6 Last Chances for Summer

Summer may be winding down, but not before you make one more splash to send it out in style. Here, we list six quintessential experiences to squeeze into your summer bucket list before the season sneaks away.

The days already seem to be getting shorter, back-to-school commercials are invading our TVs, and we’re beginning to think about those things that we meant to do this summer but haven’t gotten to yet. But, hey, it’s certainly not too late. Here, we highlight six summer things to do in Opal resort and hotel destinations before summer finally takes its last breath.

SPOT WHALES – & OTHER MARINE WILDLIFE – ON A WHALE WATCH TOUR | Bar Harbor, ME

There’s no more quintessential New England summer experience than going on a whale watch. Because summer is when these giants of the sea migrate to the Gulf of Maine to feast on plankton, fish, sand eels, and more before migrating back down to their breeding grounds in the West Indies come October. Maine’s largest boating tour company, Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. offers up to two daily whale-watching tours with a high whale-sighting success rate. That said, given that these wild animals are unpredictable, if no whales are spotted on your trip, your ticket serves as a voucher to go out on another watch within the next three years.

• Where to Stay in Bar Harbor, ME: West Street Hotel | Harborside Hotel, Spa & Marina 
• Related Reading: A Q&A With Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co.’s Lead Naturalist

MAKE A SPLASH AT DUBOIS PARK | Jupiter, FL

Located on the banks of the Loxahatchee River within view of the iconic towering Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, this scenic waterfront park is a tucked-away slice of paradise and a favorite summertime oasis among locals. While visitors love the shaded pavilions, grills, and well-maintained playground, the biggest draw is the shallow guarded lagoon area for its turquoise water and colorful fish that rival what you would find in the Caribbean. Perfect for first-time doggy-paddlers and snorkelers alike, the swimming area is bordered by a mix of beach and lush vegetation, making for a perfect perch to lazily watch the parade of boats come and go through Jupiter Inlet.

• Where to Stay in Jupiter, FL: Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa
• Related Reading: Your Guide to Jupiter, Florida

EXPLORE THE HISTORIC HOUSES OF STRAWBERY BANKE | Portsmouth, NH

Unlike traditional museums with static displays and indoor collections, this preserved seventeenth-century Portsmouth neighborhood (the oldest in New Hampshire) is a living, breathing historical campus, home to 39 historic houses occupied by artisans and costumed reenactors. But this is not just a snapshot of a single era – it’s a patchwork capturing the neighborhood’s evolution over 350 years, including an 1870 mansion owned by a former New Hampshire governor, a 1950s home (pictured), and World War II-era mom-and-pop market.

• Where to Stay near Portsmouth, NH: Wentworth by the Sea
• Related Reading: 5 Places to Glimpse Wentworth by the Sea History

INDULGE IN THE BEST OF PIER 60’S OPEN-AIR ACTIVITIES | Clearwater Beach, FL

Clearwater may already be known as home to one of America’s top beaches. But that shouldn’t overshadow the other landmark that makes Gulf Coast vacations so memorable. We’re talking about the neighboring 1,000-foot concrete pier – known as Pier 60 – that is more than just a pretty stroll over the ocean. In fact, you could pack a whole day of to-dos here with activities like fishing (day passes are only $8), jet ski rentals, and, perhaps most beloved, taking in the nightly Sunset Celebration that brings out about 30 vendors who peddle their wares in the open-air environment.

• Where to Stay in Clearwater Beach, FL: Sandpearl Resort | Opal Sands Resort
• Related Reading: Our One-Day Itinerary to the Best of Clearwater Beach’s Pier 60

EXPERIENCE FLORIDA’S NUMBER 1 BEACH | Delray Beach, FL

With no high rises or excessive development, it’s no wonder Delray’s municipal beach secured “Best Beach in Florida” in the 2024 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Deeded to the city in 1899 – but only with the promise of preservation – this two-mile stretch of golden sand is the centerpiece of any Palm Beach County vacation thanks to consistently temped waters hovering around 73 degrees and all the amenities needed for a beach day (chair, umbrella, and cabana rentals).

• Where to Stay in Delray Beach, FL:  Delray Sands Resort | The Atlantic Suites on The Ave, | Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort & Spa
• Related Reading: 5 Reasons Delray Beach Was Voted Number One Beach in Florida

CRUISE IN STYLE ON ONE OF AMERICA’S MOST SCENIC LAKES | Lake George, NY

If you didn’t have the opportunity to live it up on a lake this season yet, then you still have plenty of chances when you stay The Sagamore Resort, perched on a private island in Lake George. And one of the most popular ways to see this famous body of water, known as the “Queen of the American Lakes?” Via The Morgan, the resort’s 72-foot replica of a nineteenth-century touring vessel featuring an open-air top deck for fantastic views of the surrounding Adirondacks. Daily cruises run through The Narrows, a particularly famous and narrow section of the lake peppered with small islands, that larger vessels are not able to frequent – that is, unlike the maneuverable and nimble Morgan.  

• Where to Stay in Lake George, NY: The Sagamore Resort
• Related Reading: 7 Reasons The Sagamore is a Condé Nast Traveler “Most-Booked” Hotel