjoy. In Atlantis, guests will have the opportunity to interact with dolphins, swim with stingrays, explore the ocean with the fish, and slide down an underwater water slide. If interacting with animals is not what a guest wishes to do on their getaway, they can find themselves at the spa, enjoying the live entertainment, shopping, playing sports, or even painting pottery. Atlantis in the Bahamas has rooms and dining that with fit everyone’s needs to help them enjoy their stay.

Barcelona, Spain

A beach in Barcelona, Spain, one of the many places to visit. Barcelona was founded in over 2,000 years ago and is the second largest city in spain. (http://www.travelchannel.com)

From wide sun-splashed beaches to museums and historic architecture, Barcelona has something for everyone. For the historical gurus out there, Barcelone has anything one could imagine. From statues to museums, some of the top rated historical places to visit are: Casa Batllo, Columbus Monument, Palau Guell, and La Pedrera. If relaxing on the beach or exploring history are not how one would like to spend their vacations, Barcelona has thousands of other options as well. According to Trip Advisor, some of the other options include, amusement parks, water parks, shopping, exploring different cuisines, horseback riding, making your own mosaic tiles, and much more. The best places to stay according to Trip Advisor are: Hotel Jazz, W Barcelona, Barcelona Universal Hotel, and Hotel Pulitzer.