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If your ideal summer holiday means warm weather, beaches, or poolside cabanas, we have some vacation ideas to consider as August arrives. Tucson and Santa Fe offer sunshine and poolside relaxation, but if you’re set on finding a sandy beach, why not consider Curaçao, or a bit further away, Tenerife or Montenegro.
There’s lots going on in Edinburgh, Montréal, and Denver should a city vacation be more your style. Outdoor enthusiasts will find what they seek in New York’s Adirondacks, California’s Santa Ynez Valley, and Macon, Georgia. For golf fans, a new resort or course often inspires a vacation, and August, National Golf Month, is a good time for at least a weekend golf getaway.
So, if turning the calendar page to August reminds you that summer is fleeting, give some thought to these destinations or come up with travel ideas of your own. Here are 12 of the best places to travel in August.
Related: 20 Classic Summer Vacations Everyone Should Take at Least Once
Tucson, Arizona
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The weather reaches the low 90s in August, but you never have to be far from a pool or a cool drink. At Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson’s old-style dude ranch, you can gather prickly pears during the Prickly Pear Harvest from August 14-31, and then reward yourself with a luscious pink prickly pear margarita. Summer evenings are beautiful in Tucson, and Miraval Arizona offers hikes in the Sonoran Desert under the stars. For the ultimate stargazing experience, visit Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter to observe the skies with professional astronomers. Experience the desert’s healing powers with a spa treatment at The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain, Loews Ventana Canyon, or Canyon Ranch Tucson, the brand’s original wellness resort. Stay in town at The Citizen Hotel, Tucson’s first wine hotel, set in the former home of the city’s oldest newspaper. A stay at the historic Hotel Congress also offers a look into Tucson‘s fascinating past.
Montenegro
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Located in the west-central Balkans along the Adriatic, Montenegro was formerly part of Yugoslavia. The towns of its Adriatic coastal region are popular with tourists for their beauty, restaurants, beaches, history, and culture. In Kotor, the International Summer Carnival begins in early August with concerts, culinary events, and a parade. The Montenegro Film Festival takes place in Herceg Novi during the first week of August when the 400-year-old Kanli Kula fortress becomes an amphitheater showcasing domestic and international films. Polo in the Port is another summer happening with the world’s finest polo players competing in mid-August. Horse parades, music, and a gathering of superyachts make it a memorable event. On the Adriatic in the heart of Boka Bay, the luxurious One&Only Portonovi features a private sandy beach, world-class dining, dramatic views, and Chenot Espace for revolutionary wellness experiences. The Chedi Hotel & Residences in Tivat offers a variety of guestrooms, suites, and penthouse accommodations.
Edinburgh, Scotland
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August is an exciting time in Edinburgh, and temperatures in the mid-60s make it comfortable to explore the city. The 75th Edinburgh International Festival from August 5-28 brings performers from the worlds of dance, opera, music, and theater. At the same time, the annual Edinburgh Festival Fringe means street performers, music, magic, circus acts, artists, audience participation, crowds, and fun. There’s also the Art Festival, Film Festival, Book Festival, Food Festival (late July), and outdoor markets. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place at Edinburgh Castle from August 5-27. Stay at the new Virgin Hotels Edinburgh in Old Town or at Gleneagles Townhouse, their first urban hotel, with an all-day restaurant and roof terrace. The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh combines Victorian style and luxury with views of the castle, an indoor pool, and spa. Brendan Vacations can help with arrangements for touring Edinburgh during August or any time of the year.
Denver, Colorado
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The “Mile High City” offers much to do during August, when the days are warm and the evenings are cool. Downtown Denver boasts restaurants, shops, museums, clubs, the Denver Performing Arts complex, and Union Station. More than a transportation hub, Union Station is home to world-class dining, shopping, and the Crawford Hotel. From Denver International Airport, a 37-minute train ride takes visitors to Union Station with just a few stops along the way. Baseball fans know Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies, and music fans love the Red Rocks Amphitheater, a favorite venue of both performers and visitors. Recently opened, The Slate Denver, Tapestry Collection by Hilton is set in a historic building near the Colorado Convention Center. The new pet-friendly Rally Hotel is located in McGregor Square adjacent to Coors Field.
The Adirondacks, New York
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In northern New York, the Adirondack Mountains are home to lakes, hiking trails, fishing, waterfalls, history, and beautiful August weather. Visitors can explore Lake George from its beaches, but for a thrill, why not cruise the lake in a 37-foot yacht from Boatsetter. Stay in luxury at The Point Resort, the first Relais and Châteaux hotel in North America, located lakefront on Upper Saranac Lake. Guests (and their dogs) are pampered as they enjoy the secluded 75-acre property. In Lake Placid, High Peaks Resort features three unique lodging experiences. Road trips through upstate New York offer stunning scenery, and Amtrak’s Adirondack train is another way to enjoy the landscape. Cape Air offers flights to Saranac Lake from New York City and Boston for a convenient trip.
Montréal, Canada
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Located in southeastern Canada on the St. Lawrence River just north of Vermont, Montréal is lovely any time of the year. In August, temperatures in the 70s make it comfortable to stroll through Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal), the city’s historic center with cobblestone streets and architecture dating to the 16th century. Visit Parc du Mont-Royal for a hike, picnic, bike ride, or rowboat on the lake. For lunch or just browsing, don’t miss the open-air Jean-Talon Market, and be sure to try one of the city’s famous bagels. The LGBT community celebrates Pride Festival from August 1-7 with a parade and a week of cultural events. IleSoniq brings electronic dance and urban music to the city from August 5-7, and MUTEK festival of digital creativity returns from August 23-28. Concert fans are also looking forward to Osheaga from July 29-31.
