Feeling the Heat? Take a ‘Coolcation’

Finding mild summer weather is as easy as heading to the mountains or to water destinations

people sitting on rocks on a mountainside while looking toward a lake

When summer gets too hot, consider cooler destinations, such as Moraine Lake in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada.

Alamy

Amy Alipio,

AARP

Published June 18, 2025

Summer vacations are literally hot — and not necessarily in a good way. Last summer was the warmest on record, so heading to Las Vegas or Orlando, Florida, might not be appealing to older people, who can be particularly susceptible to the ill effects of heat.

Enter the “coolcation.”

Instead of hitting a hot spot, travel to a place where you can beat the heat. “We recognize that extreme weather events are an increasing concern for American travelers,” says Gloria Loree, senior vice president for marketing strategy at Destination Canada.

But heading to Canada — or Alaska — isn’t your only option to enjoy mild summer weather. There are plenty of cool destinations to be found in the contiguous United States, too, especially in the mountains or near major bodies of water. Check out these chill spots.

Go North: Make some changes in latitude

Banff, Alberta

Summer high temperatures: mid-60s

Banff has all the ingredients for an ideal Canadian Rocky Mountains experience: glacial lakes that glow turquoise, snow-etched peaks, exhilarating hikes — and comfortable temperatures. “International tourists come through, all wearing their jackets in summer,” says local Jason Carter, 45. “And it’s like, ‘What is going on? It’s not that cold here, is it?’ ”

Carter is an Indigenous visual artist from the Little Red River Cree Nation who co-owns Carter-Ryan Gallery in the town of Banff. Visitors can also experience the summertime Art in Nature Trail along the Bow River, which is lined with more than 65 displays by regional artists.

Travelers to Banff, Canada’s first national park, can also pick up a copy of Banff’s Indigenous Experiences Map, leading to 15 historic sites, museums and natural spaces.

A moose passes in front of a shuttle bus

Moose sightings are not uncommmon in Alaska's Denali National Park and Preserve.

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Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Summer high temperatures: low 60s

This 6-million-acre wilderness draws a steady stream of coolcationers who gaze at the majestic sweep of the Alaska Range, including North America’s highest mountain peak at 20,310 feet. Denali is “often deemed the crown jewel of Alaska’s public lands,” says park guide Damian Popovic.

A park bus serves stops where you can hop off and go for a leisurely scenic hike, such as the 1.7-mile Savage River Loop Trail.

people on a boat taking pictures of icebergs

So many icebergs float by from Greenland and Atlantic Canada that the eastern coast of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador has been dubbed Iceberg Alley.

Greg Locke/Reuters/Redux

St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

Summer high temperatures: mid-60s

Nothing announces summer in St. John’s like a massive iceberg arriving just off the coast. These frosty floaters, which range in size from itty-bitty to cruise-ship, drift down from Greenland and arctic Canada. So many of them make the journey that the eastern coast of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador has been dubbed “Iceberg Alley.”

Take a boat tour out from St. John’s harbor to spot the unique trifecta of icebergs, whales and puffins, all in one day. Back on land, you can sample beer made with iceberg water at Quidi Vidi Brewery Co. in St. John’s.

“May through early July is your best time for icebergs,” says Richard Arnold, president of Halifax-based Atlantic Tours, which offers itineraries for Atlantic Canada’s four provinces.

As thrilling as Newfoundland’s marine wonders are, Arnold says his tour clients aren’t just there for the cool climes; they’re also there for the friendly locals. “One of the things that they’re going to hear about is something called a Newfoundland Screech-In, to make you an honorary Newfoundlander,” he says. This informal welcoming ceremony may happen randomly on a boat tour or in a pub or someone’s home, and it might involve making a pledge, kissing a codfish and drinking some Newfoundland Screech rum. “To see the looks on people’s faces, and their smiles, is pretty spectacular.”

Go high: Make a run for the mountains

cars driving along a road on a mountainside

Million Dollar Highway, a gorgeous 25-mile stretch of U.S. Route 550 in Colorado, snakes through the San Juan Mountains.

