Pack light and live large this summer

Summer starts in less than 30 school days. Many students want to go on this great summer vacation before school starts again in September. For those of you who are struggling with finding the perfect vacation spot, here are some suggestions to get your research started on finding that perfect spot for you and your family to have a great summer vacation! 

 Glacier National Park, Montana– Known for stunning geological features, including 700-plus lakes, 200 waterfalls, and two major mountain ranges across more than 1 million acres. The best months to visit would be July and August. Things to do include Going-to-the-sun Road, a paved, two-lane highway that snakes through Glacier national park, dividing the park into east and west regions. Throughout the drive, you see Glacier lakes, waterfalls, and cedar forests to alpine peaks. Logan Pass is a favorite among park visitors, you will see the most breathtaking scenery from lakes to wildflower fields.

Outer Banks, North Carolina– A quintessential vacation destination. Outer Banks fills vacationers with activities for everyone. The beaches stretch for more than 100 miles along the barrier islands that frame the eastern coast of North Carolina. A tourist favorite is the Elizabeth Gardens, a 10.5-acre public garden that offers a peaceful sanctuary with more than 500 different plants, including collections of hydrangeas, camellias, historic herbs, and native coastal species. Another tourist favorite is the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. The main feature is the Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit. Models of remnants of the USS Monitor make up the home for giant turtles and sharks in the 285,000-gallon tank found in the ironclad sanctuary exhibit. The rest of the aquarium shows a variety of other marine critters, including alligators, otters, frogs, and plenty of fish. 

Venice, Italy– Tourists say you must see Venice once during your life as it is breathtaking. Those who visit can experience canals, gondolas, bridges, calli, ancient buildings, city traditions, stones, and legends. One place to visit would be the Gallerie Dell’accademia Museum, as it hosts the richest collection of Venetian paintings from the fourteenth century to the artists of the Renaissance. 

Port Austin, Michigan– Tucked away at the tip of Michigan’s “thumb” sits Port Austin, lake Huron’s best-kept secret. This town is full of adventure and charm. Whether you’re sunbathing on the soft-sand beaches, exploring Michigan’s largest Farmer’s Markets, or kayaking. Bird Creek Park is an attraction along Port Austin’s shoreline and offers lots of fun including, a boardwalk, beach, splash pad, and kayaking. Many street vendors give out adorable and delicious food.  

Gatlinburg, Tennessee– Gatlinburg is a gorgeous destination for summertime revelers. A great vacation spot in the summer because of all the natural activities it offers. A big tourist attraction is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Smoky Mountains give spectacular views of wildlife, historic buildings, and beautiful mountains. Tourists also are into White River rafting. Rafting in the smokies is a great option for all-day fun. Since 1993, Smoky Mountain Outdoors has been providing white water rafting. The most popular option is the upper pigeon River Rafting, a 6.5-mile trip down the river on class 3 and 4 rapids.