Photo by Anete Lūsiņa / The Unsplash License
We could all use some time away from home now and then. If you’re in need of a vacation but not quite sure where you want to go, we’re here to help you out. And to make planning your trip a little easier, all of the following places are just a reasonable flight away from Houston. Here are 5 places you should consider for your next vacation:
- Glacier National Park
For those that prefer planning a trip to the mountains instead of the beach, it doesn’t get much better than Glacier National Park in Montana. Although the park is open all year, the best time to visit is from July to September, when all of the park is open. That way, you can travel to higher elevations for better views of the park and take the beloved Going-to-the-Sun road. There are also more activities to do in the summer, such as hiking, boating, fishing, and biking. As far as lodging goes, there are hotels inside of the park, and camping is also an option. Otherwise, the best places to look for a hotel include Columbia Falls, Whitefish, and Kalispell, which are all in Montana.
- Montréal, Québec
One of the largest cities in Canada, Montréal offers a great mix of historical and modern architecture, sites, and art. It’s a busy international city with plenty of museums, celebrated restaurants, beautiful parks, international events, and much more. The most popular time to visit Montréal is in the winter during the festival season. One of the most renowned winter festivals worldwide is Montréal en Lumière, a free outdoor event with music, activities, food, and art. The event typically lasts more than a week and sees over one million visitors, so it’s not something to miss.
- Nassau, Bahamas
Photo by Allen Dewberry Jr / The Unsplash License
If you’re interested in a warmer location for your next vacation, consider scheduling a trip to Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. In next to no time at all, you’ll be transported to a relaxing, picture-perfect tropical setting. Nassau and Paradise Island are known for their gorgeous beaches, friendly locals, and incredible nightlife. They are often the main destinations for tourists because of their resorts, hotels, nightlife, restaurants, and number of activities. But if you’re interested in staying somewhere more removed from the hustle and bustle Nassau, the Abacos or Exumas islands might be a better option to consider.
- Yosemite National Park
Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, Yosemite National Park is one of the U.S.’s natural gems. It’s known for its breathtaking meadows, waterfalls, valleys, and wilderness. It’s a popular location for hiking, camping, biking, fishing, water activities, and rock climbing, among others. As for winter sports, there’s the Yosemite Ski & Snowboard area (previously known as Badger Pass) and an ice skating rink in Yosemite Valley. Although it depends on what you want to do, the best time to visit is typically in the spring. That’s when the temperatures are cool, the flowers are blooming, and the waterfalls are at their best.
- Cancún, Mexico
Like the Bahamas, Cancún is known for its beautiful beaches, resorts, and buzzing nightlife. Although it has a reputation as being a party destination for young people, it has a lot more than that to offer. Downtown Cancún is a great place to check out if you’re looking to visit some shops and restaurants, and hear live music. Snorkeling, scuba diving, and other water activities are also popular. But if you’re interested in ancient civilizations, the Mayan Museum of Cancún and the Mayan ruins surrounding Cancún are both a must-visit.
No matter your vacation preferences, there’s sure to be a destination to please everyone on this list. But if you’re still not completely sold on any of the above locations for your next vacation, check out our list of the most beautiful places to visit in the U.S. for some additional ideas.