• After traveling to all 50 states solo, I've narrowed down the best cities to visit in the summer.
• Places like Taos, New Mexico, and Anchorage, Alaska, experience milder temperatures in the summer.
• Lubec, Maine, and Carmel-by-the-Sea, California feel like they're straight out of a fairytale.

When the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, I think it's the perfect opportunity to explore new parts of the United States.

After visiting all 50 states solo, I can recommend dozens of places to visit in the summer, but some stand out for their solitude, outdoor activities, accessibility, or great weather.

These are the seven cities and towns I've been telling my friends to visit this year.

Chicago really comes alive in the summer months.

Growing up in Illinois, I spent many summer days in Chicago. But, honestly, it wasn't until I'd visited all 50 states that I understood just how magical the city becomes in the warmer months.

Each summer, Millennium Park hosts a packed calendar of free outdoor concerts and festivals, and the Riverwalk comes alive with outdoor dining and kayakers.

Plus, the lakefront beaches are among my favorites in the country.

Lubec, Maine, is one of my favorite places to visit.

In my opinion, Maine feels like a fairytale in the summer months. With lush forests, rocky coastlines, and quaint fishing villages — you really can't go wrong.

However, the place I find myself recommending most (and dreaming about visiting again) is Lubec. Home to the easternmost point in the contiguous US, this town feels like a Hallmark movie.

I love hiking at West Quoddy Head State Park, staying at The Inn on the Wharf, eating lobster at Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant, and hiking or biking on the Cobscook Shores Trail.

There's so much to do in Taos, New Mexico.

The temperatures in Taos, New Mexico, stay surprisingly mild in the summer months, with highs in the mid-80s and lows ranging from the high-40s to low-50s. This makes it a great destination if you're looking to escape those hot summer nights.

Plus, there's so much to do. I like to visit Taos Pueblo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America. Here, visitors can take guided or unguided tours of the Native American village.

When I want to spend some time outside, I hike the Williams Lake Trail, a beautiful 3.8-mile round-trip trek to the lake at the base of Wheeler Peak.

Jackson, Wyoming, is the perfect home base for outdoor adventure.

Summer is absolutely high season in Jackson, Wyoming, but to me, it's still worth battling some traffic to experience.

The town sits right outside Grand Teton National Park, and the outdoor recreation options in the area are almost overwhelming — hiking, fly fishing, rafting the Snake River, and kayaking across beautiful lakes.

Jackson's Town Square is worth an evening of its own for exploring the shops, grabbing dinner or a drink, or attending one of the summer festivals or markets.

Another perk? Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport in the country located entirely within a national park — so you can fly straight into one of the most stunning places in America.

I think Anchorage, Alaska, is a must-visit destination.

I think everyone should experience the magic of Alaska in the summer. The days are incredibly long, the weather is mild, and everything feels more accessible.

Although there are lots of cities I love visiting in the state, Anchorage is my top pick because there's so much to do. I love visiting the Anchorage Museum, hiking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, eating at Moose's Tooth Pub and Pizzeria, or grabbing brunch at Biscuitclub.

The town is also a good basecamp for day trips to Seward, the Kenai Peninsula, and Girdwood.

Brevard, North Carolina, is the perfect place to stay if you want to see waterfalls.

I think Western North Carolina is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. However, my favorite town to visit is Brevard.

Located in Transylvania County — known as the "Land of Waterfalls" for its more than 250 cascades — Brevard is the perfect home base for exploring the area.

Within the town itself, I love attending the concerts put on by the Brevard Music Center, a summer training institute for young musicians.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, feels like a fairytale.

Even though I've lost count of how many times I've visited Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, I'm still not tired of it.

The downtown area genuinely feels like stepping inside a storybook, with whimsical cottages built in the 1920s, and 41 hidden courtyards and passageways filled with shops and restaurants.

I love staying downtown and just walking between the 17 wine-tasting rooms — it's one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon.

• I lived in Italy for eight years, and I still go back every summer to visit family and enjoy Europe.
• I wish I could go even more often, but it's not always possible to hop on an international flight.
• Luckily, I've found cities in California, Michigan, and Florida that feel like Italy to me.

When I was in college, studying abroad in Italy was a no-brainer. My great-grandparents are from a tiny village just outside Modena, and I was curious about my heritage.

Something that took me by surprise, though, was the realization that I didn't want to leave.

After my semester ended, I lived and worked in Rome throughout my early 20s. Eventually, I moved back to the US and became an Italian teacher.

Although I now live in Chicago, Italy still feels like my second home: I make a point to spend summers there, mainly so my daughter can bond with her nonna.

As lucky as I am to visit Italy every year, I still wish I could go more often. Thankfully, I've discovered a handful of places across the US that capture the energy of my favorite Italian regions.

