Planning summer vacation is almost a rite of passage to get us through those last few balmy, rainy days of spring. Deciding when and where relies on a bunch of factors, including budget, weather, travel, and, of course—what there is to see and do there. If like many travelers today, you’re seeking more immersive and authentic travel experience, you’ve come to the right place.
As we head into National Travel and Tourism Week (May 6 -12, 2018), we’ve been thinking about the value of tourism to not only big city destinations, but also the smaller towns and communities, we at InTown Suites service. With such a turn towards deeper travel experiences, the principle of living like a local has become a sought-after vacation experience that smaller, less “on the map” destinations can truly fulfill. With this in mind, we’ve gathered a list of regions worthy of your summer vacation plans that offer authentic experiences.
SIP AND SEE CENTRAL COLORADO
Summer here is full of festivals that highlight two of the state’s greatest commodities: excellent live music and a renowned craft beer scene. In Boulder be treated to musical entertainment almost any day of the week, from Monday’s “Meadow Music” series at historic Chautauqua Park to Saturday night shows at Twenty Ninth Street. Of course, two of Colorado’s biggest musical attractions happen to be close by with the Colorado Music Festival at Chautauqua in June, and the world-famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre just 30 miles away from Boulder. From Denver discover a bustling food and drink culture. Tour the city’s culinary scene with offerings from more than 50 area restaurant and 275 marketplace artisans and vendors at A Taste of Colorado in August. Sip your way through over 100 locally owned breweries, brewpubs, and taprooms along the Denver Beer Trail or savor the terroir of the Rocky Mountain State at Denver’s urban wineries.
InTown Suites extended stay accommodations in Denver.
GET RURAL IN TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
Tucked between San Antonio and Austin, the Texas Hill Country is a pastoral dream with full of pecan orchards, wildflowers, wineries, and tons of local producers. Head to the German-settled town of Fredericksburg to experience this unique mix of German tradition with a Big Texas twist. Walk the open-air Marktplatz (Market Square) for festivals, concerts, and to simply take in the surrounding parks and gardens. Try everything from authentic bratwursts and classic Texas barbecue at local restaurants. Venture out to tour the region’s vineyards, stopping at roadside stands and shops to grab a snack of local pecans, cheese, and juicy peaches. Step back in time in nearby Luckenbach. A well-preserved frontier town, explore this old trading post and soak up Luckenbach’s small town charm with a chuckwagon dinner at a local barbecue joint and a visit to the dance hall.
InTown Suites extended stay accommodations in Austin and San Antonio.
TASTE TO TRAIL IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS REGION
One of the best summer vacation spots in the country, the area surrounding the Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides a beautiful array of outdoor recreation and culinary exploration. Asheville, North Carolina has earned the nickname “Foodtopia” with a local restaurants scene that rivals some of America’s biggest cities. Fresh, farm-to-table and organically sourced ingredients are a way of life here, as evidenced by local restaurant menus and the city’s numerous farmer’s markets. Work off all those extra Asheville earned calories along the over 800 miles of hiking trails and 300 streams within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including the famed Appalachian Trail. Nestled at the base of the mountains on the other side of the park, just outside of Knoxville is the small town of Pigeon Forge. Famous for its artisan-made crafts, hop on the free trolley to spend a day in the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, shopping for unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else.
InTown Suites extended stay accommodations in Knoxville.
HISTORIC COASTAL GEORGIA
Nothing is more iconic than Georgia’s Spanish moss-draped coastal cities in the summer. Savannah oozes quintessential southern charm with one of the best preserved historic districts in the country. Walk its scenic cobblestone streets, see classic antebellum architecture, and tour one of the many grand plantations. Just 30 minutes from Savannah is Tybee Island, a natural wonderland complete with marshes, nature preserves, and public beaches. A popular stopping ground on the Atlantic Flyway, see a variety of migratory birds along the Sally Pearce Nature Trail and the Little Tybee Island Nature Preserve. Stroll the beaches and keep your eyes peeled for resident sea turtles. Explore the grounds of the Fort Pulaski National Monument, a former Confederate garrison. Weather permitting, hop on a boat tour to see the region’s friendly and active bottlenose dolphins. No matter where you go, you’ll be transported to a simpler time.
InTown Suites extended stay accommodations in Savannah.
Need a place to stay on your summer vacation full of authentic experiences? InTown Suites offer extended stay properties in 22 states, within close proximity to all the local haunts you want to explore.
