12 Best Places to Travel in August, Vetted by Experts
Don't let the summer pass you by!
Before kids go back to school, August is probably the last chance for a family vacation until winter break or quite possibly even spring break. Even though Americans are traveling in record numbers this year, there are still awesome destinations to check out with plenty of availability, amazing activities and reasonable prices. We rounded up a dozen spots for you to consider. A few are under-the-radar gems away from crowds while others put you in the heart of the action from an acclaimed music festival to a fun-to-watch surf competition.
No matter where you choose to go, give yourself some extra time to get there. Airport meltdowns and traffic are throwing a monkey wrench into everyone's schedules. Download your airline's app on your phone, so you can make changes quickly if needed. And if you're traveling for a special event, plan to arrive a day or two in advance to be sure you won't miss it. Travel insurance is also an excellent idea if you're flying.
Later this year when your kids are buried in homework and after-school activities, you won't regret the extra time and money you spent on a vacation this month. The wonderful memories from the trip will stick with your family forever.
Daufuskie Island, South Carolina
Most beaches are packed in August, but not Daufuskie Island. Only accessible by ferry from nearby Hilton Head, Daufuskie Island is the dream for families who want a beach vacay without cars and crowds. You travel everywhere by golf cart or on foot — from the pay-what-you-wish art galleries to the volunteer-run community farm. You can walk to the beach from many of the island's adorable vacation rentals. Outfitters can help facilitate kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or even horseback riding on the beach.
Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Early August is extra fun in the Dominican Republic because of the country's annual Santo Domingo Merengue Festival. Performances, live music and parades pop up across different cities, including tourist-favorite Punta Cana. Stay at the all-inclusive Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana, which has plenty of amenities for the entire family. It boasts four swimming pools, batting cages, a bowling alley, a waterpark, dance classes, supervised kids' and teen clubs and live nightly entertainment. Plus the beach — with its turquoise water — is simply divine.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Watch surfers conquer the waves during the 61st Annual East Coast Surfing Championship to be held in Virginia Beach from August 20-27. Surf culture reigns in the seaside city, with outdoor sculptures and murals highlighting the sport. To be near all the action, stay at the newly opened Moxy Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The 134 oceanfront-room property has so many fun touches including a retro diner, a two-story slide into the hotel’s registration area and a rock wall in the gym.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
Located in Banff National Park, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the perfect home base for a family vacation that beautifully blends adventure and nature activities with delicious food and supervised kid activities. The hotel even created its own guest-only sunrise canoe experience that allows your crew to paddle on the famous lake before the crowds. Be sure to check out the lineup of programming for kids ages 6 to 13, including a two-hour Inventor's Lab on some evenings. One idea: Drop off your Einsteins-in-training and enjoy cheese fondue and wine at the property's Walliser Stube restaurant.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Aruba Resort
A great pick for families near tourist-favorite Eagle Beach, Embassy Suites by Hilton Aruba Resort offers a children’s pool, an outdoor playground plus a kids club with activities, such as scavenger hunts. All rooms are suites, and a door separates the primary bedroom from the sleeper sofa for the kids. (That's right, you won't have to tip-toe around in the dark after the kids' bedtime!) The resort also includes several fun on-property restaurants and free made-to-order breakfast.
Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows, Maui
If you have sticker shock over the price of hotel rooms in Maui this summer, check out the Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows. Once a traditional vacation spot for Hawaiian royalty, the independently-owned property on popular Ka’anapali Beach offers rooms that start at $359 per night. Newly redesigned bungalows will be ready for August vacays! With two oceanfront swimming pools, tennis courts, ukulele and hula lessons and much more, family fun will be nonstop. What's more, the resort recently became among the first to receive a silver certification for the Reef Friendly Landscaping Program from the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, a nonprofit organization working toward healthier oceans.
READ MORE: The Best Family Hotels in Hawaii
Marriott Hilton Head Resort & Spa, Hilton Head, South Carolina
Be one of the first guests to stay in the newly redesigned rooms and suites at the oceanfront Marriott Hilton Head Resort & Spa located in the exclusive residential community of Palmetto Dunes. The $10 million reno included updated in-room tech (including a large flat-screen TV and multiple USB outlets for charging all your family's devices), comfier bedding and a coastal decor vibe. After a day of fun on the beach and in the pools, walk over to the nearby Shelter Cove for shopping, dining and even a weekly fireworks show all summer long.
Whiteface Lodge, Lake Placid, New York
Escape the summer heat in the High Peaks region of New York's Adirondack mountains. Six million acres of protected forests, trails, canyons and waterways allow you to pack in a family adventure away from dangerous summer heat. Make your home base the Whiteface Lodge, an upscale rustic stay in the woodlands of Lake Placid. The nightly campfire and s’mores provide a cozy setting for meteor shower viewing. (The peak time will be around August 13.) Curl up in one of the resort’s Adirondack-style chairs and gaze at the star-studded night sky.
Cliff House Maine, Ogunquit, Maine
While this New England retreat has cozy vibes all year long, the month before school starts is a great time to bring the kids for lawn games, swimming, s'mores and tide-pooling at the beach. Of course, introduce them to lobster rolls, too! Cliff House Maine's new two-bedroom oceanfront suite gives families plenty of room to spread out. It's only an hour's drive north of Boston!
Mackinac Island, Michigan
The fudge capital of the world, Mackinac Island is hosting a festival dedicated to the confection from August 27 to 29. It will feature fudge-making demos, fudge-inspired food and cocktails, an outdoor movie, family games, and more. Offset the sugar rush by going on a kayaking adventure or exploring some of the island's 70+ miles of hiking and biking trails. Stay at the lakefront Mission Point Resort which offers evening storytime in the lobby, mini golf as well as horse and carriage tours. At no extra charge, 5- to 12-year-olds can take part in an evening kids' club so you have a few child-free hours to enjoy a romantic dinner or even a nap and room service.
Chicago, Illinois
August is prime time for special events in Chicago. Lollapalooza, a four-day music festival with a special area for kids, takes place at Chicago's historic Grant Park from August 3 to 6. The Windy City's famous Air and Water Show entertains locals and tourists alike on August 19 and 20. Stay a few days before or after to check out the city's other iconic attractions.Shedd Aquarium, for instance, won a 2023 Good Housekeeping Family Travel Award. To be in the heart of the action, stay at the Pendry Chicago or Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel.
Hotel Californian, Santa Barbara, California
For a friends' getaway or couple's trip, the stylish Hotel Californian in the heart of Santa Barbara's revitalized Funk Zone delivers a memorable experience. Wine and wellness events abound, such as a full-moon cocktail event series, rooftop yoga or workout sessions and winemaker dinners. A special package, "Recharging in Retrograde," is available for stays from August 23 to September 14. It includes a chakra meditation massage, custom aromatherapy and other delights.
Karen Cicero is a seasoned journalist who specializes in food, travel, home and new product coverage; she has visited almost every state — look out, Alaska, she's coming for you next! A mom who goes overboard for all the holidays, she lives in the Christmas city itself: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
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