These cities offer Americans a slice of Italian culture, minus the hourslong flight overseas — and help quench my insatiable thirst for Italy with soul-stirring food, wine, history, and charm.

Catalina Island's hidden coves and crystalline waters feel like Capri.

Located off the coast of southern California, Catalina Island is about 22 miles long. It's easily accessible via ferry service, which operates out of three ports near Los Angeles.

When I first visited Catalina Island, I was awed by the dramatic shorelines, crystal-clear waters, and hidden coves. I felt like I was back on Capri.

I hiked to the top of the Garden to Sky trail, catching panoramic views that felt straight out of a Mediterranean postcard. Then, I soaked up the sunshine at Descanso Beach while sipping a chilled glass of prosecco.

Florida is home to Coral Gables, a city that always reminds me of Lake Como.

With its glamorous Mediterranean-style architecture, lush gardens, and waterfront estates, Coral Gables feels like Florida's answer to Italy's Lake Como.

The Italian Renaissance-inspired Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, built in the early 1900s, reminds me of the grand villas that line Como's shores.

If you plan your own visit, don't forget to check out the Venetian Pool — this public swimming spot was carved from a coral rock quarry, and (true to its name) feels straight out of Italy.

Chicago and Milan are "sister cities," and it's easy to see why.

It's no surprise to me that my hometown of Chicago and the metropolis of Milan are officially sister cities. Both feature vibrant street art, designer boutiques, and — unsurprisingly, maybe — delicious Italian food.

I always recommend that tourists plan a trip to coincide with the Randolph Street Market, a pop-up vintage extravaganza. You can also explore Chicago's dynamic mural scene with a street art tour.

Finally, Chicago's pizza is as hearty and rich as any slices you'd find in Italy. You can't leave my hometown without trying our legendary deep dish.

For a classic experience, head to Giordano's. The stuffed pizza here is a masterpiece of cheese and sauce wrapped in a golden crust.

Sonoma bears an uncanny resemblance to Tuscany.

The first time I visited Sonoma, California, I was struck by how much it resembled the Tuscan countryside, from the golden hills to rustic farmhouses.

When I found myself gathered around a long wooden table at Pedroncelli Winery, surrounded by laughter, clinking glasses, and the comforting scent of fresh herbs and olive oil, I felt wrapped in the same warmth and magic of the Italian countryside.

Perhaps the most obvious similarity, though, is the locals' deep appreciation for wine. You can even immerse yourself in vineyard life by staying at one of the several wineries that offer accommodations.

Venice Beach in California feels just like the Italian city of the same name.

Venice Beach's bohemian vibe and canals are an almost-perfect replica of Venice, Italy.

Developed in 1905, the canals of this coastal Los Angeles neighborhood were designed to look like those in Venice. Whenever I stroll along the picturesque bridges and waterfront homes, I almost feel like I'm in Italy … all that's missing are the gondolas.

Frankenmuth, Michigan, reminds me of the Italian Dolomites.

This Michigan city's Alpine-style buildings, hearty cuisine, and cozy charm really resemble the Dolomites in northeastern Italy.

Moments like browsing handcrafted wooden ornaments at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland (the world's largest Christmas store), enjoying a traditional Alpine feast, and setting off on a riverboat cruise on the Cass River made me feel like I was celebrating Natale — or Christmas — in Europe.

This story was originally published on August 18, 2025, and most recently updated on March 26, 2026.

• Southwest Airlines will no longer serve Chicago O'Hare and Washington Dulles starting June 4.
• It will still fly from Chicago Midway, Baltimore/Washington International, and Reagan National.
• Midway and Baltimore are Southwest hubs, but it has a small presence at O'Hare and Dulles.

Southwest Airlines is retreating to its strongholds.

It announced late last week that it will no longer fly from Chicago O'Hare and Washington Dulles Airports starting June 4.

The move is part of its "ongoing efforts to refine its network," it added.

However, it said there won't be any "significant changes" to flight availability from the cities because it's still operating at other nearby airports: Chicago Midway (MDW), Baltimore/Washington International (BWI), and Washington Reagan National (DCA).

O'Hare and Dulles are both popular international airports, ranked third and 22nd in the US, respectively, by passenger numbers. That heightened competition drives up operating costs and gate fees, which isn't ideal for a budget carrier like Southwest.

Meanwhile, Midway is a major hub for Southwest. It carries over 90% of passengers there, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Data from the aviation analytics firm Cirium shows over 6,000 Southwest flights scheduled from there this month. That's more than 13 times as many as from O'Hare.

"We are confident we can serve Chicagoland from our long-standing base at Midway, where we will continue to offer service to more than 80 destinations, including the 15 markets we serve from O'Hare," the airline said.

