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17 Summer Destinations That Are Simply Overrated
Summer vacations are all about chasing sunshine, relaxation, and those picture-perfect moments you’ll brag about for months. But let’s be honest, not every hyped-up destination lives up to its glittering reputation.
Some places promise paradise but deliver crowds, overpriced everything, and disappointments as big as your last airline baggage fee. And it’s easy to get swept away by glossy brochures or dreamy travel blogs, only to land in a spot where reality feels more like a layover than the trip of your dreams.
But don’t worry; we’re here to spill the tea on summer spots that might not be worth the time, cash, or sunscreen reapplications. Curious to know which places we’re side-eyeing this summer? Keep reading.
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Sure, the postcards scream “idyllic paradise,” but come summer, Martha’s Vineyard feels less like a peaceful escape and more like a parade of preppy polo shirts and designer sunglasses. The charm of its quaint cottages and beaches gets overshadowed by the challenge of simply existing amidst endless crowds trying to prove they belong.
And don’t get us started on the dining scene. Reservations become mythical creatures, and if you do snag one, prepare to question if a lobster roll should really cost half a paycheck. Add in ferry schedules that make flight delays seem organized, and you’ve got yourself a destination that’s more exhausting than enchanting.
If exclusivity at the expense of relaxation is your thing, this place might just be your personal Eden.
Disney World, Orlando, Florida
Yes, it’s labeled the “happiest place,” but step foot in the Florida summer heat, and you’ll be questioning your choices faster than you can say “FastPass.”
Between the sweltering humidity that clings to you like unpaid debt and lines so long you might finish a novel before boarding a ride, this spot can feel like endurance training disguised as family fun. Add peak pricing that empties wallets like a magician pulling off a vanishing act, and it’s a recipe for frustration.
Not to mention the crowds; everyone’s on a mission to make “magical memories,” which translates to accidental stroller collisions and territorial battles for parade spots. So if you’re craving air-conditioned bliss and a break from humanity, skip the castle and head to the nearest pool instead.
Lake Havasu, Arizona
A desert party sounds fun until you realize it’s held in actual desert heat. Lake Havasu’s claim to fame is a transplanted London Bridge, where mobs of people gather to beat the heat… or at least try.
Spoiler: the water may provide temporary relief, but the energy-draining sun and blazing temps don’t take vacations. Instead of peaceful lakeside lounging, expect a cacophony of speedboats, jet skis, and music competing to out-blast the other.
Unless your idea of a good time involves SPF 100 and fending off dehydration while dodging beer cans, this may be one to bookmark for cooler months (or not at all).
Hollywood, California
For a place synonymous with glitz and glamour, Hollywood sure knows how to underwhelm. The reality doesn’t include red carpets or celebrity sightings, but instead, you’ll find crowded sidewalks rife with street performers and overpriced walking tours.
The Walk of Fame? Less star-studded excitement, more “watch your step” as you sidestep people sprawled over the sidewalk, taking selfies with names they don’t recognize. And Hollywood Boulevard? Lined more with tacky tourist shops than the iconic movie studios you’re picturing.
Sure, you could hunt down an overpriced themed cocktail in a hidden speakeasy, but wouldn’t you rather spend your time somewhere that actually feels magical?
The Hamptons, New York
Ah, the famed getaway for New York’s elite… though you’ll mostly find yourself elbow-deep in your steering wheel, trapped in miles of traffic.
And if you think you’ll catch a breezy drive to the beach, prepare for endless loops through jam-packed parking lots where finding a spot feels more competitive than landing a table at the city’s poshest restaurant.
Even if you manage to sink your feet into the sand, your wallet might stay weeping; it’s hard to enjoy a getaway when an avenue iced coffee could rival Manhattan’s rent. Rather than attempting to out-Hampton the Hamptons crowd, consider a quaint escape that doesn’t also double as a status contest.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Sure, it’s a beach destination, but the sand barely offsets the concrete jungle of chain restaurants, kitschy souvenir shops, and traffic-clogged roads. By the time you find parking and wiggle your way to the shoreline, the crowded, noisy scene can make relaxation seem like an impossible goal.
Seagulls might be your biggest fans here. Not for your company, of course, but for the French fries you’re holding. And the charm of the local area feels buried under overdevelopment, leaving you with an experience that is more about navigating tourist traps than soaking in coastal serenity.
If you’re after a true beach escape, you might want to set your sights elsewhere.
Napa Valley, California
Napa in the summer. It sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? Rolling vineyards, glasses clinking in sophisticated tasting rooms, the sun casting a warm glow over endless rows of grapevines. But here’s the thing: everyone else had the same idea.
By the time you’ve negotiated the bumper-to-bumper traffic into town and finally secured a spot at a tasting room, it’s standing-room only, and your dream of a serene wine experience has turned into a battle for elbow space.
And those wine pourings? They come at peak-season prices. The charm starts to feel a little watered down when you’re sipping your $25 tasting next to a group loudly debating which wine pairs best with Cool Ranch Doritos. Napa in summer is less of an exclusive getaway and more of a communal crush (pun intended).
Sedona, Arizona
Sedona’s red rocks and jaw-dropping landscapes are no match for the summer season… and temperatures that rival an oven preheat. Those idealistic plans to hit the trails for some “me time”? Think again.
Picture jammed parking lots at trailheads, hikers sweating buckets while jostling for space, and breathtaking views that can be hard to notice while focusing on not passing out in the 100-degree heat. Not to mention, you shouldn’t even hike midday.
Fancy a relaxing stay? Better hope you’ve cashed out some savings because accommodations skyrocket here like it’s a desert-themed auction. And yes, Sedona’s magic is real, but summer here feels less like a spiritual awakening and more like a survival show.
