Where to Chase Endless Summer

For those of us who live in the land of four seasons, summer is coming to a close. The mornings are getting chillier, the hours of daylight are getting shorter, and (gasp!) the leaves are starting to change in higher elevations. 

Maybe you're ready for the cool, crisp days of fall...and maybe you're not. Like, really not.

If you feel like you're heading into fall kicking and screaming, never fear. There are plenty of places—in and outside the United States—to chase the elusive beauty of an endless summer. Here are a few of our favorite places to do it.

Central & South America

Photo by Kelly Park

Summer reigns year-round in Central America and parts of South America. The temperature cools for winter but hovers solidly in "summer territory" even in the chilliest months. If you're not sure where to head, check out our Central and South America bucket list.

Just remember not to get too far south...the further you go from the equator, the closer you get to winter.

Southern Arizona

Photo by Colin Stouffer

There is a reason that the "snowbirds" from Canada and the northern United States pack up their RVs and head to southern Arizona for the winter—it's warm, it's beautiful, and there are plenty of places to explore.

If the Arizona desert has never made it onto your adventure list, it's time to get it there. Between Sedona, Organ Pipe National Monument, Patagonia, and the climbing mecca of the Cochise Stronghold, you'll never be bored. Or cold.

Indonesia

Photo by Jake Birch

If you have the time to go a bit further afield, head to Indonesia. Winter is the rainy season in this tropical paradise, which means it's a little less crowded but no less amazing. 

Head to Bali to hike up a volcano or two, or to Java for a trek up Mount Bromo.

The Gulf Coast

Photo by Em Renly

The Gulf Coast touches Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, giving you plenty of places to explore when you're escaping the chill of winter. 

Swimming, relaxing, and deep-sea fishing are among the most popular activities in this region, but you'll also find incredible southern cooking, a mild climate, and some of the best sunsets in the United States.

Hawaii

Photo by Michael Gabbert

Head to Hawaii, the birthplace of surfing, to spend the winter months catching waves and basking in the cultural richness of these islands.

The amount of hiking in Hawaii is off the charts, so even if water-sports aren't your jam, we're pretty sure Hawaii will be.

Cover photo by Sarah Vaughn, of Galveston Island State Park in Texas