It comes as United Airlines and American Airlines are fighting for dominance at O'Hare. The former is increasing its flight schedule and working to acquire two gates from Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy proceedings.

Southwest said that operating from O'Hare "continues to be challenging." It only started flights there in 2021.

In and around the nation's capital, the airline is similarly exiting an airport where it has a weaker presence.

Cirium data shows just 93 Southwest flights scheduled from Dulles this month: Twice daily to Denver, and once a day to Phoenix.

United Airlines is the main player there with a majority of the market share.

Meanwhile, Southwest operates nearly three-quarters of flights from Baltimore. It's the second-biggest airline at Reagan National, behind American on 27%, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Southwest said it is "the largest carrier in the Washington area in terms of passengers carried."

It will offer up to 271 departures to 79 nonstop destinations from DCA and BWI, it added.

Frontline employees at O'Hare and Dulles will be able to bid for positions at other airports where Southwest operates, the airline said.

• My friends and family thought I was making a mistake when I moved states for a new relationship.
• At first, I felt homesick, but my partner supported me in a way that validated my decision.
• Now, we're married with kids, and I'm so glad I took a risk on love.

When I was 21, I fell in love for the first time.

Tim and I met online before it was cool. An avid fisherman, sports fanatic, and gifted salesman, he wasn't my usual type — but he was charming, funny, awkward, and sweet. I fell for him, hook, line, and sinker.

There was only one problem. Tim lived in Minneapolis, and I lived in Chicago.

We made long-distance work for as long as we could. On the rare weekends I wasn't waitressing, I traveled to Minnesota for ice fishing and bar hopping. When Tim's schedule allowed, he visited me at my parents' house for family dinners and nights out with friends.

Our time together was fun and exciting, but after seven months of constant travel, we knew we had some decisions to make.

When Tim and I decided to take the next step, I moved to Minnesota

After a four-year collegiate stint in Michigan, I'd sworn to myself that I'd never leave Chicago again. Not only were my family and friends there, but it was comforting and familiar. It was home.

Tim understood my love for Chicago from the moment we met. He was early in his dream career as a salesman, and I hadn't yet decided what I wanted to do professionally. Even so, he reassured me that I would never have to move — that, instead, he would find a way to relocate for me.

The more reassuring he was, though, the more I began seriously considering moving to Minnesota. Logistically, it just made sense.

My family and friends were just as charmed by Tim as I was, but they were skeptical, too. They cautioned me against moving, reminding me that Tim and I hadn't known each other that long.

The more I thought about beginning a new chapter, though, the more right it felt. Whether or not Tim and I lasted, maybe an adventure was exactly what I needed to kick off the adult chapter of my life.

Despite their warnings, I began searching for a job in Minneapolis. When I found a new job and a new roommate in the same week, it felt like fate.

I struggled with homesickness at first, but Tim supported me

My life in Minnesota wasn't what I had imagined. Living away from home was difficult, and I was miserably homesick for weeks. I was also adjusting to life in my first apartment, along with a new, very demanding job.

I was thrilled to be closer to Tim, but the struggles I was experiencing overshadowed much of my joy. Despite these difficulties, Tim remained patient, sure of our relationship, even when my confidence wavered.

On Halloween, my family's favorite holiday, Tim dressed up as a giant piece of pizza to cheer me up. When the first snow fell that season, Tim was waiting in my new apartment with a Christmas tree in tow.

By the time Valentine's Day rolled around, bringing with it chocolate-covered strawberries and three dozen white roses (my favorite), most of my homesickness had faded.

I realized that Tim was my future, wherever we lived

After six months, I finally began to find my footing. My roommate and I developed a strong bond, and I began to branch out into new social circles.

I fell in love with Minnesota in the summertime. I even learned to fish! Turns out, Tim was an excellent teacher.

Tim was my constant, in good times and bad. As the months continued to pass, I began to realize that maybe, this wasn't just the beginning of a new chapter — maybe it was the beginning of forever.

One evening, eight months after I first arrived in Minnesota, Tim invited me out for a casual dinner. I accepted, thinking nothing of it, not even questioning the fact that he wanted us to explore an antique store 15 minutes before our reservation.

I was sifting through a pile of old postcards when I realized that Tim was nowhere to be seen — until I rounded the corner and there he was, on bended knee, a tiny box in his outstretched hand.

We were married that December in Chicago. We spent another year in Minnesota after that, before returning to my hometown for good, putting down roots a few miles from my childhood home.

Thirteen years and six children later, I'm forever grateful that I ignored well-meaning warnings from my friends and family. I may have risked it all on love, but in the end, it was worth it.