PLATTSBURGH, NY
LAKESIDE SERENITY & SMALL-TOWN SPIRIT
Far to the north, where the Adirondacks meet the shores of Lake Champlain, summer assumes a cooler, crisper quality. This tranquil haven of 20,000 provides a picturesque upstate New York retreat steeped in nostalgic small-town Americana, complete with a Norman Rockwell-style Main Street and an abundance of historical landmarks that evoke significant moments in American history.
For example, the Battle of Plattsburgh sites commemorate the War of 1812 victory that shaped the region and influenced the American experiment, serving as highlights for both visitors and locals. Similarly, the Kent-Delord House Museum, a Federal-style gem, along with several other local homes, offers tours that transport guests back to the early 19th century and beyond, while the historic Bluff Point Lighthouse, situated on nearby Valcour Island, stands watch over the lake.
Setting history aside, Lake Champlain is undeniably the highlight of Plattsburgh’ s summer scene. At Cumberland Bay State Park, the shoreline meets sandy beaches where families relax on blankets, play frisbee, and embrace nature. During weekends, the Plattsburgh City Beach, one of the largest freshwater beaches in the United States, hosts barbecues and summer concerts, and, on the Fourth of July, it is from this viewpoint that the city illuminates the sky with fireworks in patriotic colors.
Summer also brings the Mayor’ s Cup Regatta and Festival, a celebration of sailing, local crafts, and fresh farm treats like maple creemees— softserve ice cream swirled with New York’ s liquid gold. Ice cream, summer, and sailing? If that doesn’ t scream Americana, I don’ t know what does.
GETTING THERE: Contour Airlines has nonstop service from Washington Dulles International Airport( IAD) to Plattsburgh International Airport( PBG) daily.
DALLAS / FORT WORTH, TX
BIG CITY SWAGGER & LONE STAR PRIDE in the Dallas Arts District, home to world-renowned museums like the Dallas Museum of Art and the Nasher Sculpture Center.
Elsewhere in the city, The Fountain Place, a brilliant, terraced green oasis amidst iconic skyscrapers, offers a refreshing break from the heat; the stunning 66-acre Dallas Arboretum bursts with summer color; and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, a must-visit for families, provides a cool escape from the sun. Meanwhile, neighborhoods like Deep Ellum, a hipster enclave that houses Pecan Lodge, home to perhaps the best BBQ in Texas, and the quirky Bishop Arts District, filled with boutiques, murals, and indie eateries, enhance the local vibe with color and character.
Summer in DFW reaches its peak with events like the Fort Worth Fourth, the largest Independence Day celebration in North Texas, held annually along the Trinity River, and Taste of Dallas, a food festival that features over 200 chefs, restaurants, brand ambassadors, sponsors, and exhibitors showcasing Tex-Mex, soul food, and everything in between. The region’ s diversity shines through— here, Americana isn’ t just about apple pie; it includes tamales, kolaches, and fried okra, too. Whether you’ re two-stepping in Fort Worth or gallery-hopping in Dallas, the DFW metroplex offers a larger-than-life summer experience rooted in Texas pride.
GETTING THERE: United Airlines and American Airlines have nonstop service from Washington Dulles International Airport( IAD) to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport( DFW) three times daily. Frontier Airlines has daily nonstop service. Each of these three destinations boasts a unique charm— Southern hospitality, Northern simplicity, and Texan bravado— yet they all share a common thread: a celebration of place, people, and the fleeting magic of summer. As the days stretch long and the nights come alive, these parts of America invite visitors to slow down, savor, and connect with a nation that is as diverse as it is united— one sweet, sunlit moment at a time.
Macon, Georgia
Credit: Visit Macon
Cowboy boots, wide-brimmed hats, cattle drives, dusty open plains, and the ever-present aroma of barbecue in the air embody the spirit of Americana in the Lone Star State. With temperatures often exceeding 95 ° F on summer days, one might think that summers in Texas are slow and laid-back. However, Texans are resilient, and their state is made for adventurous living, where air-conditioned museums and lively stockyards keep the season engaging.
Spanning two cities and countless personalities, the Dallas / Fort Worth( DFW) metroplex stands as a summertime titan in the heart of Texas, blending urban sophistication with a frontier spirit. In Fort Worth, the“ Cowtown” half of the duo, the Stockyards National Historic District channels the Wild West, where longhorn cattle lumber down Exchange Avenue twice daily in a cattle drive that serves as both a tourist attraction and a cultural touchstone. Summer amps up the excitement with rodeos at the Cowtown Coliseum, where bull riders and barrel racers kick up dust beneath the stadium lights.
Dallas, meanwhile, dazzles with a blend of history and modernity. The past is evident in the climate-controlled spaces of the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which chronicles the life and assassination of President John F. Kennedy, while authentic Texas modernity shines
SPRING 2025
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