Happy Tuesday, friends!
You guys, I asked a simple question on Instagram last week thinking I would post the results in my Stories but OH MY WORD, your responses were AMAZING! I could not believe how many of you gave this group recommendations when I posed the question:
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHARMING US CITY TO VISIT OVER THE SUMMER?
I mean, I love my Nantucket, but I know there are SO MANY other great US cities out there that you might need to visit this summer, and boy, you ladies had all the answers!
There were so many responses that I enlisted Mackenzie here in my office to help me sort through them. We counted up as many as we could and wrote down a “TOP 10” based on the frequency of some cities along with the many “honorable mentions” that were also repeated over and over again. We did not get to comb through every single one of them, and I know we probably missed some, so please, please, please share your faves in the comment section below too. Who knows? This group might just be helping you figure out your summer plans 🙂 .
Okay, here are the TOP 10 based on your answers. I looked up each city and found their local tourism website as well so that you can click and read more about that particular city.
TRAVERSE CITY, MI
MYSTIC, CT
BEAUFORT, NC
LEAVENWORTH, WA
KENNEBUNKPORT, ME
BAR HARBOR, ME
NEWPORT, RI
CAPE MAY, NJ
DOOR COUNTY, WI
MACKINAC, MI
Such an eclectic mix, right? If you’ve been here/live here/love here, please share more details on why you agree that your town made it in to the TOP 10.
We did also count up the HONORABLE MENTIONS as well.
Those cities are:
Fairhope, AL
Bentonville, AR
Sedona, AZ
Carmel, CA
Lake Tahoe, CA
Crested Butte, CO
Estes Park, CO
Steamboat Springs, CO
Anna Maria, FL
Rosemary Beach, FL
Savannah, GA
Damariscotta, ME
Ogunquit, ME
Newburyport, MA
Provincetown, MA
Glen Arbor, MI
Grand Haven, MI
Holland, MI
Houghton, MI
Saugatuck, MI
Excelsior, MN
Stillwater, MN
Oxford, MS
Red River, NM
Blowing Rock, NC
Southport, NC
Cannon Beach, OR
Lititz, PA
Charleston, SC
Greenville, SC
Hilton Head Island, SC
Franklin, TN
Fredericksburg, TX
If you have other cities, other insights, other helpful ideas for this community, please share below.
Thank you, thank you, thank you in advance! I feel very confident this post is going to help so many this summer! xx
Julia Statham says
Will you please do a haul on your swimsuits you wore in Bali?
We are getting ready for our family vaca in July and well I just have always loved lived your style!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! They were almost all from spring break (in fact, I think they all were!). I like the brands Becca and La Blanca from Nordstrom, Athleta’s solid bottoms are my favorite too!
Emi says
LOVE Cape May. My dad lived there (he’s passed) until last year and my uncle lives there. They both retired and moved down there separately as it’s long been the family vacation destination!
Susan McKain says
What a wonderful post, Shay! Thank you for the destination ideas, it’s always so much fun to explore our country. I was thrilled to see my hometown of Lititz, PA, listed as an honorable mention. When I moved here 23 years ago, I knew I wanted to contribute to our charming and thriving downtown. However, I didn’t think it would be in the form of a children’s book! But then, years later, my husband and I owned an Irish Terrier named Tugger. I noticed Tugger would happily eat anything in the world except for a pretzel. This was ironic because Lititz is the home of the oldest pretzel bakery in the country, and so my story idea was born. Inviting my mom to be my co-author and eventually self-publishing was an adventure. A friend from HS did our illustrations, and the local historian wrote us a history of Lititz for the back. We’ve had people buy the book as a souvenir of the town, and others who have sent it to family and friends who then wanted to visit after reading it. If you’d like to check it out, it’s for sale at the pretzel bakery and on Amazon, and the title is “Tugger the Pretzel Pup”. I’m proud to have contributed a little something to our darling town. Looking forward to checking out the other cozy spots all over the country.
Amy says
I live over in Chester County PA and I love Lititz!
