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The great summer debate begins as soon as the mercury rises: do you cool down by heading to the mountains or enjoy the warm water and waves at the beach?
Deer Valley, Utah
In winter, ski resorts are bustling with clattering chairlifts and skiers speeding down slopes. But when snow melts and skiers disappear, the mountains exhale. Come in the summer and you might expect a ghost town, but instead you’ll find a landscape reborn: wildflower meadows spill across black diamond trails and chairlifts rise not for powder hounds but hikers and mountain bikers.
Part of the greater Rocky Mountains, Park City, Utah’s, Wasatch Range comes alive with outdoor concerts, al fresco dining, horseback riding and fly fishing in the summer. Deer Valley Resort operates three chairlifts in the summer. Take one up to the highest peak, Bald Mountain at 9,500 feet, for an exquisite escape from Louisiana’s heat.
Stein Eriksen Lodge has easy access to chair lifts and onsite bike rentals. They’ll even pack you a picnic basket for your hike. Guests keep returning to this five-star Norwegian-style lodge for its old-world charm combined with modern amenities and award-winning on-site restaurant, Glitretind. After a day on the mountains, relax in the pool or in your own private hot tub. Three-quarters of the rooms have hot tubs on their balconies. No need to rent a car, since Stein Eriksen provides complimentary shuttle service for the five-minute ride to Park City’s Main Street with its cute boutiques and hip restaurants like Riverhorse on Main, where you can enjoy local delicacies like mountain trout or the trio of wild game, featuring elk, buffalo and venison.
Mountain towns are known for their apres-ski party scene in the winter. In warmer months, happy hour moves from the fireplace to outdoor patios. The 7880 Club is the perfect al fresco choice for drinks or dinner with its stunning mountain views and Stein Eriksen staff are happy to give you a complimentary ride. They’ll likely even be able to chauffeur you to further local spots, like Utah Olympic Park, a museum where you can watch Olympic freestyle skiers train in summer, skiing down a ramp and landing in water!
St. Pete/Clearwater, Florida
The perfect beach town balances stunning coastline with first-rate restaurants and activities for all ages and interests. Florida’s Gulf Coast cities of Clearwater and neighboring St. Pete check all the boxes. Pristine water and powder soft sand? Check! Restaurant options from coastal casual to fine dining? Check! World class museums? Yep!
Clearwater lives up to its name, with tranquil, translucent Gulf Coast surf you could happily spend your days lounging at. Pick a hotel with easy beach access like the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach. Within easy walking distance to Clearwater Harbor and the best local restaurants, it also has a beautiful pool and outdoor bar overlooking the beach, just steps away. Take advantage of one of the biggest perks of the $35 daily resort fee: two beach chairs and an umbrella on the beach.
Plenty of great dining options are within easy walking distance. Two to put at the top of the list are Crabby’s for its fun vibe, frozen drinks and fantastic views of both Clearwater Harbor and the Gulf, and the Beachcomber, a fine dining option known for fresh Gulf grouper and surf and turf.
No visit to Clearwater is complete without going out on a boat to see playful dolphins jumping in Clearwater Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. While plenty of companies offer tours, the 90-minute excursion aboard Little Toot is a budget-friendly choice that’s sure to please.
Take a break from the beach for a day trip to St. Pete, known for its thriving arts scene. It’s home to at least nine notable museums, including the glass master’s Chihuly Collection and the surreal architecture of the Dali Museum. Another cultural offering worth checking out is Book & Bottle. A popular gathering spot for locals, it’s both a bar and bustling bookstore. Another fun way to meet the locals is at the St. Pete Shuffleboard Club, the world’s oldest and largest shuffleboard club. Only $10 to play!
Another fun nearby day trip is Tarpon Springs, which has the largest percentage of Greek Americans of any U.S. city. Check out the sponge docks and independent shops, then celebrate the town’s Greek heritage at Hellas by ordering the flaming saganaki cheese and house specialty, broiled octopus.
Mountain town or beach vibe? It’s a delicious dilemma between sinking your toes into warm sand or lacing up your hiking boots.
