The 10 best places to travel in August

Editor’s note: This recurring article is regularly updated with the latest offers and information.

Most travelers want to go somewhere to keep cool at the sweaty end of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Maybe you want to think beyond the basic beach vacation and head to the mountains or even the Southern Hemisphere, where it’s winter. Or perhaps you’re looking to finally book that epic safari vacation to see the Great Migration make its way through parts of East Africa.

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Since August also brings the last gasps of school summer vacation, you may see higher prices and crowds in popular places. But there are also many new airline routes and festivals worth planning a trip around this August.

Here are 10 of the best places to visit in the U.S. and beyond in August.

Seattle

With sun and little rain, August brings some of the best weather Seattle will get all year. It also brings the annual Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival to the music-centered city from Aug. 30-31, with headliners Weezer, Bright Eyes, Janelle Monae, Digable Planets and dozens of other acts.

The new Cannonball Arts center is scheduled to open downtown in late summer. It is being produced by the teams behind Bumbershoot and the Museum of Museums, who are partnering with the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe to create the new arts venue. 

TPG tip: In May, the city got a much-needed luxury hotel injection, in the form of two eco-friendly, nature-inspired properties: Populus Seattle (rates from $355 per night), the second location of the carbon-positive Denver original, and 1 Hotel Seattle (rates from $438 per night), which incorporates practices such as energy-efficient smart thermostats, low-VOC materials and advanced air quality management systems. 

The 1 Hotel is also part of Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, which includes perks like 4 p.m. late checkout, daily breakfast for two and other exclusive benefits for cardholders who book through that platform. 

 Related: It’s official: SH Hotels & Resorts has rebranded as Starwood

Traverse City, Michigan

Traverse City welcomes the inaugural Traverse City Food & Wine festival from Aug. 20-24, bringing dozens of chefs to the shores of Lake Michigan, including “Top Chef” winner Mei Lin, Food Network’s Tyler Florence and local talent like Sarah Welch, a James Beard Award nominee for the Mink and Marrow restaurants in Detroit. 

The region is also great to watch the Perseids, an annual meteor shower that peaks around Aug. 12-13. For the best viewing conditions, two Dark Sky Places — Headlands Park and Beaver Island — are each located within a four-hour drive of Traverse City. And while not an officially designated Dark Sky Place, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is just 40 minutes west of downtown Traverse City.

There’s also a new direct route to this corner of Michigan: In June, JetBlue launched seasonal nonstop flights from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) three times weekly. One-way fares start at $69 or 4,200 TrueBlue points this August. 

TPG tip: Use or earn Hilton Honors points at Spark by Hilton Traverse City, a new brand launched in 2023, inside what used to be a Fairfield Suites. Rates start at $166 or 45,000 Hilton Honors points per night in August. A brand-new Residence Inn by Marriott Traverse City is set to open its doors this summer, but reservations aren’t available yet. 

Nantucket, Massachusetts

This beloved island and sailing hub off the coast of Massachusetts comes alive in summer. Nantucket Race Week (Aug. 13-17) brings yachts and sailboats from around the world to test sailors’ knowledge with tricky currents and ever-shifting sandbars along Nantucket’s 6-mile-long harbor.

If you prefer art and music, this year’s annual Boston Pops concert at Jetties Beach is Aug. 9 and includes a drone light show. On Aug. 16, the Artists Association of Nantucket will hold its Sidewalk Art Show, where visitors can stroll along the cobblestone streets to discover local artists’ paintings, sculptures and photography.

Hungry? Check out Billie’s Nantucket, a new steakhouse, or Easy Street, a new all-day spot with pancakes in the morning and sushi in the evening. Local potato chip company Nantucket Crisps has also opened a store selling all its locally inspired flavors, gear and other picnic fare.

TPG tip: Two new hotels opened in Nantucket this summer: The family-friendly Beachside Hotel (from $651 per night) debuted in May inside a remodeled 1960s motel, and the historic 17th-century inn Veranda House (from $449 per night) has been carefully reconstructed after a 2022 fire.  

Edinburgh

Edinburgh in August makes perfect sense for a “coolcation” with lots of sun, especially if you’re a theater connoisseur. During the world-famous Fringe Festival (Aug. 1-25), visitors can select from thousands of shows, including musicals, plays and comedy. The Edinburgh International Festival runs concurrently with dance, music, opera and other performances. 

There are other cultural touchstones this month: Aug. 9-14 welcomes the Edinburgh International Book Festival, with more than 600 events, and Aug. 14-20 sees the Edinburgh International Film Festival, with dozens of film screenings and talks. Rock music fans should take note: Oasis is playing the city Aug. 8, 9 and 12, although tickets are already hard to come by.

You can get to the city via new seasonal Edinburgh flights on JetBlue from Boston and on American Airlines from Philadelphia, which both launched this summer.

TPG tip: Though the city is getting two new lifestyle hotels this summer, including a new Hoxton and NYX by Leonardo Hotels, you can use your premium credit card perks at the 100 Princes Street boutique hotel. It opened last year with 30 rooms and views of Edinburgh Castle. Nightly rates in August start at $674, but the hotel is part of The Edit by Chase, which offers cardholders perks like daily breakfast for two, space-available room upgrades, and early check-in and late checkout (when available). 

Copenhagen

Another excellent spot to stay cool in August is Copenhagen, with average Fahrenheit temperatures in the mid-60s and low 70s. You’ll also have long days of sunlight (about 15 hours), allowing you to maximize your sightseeing time. 