Elspeth says
What a diverse list!! Thanks so much for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Laura says
What!???? Door County made number 2!!! This area is so cute that once my parents retired they moved here full time. As you drive up and down the peninsula it is one charming picturesque lake town after the next. Each town has unique shops and restaurants as chains are now allowed on the peninsula. As you go north the towns get smaller and smaller, but so many lovely things in each. Plus if you love a good day on the lake it could not be more perfect. There are too many favorite places to list here, but I have to mention Wilson’s Restaurant in Ephraim as it was my summer job for years! It is the cutest little ice cream parlor with quick bite to eat too. Our newest family tradition is to drive down once a summer just to all order a giant sundae! https://wilsonsicecream.com/
Barbara A Hervey says
Love Door County! Been coming here for over 60 years! I have a place in Fish Creek right on the water It is My Happy Place!
Jess says
Central CT girl here! I couldn’t decide between Mystic, Newport and both spots in Maine! My honorable mention is Portsmouth NH as well! Since I’m from CT, Mystic is what i went with. Such a cute downtown! The aquarium, in my opinion, takes the cake over Bostons. The seaport is a fun stop. So many good restaurants. Ice cream at the drawbridge is a must! Lots of fun breweries and of course Mystic Pizza (maybe not the “best pizza” in CT but cool if you’ve seen the movie). Nearby Stonington is a great area too, Saltwater Farm Winery is gorgeous. And can’t forget to mention Watch Hill/Westerly in RI. You’d love there downtown – Matunuk Oyster Bar is amazing. I mean you could keep going to Narragansett. I’ll stop there though! lol. New England is filled with such cute towns, but our sea coast maybe my favorite!
Kristin Baetz says
Can’t say enough wonderful things about Beaufort,NC…this our “Nantucket” of NC and we love it there!
Kara says
Mackinac Island is one of our favorite places! No cars, horse carriages, the most beautiful flowers and just a perfect little island! ❤️
Jamie says
I live in Wisconsin and so I 100% agree that Door County is amazing. You drive up the peninsula and there’s cute town after cute town with quaint, delicious restaurants, adorable shops, the BEST views of sunrises and sunsets.
I’ve also been to Mackinac Island many times and our family LOVES it. There’s no cars. The only way on is by ferry. You can bike the 8 mile island, walked or take horses. It’s like stepping back in time. If you go, besides the Grand Hotel (a MUST visit) find “The Woods” which is owned by The Grand, but was a children’s “playhouse” and is now a Hansel and Gretel style restaurant, bar, and duck pin bowling.
Kelly says
So happy Oxford, MS made the honorable mention list. It is SUCH a special place!! ❤️💙
Jamie says
The link for Mackinac is for Mackinac city! But Mackinac Island is very different! It’s magical!!! https://www.mackinacisland.org/
SS says
Yes, Mackinaw City is definitely different than the Mackinac Island.
Lindsay says
Michigan is pretty special in the summer! Especially Marquette all the way up north. The fall is gorgeous as well, my husband and I honeymooned in traverse city during the fall and it was perfection!!!
Lindsey Blackwell says
Whoohoo! Native Michigander here, it is great to see so many mentions. I love my state in the summer 🙂 So many other favorite travel spots on this list – lots of places I like to visit in the winter (to get away from the snow!). Also a few to add to my ever-growing travel bucket list! THANKS for putting this together.
Megan says
So excited to see Door County as #2! Our wedding location and my absolute favorite spot. Would love to see you check it out in person!
Barbara Ann Hervey says
Having a wedding on August 24th!!!
Kelly Marie Sites says
I live in Michigan and was so excited to see ALL THE MICHIGAN LOVE. It’s a crazy beautiful state with a ton to do, especially for outsiders.
I FOR SURE say Sedona. One of the best places to hike we have ever been. We are heading to Glacier National Park in Montana next week to hike, and I’m positive it will be a must see.
Sarah Henning says
Same! Michigander here and I was so happy to see all the Michigan love!!
Kristine G. says
Surprised (but also not surprised) to see that my hometown (Excelsior, MN) made the honorable mention list! Last time I was in downtown in the summer, I remember feeling like I was on vacation! Great list!
Ashley D says
Love this list! A couple other great places in the Midwest are Galena, Illinois (think Hallmark movie) and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin (the different boat tours that are offered on the lake are so fun). Great places to stay in both locations are, The DeSoto House (Galena) and The Maxwell Mansion (Lake Geneva).
