20 Summer Vacation Ideas That Are on Every Design Lover's Bucket List

This month marks the official start of summer, so if you haven't already solidified your summer travel itinerary, you need to get on it, pronto! Early summer is a popular time for traveling—kids have just started their school breaks, and the parents are ready to use all the PTO they've saved up. However, with so many beautiful places around the world to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down your vacation wishlist. Well, not to worry—we asked our editors to share their top summer vacation ideas to give you some inspiration.

Whether you choose to jet-set abroad or keep it domestic (there are plenty of great road-tripping ideas here!), there's something for everyone. There are so many natural wonders to be found around the U.S., like Napa Valley, Governor's Island, or a white sand beach in Florida. However, if you do want to book an international getaway, then check out Medellín, Colombia, or the Palais des Papes in France.

Keep reading for our ultimate, editor-approved list of summer vacation ideas, and get those packing lists ready. Here's what's in store for you.

Stay Surfside in Huntington Beach, CA

"I had never been to the West Coast until late summer in 2024, when I got to go on a trip to Huntington Beach, California. I stayed at the Paséa Hotel & Spa, which was right on the beach, meaning I got to wake up every morning to the most beautiful sunrises. It's the perfect place to go if you want to focus on relaxing by the water and participating in boardwalk activities, like riding electric bikes down the beach and taking a sunset boat ride where you get to snack on cheese and wine. It was also super easy to get to the Pacific from the hotel—they even have a caddy service that'll take you there."

 

Tour Coffee Farms in Medellín, Colombia

"My brother-in-law is Colombian, so when he and my sister got married earlier this year, my whole family got to take a trip to Medellín. It's nicknamed 'The City of Eternal Spring' thanks to its constant temperate weather, making it ideal for beach days and walking around the hilly metropolitan area. One of my favorite things that we did on the trip was tour a coffee farm—there are plenty to visit in the area, but we went to La Casa Grande. We learned how the coffee is harvested, how it's roasted, and got to taste the different kinds the farm made. One thing to note: Your weather app will tell you that it's always raining in Medellín, but don't let that fool you! The sun is constantly making appearances."

 

Summer Upstate in Martha's Vineyard

"Martha's Vineyard is the perfect New England summer getaway. Even if you’re only able to visit for a long weekend, you’ll be able to stop by so many amazing destinations. Design lovers have to check out Chilmark Pottery for beautiful handmade ceramics, Portobello Road for unique trinkets, and Alison Shaw’s art gallery for stunning photography."

 

Taste Wine in Napa Valley, CA

"Napa is widely recognized as one of the top food and wine regions in the country, but the lush and diverse landscape is what cemented it as one of my favorite destinations. In just an hour, you can go from touring wineries and local farms to shucking oysters along the California coast. Set within its own vineyard, The Four Seasons Napa Valley immerses you in the surrounding landscape—not to mention it’s also home to a Michelin-star seasonal restaurant."

 

Explore the Architecture in Copenhagen, Denmark

"I knew Copenhagen was a great place to visit if you're into fashion and design, and having visited the city, I can 100 percent confirm the place lives up to the hype. One of my favorite things I did there, aside from wandering around the city center on foot, was stop by the ceramics shop Studio Arhoj and visit the Designmuseum Danmark, which traces the history of Danish and international industrial design. There's so much artistry to explore in town, and the city really prides itself on that indoor/outdoor living too: during the summer months, you'll see people swimming in the canals and sunbathing on the docks."

 

Admire the Scenery in the Swiss Alps

"Mother Nature sure knows how to design the most epic landscapes. Everywhere you turn in Switzerland, it's like you're looking at a picturesque screensaver. I think the country must have a law where every property/home needs to plant wildflowers or let them just flourish, because the amount of natural gardens I saw was astonishing and beautiful! They put the gardens back in NYC to shame. I stayed in Wengen, which is an Alpine Swiss village, but ventured out to explore the entire Jungfrau Region. Though I loved my Airbnb, the Grandhotel Giessbach is the most dreamy and breathtaking hotel I have ever seen—it's perched on a hill, overlooking Lake Brienz."

 

Kick Back in Easygoing Provincetown, MA

"I was absolutely smitten with Provincetown upon my first visit in 2022. This quaint seaside town, located on the tip of Cape Cod, has an easygoing energy and sense of humor that is apparent in every arty shop, bakery, and bistro you visit. The town is a legendary LGBTQ+ haven, and enjoying a drag brunch or a piano bar performance while you’re there is a must. Plus, the natural beauty of the area offers a calming respite from all the activity. To get there, you can beat the summer traffic and simply take a 90-minute ferry from Boston—your vacation will start immediately upon disembarking."

 

Explore the Nature of Oaxaca, Mexico

"There is so much to do in Oaxaca, from visiting the artisan markets to going on a mezcal tour! One of my favorite things about visiting this place was admiring all the colorful homes and ornate churches, which were influenced by Spanish Colonial architecture."

