Beat the Heat With 10 North American ‘Coolcation’ Destinations

Choosing a summer vacation spot used to be as simple as donning a bathing suit, packing a cooler and heading to the nearest beach. But with many destinations growing unbearably hot, travelers are seeking out “coolcations,” places where they can take refuge from searing temperatures. Google Trends has tracked a 300 percent increase in searches for “cooler holidays” compared to last year.

Hospitality marketing expert Andrew Freeman believes that adults 50-plus are driving the trend. “Once the kids are out of the house and on their own, the 50-plus traveler is ready to explore the world via trips to Europe and beyond,” he says. “With families — especially with young children — warm weather trips like Disney World and hotels with pools or beach vacations tend to satisfy the needs of the kids. The 50-plus travelers are eager to seek out popular, or soon to be popular, destinations, and these could be in cooler places.”

These lower-mercury locales are beneficial for the health of older adults, says California-based geriatrician Elizabeth Landsverk, M.D., and not just because they reduce the risk of heatstroke. “It’s much more comfortable [for] exercising,” she says, especially if you take antihypertensives and diuretics, which can cause blood pressure to plummet when the body overheats. Physical activity in cooler temperatures also activates brown fat, which improves metabolism. And because cooler weather helps you sleep and gives you more energy, Landsverk says that you might even feel more focused or clear minded.

By 2050, more than 200 million more older adults worldwide are expected to be exposed to dangerous heat, compared with now, research published in Nature Communications suggests.

You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars or travel to famously icy destinations such as Iceland, Norway and Antarctica. In North America, we have plenty of chillier cities that cater to a variety of interests, from outdoor recreation and wildlife watching to cultural attractions and craft beverage makers. Here are 10 coolcation suggestions for summer.

High Falls Gorge in Lake Placid, New York, is one of the many waterways in the Adirondacks.​

Courtesy Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism

The Adirondacks, New York

The birthplace of the American vacation, the Adirondacks are home to more than 2,000 miles of shady hiking trails and waterfall routes. Go kayaking, canoeing or river walking, a unique mindfulness experience conducted in flowing water, in the region’s 3,000 ponds and lakes and 30,000 miles of rivers and streams.

Board the Skyride Experience gondola or Cliffside Coaster, the longest coaster in North America, in Lake Placid (check with your physician before attempting any strenuous, new-for-you activities). In Wilmington, go fishing on the Ausable River or explore a hidden granite tunnel off Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway. The small but captivating village of Saranac Lake, one of the coldest spots in the contiguous United States, is packed with historic architecture, galleries and shops.

Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa is located along the Columbia River in Astoria, Oregon.​

Courtesy Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa

Astoria, Oregon

Along the northwestern edge of Oregon, Astoria boasts daytime temperatures in the mid- to high 60s, moderated by refreshing coastal breezes. The oldest settlement west of the Rockies, the city — sometimes dubbed Little San Francisco for its abundance of Victorian architecture — has historic gems around nearly every corner.

Head to the Astoria Riverwalk trail for a scenic stroll or climb a portion of the spiral staircase in the 125-foot Astoria Column for 360-degree views. Sample local craft beer or learn about nautical history at the Columbia River Maritime Museum. At the Oregon Film Museum, pick up a map of filming locations for movies including The Goonies, Short Circuit and Kindergarten Cop.