My husband and I are going to Door County, Wisconsin with my parent’s in early September, and I can’t wait. I’ve heard it’s the “Nantucket” of the Midwest. 🙂
I used to live about 1.5 hours from Sedona, Arizona. Good shopping, beautiful scenery (and hiking). Just choose wisely when you are going to go as it can get very crowded and hot.
Jessica Belanger says
Yeah Door County, WI! My husband and I used to dock our boat in Sturgeon Bay and we got married there. So, this county in Wisconsin is very near and dear to my heart. It’s a beautiful peninsula with the bay of Green Bay on one side and Lake Michigan on the other. It’s filled with cherry orchards (so all sorts or yummy cherry jams, salsa, and wine), vineyards (take a trolley tour of all of them!), art, amazing restaurants and ice cream shops, and beautiful sunsets! Our must-stops are Kitty O’Reilly’s Irish Pub, Cave Point County Park, Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant, biking in Peninsula State Park, and ice cream at Wilson’s. If you can’t make it in the summer, it’s just as beautiful and less busy in fall, you can ice fish in the winter, and the cherry trees are jaw dropping in spring. I could go on and on!
I just visited Kennebunkport, ME last summer and it was so quaint! Rumor has it that Taylor Swift has a summer house there.
Lisa D says
Asheville, NC!
Leah says
I’m glad Leavenworth made the list!! It’s such a cute place to visit with lots to do in neighboring cities as well!! It’s a city that is fun to visit year round! Oktoberfest, tree lighting in the winter, summer weather it’s fun all the time! Beer halls and wine tastings and great food!
Jamie S says
Agreed! And can’t forget, breathtaking views!!! Such a beautiful area, year-round! There is always something fun and festive happening in Leavenworth that makes the town feel even more magical.
Dana Siler says
St Louis, Mo
The gateway to the West
Allison says
The Frio River and nearby town of Concan, TX is seriously underrated. You go float or swim in that river and tell me you feel like you’re in Texas, lol! It is absolutely, stunningly beautiful!!
Also as a fellow McKinney resident… we vacation every summer on the Finger Lakes in NY. Also stunningly beautiful. Wine trails everywhere. So green up there. The water is gorgeous. We stay on Seneca Lake but I grew up visiting Canandaigua Lake every summer and have also stayed on Skaneateles Lake. We fly into Rochester or Syracuse!
Chrys says
I can’t believe Cape May, NJ made the list!! I have been going every summer since I was 6 months old. And now that my parents bought an RV and have it permanently stationed at the local campground, we are always there throughout the summer. It is super charming and the beach is fantastic. Plus it is super bike friendly so we can head anywhere without worrying about needing to park our cars. It’s my very favorite!🥰
Kristin Lyngaas says
I’m from MINNEAPOLIS and it is the most gorgeous city ever. The park and lake system right in the city is ranked one of the best in the country. There are tons of theaters,museums – Institute of Arts is unbelievable and free, things for kids to do, fabulous shopping, fun suburbs to visit, country roads to explore, hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and a thousand other things. The sports teams are awesome- go Twins! Also go Saints! They are the minor league team owned by Bill Murray the comedian. Also St.Paul is absolutely stunning and has just as much to do there- right across the bridge. I lived in Minneapolis for 50 years before moving to Phoenix, but I come back for a month every June. 💙💙💙
Mo says
I found it hilarious that she referred to Minneapolis as a “cute adorable town” in her book review last month. It is a major US city not a “town”. Ha! My daughter goes to the U and loves it! Great city!
Mix and Match Mama says
Wait, me? I referred to the cute adorable Minnesota town on the lake in the book that was near Minneapolis, but certainly not Minneapolis. It was a little lake town (where the main character lived on a tiny island in the middle of the lake).
Faith says
I grew up 20 minutes from Beaufort NC. In fact my high school I went to is in Beaufort. Makes me happy to see it on the list!!
SS says
Shay,
I have been telling you …you need to go to Mackinac Island!!! LOL!!! We have been to 2 on the main list and 2 in Michigan on the Honorable Mention and at least one other honorable mention. LOL!!
I will start with most of these places are near or on a lake…I know this is shocking…LOL!!! I will do my best to make this short, but there is so much to share… I will just send in a guest blog…HA HA!! I will say all these places are great in the summer, but my favorite is in the fall because of the color and well, less people. Let’s face it…these are tourist spots!!!