 

See Medieval Sites in Avignon, France

“Avignon, a city in France’s Provence region, is an ideal vacation spot for a history buff looking to get away, relax, but still get their kicks! The city has a rich history, and it shows in all the architecture, especially the Palais des Papes, or the Popes' Palace. In the summer, a large-scale art exhibition takes up the Great Chapel while the Main Courtyard becomes an open-air theatre. The medieval city has daily street vendors and its fair share of cute cafes. And you can’t forget the wine! So even if you’re not there for the history, you can enjoy sipping on all the wine the region has to offer.”

 

Catch Some Rays in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

“Ah, Cabo. An oasis of fresh, delicious food, beautiful beaches, and vibrant people. Cabo San Lucas is an ideal vacation destination. If you want to relax, you can rent a villa on the beach and spend your days sipping fruity drinks in the sand while catching up on your reading. If you’d like to be a bit more active, like beach clubs or water sports, there are opportunities for that, too. They call Cabo a resort city, so there’s plenty of lodging, lounging, dining, and nightlife options here. All in all, Cabo is a getaway where you can reset in any way you prefer, before having to inevitably (or not?) go back to reality.”

 

Travel Down the Florida Peninsula

“As a born Floridian, there’s nothing I claim more proudly than Florida beaches. If you want a beach getaway, but don’t want to leave the country, go to Florida. Sure, we have Disney World and the parks at Universal, but I would NEVER recommend going there in the summer. A summer spent in Florida should be spent beachside. There are plenty of beach towns to choose from. If you want something a little elevated, visit Palm Beach. A little more quaint? I’d suggest a trip to St. Pete or Islamorada. If you prefer a lazy surf vibe, I’d suggest Cocoa Beach. And for a little wilder time, hit Miami’s South Beach or Key West! Not to mention the West Coast and the Panhandle!”

 

Hit Up the Tourist Attractions in San Francisco, CA

“Don’t tell anyone in New York I said this, but San Francisco is a good alternative if you want to visit a major cultural hub in the U.S. Let me be clear, NOT AS GOOD, but good. San Francisco has well-curated museums, a lot of scenic moments, and some delicious food. The city provides an equal balance of city to nature that is perfect for a summer vacation. You can have a picnic in Mission Park (I’d suggest burritos from La Taqueria), tour the Palace of Fine Arts, then walk over to the Marina District for a view of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, visit the sea lions at Pier 39, or even take a quick trip over the bridge to be amazed by the Muir Woods. No matter how you spend your time there, it’s bound to be memorable.”

 

Take in the Views on the Seychelles in Africa

"I just got back from my first trip to Africa, one that combined a safari with the Seychelles. We stayed at the Four Seasons Seychelles on Mahe, the largest island in the Seychelles, which is lush and hilly with incredible views and powder-white beaches from the wave-washed coral. Then we went onto the Four Seasons Desroches Island, a coral atoll in the outer Seychelles that is home just to the resort and a tortoise sanctuary that has saved the Aldabra tortoises from extinction. It feels like a private island, and everyone bikes around, making friends with the 120-year-old tortoises."

 

Marvel at Wild Animals on a Safari

"The older I get, the more I appreciate how travel has the power to make you feel like a kid again, when everything seemed new and the world was full of wonder. I felt that way the entire time I was in Africa. My first stop was a safari in the Serengeti. Before the official safari even started, just on the jeep ride from the air strip to the Four Season Serengeti in Tanzania, I spotted a dazzle of zebras huddling together, a herd of wildebeests thundering across the plains, a mama elephant with her babies, and a journey of giraffes munching on the treetops. I couldn’t believe that I was finally witnessing animals I’ve read about my whole life roaming free in their own habitat. It was like I’d stepped into a nature documentary, only I could smell the herbs and feel the breeze."

 

Glamp on Governor's Island

"It's so magical to be on this little island off the island of Manhattan. At the seasonal glampsite run by Collective Retreats, you can unzip the tent or sit on the porch of the tiny home you're staying in and watch the Staten Island ferry sail past the Statue of Liberty as the sun sets. There are s'mores and hammocks and bikes—all the fun of camp anywhere—but those views remind you that you couldn't be anyplace else."

 

Tour Gilded Age Estates in Newport, RI

Indulge your inner history buff and take an educational vacation this summer. Newport is famous for its historic mansions, the grandest of which is The Breakers, the Vanderbilt family's summer "cottage." If you time your trip wisely, you can catch a glimpse of Newport's famous sailing regatta in the harbor, too.

 

Take a Ghost Tour in Savannah, GA

Horror fans and history fans alike will love Savannah, Georgia, for the wealth of spooky ghost tours that take place after the sun goes down. During the day, walk around downtown to check out all the cute shops and delicious restaurants.

 

Attend the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Each August, performers, actors, and comedians flood every venue (and street) in Edinburgh, Scotland. Tour the city by day and grab tickets to take in your pick of the more than 600 shows by night.

 

 

Visit the Pope's Summer Residence

If you're planning a trip to Italy, be sure to hit the lakeside town of Castel Gandolfo, an hour's train ride from Rome. With stunning views and quaint, quiet streets, we can see why the Pope chose this spot for his summer home and observatory back in the early 1600s.

 

Hike a National Park

Did you know there are more than 400 national parks in the United States? Pick one and spend your days there hiking, kayaking, camping, and taking in the wonderful sights and sounds of nature.