Summer adventures are calling your name! To jump-start your vacation planning, we hand-picked some prime destinations for you. These options make using RST a smart choice, with travel times and fares better than or similar to those through MSP. (And really — don’t you want to start your summer vacay without the drive to Minneapolis and the long TSA lines?)
London: A jolly good summer holiday.
Travel time: Less than 11 hours.
Forecast: Mild temps & lots of daylight.
- Average daytime highs in the low 70s; evenings dip into the high 50s.
- Approximately 16 to 18 hours of daylight in June and early July.
- Driest time of year, but there’s still a moderate chance of rain on any given day – pack an umbrella!
Photo credit: Jurica Koletić
What to do: History, theatre and natural beauty.
- Dive into history. Some of London’s significant landmarks include the British Museum (home of the Rosetta Stone), the Natural History Museum (dinosaurs galore) and the Tower of London (iconic fortress with a gruesome past).
- Get your theatre fix. Attend a performance in London’s famous West End. From long-running musicals to edgy modern plays, there’s a show to suit every taste. Booking in advance is highly recommended during the summer months.
- Enjoy the outdoors. Stroll through one of London’s beautiful Royal Parks, which include Hyde Park (one of the largest), Regent’s Park (home to the London Zoo) and St. James’s Park (located near Buckingham Palace). Or, see London’s iconic landmarks on a guided or hop-on-hop-off boat ride along the River Thames.
Miami: Luxuriate by the ocean.
Travel time: Approximately 5.5 hours.
Forecast: Hot and humid with refreshing sea breezes.
- Average daytime highs in the upper 80s to low 90s; evenings remain warm.
- Frequent but brief afternoon or evening showers and thunderstorms.
- Very warm Atlantic Ocean temps in the mid to upper 80s – perfect for swimming!
Photo credit: Shawn Henley
What to do: Indulgence, beaches and culture.
- Pamper yourself. Summer is low season for tourism, making lodging at one of the area’s luxury hotels more affordable this time of year. It may also be easier to get a reservation at one of Miami’s swank steakhouses, seafood restaurants or Cuban-inspired eateries.
- Hit the beach. With invitingly warm waters, Miami’s beloved beaches like South Beach offer sun, sand, and surf. Enjoy swimming, sunbathing, or various water sports.
- Experience the culture. Miami’s cultural scene is vibrant and readily available if you need to escape the heat. Visit the Wynwood Walls for street art, explore the diverse exhibits at the Pérez Art Museum Miami, or discover marine life at the Frost Museum of Science.
New York City: A summer state of mind.
Travel time: Less than 5 hours.
Forecast: Warm and sunny with occasional humidity.
- Average daytime highs in the low to mid-80s; evenings are pleasant.
- A mix of many comfortable, sunny days and some rainy ones.
- Prolonged periods of wet weather are less common than in other seasons.
Photo credit: Emiliano Bar
What to do: Iconic sights, Broadway magic, and urban escapes.
- See the landmarks. The city’s iconic sights have become the stuff of legends and include the Empire State Building, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
- Catch a Broadway show. Get your tickets and prepare to be blown away by the energy and talent of a Broadway performance.
- Explore. Escape the urban bustle in Central Park, stroll along the scenic High Line elevated park, or explore the diverse neighborhoods and vibrant street life of areas like Greenwich Village and SoHo.