Santa Ynez Valley, California
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About two hours north of Los Angeles, the Santa Ynez Valley offers world-class wine tasting, authentic Old West-style towns, a historic Danish-American community, and more than 300 wineries. “Wine and Fire”, August 18-21, celebrates the wines of the Santa Rita Hills. In Solvang, visitors stroll the quaint streets, stopping into restaurants, bakeries, tasting rooms, and shops. Stay at The Winston with meticulously decorated guestrooms and thoughtful amenities. At the pet-friendly contemporary-style Vinland Hotel & Lounge, there’s a heated pool and hot tub. Alisal Ranch, a luxury working ranch, features guest chefs and its signature Santa Maria-style barbecue. At San Ysidro Ranch, in the Santa Ynez Mountains foothills, plush private cottages include fireplaces, gardens, and sunken spas. Campers love Flying Flags in Buellton, not far from Ostrichland USA, a popular attraction. Road trippers can continue their California journey northward on the Highway 1 Discovery Route for gorgeous views and more great places to visit.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
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The “City Different,” as Santa Fe is nicknamed, is warm during August, with temperatures in the 80s. The Opera Season runs from July 1- August 27, and a show under the stars on a desert evening is unforgettable. From August 17-21, the Santa Fe Indian Market celebrates Native art and culture with music, dance, a fashion show, and a variety of handmade jewelry, textiles, baskets, and more. Santa Fe Music Week, August 27-September 3, features music from jazz to latin, and rock to country with performances throughout Santa Fe. A unique event, The Burning of Zozobra, will be held on September 2, a time to let your gloom go up in smoke along with the mythical monster. The city offers many lovely places to stay including the luxurious Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi and Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resort Collection. There’s also the Inn & Spa at Loretto, Eldorado Hotel & Spa, Hotel Chimayo de Santa Fe, and Hotel St. Francis.
Curaçao
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This Southern Caribbean island enjoys warm weather year round, with August temperatures in the 80s and little rain, averaging 1.6 inches. Its location, 90 miles north of Venezuela, places it outside of the hurricane belt, so late summer storms are rare. Curaçao, an autonomous country within the Royal Dutch Kingdom, has a European atmosphere along with its Caribbean style. August is considered off-season, so it’s a good time to shop for deals. Beaches, from secluded bays to luxurious resorts, offer swimming, snorkeling, diving, and beautiful scenery. Nature lovers will enjoy Christoffel Park, Curaçao’s largest national park, and adventurers should explore Hato Caves and Shete Boka National Park. Stay in a vacation home, hotel, or all-inclusive resort like Mangrove Beach Corendon Curaçao, set in the middle of the island’s mangrove forests. Near Curaçao’s capital of Willemstad, the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort, on six oceanfront acres, offers a variety of water sports.
Macon, Georgia
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“The Heart of Georgia” is both Macon‘s nickname and location, near the center of the state about 80 miles southeast of Atlanta and 170 miles inland from Savannah. Macon might be hours from the ocean, but there’s the Ocmulgee River where you can kayak, canoe, or float on a tube to keep cool during August’s warm weather. Spend a day at Sandy Beach Water Park with a wave pool, lazy river, and cabanas. Nearby Lake Tobesofkee features 35 miles of shoreline, sandy beach, fishing, camping, and water sports. In town, visitors can explore history at Ocmulgee Mounds Historical Park, a prehistoric Native American site with wetlands, forests, and miles of trails. Museums include the Tubman Museum, the country’s largest museum dedicated to the art, history, and culture of African Americans. The Allman Brothers Band Museum and Capricorn Sound Studios are reminders of Macon’s role in music. Places to stay range from campgrounds to historic inns.
Tenerife, Canary Islands
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Located off the coast of Morocco, Tenerife is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands. A popular beach destination in summer when temperatures are well into the 80s, Tenerife offers a wide variety of shorefront spots from lively to secluded. For cooler weather and fascinating places to explore, Teide National Park‘s volcanic landscape, petrified lava, and panoramic views are the perfect escape from the beach. A bar, restaurant, and visitor center as well as roads throughout the park make it convenient for travelers. Boating, water sports, and whale watching are popular activities, and festivals attract visitors for a variety of celebrations throughout the year. Places to stay range from guest houses to resorts, from romantic inns to family hotels.
National Golf Month — Multiple Destinations
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Many of the world’s most picturesque travel destinations are golf courses, and quite a few vacations are centered around golf. From Florida to California, and of course, Scotland, golf courses attract players whose numbers are increasing each year. Interestingly, young adults (18-34 year olds) are among the sport’s biggest segment, with 6.1 million on-course and 4.8 million off-course participants, according to data from the National Golf Foundation, and a total of 106 million either played or followed golf on television, radio, or online in 2021. Three PGA TOUR events in August will determine this year’s FedEx Cup Champion. If watching these tournaments inspires you to give it a shot, it’s time to plan your own golf trip. Beginners can combine lessons with a great vacation at places like the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on Hawaii’s Big Island or The Kingdom at Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia.