{"id":1137,"date":"2026-08-12T16:00:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T16:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipplay.com\/blog\/?p=1137"},"modified":"2026-08-12T16:00:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T16:00:11","slug":"best-places-to-travel-in-august","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shipplay.com\/blog\/best-places-to-travel-in-august\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Best Places to Travel in August"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"550\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shipplay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sg-august.jpg\" alt=\"Colorful Victorian homes along Beach Avenue in Cape May, New Jersey\" class=\"wp-image-1141\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.shipplay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sg-august.jpg 850w, https:\/\/cdn.shipplay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sg-august-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.shipplay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sg-august-768x497.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>August is here, which means it&#8217;s your last real shot at a summer getaway before the kids head back to school and the days start getting shorter. If you still haven&#8217;t booked one, you&#8217;re in the right place. Make the most of what&#8217;s left of the season with a trip to one of these best places to travel in August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Cape May, New Jersey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cape May is the ultimate late-summer escape. Just a few hours from major East Coast cities, it stands out for its Victorian-era architecture, wide sandy beaches, and small-town charm that feels a world away from the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Aspen, Colorado<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Aspen is a year-round destination, but August means long, warm days for hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and taking in the wildflowers before fall arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Santa Fe, New Mexico<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Santa Fe is one of the best places to travel in August for culture lovers. Known for its Pueblo-style architecture, thriving art scene, and standout Southwestern food, it also stays cooler than much of the Southwest thanks to its elevation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Memphis, Tennessee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Blues, barbecue, and rock &#8216;n&#8217; roll \u2014 that&#8217;s Memphis in a nutshell. Spend your days exploring Beale Street and Sun Studio, and your nights catching live music at one of the city&#8217;s legendary clubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Lake Tahoe, Nevada\/California<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Lake Tahoe in August means paddleboarding on impossibly blue water, hiking trails with sweeping alpine views, and lakeside towns built for slowing down. It&#8217;s a four-season destination, but late summer might be its best-kept secret.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Bend, Oregon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bend is made for outdoor adventure \u2014 float the Deschutes River, hit the trails around the Cascades, or spend an afternoon rock climbing at Smith Rock State Park. Add in a thriving craft brewery scene and it&#8217;s easy to see why it&#8217;s one of the best places to travel in August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Leavenworth, Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This Bavarian-style village in the Cascades leans fully into its German roots, with alpine architecture, biergartens, and hiking trails right out the back door \u2014 a completely different vibe from your typical summer trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Queen Anne-style homes, Victorian charm, and a beautiful blue lake make Lake Geneva a classic Midwest summer destination. Boating, lakeside dining, and quiet walking paths make it easy to unwind here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Newport, Rhode Island<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Newport is New England summer at its finest. Walk the Cliff Walk past Gilded Age mansions, spend an afternoon sailing, and finish the day with fresh seafood on the harbor \u2014 it&#8217;s one of the best places to travel in August for history and coastline in one trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. Park City, Utah<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most people think of Park City as a ski town, but summer here means hot air balloon rides, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding through the Wasatch Range \u2014 a completely different side of the destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There&#8217;s no reason your last summer trip should feel like an afterthought. If you&#8217;re tired of baggage fees, lugging suitcases through airports, or worrying about lost luggage, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipplay.com\/how-it-works\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">see how Ship&amp;Play works<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipplay.com\/pricing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ship your bags<\/a> ahead so you can walk into your destination empty-handed and ready to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<style>\n.faq-accordion details {\n  border: 1px solid #dfe3e8;\n  border-radius: 8px;\n  margin-bottom: 12px;\n  background: #fff;\n}\n\n.faq-accordion summary {\n  font-weight: 700;\n  cursor: pointer;\n  padding: 16px 20px;\n  list-style: none;\n  position: relative;\n}\n\n\/* Hide browser default marker *\/\n.faq-accordion summary::-webkit-details-marker {\n  display: none;\n}\n\n.faq-accordion summary::after {\n  content: \"+\";\n  position: absolute;\n  right: 20px;\n  top: 50%;\n  transform: translateY(-50%);\n  font-size: 24px;\n  font-weight: 400;\n  color: #666;\n}\n\n.faq-accordion details[open] summary::after {\n  content: \"\u2212\";\n}\n\n.faq-accordion p {\n  padding: 0 20px 20px;\n  margin: 0;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"faq-accordion\">\n  <details>\n    <summary>Where are the best places to travel in August?<\/summary>\n    <p>Some of the best places to travel in August include coastal towns like Cape May, New Jersey and Newport, Rhode Island, mountain destinations like Aspen, Colorado and Lake Tahoe, and cultural hubs like Santa Fe, New Mexico and Memphis, Tennessee. August offers a mix of beach weather, mountain trails, and lively city culture depending on the kind of trip you&#8217;re after.<\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details>\n    <summary>Where is the best place to travel in August for a beach vacation?<\/summary>\n    <p>For a classic beach getaway, Cape May, New Jersey and Newport, Rhode Island are top picks, with wide sandy beaches, coastal charm, and easy access from major East Coast cities.<\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details>\n    <summary>Where should I travel in August to avoid the heat?<\/summary>\n    <p>If you want to skip the worst of late-summer heat, head to higher-elevation or cooler destinations like Lake Tahoe, Aspen, or Bend, Oregon. These spots stay milder even at the peak of summer, making them ideal for hiking and outdoor activities.<\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details>\n    <summary>What are good August travel destinations for families?<\/summary>\n    <p>Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and Leavenworth, Washington are both great low-key, family-friendly options, with an easygoing pace and plenty of outdoor activities for kids. Memphis and Santa Fe are also strong picks for families who want a mix of culture and history.<\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details>\n    <summary>Is August a good time to visit national parks?<\/summary>\n    <p>Yes, August is a popular time to visit national parks and public lands near destinations like Bend, Oregon and Park City, Utah, though it&#8217;s also peak season, so expect larger crowds. Visiting early in the morning or on weekdays can help you beat the busiest times.<\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details>\n    <summary>How can I make late-summer travel easier?<\/summary>\n    <p>Beat baggage fees, lost luggage, and crowded airports by shipping your bags ahead with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipplay.com\/\">Ship&#038;Play<\/a>. You&#8217;ll get to your destination without having to haul suitcases through the airport, so you can start your trip the moment you land.<\/p>\n  <\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Where are the best places to travel in August?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Some of the best places to travel in August include coastal towns like Cape May, New Jersey and Newport, Rhode Island, mountain destinations like Aspen, Colorado and Lake Tahoe, and cultural hubs like Santa Fe, New Mexico and Memphis, Tennessee. 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Make the most of what&#8217;s left of the season with a trip to one of these best&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1141,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/cdn.shipplay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sg-august.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipplay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipplay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipplay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipplay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipplay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1137"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipplay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1137\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1148,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipplay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1137\/revisions\/1148"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipplay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1141"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipplay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipplay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipplay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}