2 min read

Summer Friday Adventures: 6 Can’t-Miss Destinations

Picture of Campbell Levy Campbell Levy : May 31, 2016

It’s a workplace trend that seems to be getting more popular every year. During the summer, offices empty out early on Friday afternoons and employees trade spreadsheets for sunglasses. But you don’t want to waste your precious bonus weekend hours on a humdrum happy hour, do you? Here are our suggestions for turning a Summer Friday into an utterly extraordinary long weekend.

Toronto

Photo: Jamie Hedworth Head north and discover Toronto’s burgeoning adventure scene (paired nicely with an awesome new beer scene). Kayak to the hidden gem islands on Lake Ontario. Rent city bikes and ride out to Bellwoods Brewing Company. Explore The Junction, a formerly rundown neighborhood that’s emerged as a hot spot with tap houses/breweries, hip furniture boutiques and coffee shops. seetorontonow.com

Alberta

Here’s a mind-blowing fact: We pulled visitation stats comparing Glacier National Park to Waterton Lakes National Park (which literally borders Glacier), and Waterton, where the prairies of Alberta meet the peaks of the Rocky Mountains, recorded 417,000 visitors in 2015, while Glacier recorded 2.37 million! In other words, Waterton’s clear lakes, thundering waterfalls, rainbow-coloured streams, colourful rocks and mountain vistas will be much less crowded for your Summer Friday adventure. travelalberta.com

Cheyenne, WY

Cheyenne is a perfect Summer Friday escape for anyone living on Colorado’s Front Range, or the Rocky Mountain region as a whole. Just over an hour from Denver (and an easy drive from Denver International Airport), Wyoming’s capital city boasts zero crowds, and some of the best rock climbing ( Vedauwoo Recreation Area) and mountain biking ( Curt Gowdy State Park) anywhere in the Rocky Mountain Region. cheyenne.org

Stay: Windy Hills Guest House – Located outside of city limits, literally overlooking Curt Gowdy, this charming spot puts adventure right in your backyard. You can do a quick five-minute spin to the park to warmup, and even ride home for lunch before heading out for another afternoon ride. Vedauwoo is also just down the road.

Bermuda

Skip the Hamptons! Less than two hours from virtually every US city on the East Coast, Bermuda offers an easy escape to an island paradise. While your friends are still stuck in traffic, you’ll be choosing from an array of outdoor adventures – cliff jumping, deep water free soloing, fishing, cycling, trail running, windsurfing, kayaking … you name it, Bermuda’s got it. Added bonus: Bermuda will make all your friends jealous when they see what you’re posting on social media … it’s hard to believe turquoise waters and pink sand beaches are this accessible. gotobermuda/com/summerfridays

Deal: How does your 4^th night free sound?

Estes Park, Colorado

Coloradoans love the mountains in the summer – and the quintessential Colorado mountain town might just be Estes Park, Colorado, located at the edge of the legendary Rocky Mountain National Park. Start your Summer Friday journey with a scenic drive along the Peak-to-Peak Scenic Byway, with shimmering aspen leaves and evergreen trees set against a stunning mountain backdrop. Upon arriving in the mountain village, warm up and stretch your legs with a cup of coffee from a locally owned store and a stroll along the downtown Main Street or foliage-lined Riverfront walk. visitestespark.com

Stay: The majestic Stanley Hotel, known for its architecture, scenic setting, and famous visitors, may possibly be best known today for its inspirational role in the Stephen King's novel, “The Shining.” Yes, there are very fun haunted tours …

Utah

Summer is all about road tripping, and there’s no better place to hit the open highway than Utah. Drive an impossibly beautiful road built by humans through divine lands on Scenic Byway 12. Experience red rock landscapes that are beyond compare as you drive through the secluded southwest. Visit iconic and introspective places on roads that intersect with prehistory and monumental formations in the Four Corners Region. visitutah.com

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