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The Best Places to Go in August 2021
It's not too late to squeeze in one last hurrah before summer's end.
If last summer was a season of lockdowns and cancelled everything, this summer has been all about the big comeback—back to leisure travel, back to Europe, back to parties, back to fun! With borders open again and many Covid-19 restrictions lifted, the glorious summer vacation is a possibility once more. While we're obviously not totally out of the woods—many countries are facing major outbreaks of the Delta variant and the pandemic remains a danger to those who aren't vaccinated—the list of places we can travel to is significantly longer than it was just a year ago. From American classics to overseas favorites, here are the best destinations for one last hurrah before we may soon be faced with another probable comeback: back to the office.
London, England
August is a doubly fabulous time to visit London. First, the British government just lifted all remaining Covid-19 restrictions. And second, JetBlue is inaugurating direct flights from NYC's JFK to Heathrow starting August 11. Stay at Belmond's stately Cadogan, which has 54 rooms and is nestled in a prime location between Knightsbridge and Belgravia. The best part? Guests have exclusive access to the private 8.5-acre Cadogan Estate Gardens for pleasant morning strolls, afternoon picnics, and rounds of tennis.
Read Reviews The Cadogan, a Belmond Hotel
Glacier National Park, Montana
America's national parks are more popular than ever, and for good reason—they're absolutely breathtaking. While the Grand Circle, which encompasses Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Arches, and Canyonlands, is perhaps the most popular cluster of national parks, it can also be extremely hot this time of year. Instead, go north to Montana's Glacier National Park, where you'll get high temperatures in the seventies, 700 miles of hiking trails, hundreds of crystal clear lakes, and the towering glacier-carved peaks that give the park its name. Opt for the scenic Lodge at Whitefish Lake, just a mile from downtown but seemingly worlds away thanks to its prime perch between Whitefish Lake and a 28-acre wildlife preserve.
Read Reviews The Lodge at Whitefish Lake
Paris, France
After months of only being able to experience Paris through a television screen—many thanks to shows like Emily in Paris, Call My Agent!, and Lupin—travelers can finally visit the French capital again. There are several magical properties to make home for a few days, but splurge on one of the grandest of grande dames, the Hotel de Crillon, which reopened in June with the debut of a pretty summer terrace overlooking the Place de la Concorde (and stocked with caviar and Billecart Salmon champagne), plus a rooftop bar with panoramic views. There is no better way to say hello again to the City of Light.
Read Reviews Hotel de Crillon
Kennebunkport, Maine
There's a reason why so many flock to Maine in the summers: miles and miles of picturesque coastline, unpretentious New England charm, Acadia National Park, and all that lobster. Make the idyllic town of Kennebunkport—a quick 1.5 hour drive from Boston and five hours from NYC—starting base before venturing farther north to other popular places like Portland and Bar Harbor. The secluded Hidden Pond resort, famous for its adult summer camp vibes, is on 60 acres of wilderness, with cottage-style lodgings and a plethora of outdoorsy pursuits. Elsewhere in town, the 27-room White Barn Inn, an Auberge Resort, recently underwent an extensive renovation.
Read Reviews Hidden Pond
Read Reviews White Barn Inn
Nantucket, Massachusetts
The arguments for why Nantucket is superior to the Hamptons are endless. For one, it has 82 miles of coastline that are mostly open to the public. The vibe is far more classic Americana than rosé-fueled party scene (though to be fair, the Hamptons are reforming this year). And come August, the Atlantic is finally warm enough for all manner of water fun. The iconic Wauwinet, Nantucket's only Relais & Chateaux property, is always top of the list for a perfectly New England vacation but there are also a number of wonderfully charming and chic places to stay in the center of town, too, like White Elephant (the Wauwinet's sister property), and the latest, buzziest entrant: Life House.
Read Reviews The Wauwinet
Read Reviews White Elephant
Read Reviews Life House, Nantucket
More: In the Thick of the Pandemic, Nantucket Reveals Its Best Self
Dubrovnik, Croatia
The Pearl of the Adriatic, as Dubrovnik is known, has everything you could possibly want in a stellar summer vacation. Crystalline coastline, a beautifully preserved Old Town fortified by imposing walls built during the Middle Ages, good vibes, and great food. Plus if you're a Game of Thrones fan, well, enough said. As for where to stay, the elegant Hotel Excelsior is housed in a historic 1913 villa and has welcomed such illustrious figures as Elizabeth Taylor and Queen Elizabeth. Expect fine amenities like an upscale restaurant, a sleek spa, and, best of all, incredible views of the Adriatic Sea and the Old Town.
Read Reviews Hotel Excelsior
St. Michaels, Maryland
New Yorkers have the Hamptons, Bostonians have Cape Cod, and Washingtonians escape the heat to Maryland's Eastern Shore. It's a classic American summer destination, epitomized by the stately Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels. Overlooking the Miles River, the hotel, where parts of Wedding Crashers was filmed, has been around since the 1800s—its original structure was built by a War of 1812 veteran. Obviously it's been added to and updated since with modern touches and luxurious amenities but the quintessential American charm remains. Along with on-theme activities like tennis, golf, and sailing, you'll find delicious sea to table fare (crab, oysters, and fresh fish).
Read Reviews Inn at Perry Cabin
Park City, Utah
Bookings have soared lately for luxury ranches out west and it's easy to see why. They're on vast swaths of land and chock full of back-to-nature, outdoor activities. One of the latest to enter the ranch market, Utah's Lodge at Blue Sky, an Auberge Resort, named one of T&C's Best New Hotels of the World, has just 46 rooms. Considering the hotel is on 3,500 acres, that amounts to a lot of space per person. Typical ranch activities abound, from horseback riding and fly fishing, to clay shooting and hiking. Plus, the views are pretty unbeatable.
Read Reviews The Lodge at Blue Sky
Leena Kim is Town & Country’s Editor, covering the travel, jewelry, style, arts and culture, education, and weddings beats. She has no priors—she has been at the magazine for 11 years, having started her career at T&C as the assistant to the editor in chief.
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