2024 Was The Hottest Summer on Record – Here’s the Coolcation Hot Spots of the Future
According to Copernicus data, the 2024 summer months in the Northern Hemisphere were the hottest on record. A century of scientific evidence shows that the Earth and its oceans have become warmer from years and years of rising temperatures. This climate change is melting ice, raising sea levels by eight inches in the past century. The July 4th weekend saw record-high temperatures in Las Vegas and Death Valley, California, and even in typically cooler San Francisco, with vacation hot spots in Arizona reaching even higher temperatures.
That means today’s popular vacation hot spots across American might be too hot or underwater in the future. Here’s where experts predict we’ll be vacationing in the United States in 2050 instead.
How This List Was Made
Climate data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) showed which states are likely to see the most severe climate change effects. Additionally, data from U.S. News, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the U.S. Travel Association were referenced to determine how travel-able each state is regarding transportation, lodging, and recreation value.
Also, each state’s attractions and geographic features were pulled from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine which states could garner more interest and be prepared for significantly more tourists.
What States Topped The List?
They predict that travelers will be heading north instead of flying south. Based on the analysis, Montana and Alaska are the U.S. states primed to become even more popular with travelers.
Let’s dive into all the destination hot spots of the future.
Alaska
Traveling by cruise ship is the most popular and convenient way to visit Alaska. Alaska has long been a cruiser’s paradise with ports of call in stunning locations, nonstop views of mountains and glaciers, and small and large ship options. However, once explorers get their first taste of the state, they often book a return trip to further experience towns, stunning national parks, and inland destinations.
It Tops The List For a Reason
“I lived in Alaska for over ten years, and it’s a lovely, fun, exciting, and nature-filled place to visit. There are so many wonderful things to do, sites to see, hikes and mountains and water activities, and sporting opportunities,” says Katelynn from Cross Culture Love.
“Alaska is my number one travel recommendation, especially for people passionate about the outdoors.”
Montana
Montana is home to vast, unspoiled nature and charming small towns far beyond ski season. With five international airports and three major interstates, it is easy to get there and plan a once-in-a-lifetime road trip. Or stay put in Bozeman to see why it has brought so much buzz and drawn many in-the-known travelers.
Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park has over 310,000 acres of natural land and striking mountain scenery, enough to draw visitors to the state alone.
“Your days will be spent enjoying one of its many lakes, hiking amongst its many trails, or biking its amazing bike path. The adventurous might enjoy whitewater rafting down the Snake River,” says Kim from Traveling Swansons.
“Looking to escape the park for a little bit? Neighboring city Jackson Hole offers many dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Grand Teton National Park is often overlooked by its bigger, more popular neighbor Yellowstone. It has so much to offer for a fun, adventurous, and relaxing vacation, not to mention fewer crowds.”
Utah
A state with a “Million Dollar Highway” might have a tourism gold rush in the future. U.S. Route 550 features two national parks, one national monument, a national forest, and a stunning state park, all with million-dollar views. While the Highway is under 150 miles long, leave at least a week to explore all the incredible sites in this portion of the state.
Start on Capitol Reef Scenic Drive to reach the first of many, National Parks in Utah. Explore Larb Hollow Overlook, Burr Trail in Long Canyon, and Lower Calf Creek Falls. Continue to the town of Escalante, home of Grand Staircase with 1 million acres of mind-boggling geological formations. Don’t skip over Kodachrome Basin State Park. It’s so vibrant it was named after the popular color photography film. End this epic road trip in Bryce Canyon National Park’s Mossy Cave Trail, often overlooked by the crowds.
Vermont
If you want your next vacation to take you to a new state in more than one way, go to Vermont. Their way of life is unhurried, open-minded, and traditional. This inspires a slow travel state of mind and savoring the state’s beauty without the rush.
Idaho
The state is home to Sun Valley Resort, the top ski resort in North America, and The “Niagara Falls of the West” Shoshone Falls. It is taller than its New York cousin Niagara Falls and much less crowded.
“Southwest Idaho and Idaho itself offer so much outdoor-recreation accessibility from mountain biking and hiking to whitewater rafting and standup paddleboarding,” says Melissa Cleland, Southwest Idaho Travel Association. “It’s great to have options like Roaring Springs and Wahooz where visitors can take their family to play whether they’re indoors or outdoors.
Maine
“Maine is an amazing state to vacation in. There is something for everyone. From boating and beach time to shopping and incredible restaurants, the quaint towns of Maine are absolutely magical,” says Tiffany, Founder of Slappy Toad.
“We even have Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s Giant wooden trolls in Boothbay Harbor’s botanical gardens. Tourism here continues to grow for good reasons. Maine has always been an undiscovered state for many. But people are figuring out fast that Maine has something incredible to offer everyone.”
New York
At first mention, New York conjures images of towering skyscrapers and masses of people on the island of Manhattan. The state is much more than its world-famous energetic city.
New York is home to 180 beautiful state parks many of which rival U.S. National Parks, but without the crowds. Additionally, Adirondack Park with 6 million acres, it is the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States and is within a day’s drive for most of the Northeast. It covers an area larger in size than Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Canyon and the Great Smokies National Parks combined.
Wisconsin
“Wisconsin is full of natural wonder. The state is nearly half covered in forests, dotted with 15,000 lakes and crisscrossed by 84,000 miles of rivers and streams. All throughout, you’ll find extensive trail networks to experience this exceptional natural beauty,” said Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers.
“Outdoor recreation is a top reason travelers choose Wisconsin to make memories, and the Wisconsin Trail Report is a fantastic tool to plan that memorable outdoor getaway.”
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