Summer Destinations

By Dakota Polk, dp220@uakron.edu and Ke’Ila Frazier, kkf20@uakron.edu 

Now that this school year is officially coming to an end, what better way to celebrate summer break other than talking about vacation. Most of the times when people say they are going on summer vacation, we assume places like Florida, California, Texas, New York, etc. While these are all great places to travel, they are quite a cliche list. In honor of summer 2026, here are five amazing places to visit for you and your family. 

1. Cococay, Bahamas. This is a beautiful private island of the Royal Caribbean cruise, Utopia of the Seas. It has super fun waterparks and quiet beaches made for travelers to enjoy. Additionally, they have great food such as chicken caesar salads, fresh cut french fries, ice cream, hot dogs, and more. 

2. Houston, Texas. People weren’t lying when they said everything is bigger in Texas! The blazing sun and inviting atmosphere makes Houston such a fun place for families to vacation to. They have different events such as the Rodeo Fair, filled with rides, funnel cakes, and laughs. 

3. Orlando, Florida. Although stated previously, that Florida is cliche…We couldn’t resist emphasizing how fun Orlando is. There’s Universal Studios amusement parks, as well as water parks. Then there’s Disneyworld, and Seaworld. Orlando is the perfect place to take your family if you’re looking for a true experience!

4. Yellowstone national park. Although nature and wildlife may not be for everyone, for those who love those things this would be the perfect place to visit. There is plenty of sight seeing to do, a popular tourist attraction is Old Faithful. There are also opportunities to spot wildlife in the park. The Yellowstone National Park is a perfect destination for wildlife and nature lovers!

5. Tokyo, Japan. Although Tokyo isn’t your typical summer vacation spot it is a place full of new and exciting experiences. Tokyo is full of culture and there are plenty of things to do. There are also many new things to try or places to visit within Japan. There are different foods, museums, shrines, gardens, and restaurants. And just the culture in itself is beautiful and attracts many tourists.This is the perfect place for people who love trying new things!

6. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Myrtle beach is full of diverse activities and entertainment. There are things like zip lining, the board walk, the beach, amusement parks, and entertainment shows. Not to mention they have over 2,000 different restaurants to choose from. Myrtle beach is a personal favorite of mine and is a perfect place to create unforgettable memories.