Need inspiration for your summer vacation? Whether you have the time and money for a long getaway or just need something within driving distance, the collegiette™ team at Her Campus has some inspiration for you!
Check out our ideas and plans and leave your own in the comment section!
I’m going on a cruise to Jamaica and Grand Cayman with my family. I also want to take a weekend road trip to Chicago with my BFFs. Give me shopping, give me sunshine, and I’ll be the happiest girl in town!
-Erica Avesian, Contributing Writer, University of Michigan
My friends are renting a house for the week in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It’s the perfect getaway — close to the beach and surprisingly cheap when you split the rent 15 ways.
-Lynne Carty, Contributing Writer, Northwestern University
I’m going to my beach house in Destin, FL for a 4-day vacation with a group of my friends. I definitely recommend renting a house or a hotel room on the beach with a bunch of girlfriends or couples. It’s a great way to relax and still have fun!
–Krista Evans, Campus Correspondent, Simmons College
If you live on the East Coast (or even if you don’t and feel like road-trippin’) head to the Outer Banks in North Carolina! I’ve been going there ever since I was an infant, and I love it! There are so many things to do and the waves can be pretty awesome. It’s definitely a more family-friendly place, but they have bars and a commercial strip. They also have a ton of things to do like go-karting, mini-golf, jet skiing, parasailing, hang-gliding…. I could go on and on. If it’s a bit of a drive, get a bunch of friends together and split the cost for a house for the weekend. It gets pretty crowded in July and August, but if you can find a deal — take it! It’s so worth it.
- Laura Baugh, Campus Correspondent, Virginia Tech
It’s so easy to get around the East Coast, even if you don’t have a car. While I’m spending in the summer in N.Y.C., I’ll definitely take a weekend to go down to D.C. and stay with some friends. You can get good deals on bus tickets — I’m a fan of BoltBus — and if you stay with people you know you don’t have to pay for a hotel! Makes for a quick and easy trip.
- Allie Weiss, Contributing Writer, Princeton University
A trip to the Jersey Shore! I live a half-hour from the beach, so for me, this is an easy day trip. But if you’re from the eastern part of PA or North Jersey, even Long Island, this could be a fun day trip. I recommend Point Pleasant, Seaside or Wildwood because those beaches include boardwalks, so there’s more stuff to do!
– Alexa Johnson, Campus Correspondent, James Madison University
Maine summers are beautiful, probably as a reward for suffering through long winters. My favorite stay-cation is a trip to Acadia National Park for hiking and of course the famous Sand Beach (it’s Maine’s only all sand beach and it’s gorgeous). If you can’t afford to go far, find some local hiking trails in your area or go to a nearby town or city with some girlfriends and pretend to be a tourist.
- Kayla Riley, Contributing Writer, University of Maine
Whether it’s a weekend road trip, or just a mini break in the middle of the week, concerts in the summer are the perfect opportunity to enjoy beautiful weather, old friends, and good music!
- Jessica Salerno, Contributing Writer, Ohio University
Over the summer, it’s all about the staycation. Since the weather is perfect and I don’t have the time (or money) to plan longer getaways, I love to spend a weekend treating the city I’m living in like it’s new. Planning picnics in parks, trying new restaurants, going to the cheesy tourist destinations you’ve never been to, sleeping in and re-discovering your summer home is the perfect way to spend a weekend; you feel rejuvenated and you can have a lot of fun with friends without spending hours in airports, dealing with hotels and rental cars or breaking the bank.
- Rachel Peck, Contributing Writer, Barnard College
One thing being abroad has taught me is that there is SO MUCH to see! Including right here in the United States! This summer, my friends and I are embarking on a road trip — starting in New Jersey and making our way down the East Coast.
- Kaitlyn Monteiro, Contributing Writer, Syracuse University
If you ever have the opportunity to travel internationally, take it! Going abroad is something that everyone should get to experience during their lifetime. Immersing yourself in another culture broadens your viewpoint and makes you aware of so many new things.
- Dani Wong, Contributing Writer, Northeastern University