OutsideJul 29, 2026
I’ve Forecast Extreme Weather for 30 Years. These Are My Top Adventure Towns for Escaping the Heat.
A veteran television meteorologist shares her favorite under-the-radar U.S. towns where summer temperatures stay comfortably under 80 degrees—and are full of outdoor adventure.
24 things in this story
- Jackson FallsSight100-feet-tall falls, series of cascades and pools
- Androscoggin RiverSightPaddle on a guided wildlife kayaking tour
- Great Glen Trails Outdoor CenterPlaceoffers guided wildlife kayaking tours
- White MountainsSightterrain for every mountain biker
- YesterdaysRestaurantChow down on a Bennie or omelet
- Sunrise ShackRestaurantGrab a burger
- Wildcat TavernGuest houseEnjoy country comfort food in rustic post and beam
- Moat Mountain Smokehouse and Brewing CompanyRestaurantFor barbecue and craft beer
- Wildcat Inn and TavernGuest househistoric, classic New England charm
- Elsewhere
- Olympic National ParkSightForks, United Statesmost diverse national park in the USA
- Mount WashingtonSightConcord, United Stateshighest peak in the Northeast, infamous for extreme weather
- Mount Washington Auto RoadSightConcord, United StatesAmerica's oldest man-made tourist attraction
- Mount Washington Cog RailwaySightConcord, United Statesworld's first mountain-climbing cog railway
- Mirror LakeSightLake Placid, United Statesgas-powered boats aren’t allowed, ideal for swimming
- High Falls GorgeSightLake Placid, United StatesHike for waterfalls and shaded trails
- Whiteface Mountain Veterans’ Memorial HighwaySightLake Placid, United StatesNew York’s toughest bike ascent
- Stairway Ridge TrailTrailLake Placid, United Statesshort and steep hike to the summit
- Miracle on Ice rinkSightLake Placid, United Statesskating on the famed rink
- SkyRide at Lake Placid Ski Jumping ComplexSightLake Placid, United Statesride the SkyRide
- Mt. Van HoevenbergAttractionLake Placid, United Statestake a luge or biathlon lesson
- Cliffside CoasterPlaceLake Placid, United StatesNorth America’s longest mountain coaster
- The Coffee BarCaféLake Placid, United StatesStart the day with a latte on the balcony
- Bluesberry BakeryBakeryLake Placid, United Statesgrab a pastry
- The Breakfast Club, etc.RestaurantLake Placid, United Stateslocal favorite before a hike