Top 10 Summer Destinations

Warm days, long nights, garden barbecues, and ice-cream cones on the boardwalk...For many of us, summer is the best season of all, when everything moves outdoors, cities come alive with festivals, and freshwater lakes and backyard pools beckon.

Our list of top summer destinations highlights the best spots to be at the height of the season, from northern capitals that truly flourish from June through Labor Day, to cool seaside and lakefront retreats that refresh and rejuvenate. Of course, nothing is more quintessentially North American come summertime than a canoe and camping trip—don't worry, we've got you covered there, too.

1. Capri
Italy's most glamorous getaway, the island of Capri is one of the most picturesque islands around. With white-washed villas shrouded in bougainvillea, cliffs reaching up from the sea, and medieval alleyways winding through romantic villages, Capri's charms are unwavering, even in the crowded summer months. Accessible only by boat, the tiny island on the Bay of Naples, off the Amalfi Coast, attracts jet-setters and glitterati who flock to the Piazzetta, just as Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Onassis did when they helped popularize the island in the 1950 and '60s. The island is also home to mysterious natural wonders, like the massive rock formations of Faraglioni and Blue Grotto, an underground sea cave that continues to awe visitors with its brilliant, almost iridescent waters. 

2. The Hamptons
Long stretches of sand, seaside villages, sprawling vineyards, and grand estates...the Atlantic-facing Hamptons are simply spectacular come summer and the perfect antidote to bustling New York City, just 120 miles away (approximately). Whether busing in on the Hamptons Jitney or flying in by helicopter, droves of Manhattanites clear out of town each Friday afternoon in anticipation of some sun, R&R, and mingling with the rich-and-famous who make the nightlife one of the best on the East Coast. Most visitors head to one of four areas: colonial Southampton, the old-money neck of the woods, with high-priced boutiques on chic Job Lane; elegant Bridgehampton, where you can sample wine from nearby vineyards and join the upper crust for the prestigious Hampton Classic Horse Show (Labor Day weekend) and Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge (mid-July–mid-Aug.); hip East Hampton, popular with the new-money arts and media crowd, including Martha Stewart, Jerry Seinfeld, and Sean "Puffy" Combs (who all maintain homes here); and, finally, Montauk, favored by yachters and fishermen for its boating community and abundant catch.

3. Greek Islands
Scattered in the sparkling Aegean Sea, the Greek Islands are a much-fantasized-about summer hotspot, with Europeans and Americans alike flocking to their dazzling shores for hedonistic fun in the sun. All the islands have something different to offer but no self-respecting island hopper can skip two of Greece's most beloved: Santorini and Mykonos. The volcanic isle of Santorini is renowned for its magnificent scenery of white-washed houses and blue-domed churches, the lot of it accented by beaches of dark-red and black volcanic sands; backpackers and billionaires climb the steep winding road to the cliff-top town of Fira for postcard-perfect views. On the island of Mykonos, meanwhile, homage is paid to Dionysus—the Greek god of revelry. While Mykonos also has immaculate white villages with winding cobblestone streets, it's the nightlife that draws visitors here; beach bars turn up the music as the sun sets and, before you can say oopah!, dancing and drinking takes over the sand. The party continues into the wee hours, with waterfront bars and hidden alcoves pouring plenty of ouzo as dawn breaks.

4. London
London is never more animated than in the height of summer, when fair weather brings out the best in Londoners, who endure an infamously gloomy weather forecast the rest of the year. Eating, drinking, and all around merry-making abound, with a slew of events ranging from outdoor theater and music shows to special exhibitions and oddball festivals. The royal city parks, including Hyde or Regent's, overflow with sunbathers and picnickers, who come to enjoy the lush greenery and English garden splendor, like the magnificent Queen Mary's Rose Gardens in Regent's Park. Stick around after sunset for your own mid-summer night's dream—twilight Shakespeare performances unfold, alfresco, in Regent's Park (May-Sept) throughout the summer months.