The annual Copenhagen Cooking Festival (Aug. 15-24) brings chefs from around the world for classes, talks, long table dinners and competitions. Also in August is the Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix (Aug. 8-10) and Copenhagen Pride Week (Aug. 9-17), with the main parade Aug. 16.

The Danish capital is also more connected to the West Coast and Midwest this summer, thanks to a new direct flight to and from Seattle five times a week on Scandinavian Airlines and a Delta Air Lines flight to and from Minneapolis three times a week, both of which launched in May.

TPG tip: 1 Hotel Copenhagen is set to open in August as the brand’s second European location. The property is a reimagining of the Skt. Petri, a historic hotel in the Latin Quarter, into a 282-room retreat that combines the brand’s trademark biophilic design with Scandinavian craftsmanship. Rates start at $454 per night in August.

About a 20-minute drive north of the city center, Park Lane Copenhagen, a Small Luxury Hotels of the World property, opened in January and has rates starting at $330 or 65,000 Hilton Honors points per night. 

Goriska region, Slovenia

August in Slovenia’s Goriska region is an excellent alternative to overcrowded Italy. This western Slovenian enclave is on the Italian border and offers good weather for rafting down the Soca River. Late summer is also the ideal time to see grapes growing on the vineyards in Brda, Slovenia’s answer to Tuscany.

Plus, for the first time, Nova Gorica, Slovenia, and Gorizia, Italy, were named dual Capitals of European Culture for 2025, and both cities have been holding events and exhibitions all year. 

This month’s calendar includes a group walk in the surrounding forests with a landscape architect Aug. 27, a film screening of Jože Babič’s “Three Quarters of the Sun” in Europe Square on Aug. 23, and an international motorcycle event Aug. 30-31, with exhibitions and parades of historical motorcycles. 

TPG tip: Technically, the closest points hotel is the Best Western Gorizia Palace Hotel (from $109 or 20,000 Best Western Rewards points per night) just over the border in Italy. But you can also book the upscale DAM Boutique Hotel, which has an in-house Michelin-starred restaurant, through Chase Travel, using your Chase Ultimate Rewards points. August rates start at around $200 per night. 

Fiji

Fiji’s legendary Cloudbreak will host the World Surf League Finals for the first time. The event brings the men’s and women’s top five surfers to one of the most iconic breaks on the planet, Aug. 27­-Sept. 4. 

Set aside time to participate in Fiji’s new Loloma Hour initiative, which launched in April and invites travelers to dedicate one hour of their visit to conservation or community service. Over 20 hotels and tour operators across Fiji’s islands are participating, with activities ranging from coral planting at Six Senses Fiji to reef conservation with Captain Cook Cruises.

Now a full-fledged member of the Oneworld alliance, Fiji Airways also has a new direct flight from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), making it easier than ever for U.S. travelers to access the islands.

TPG tip: Nanuku Resort Fiji, a Small Luxury Hotels of the World property on the southern coast of Viti Levu, recently completed a $12 million redesign. In August, rates start at $596 or 105,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Medellin, Colombia

Colombia is the second-largest exporter of cut flowers globally, exporting more than 4 billion cut flowers to the U.S. annually. Medellin — the City of Eternal Spring — celebrates the country’s flower growers with the annual Feria de las Flores, from Aug. 1-10. The festival includes more than 140 events, and highlights include the Chiva (open-sided bus) Carnival and the Silletros Parade featuring carefully crafted floral designs worn on people’s backs.

Experience the food of Medellin at excellent prices during Medellin Gourmet (August-September), a culinary circuit where top local restaurants offer special menus at great value.

TPG tip: New direct flights to Medellin’s Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) include a United Airlines route from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) launched last November and an Avianca (part of Star Alliance) route from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) on March 30. 

Shanghai

Delta Air Lines resumed nonstop flights between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) in June, a route that had been paused due to the pandemic, encouraging travelers to think about China visits again.

A new draw to the city, Legoland Shanghai Resort opens July 5, and it will be the world’s largest, with more than 75 interactive rides, shows and attractions. In addition to a mini Lego replica of the Shanghai skyline, there will be eight themed sections, including Ninjago, Lego Friends and the world’s first Monkie Kid area.

While the opening date is not confirmed, the Shanghai Grand Opera House in the Expo Houtan neighborhood near the Huangpu River may open by August. If not, the Snohetta-designed building will be visible on the riverbank, with its helical roof surface evoking an unfolding fan. 

TPG tip: The Hilton Shanghai Zhangjiang Science City opened in April in the Pudong district. It has 475 rooms and digital art in the public spaces. Rates start from $160 or 40,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Maasai Mara, Kenya

Going on safari in August in the Maasai Mara means excellent weather and a good chance of seeing part of the Great Migration, which typically occurs between July and September. It’s prime time to see millions of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles running across the plains and the mighty Mara River.

TPG tip: The much-anticipated Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara Safari Camp is set to open in August in the heart of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Elevated amid the trees on a secluded island surrounded by the Sand River, this retreat has 20 tented suites, a stargazing sky deck, a spa and wellness center, an outdoor gym, a swimming pool, and a photography studio. Rates start at $3,528 or 321,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night in August, all-inclusive with two private game drives per day.

In June, Mahali Mzuri, Sir Richard Branson’s luxury Maasai Mara tented safari camp that’s part of the Virgin Limited Edition collection, reopened following a full interior redesign. The 12 luxury tents now have floor-to-ceiling glass windows and new textiles, hardware and custom furnishings sourced from Nairobi-based suppliers. Rates at Mahali Mzuri start at $3,100 or 330,000 Virgin Red points per night, including all meals and drinks and twice-daily game drives.