Staff Favorites: Summer Weekend Getaways

1. Dry Tortugas, FL; 2. St. Michaels, MD; 3. Catskills, NY; 4. Harbor Country, MI; 5. Catskills, NY; 6. Skytop Lodge, PA; 7. Vermont

With summer speeding by, we're checking our calendars and planning a few more trips before the season ends. We asked around the office for favorite weekend getaways, and got some great recommendations from the well-traveled terrain team. From Florida's quietest keys to the shores of Lake Michigan, they suggested a wide variety of getaways that are perfect for enjoying a long weekend.

Dry Tortugas, Florida: "Earlier this summer, I went to Florida for a long weekend to celebrate a friend's birthday. We started in Key West and took an amazing day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park. Dry Tortugas is an archipelago of islands about 3 hours away from Key West by ferry. Along with a huge historic fort, the islands are home to spectacular coral reefs. We spent the day snorkeling and taking in the beautiful, tropical views." -- Melissa M.

Harbor Country, Michigan: "Growing up, my family would take a yearly vacation to Harbor Country, Michigan. It's about an hour away from Chicago on the shore of Lake Michigan, and I remember the trips fondly because the lake had smooth, sandy footing and clear water that was great for swimming and rafting-- with some surprisingly wavy days! It's also a beautiful spot, with the Warren Dunes nearby. The region is known for its wineries, so I'd love to take a weekend trip as an adult and explore the area again." -- Kelly S.

Vermont: "Next weekend, I'm taking a trip to Brookfield, Vermont to visit a good friend who works at Fat Toad Farm; I go around the same time each summer. The farm is home to a herd of goats, whose milk is used to make a traditional caramel called cajeta. We often get up early in the morning to make a fresh batch while it's cool outside. While I'm catching up with my friend, I also get to take advantage of the farm fresh eggs and veggies. It's surprisingly fun to hang out with the goats, too-- they have so much personality!"  -- Danielle P.

St. Michaels, Maryland: "Earlier this summer, I spent a long weekend along the Chesapeake Bay, including an afternoon on St. Michaels. I ate the best crab cakes for lunch when we visited the Inn at Perry Cabin. I also took a tour of the grounds there, which include a beautiful antique greenhouse and an amazing garden with huge 'Globemaster' Allium. So pretty!" -- Lacey S.

Skytop Lodge, Pennsylvania: "Skytop Lodge in the Poconos has been a family tradition since my grandfather was a child, so it's a very special place for everyone to come together and take in the outdoors. There's fantastic hiking and so many fun activities to do on the lake and at the historic Lodge. My favorite tradition is daily tea time; a pianist plays lovely music in the Pine Room and they serve fresh baked cookies and tea! If it's nice out, we like to take our tea and cookies outside and sit in the rocking chairs on the South Porch, overlooking the beautiful gardens." -- Kelly N.

The Catskills, New York: "I love heading to the Catskills for a long weekend in summer. The landscape is just incredible, and there are a lot of amazing hikes-- some of my favorites are around the craggy cliffs in Minnewaska State Park. After a long day, The Graham & Co. makes a perfectly rustic place to relax around the campfire; it's a hotel inspired by old-fashioned weekend trips to the mountains from nearby NYC. The area is also home to the Phoenicia Flea, so outdoor exploring can be balanced with some one-of-a-kind shopping." -- Caroline L.

Images courtesy of: terrain (1,6,7); Wedding Spot/The Inn at Perry Cabin (2); The Graham & Co. (3); Yinan Chen (4); Jean Gazis (5)