#1 Mackinac Island… if you have never watched the movie Somewhere in Time from the 80s with Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymore, I suggest you do…it was filmed on Mackinac Island and was the only time a car was allowed on the island since they banned them.(Just FYI they have a Somewhere in Time weekend where many dress as people from the movie. We were up there once just for a trip… I swear this guy looked so much like Christopher Reeves I just kept looking over my shoulder as he walked away). Only Fire & Ambulance are there, so this is a walk, bike, or horse carriage island. You can only get there by ferry or plane (most go by ferry). You can bring your own bike …the ferry charges a fee, but it’s not as much as renting. As a kid we went in the summer, with our family we have gone before Memorial Day and in October. Our family has stayed on the Island in 2 different hotels…we have not stayed in the Grand Hotel…it has rules of how to dress and act…with small kids at the time…not our cup of tea. It is definitely a place to enjoy the quiet and the FUDGE..they are known for it. You walk on the main street and they have fans that push that smell on the street. LOL!! I could go on..but I don’t want to take all your space. Questions ask…it has been about 5 yrs since we have been up there..
#10 and 4of 5 Honorable Mentions are on Lake Michigan. All smaller towns known for different things. All have wonderful festivals throughout the summer.
We have been to Hilton Head…but close to 30 yrs ago…so I am sure it as changed.
This was fun to read about… I know you have more Michigan readers. If I can help anyone visiting some of the spots in Michigan…please ask…
Candice says
I’m from Milwaukee. Door county is a three hour trip from me. It is so worth it. Tons of cute shops, tons for good restaurants. They are famous for cherries and for fish boils. It’s so good. Makes me want to go!
Laura C says
I love this post!!! Traverse City Michigan was always my hubby and I’s summer place to visit. We would always celebrate our anniversary there.
Becca says
You missed Duluth, MN, Two Harbors, MN, and Grand Marais, MN!
Anna says
Western New York girl here – while it’s not one city or town, I have to plug our beautiful Finger Lakes region – especially for the wine, craft beer & lake lovers! The towns of Skaneatlas, Canandaigua and Ithaca are terrific. Rent a cottage & a boat and enjoy lake life!
On a different note, I love ski resort areas in the summer time so I would add to the list: Jackson Hole WY, Whistler BC, Woodstock VT, Lake Placid NY.
Great list & suggestions!
Ellie says
I agree with your choices!! I’d also add Cooperstown, NY as a fantastic little town to visit. Home of the Baseball HOF and so many things to do. So pretty !
Laura Morrison says
I agree!! Cooperstown NY is the most charming and picturesque place to visit. The whole area around it is lovely.
I also would add Hershey, PA to the list. It’s a very sweet place to visit.
Karleigh Johnson says
LOL at only one city in Texas making the list. Fredericksburg is nice but do not come in the summer—you will melt and the amount of wine you can consume does not negate the heat you will feel in every ounce of your being 🤣 I’m bookmarking ALL of these places because they all seem like nice, cool places to break away from the Texas oven!
Mix and Match Mama says
Not going to lie, I thought the same thing! People should go October through April though!!!
Peg says
Cannon Beach, OR is one of my favorite places. The coastline is beautiful around there and the shops, etc are so fun to explore. It’s even fun in the winter to watch storms blow in. I used to live in Portland area and we would go there often.
Cheri says
I was SHOCKED when I saw Southport, NC as an honorable mention of cities as we live there.
Mix and Match Mama says
Is it paradise? Do you love it?!
Shannon Foltz says
We used to have a house in Southport it is one of our very favorite NC towns. We also love Bald Head Island (take the ferry from SPT) it reminds me a lot of Nantucket except there are no cars on Bald Head.
Stephanie says
We live in Green Bay so less than an hour drive to Door County and are so fortunate to be able to take day trips there anytime! It’s an amazing place for families or couples or girls’ weekends or anything in between!
Some of our favorites are an original drive-in movie theater, Cave Point, Peninsula State Park, Al Johnson’s with the goats on the roof, Clark Lake, and One Barrel Brewery.
We are road-tripping to the MI spots this summer and can’t wait!
