Top 10 easy summer weekend getaways

updated 4:54 p.m. ET June 22, 2007

It's hard not to love summer. With some of the longest days of the year, temperatures warm enough to spend all day outside, and the laid-back vibe that comes along with the season, it's no wonder kids and adults alike count late-June through early September as their favorite time of year.

Whether cities, beaches, or quiet country lanes are your idea of an ideal vacation, nothing says "summer Friday" like a weekend away.

We've rounded up ten places just a quick flight from many U.S. cities and even included information on how to get there to make your summer weekend getaway as easy as possible.

1. Azores
For dramatic scenery and Portuguese flair, skip the long flight to Lisbon and head to the Azores islands off the coast instead. This archipelago of nine volcanic islands is ripe for relaxation, but São Miguel — the largest and most populated atoll — is the easiest of the lot to visit, given direct flights from the U.S. land here, first. Nicknamed the Green Island, São Miguel's glistening lakes and lush mountainsides are just as enticing as its sandy beaches, so you can spend your days exploring — there’s hiking, diving, whale-watching, sailing, and swimming with dolphins to keep you busy — or simply lazing away on Atlantic shores. When evening falls, head to Punta Delgada, the island’s most cosmopolitan town, where turn-of-the-century architecture, cobblestone streets, restaurants, and bars await.

How: Fly direct to São Miguel (PDL) from Boston or Providence (Azores Express; about 5 hours).

2. Bermuda
If you think Bermuda is an island in the Caribbean — a common misconception — you’ve probably been overlooking it as a summer getaway destination. Look again, as this Atlantic isle's location — on par with Savannah, Ga. — means its weather is ideal from June to September (not January to March!). Pink-sand beaches and warm waters beckon, but there’s also plenty to do off the sand on this British-flavored island. Pick from great duty-free shopping or lush golf courses, and keep an eye out for postcard-perfect pastel-hued houses, swaying palmettos, and men in Bermuda shorts. And though the island is known for being ultra-luxe, don’t worry about going broke – there’s plenty of places to bunk down with breaking the bank.

How: Fly direct to Bermuda (BDA) from New York (American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue; United, and US Air; 2.5 hours), Boston (Delta, JetBlue, and US Air; 2.5 hours) Washington, DC (US Air; 2.5 hours), Philadelphia (United and US Air; 2.5 hours), and Charlotte (US Air; 2.5).

3. Bucks County
If antique shops, covered bridges, and historic B&Bs are your idea of a charming way to spend a summer weekend, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is tailor-made for you. Throw in some truly divine restaurants, abundant outdoor activities, and a winery or two and you’ve got a getaway almost anyone can enjoy. If you’ve got the kids in tow, head to Sesame Place in Langhorne or take them tubing on the Delaware River; be sure to grab a bite at the River Hot Dog Man for a memorable lunch at an in-the-water picnic table. For more adult fun, discover the art galleries, specialty stores, and upscale restaurants of New Hope, or take a bike or driving tour of the county’s many covered bridges — a sure way to inspire romance.

How: Bucks County is less than a one-hour drive from Philadelphia, 2.5 hours from Baltimore, and 1.5 hours from New York. If you’re not coming by car, fly to Philadelphia (code PHL) from Washington, DC (Continental, United, and US Air; 1 hour), Boston (AirTran, Continental, Delta, United, and US Air; 1.5 hours), Providence (Southwest; 1.5 hours), Chicago (American, Continental, Delta, Midwest, United, and US Air; 2 hours), and Fort Lauderdale (AirTran, American, Continental, Southwest, United, and US Air; 3 hours).

4. Cape Breton Island
Nova Scotia's northernmost landmass of Cape Breton Island brims with rustic scenery, history, and abundant wildlife. And with summer comes the perfect weather to enjoy all the adventure and beauty for which this colorful, cultural bit of the Maritimes is known. You can camp out in Cape Breton Highlands National Park after hiking one of its 27 trails; drive along the famed 185-mile Cabot Trail; stop at Ingonish Beach for a swim in the Atlantic; charter a boat for up-close-and-personal views of whales and Atlantic Puffins; and get in touch with the area’s Gaelic roots by trekking along the Ceilidh Trail (pronounced KAY-lee). However you choose to spend your summer weekend in Cape Breton, you'll feel miles away from the day-to-day back home.

More from ShermansTravel.com Click the links below for more Spotlight on Bermuda Spotlight on Chicago Top 10 family beaches Top 10 foreign-language class vacations

How: Air Canada provides service from Boston (2.5 hours) to Cape Breton's Sydney Airport (YQY). If you’re not coming from Boston, book a flight into Halifax International Airport (YHZ) with a connecting flight to Sydney: American and Continental fly from New York (2 hours) and Newark (2.5 hours) and Northwest Airlines flies from Detroit (3 hours); the connecting flight to Sydney on Air Canada (or its affiliate, Air Canada Jazz) is just sixty minutes.

5. Chicago

Slide show   Windy City welcome Known by many nicknames that reflect the city’s character, Chicago is the third-most populous city in the U.S., and has grown into the financial, economic and cultural capital of the Midwest. more photos

Chicago’s our kind of town all year long, but the city really comes into its own in the summer months, when visitors and residents alike shed their jackets and their inhibitions to enjoy the city's finest season. Besides the legendary jazz and blues clubs, 7000+ restaurants, and world-class museums, the onset of summer means enjoying Chicago dogs at Wrigley Field (or, if you’re a White Sox fan, at U.S. Cellular Field), sunning yourself on man-made Oak Street beach, taking in concerts in Highland Park during the Ravinia Festival (through September 17 in 2007), and getting your groove on at Summer Dance in Grant Park (through August 26 in 2007). The Windy City may not cool you off (as its moniker suggests) in July or August, but it sure will keep you entertained!

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