Escape The Heat With The Latest 'Coolcation' Travel Trend

For most people, the thought of vacation has typically conjured up visages of relaxing on a beach or going somewhere warm. However, as the Earth itself continues to warm, as it has done consistently since the 1980s, more people worldwide are finding themselves actually living in warm climates. This has many reconsidering their vacation plans. Instead of looking to travel to a tropical destination, they are hoping for a respite from the sweltering heat and choosing a coolcation location to do just that.

Reminiscent of the rapid rise of staycations during the pandemic, coolcation destinations have become very much in demand over the past few years. According to independent cruise agency Iglu Cruise, vacations in Arctic locations rose 235% from 2022 to 2023 and continue to rise. Other chilly locales have seen dramatic rises in tourism as well.

While coolcations tend to peak during summer, many of these destinations remain well visited year-around. Given that the next few years are expected to be peak times to view the Northern Lights, coolcations are likely to become even more popular. Luckily for those living in North America, there are a number of amazing coolcation destinations in both the U.S. and Canada. Those who are a bit more adventurous also have the option of traveling further abroad to visit any number of coolcation spots on the Northern and Southern extremes of the globe.

While many consider the beaches of Mexico, Florida, California, and Texas to be the top vacation spots in North America, the continent is also home to a great variety of coolcation locations. Among them are several U.S. national parks as well as some truly memorable road trips. The top American coolcation destination, however, is Alaska. As both the largest state in physical size and northernmost in geographic location, Alaska offers a wide range of outdoor adventures, all set in typically cooler climates than those in the Lower 48. Alaska is hands down the best place to view the Northern Lights in the United States. It is also a popular spot for nature viewing, whale watching, fishing, hiking, climbing, and camping.

Every state along the Canadian border from Maine to Washington also houses viable coolcation destinations. Canada itself is home to a myriad of such locales. For travelers from Mexico or the Southern U.S., anywhere in the entire country may be considered a coolcation. But, the most popular coolcation destination in Canada is the Canadian Rocky Mountains. This mountain range is located in the two Westernmost provinces, beginning at the top of British Columbia and extending south through Alberta before continuing into the United States. Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver are the major cities in the Canadian Rockies, which provide visitors with a seemingly endless array of outdoor adventures. While summer is the most popular time to visit, autumn sees spectacular views of fall foliage, and winter is the best time to view the Northern Lights.

Those looking for a coolcation destination beyond the borders of the United States and Canada don't have to look very far. Greenland, which many Americans may be surprised to learn, is actually part of North America and is a very popular coolcation destination. Just a bit further to the east, but considered to be part of the European continent, is what is roundly considered the top coolcation destination in the world – Iceland. This sparsely populated, remote island nation is divided into seven geographic regions. Each region has its own cultural and geographic nuances. However, every portion of Iceland is renowned for stunning landscapes and incredible outdoor adventures. Iceland is also considered the premier destination to get that perfect picture of the Northern Lights.

Other popular coolcation spots can be found in both the northern and southern hemispheres. The Swiss Alps, British Isles, and Norway all get nods for ideal coolcation spots in Europe. On the other side of the globe, the Patagonia region of Argentina and Chile in South America was a top destination for outdoor adventurers long before it became a coolcation hot spot. New Zealand and the state of Tasmania in Australia are other regularly visited spots for coolcationers in the Southern Hemisphere.