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Southwestern Colorado

Summer high temperatures: low 70s

Part of the appeal of Silverton is the journey. Located in southwest Colorado, the historic mining town is at one end of the so-called Million Dollar Highway, a gorgeous 25-mile stretch of U.S. Route 550 that snakes through the San Juan Mountains from Ouray. “Right around the Fourth of July, the wildflowers are absolutely amazing. Columbines are the state flower, and they’re everywhere, and there are waterfalls, and it’s just amazing,” says Frada Boxer, 76. She and her husband, George Starkschall, 78, split their time between Texas and Colorado.

“It’s also an uncomfortable ride if you’re scared of heights, because it’s a road without any guardrails,” adds Starkschall. But it’s worth it, he says, because “the scenery is just unbelievable. You have a couple of red mountains there that are red because of the iron ore, and you can see for long distances.”

Go whitewater rafting along the Kennebec River in Maine.

Courtesy Northern Outdoors

Or you can get there by steam train. The iconic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offers 3 1/2-hour rides from the historic railroad town of Durango. The temperature gradually drops as the train ascends to Silverton. With the Animas River meandering below and forested peaks all around, keep an eye out for elk, black bear and other mountain wildlife. Once you’re in Silverton (population: about 600), there’s mining heritage and a charming Old West main street to explore.

Go toward the water: Chill by a lake ... or a river

Go whitewater rafting along the Kennebec River in Maine.

Courtesy Northern Outdoors

Maine

Summer high temperatures: 70s

Maine’s wild Atlantic coast is a popular destination. But for an equally cool experience, head to the lakes and rivers. Sebago Lake’s sandy beaches and tranquil waters are about an hour’s drive from Portland. The deepest lake in Maine has an average water temperature of 78 degrees in summer. It’s easy to cool off by going for a swim in crystalline waters or sitting on the shore with a good book — perhaps John McPhee’s The Survival of the Bark Canoe, the writer’s account of his trip down Maine’s Allagash River.

North of Sebago, Moosehead Lake is Maine’s largest. Sign up for a moose safari to see the official state animal.

The dam-controlled Kennebec River, which is fed from Moosehead Lake, flows south and is famed for its whitewater rafting. “We’re able to go rafting from May to October,” says Russell Walters of The Forks’ Northern Outdoors lodge, “whereas in other places in the country, by the middle of summer, it’s all done.” Walters says he’s had people on trips who first rafted there 30 years ago. “Now we see them coming up with their kids and grandkids.”

Mackinac Island, Michigan, is a car-free destination.

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Mackinac Island, Michigan

Summer high temperatures: mid-70s

A summer trip on Mackinac Island doesn’t involve the roar of car engines. Instead, you’ll hear the clip-clop of hooves and the whir of bicycle wheels. Mackinac is car-free. Even the taxis are horse-drawn carriages. “From the moment you step off the ferry, it’s a dial-down from everyday life,” says visitor Diane Densmore, 63, of Davison, Michigan. “And there is always a gentle lake breeze.”

Located on Lake Huron, between Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas, Mackinac (pronounced MACK-in-awe) has long been a sacred place for Anishinaabek peoples. It served as a military outpost and a hub of the Great Lakes fur trade. And it has been a resort destination for Midwesterners escaping the summer heat since the 19th century.

“The quintessential thing to do is to bike or take a carriage around the island. It’s also really fun to bike or taxi at night with lights, especially when you hear taps sounded at Fort Mackinac or a foghorn in the distance,” Densmore says.

One more reason for a trip: “No visit is complete without at least a little piece of fudge,” adds Densmore.

a person standing next to a car with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background

San Francisco’s variable weather conditions include the famous morning fog.

Claudia Uripos/eStock Photo

San Francisco

Summer high temperatures: low 70s

An important tip for a summer trip to San Francisco: Pack warm clothing. “There are always stories in the San Francisco Chronicle every summer about some high school kid who is making money for his college tuition by selling sweatshirts to unaware tourists,” says area resident Richard Weiss, 80.

San Francisco’s variable weather conditions — including its famous morning fog, nicknamed “Karl” — mean that you can be on a chilly, windy stroll along Ocean Beach in the Sunset District, then in 30 minutes strip off your jacket while exploring the Mission District’s colorful murals. Adventurous travelers can trek the 17-mile Crosstown Trail, which traverses the city from southeast to northwest.

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