11 of the best last-minute summer getaways

15.07.2024 - 14:59 / thepointsguy.com / Philippe Starck

As the steaminess of summer sets in — and with it, long, sunny days followed by warm, starry nights — who doesn't dream of taking off and getting away? We know that there is no one-size-fits-all trip when it comes to summer vacation, though, and everyone needs a little inspiration sometimes. After all, some travelers are searching for ocean breezes and ample pool time, while others might look for destinations with an excellent food scene or a buzzy, cosmopolitan nightlife.

Thankfully, if you're itching for a last-minute summer getaway, it actually isn't too late to plan one. Many of the most sought-after 2024 destinations still have availability within hotels and vacation rentals, and other less-popular spots that fly under the summer travel radar still provide the most important thing about any good escape: a chance to play more than work.

We've rounded up 11 ideas for embracing the season of simple pleasures — even if the planning is a little last-minute.

Located on Puget Sound, the United States' second largest estuary, visitors to Seattle are never far from nature. The Sound's calm waters offer idyllic paddleboarding conditions with views of the Space Needle, distant mountains and nearby evergreen forests. In the summertime, which is the peak of whale-watching season, tours depart from different locations around the city and can include sightings of orcas, humpback whales and other marine life.

According to Kayak, Seattle is also the number-one searched-for domestic destination for summer. When temperatures are typically quite comfortable, summers here can include museum visits combining art and nature at Olympic Sculpture Park and Chihuly Garden and Glass, as well as plenty of fresh seafood, strong coffee and French pastries at Pike Place Market.

Lotte Hotel Seattle, an elegant hotel with Philippe Starck-designed interiors and Puget Sound views, is offering summer packages, including 30% off luxury suites. A luxurious way to begin or end a boat excursion from Seattle, the Seattle Seaside Escape package features a $100 dining credit and a $50 transportation credit for travel to or from the cruise terminal, paired with a guest room upgrade upon availability. If you're interested in learning more about the art of glassblowing, guests of Lotte Hotel Seattle get a discount at Seattle Glassblowing Studio.

Rates for the Seattle Seaside Escape package start at $305 per night. Guests can receive 25% off classes at Seattle Glassblowing with code lotte25.

Related: A classic getaway: My first trip to Seattle for a long-awaited friend reunion

Travelers looking for balmy weather, palm trees and ocean views will find a reliable destination in Honolulu. The summertime waters are calmer than in winter,