Ocean City, Maryland
If you think Ocean City sounds like the perfect coastal retreat, adjust your expectations. The beaches overflow with people, leaving you calculating how many square inches of towel space you’ll have left once you set up.
Then there’s the boardwalk, where the entertainment mostly involves arcade games from the 80s, sugary snacks, and souvenir stands. Want a crab cake? Prepare for a wait so long you’ll wonder if they actually caught the crab while you were in line.
And yes, there’s an ocean, but good luck finding tranquility along its shores. Ocean City is the kind of place where the nostalgia is heavy, and so is the realization that you’ve paid way too much for fries in a bucket.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Here’s a free pro tip for Las Vegas in the summer… don’t go outside. Not unless strolling the pavement at a cozy 115°F sounds like a good time.
The heat doesn’t just hit you, it radiates (off the sidewalks, the buildings, the Strip, all of it). And that quick dash to the next casino starts to feel like training for an ultramarathon. Sure, everything indoors is impossibly air-conditioned, but if the allure of slot machines and endless buffets doesn’t capture you, the highlights will feel, well, sweatier than spectacular.
Even the pool parties turn into giant people soup, a stew of sunscreen and regret. Las Vegas in summer? More like survival of the coolest, both in temperature and patience.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Located in the shadows of the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg should, in theory, be a nature lover’s dream. But getting to that natural beauty often feels like running a neon-lit gauntlet. The streets are a parade of fudge shops, souvenir vendors, and attractions so kitschy, they’d make a roadside novelty shop blush.
Want to hike a trail? Good luck squeezing through that traffic to get there first. But it’s not that the mountains aren’t stunning; they are, it’s just that the experience of actually enjoying them feels overshadowed by the cacophony of arcade noises and selfie takers.
Gatlinburg might promise the great outdoors, but what you’ll probably remember is the string of billboards that got you there.
Times Square, New York City, New York
Times Square in summer is glamorous only if you’re heavily into chaos. The area is essentially a human mosh pit surrounded by flashy billboards advertising everything from Broadway shows to colognes you’ve never heard of (and probably don’t want to smell).
Want to feel cultured? Good luck finding it in the sea of pop-up mascots and aggressive flyer distributors. And did I mention it’s hot? The combination of blasting AC vents and baking asphalt operates with the efficiency of a convection oven.
Instead of soaking up authentic New York charm, you’re dodging crowds and probably paying $9 for a bottle of water. Times Square in July isn’t a scene; it’s an endurance test that’ll have you craving the tranquility of… anywhere else.
Seattle, Washington
Once, Seattle felt like a charming, drizzly hidden secret. Now, during the summer surge, the city feels polished to cater to a sea of cruise ship travelers armed with matching tour lanyards.
Pike Place Market? Prepare to elbow your way through lines of people jockeying to capture the iconic flying fish moment. Space Needle? Every elevator ride up includes explaining to wide-eyed tourists that no, seeing Mount Rainier on a clear day is not a guarantee.
Even Chihuly Garden and Glass starts to feel less like an art haven and more like a people-packed Instagram backdrop. And while Seattle’s natural beauty is unmatched, visiting during summer might just leave you craving the understated charm it once quietly offered.
South Beach, Miami, Florida
South Beach is where wallets and patience go to disintegrate under a blaze of sun so intense you’ll swear the sand is conspiring to cook your feet like fried eggs. Parking here? A masterclass in futility, unless you enjoy circling lots at $40 a pop just to sit in bumper-to-bumper misery.
Once you make it on foot, it’s a gauntlet of tourists, crowded beach clubs, and sidewalks that radiate heat with the fury of a thousand furnaces.
And yet, somewhere between overpriced cocktails and dodging relentless vendors, you might find a sliver of gratitude for the glamorized chaos. Just don’t count on much shade while you do.
Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, California
If you’re dreaming of a quintessential beach day complete with warm sand and pristine water, Santa Monica Pier might burst that bubble faster than a popped balloon on one of its overpriced carnival games.
The beach can be, well, gritty, and the water? Not exactly the warm, inviting oasis you might picture (it’s often chilly enough to make you reconsider that swim). Meanwhile, the pier itself is a sensory overload of crowds squeezing past each other to fork out way too much cash on mediocre snacks and rigged ring tosses.
Even Pacific Park, the iconic pier amusement park, feels more like a battle for survival among shrieking children and aggressive seagulls. But hey, there’s always the view… if you can see it through the selfie-takers.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Cape Cod’s serene beauty is legendary, but in summer? It feels like everyone and their distant cousins decided to caravan here. Those charming, two-lane roads quickly become parking lots of honking frustrations as everyone inches toward overcrowded beaches and already-packed restaurants.
Thinking of grabbing a lobster roll? Hope you made your reservations in May because tables and local lodgings are booked out faster than you can say “clam chowder.”
And while its picturesque charm does shine through every now and then, it’s often hard to appreciate while stuck in gridlock or waiting for a park bench like it’s a coveted prize.
Lake Tahoe, California & Nevada
Lake Tahoe is proof that paradise comes with a price tag (and a soundtrack of roaring jet skis). And every corner of this alpine wonderland feels touched by the booming echo of boat parties, drowning out any hope of tranquil paddleboarding or simply soaking in the stillness.
Oh, and unless your bank account is as deep as the lake, good luck finding reasonably priced lodging that hasn’t been sniped by an overzealous vacationer months prior. Between bustling beaches and trails that feel more like conga lines, it’s clear that solitude at Tahoe is best sought during literally any other season.
Still, it’s hard to argue with that cerulean water, even if it’s surrounded by chaos.
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