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Right now, this is the ideal place where we can enjoy the joys of spring in cooler weather without feeling like we’re disappearing into the pavement.
But will summer come? That’s a whole different game.
In the US, the weather alone will turn even the most iconic cultural cities and trendy escapes into unbearable hellscapes that will have you asking yourself, “Why didn’t I just go to the beach?”
Not every beach vacation is perfect for spring, but there are plenty of waterfront destinations and classic hideaways that people love to get to before the thermometers reach the triple digits.
That’s why the expert team at Travel Off Path has put together a list of the top 4 American getaways that are perfect for spring, but complete no-go zones for summer:
4) Palm Springs: Avoid the summer pools and 110 degree scorches
The “tourist season” does not always take place in summer. Palm Springs is one of those rarities.
Palm Springs has long been a hideaway for celebs looking to escape the glare of Hollywood and for fellow Americans looking to enjoy both modern luxury and vintage vibes. Palm Springs may be sunny all year round, but summer is a vitamin D glut.
Yes, it seems like every hotel here, whether it’s the swanky JW Marriott on the outskirts or the retro 1960s hotels, has a sparkling pool.
But in summer, when temperatures well exceed triple figures, the only thing that glitters will be the sweaty crowd of vacationers who all share the same idea: jump in the pool!
Spring is a much better time to experience this West Coast icon, especially if you know you’re in line for a smooth getaway, as Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is unaffected by the TSA closure.
3) New Orleans: the French Quarter becomes the Stank District
New Orleans may be one of a kind, but summer has a way of bringing out its less charming side.
Between the murky waterfront where no one is itching to jump in and the unforgiving humidity, you’re more likely to want to plant yourself in an ice bed with the city’s famous oysters than slurp them the civilized way on a stuffy patio.
Right now, especially after Mardi Gras, New Orleans is a joy to visit – literally. I mean, have you tried Cafe du Monde’s beignets?
You can enjoy the French Quarter and people watching around this festive city at all hours through May before the summer heat takes over, but just know that NOLA can sometimes be on the sketchy side.
Our real-time data safety index suggests otherwise, scoring New Orleans at 83/100 – not too shabby for a city often lumped in with other “dangerous destinations.”
As you probably know, the world-famous Bourbon Street is the biggest draw no matter what type of traveler you are. And in the morning you will definitely smell the night before, and even more so in the summer…
Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
2) Laughlin: the riverside oasis that splits two states
One of the most underrated escapes in the Southwest is Laughlin, Nevada, located on the beautiful Colorado River shared with neighboring Arizona.
Although the river’s water is clear and swimmable, that’s the only time you’ll want to be outside in the summer.
Because there is no airport, it is one of the riskier destinations for a road trip if your radiator dies or the tires blow out on a desert road in the 100-plus degree summer days.
While this waterfront retreat is a fun playground for adults with plenty of casinos and entertainment options, Laughlin is better suited for spring with boat rides, cozy beaches, and riverside walks, unless you want to spend the entire trip indoors to the soundtrack of jingling slot machines and fragrant ashtrays.
On the other side: the New York Post named Laugh the most affordable holiday destination in America, so good comes with bad…
1) Scottsdale: Old Town will still be there in the fall
I’ve made a lot of travel mistakes.
Possibly #1 on my list of named mistakes is flying to Phoenix in July, assuming I can handle the constantly pounding Scottsdale sun.
“How bad can it be?” I asked.
Pretty $#&!@ bad!
When the highlight of your summer vacation is riding the free trolley around the old town just for air conditioning, you know you picked the wrong time.
While there are plenty of luxury hotels where you can relax poolside and cool off, anything else just isn’t worth it, especially the popular hikes in town with tongue-melting trails and encounters with common rattlesnakes.
Spring and fall are great times to visit, because the endless maze of Old Town is delightful to explore, and because it’s one of America’s unsung foodie destinations, there are dozens of patios to choose from to enjoy the beautiful scenery, since patio masters can only do so much in the summer.
No matter when you get there, it’s one of America’s safest escapes. It currently has an impressive score of 85/100 on our safety index tool.
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