10 Summer Cool-Off Spots (PHOTOS, POLL)

Big news: It's really hot outside. Now that we're in the midst of our second heatwave this summer, its time to escape somewhere cool. If you're yet to plan your last two weeks in August, start brainstorming here for our list of the top cool-off destinations in the northern hemisphere. So turn off your air-conditioner, you won't need it here. Promise.

Don't forget to check out part two of this series, Top 10 Summer Cool-Off Spots, Part 1.

 

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Our Favorite Places To Cool Off, Part 2

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The Hamptons

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The playground for the rich and famous. With gorgeous, sandy white beaches, perfect, cresting waves, rustic windmills and fresh food stands on nearly every corner, there is no better place to spend a summer of cool luxury. For group fun or birthdays, we love picnic parties at the Tuscan-style Wolffer Estate. The Hamptons is great for families as well - spend an afternoon with the kids feeding the mallards and geese at the David's Lane duck pond. It's a memory both you and your child will cherish for the rest of your lives.

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The playground for the rich and famous. With gorgeous, sandy white beaches, perfect, cresting waves, rustic windmills and fresh food stands on nearly every corner, there is no better place to spend a summer of cool luxury. For group fun or birthdays, we love picnic parties at the Tuscan-style Wolffer Estate. The Hamptons is great for families as well - spend an afternoon with the kids feeding the mallards and geese at the David's Lane duck pond. It's a memory both you and your child will cherish for the rest of your lives.

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This Cool-Off Spot

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

Not my thing I'm chilling out!

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Top Northern Hemisphere Cool-Off Destinations

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Comments

[Ichor]

08:02 AM on 08/10/2010

You left out Newfoundland, canada. This east coast island has cool summers, very little crime, sparse population, and you can still drink from the brooks.

[formerroadie]

05:38 PM on 08/09/2010

Most are lovely places I would love to go to. I would put Vancouver, British Columbia on there too. What a great place. Hang out at the beach! :)

[Sean Myers]

10:07 AM on 08/07/2010

napa valley? to beat the heat? its got to be over a hundred degrees there right now!

[Mrs Putrid Festring]

10:54 PM on 08/08/2010

...have to be nuts to go to Napa to cool down--unless we're talking about air conditioned (over-priced) wineries. Go to Humboldt county and get under the old growth redwoods.

[Chris Malumphy]

08:23 AM on 08/07/2010

I've spent several weeks filming in Puy l'Eveque and have learned many of its mysteries and subtleties. I'd most definitely live there for the good food, fine wine and active expatriate community if Cleveland wasn't so well appointed.

[Marley Inksetter-Smith]

08:30 PM on 08/06/2010

I live in Banff, Alberta and I have to say, first of all, it is a top tourist destination! So you really can't do much without being crowded by noisy tour groups or obnoxious families. Second of all, the hot springs....
When I lived in Oregon, I went to my first hot springs, they were completely natural, gorgeous, not crowded, perfect. These ones in Banff are right beside a big parking lot in the middle of hotel territory, AND its really just a warm, shallow, swimming pool. Seriously, made of tile, chlorinated...NOT a hot spring.

[saskatoonie]

03:39 PM on 08/07/2010

Do you still call tourists gorbies? I used to work there years ago!

[KataVideo]

07:29 PM on 08/06/2010

As long as you've included international destinations, why not throw in Australia and New Zealand (not to mention most of South America)? And why so Asia-phobic again? These hp best-lists pretend there's no such place as Asia.

[maverick77]

08:09 PM on 08/06/2010

You can cool off in Melbourne right now... it's only 40 F. But really, if they're going to list travel spots, New Zealand would be perfectly wonderful now.

[KataVideo]

08:51 PM on 08/06/2010

that might be too cool.. lol.. how about Brisbane and the Gold Coast?

[formerroadie]

05:39 PM on 08/09/2010

40 is about right for me. I would enjoy that.

[mnwildfan]

07:29 PM on 08/06/2010

People should try coming to Duluth, MN. In June, for only the second time in 138 years, has every day had a high over 70. When the breeze comes off Lake Superior, this is a really cool place.

[formerroadie]

05:39 PM on 08/09/2010

Sounds lovely. You also house the band Low.... so it's gotta be nice :)

[jwwrox]

06:55 PM on 08/06/2010

I'd like to go somewhere cold.

Svalbard anyone?

[craigburnham]

06:30 PM on 08/06/2010

As nice is Maine is (I grew up there) I'm surprised Alaska didn't make it on this list. I moved here years ago and it's perfect weather in the summertime. We had a 5 day heat wave where it was in the mid 80's, but nice and dry. The only heat is from the sun beating down on you. I say add Alaska to this list.

[saskatoonie]

06:02 PM on 08/06/2010

Banff can be extremely hot in the summer and very very crowded.

[MCJanes]

05:28 PM on 08/06/2010

Muskoka and Banff go through the same heat waves as the northern states. And Muskoka gets unbearably humid for much of the summer as well.

Come to the East Coast, tourists, you'll enjoy it more :D

[Anthony Piscitelli]

05:26 PM on 08/06/2010

Seriously no mention of Hawaii? Main?? cmon

[formerroadie]

05:41 PM on 08/09/2010

Hawaii is oppressively hot in my book in the middle of Aug/Sept. No thanks. But, I like it cold :)

[Scarabus]

04:51 PM on 08/06/2010

Three photos out of eight? The editors who chose these photos do seem to like lighthouses! :-)

[emerson7]

04:16 PM on 08/06/2010

i don't know who compiled this this, but Napa Valley, California can be...and usually is...hot as hell during the summer months.

[eigervue]

07:15 PM on 08/06/2010

Yes its the heat that makes the grapes, theres some cooler areas where they grow more whites over in the russian river valley. Also for beer lovers there's also Napa/Sonoma. We have a bunch of micro and regional breweries in the area including Russian River Brewing Company which puts out some of the highest rated beers in the world.

[jingles32]

03:49 PM on 08/06/2010

Great list, but if I might add a suggestion.

Nordkapp (North Cape) is a cape on the island of Magerøya in northern Norway (Finnmark region/county) home to the Land of the Midnight Sun, Lapland and the indigenous Sami people. It is the northern most point in Europe, well beyond the Arctic Circle. A big tourist destination in the summer for Norwegians as well as foreigners. Everyone should witness the Midnight Sun and Northern Lights at least once in their lives, and definitely the place to go if you want to cool off in summer! Today's high was 54 F. Spectacular scenery and wildlife as well. Or, if not quite so adventurous, the Fjord cruises are equally as spectacular. Norway's summertime high temp. are in the 60's.

But then again, you'll have to deal with all of those Socialists! ;)

http://www.fjordtravel.no/program_arctic_summer.html