A college student knows better than anyone that finding time to relax and enjoy yourself is important, and there’s no better time for that than summer break! You can cool off by the beach, get together with friends for a night out, maybe travel somewhere in the world for a well-deserved vacation after stressing over finals for a few weeks.
But, so is everyone else! Beaches are typically packed during the summer, so finding new places to hang out with friends can be a chore, and traveling somewhere popular is bound to be busy with fellow travelers. You deserve your own space to wind down. Take a detour off the beaten path, and why not give these underrated summer vacation spots a try?
If you’re looking for somewhere close to home (or, your home away from home) in New Jersey, then stop by the beautiful beaches of Brigantine. Just over an hour south from Monmouth University is Brigantine, a beach side city just north of Atlantic City, rated as one of the most charming small towns in New Jersey by TravelMag. On its North End, you can expect mostly empty beaches covered by pristine, white sand, bordering the grassy wetlands of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, home to many species of birds, insects, and flora.
Traveling a little further south is one of the few spots to see a sunset on the ocean on the east coast: Cape May, NJ. Cape May is a town known for its classic Victorian houses, iconic Sunset Beach, and historical museums. The town offers multiple small businesses and restaurants with outdoor seating to take advantage of the typically beautiful weather. For a unique scenic experience, try the Revolutionary Rail Co., which uses railbikes to travel through The Nature Conservancy’s Garrett Family Preserve, biking past rivers, gardens, and meadows home to populations of bees and butterflies. Staying in one of the family-owned Bed-and-Breakfasts is a must to fully take in the laid-back beach town aesthetic that Cape May offers.
If the beach isn’t really doing it for you, then let’s go a little more north. Cadillac Mountain in ME, while just under nine hours by car from Monmouth University, offers sweeping views of the surrounding Eagle Lake, Mount Desert Narrows, and Jordan Pond, while not being so high up that you would need to bundle up in heavy coats like most other mountains. The mount is the highest point on the eastern seaboard, with the added benefit of being car accessible as well as having a hiking path. Sand Beach and Thunder Hole, two spots that are well-liked by locals and tourists alike, aren’t too far away, either, so if you have the time, make sure to stop by both!
If you’d like to visit somewhere with deep history and social culture, give the seaside town of Provincetown, MA, a try. Around six hours away by car, Provincetown, nicknamed “P-town,” is known for being a prominent focal point with its numerous small businesses, eateries, and nightclubs overlooking the Cape Cod Bay. Provincetown is on the site of the Mayflower landing back in 1620, with museums and monuments dedicated to the history of pilgrims. Today, the town is renowned for its welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, as well as a center point for artists to share their work in the decorated stands lining the harbor.
Lastly, while more expensive and hotter than the rest of the locations for the price of airfare, the city of Palm Springs offers a view into a relatively unheard of side of California. A little under two hours east from Los Angeles sits the desert town of Palm Springs, which sits on a wide expanse of land wedged between mountain ranges. The city streets lined with palm trees offer an exciting night life, tons of art galleries, and an aviation museum where you can watch airplanes land and take off at its small airport. Not too far away is Joshua Tree National Park, known for its crystal-clear skies for stargazing, incredible rock formations, and of course, the Joshua trees. Dress for very warm weather and pack plenty of carry-on bottles of sunscreen, refillable water bottles, and sunglasses; you’ll need it.
Planning an unforgettable getaway takes time and research; hopefully I’ve crossed off one of those boxes for you!