Jen says
Rapid City, SD – we have MOUNT RUSHMORE which is truly more impressive in person than you could imagine. The Black Hills are just beautiful! We also have the highest point east of the Rockies in the contiguous US on Black Elk Peak. It’s a gorgeous hike starting at Sylvan Lake (beautiful and featured in National Treasure 2!) to an old fire lookout tower with panoramic views of the Hills!
Mix and Match Mama says
I have ALWAYS wanted to see it in person!!
Catherine says
The Black Hills are beautiful! We love visiting South Dakota!
Rhonda says
Michigan gal here and I have to tell you that nothing beats summertime in Michigan!! Traverse City and Mackinac Island are two of our favorite places. Lake Michigan is salt and shark free and sandy beaches on the Michigan side but rocky on the Chicago/Wisconsin side. Silver Lake is another beautiful spot to visit in Michigan, there are large sand dunes you can hike or take a Mac Woods dune ride!! And Sleeping Bear Dunes is not too far away and was voted one of the most beautiful places in America by Good Morning America.
Kesha says
I love Beaufort, NC! I live about 30 minutes away and was just there this past weekend! It is such a great place to visit!
Heidi Hoogeveen says
I’m from Holland, Michigan and was so shocked to see all the Michigan love!! Love it!❤️❤️
Sheaffer says
What a fun list!
Debbie Dehrer says
California Girl here. Love both Carmel and Lake Tahoe. My brother has a cabin that he lists on AIR B&B just outside Leavenworth, Washington. It is the cutest little Bavarian Town. Lovely in the summer and magical during the Christmas season. There is a lot to do as far as river floating, rafting, hiking, golfing, shopping, eating and sight seeing. Highly recommended.
Kerri Daniel says
So funny! We go to Mackinac Island every year for our end of the year fifth grade trip! It’ll be my 26th going on Thursday!🤣 I live 40 minutes away. Traverse City is about an hour away from us. Go northern Michigan!
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s so fun!!! 26 fifth grade trips is IMPRESSIVE!!!
Tiffany says
I grew up in Crested Butte, so I can vouch for that little mountain town. It is tiny and isolated, but a very special place. And I can vouch for Hilton Head Island, too, as my dad lived there for over 30 years. Such a fun post!
WhittyWife (Lindsay) says
Yay!! Two in Maine! I’m about an hour from Bar Harbor – you should come visit sometime! Kennebunkport is beautiful too, as is Camden (also on the coast). 😊
Mix and Match Mama says
I want to come visit!!!!
BeckyM says
I’m in Door County right now! It’s truly SO lovely! We started out at Cave Point Park (seriously SO beautiful). After checking into our hotel, we got pizza at Wild Tomato and ice cream at Wilson’s! It’s rainy today so we’re going to shop. We’ve been bringing our daughters for years! I love that Door County is a kind of “choose your own adventure!” You can do outdoorsy things or visit wineries or eat really casual food or at more high end restaurants! It’s awesome for families but equal great for a girls trip or couple’s getaway!
Olivia J Reynolds says
Savannah, Hilton Head, Charleston, Greenville … alllll GREAT spots indeed.
Jen W says
I vote Jackson hole, Wyoming area. And also the Fingerlakes in NY. SO many wineries and great summer weather.
DC says
LOVE LOVE LOVE this post! Thank you so much for sharing and all the comments with other favorites. A couple years ago we went to Maine for the first time and fell in love! A couple days in Portland, then Kennebunkport and a day in Damariscotta. We cant wait to go back! Last year, we went to Ashville, NC for the first time and loved it there as well. The Biltmore was amazing (and I wasnt even sure I wanted to take the time to do/see The Biltmore! Ha!) hiking, breweries and The Omni Grove Park Inn is a must for dinner at sunset.
Hope says
Bald Head Island, NC!! A small Nantucket of the south. It’s accessible by ferry and the less than 300 residents get around on electric golf carts.
Shannon Foltz says
Yes I just posted about this above…we adore Southport and Bald Head Island! We have been to Nantucket twice and it reminds me of it for sure. Such a great spot if you are ever in NC.
Jade says
As a Michigander this post warmed my heart to see Michigan getting so much love! 💕 love this post, I want to go on so many trips now LOL
Alana says
I never thought I’d see my town of Houghton, MI on your blog- hahaha. I love it here (besides our 6 months of winter ;)) but being that it’s a small town I was super surprised to see it on the list! Fun to get some US travel ideas!