Beach towns, islands and lake getaways across the U.S.: the best time to go, where to stay, what to do and how to avoid the crowds.
Seven American lakes that reward a full trip, from Tahoe's beaches and Crater Lake's rim to Adirondack islands and Lake Michigan's dunes, matched to the season and activity each does best.
Fourteen beach towns along the Atlantic, from Maine's rocky coast to Florida's oldest city, with when to go and how to keep costs down.
Two South Carolina beach classics with very different personalities. Here is how the Grand Strand and the island compare for families, golfers, budgets and beach time.
Pick the right part of the Cape, plan National Seashore beach days, catch a ferry to Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard and dodge the worst bridge traffic.
From Dry Tortugas and Destin to Hanauma Bay and northern Lake Michigan, where to find see-through water, which months are best and how to pick a calm day.
Two white-sand Gulf Coast favorites about two hours apart, compared on beaches, beach rules, things to do and who each one suits best.
Mile-marker stops, a 5-day plan, how to reach Dry Tortugas and where to snorkel, with fees as of November 2026.
How the Anacortes ferry and its reservations work, which island to choose, when orcas and humpbacks are around, and what to book before a summer trip.
A side-by-side look at Tahoe's two peak seasons, which shore suits you and why September may beat both.
Top American beaches grouped by what they do best, a month-by-month water temperature table from NOAA stations, and how to stay safe in the surf.
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