There’s still nearly two months left of summer (fall doesn’t arrive until Sept. 21), which means there’s plenty of time to get out on a road trip and enjoy great places in the U.S. and Canada. Here are a few personal faves.
COOL SPOTS IN THE U.S.A.
PITTSBURGH
PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. Joshua Peacock/Unsplash Photo
I grew up near Oakland, California and our family had season tickets for the Oakland Raiders football team. I hated the Pittsburgh Steelers with a passion. Years later I was working in the sports department for the Toronto Star, and talked my editor into having me drive to Pittsburgh to write a story on then rookie phenom Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers. I met many fans and thoroughly enjoyed myself. A few years later I visited the city and wrote a story about Pittsburgh for Porter Airlines magazine. I went again five or six years ago to take my boys to a Steelers game. It’s a very cool city, with super-friendly locals, a cool setting where three major rivers meet, fine museums (I loved the Andy Warhol museum), good food, and a terrific sports scene. Take a walk around the park where the city’s three rivers (the Ohio, the Allegheny and the Monongahela) meet, and take a ride on the Duquesne Incline funicular. For a fun meal, try the Italian sandwich with French fries stuffed inside at Primanti Bros. I loved staying at the
Fairmont Hotel Pittsburgh on one of my visits.
CENTRAL COAST OF CALIFORNIA
Morro Bay, California. Jim Byers Photo
I never had much time to check out the central coast when I lived in California, as I was often busy driving between LA and San Francisco on a deadline. I started exploring the area more when I became a full-time travel writer, and I’ve found it to be a perfectly delightful part of the Golden State. Morro Bay is a terrific town with a massive rock that guards the coastline and towers over the beach. The downtown is tidy, and has a great coffee shop called High Tide. Just up the road, Cayucos is also an attractive seaside town. We had a fine stay at the Blue Dolphin Inn in Cambria a couple years ago. There’s a fine boardwalk along the coast and a compact, walkable downtown with nice shops and restaurants. You’re also close to Paso Robles, which is famous for its fabulous wineries. Here’s
a post I wrote about Morro Bay last year.
NEW ORLEANS
New Orleans, Louisiana. Mana5280-Unsplash Photo
I haven’t been for a good 15 years or so, but I loved my last visit. We had a fine tour with a former reporter at the local newspaper, and I also got to march in one of the Mardi Gras parades. I loved, loved, loved the music scene, and we had excellent meals and cocktails, including a Sazerac at the famous Carousel Bar and Bananas Foster at Brennan’s. Not to mention a fine beignet and coffee at the legendary Cafe du Monde. I’m not a big fan of Bourbon Street, but many people love the bars and late-night action. Be sure to take a ride on the famous St. Charles Streetcar. Operating since 1835, it is the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world and features vintage cars designated as National Historic Landmarks. And don’t miss the chance to take in a live jazz show. You also can take a ride on a steamboat on the Mississippi River.
MYRTLE BEACH
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Jim Byers Photo
Sure, there are waterfront arcades with old-style pinball machines and noisy video games. But this city has plenty more to offer, including art galleries, fine food, great shopping, world-class golf, and quiet nature getaways. downtown gallery. South of the city, Brookgreen Gardens is a lovely spot with gorgeous trees, flowers, fountains and statuary. Murrells Inlet is a lively area for waterfront dining and is a great place for a stroll. You also can kayak on the Black River or other nearby waterways to enjoy tranquil nature. Top golf courses include Caledonia Fish and Golf Club, TPC Myrtle Beach, and Pine Lakes.
TOP SPOTS IN CANADA
TOFINO, BRITISH COLUMBIA
The Wickaninnish Inn is one of the great spots to stay in the Tofino, B.C. area. PHOTO COURTESY WICKANINNISH INN
This is a fine spot on the west coast of Vancouver Island. It’s a great spot for surfing and beach combing, as well as kayaking/canoeing and whale watching in season. Inland, take a walk through majestic forests of old-growth trees, or enjoy a stroll through Naa’Waya’Sum Gardens (formerly the Tofino Botanical Gardens). The town has nice shops and excellent restaurants. Top resorts include the
Wickaninnish Inn on Chesterman Beach, often voted one of the top two or three hotels/resorts in Canada, and down the road in Ucluelet, Black Rock Oceanfront Lodge.
MUSKOKA, ONTARIO
Aboard the R.M.S. Segwun on Lake Muskoka. Jim Byers Photo
This is perhaps the most famous vacation spot in eastern Canada, with cottages (some are more like mansions) lining sparkling lakes dotted with pretty islands. There are dozens of lakes, but the main three are Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau and Lake Joseph. The
RMS Segwun, the oldest operating steamship in North America, is undergoing renovation and is due to set sail again in Muskoka (she’s based in Gravenhurst, on Lake Muskoka) in September. The Segwun was recently selected “Ship of the Year” for 2026 by the Steamship Historical Society of America. You also can ride on the historic Wanda III, a restored, wooden beauty that’s now run on batteries, and the Wenonan II. Also in Gravenurst is the
Muskoka Discovery Centre, which tells the story of the region and has an award-winning exhibit called Misko-Aki, which looks at the importance and vitality of the local indigenous community. Check out the weekly farmers’ markets in Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, and other communities in summer, or try one of the local craft breweries, including Baysville Brewing and Sawdust City Brewing. Top resorts include the
JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa on Lake Rosseau,
Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, and the
Sherwood Inn on Lake Joseph.
EASTERN TOWNSHIPS OF QUEBEC
North Hatley is one of the prettiest villages in Canada. Jim Byers Photo
The Eastern Townships are a quiet area of the province an hour or so from Montreal, and just north of Vermont. The area is dotted with lively towns, sparkling lakes, and rolling hills/small mountains. The town of Sutton is particularly attractive, and offers fine shops and very good food. The nearby town of Knowlton (Lac Brome in French) is famous as the setting for the books of beloved author Louise Penny. One of her biggest fans is Hillary Clinton, who’s been known to spend the night at nearby Manoir Hovey, a five-star hotel/resort. One of my fave places to stay is Auberge West Brome, which has nice rooms and terrific food, including Lac Brome duck and luscious Quebec cheese. Another fine town to explore is North Hatley, which is perched at the north end of Lake Massawippi. A boat ride on Lac Memphremagog is a fine way to spend an hour or two. There’s very good skiing here in winter, including Mont Sutton.
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Lobster rolls at Richard’s in PEI. Jim Byers Photo
Known to Canadians simply as PEI, this is one of the most delightful provinces in Canada; a small island with rolling hills, beautiful beaches, historic lighthouses, and pretty bays with orange-red cliffs. The Confederation Trail is a fine place for biking; a route that runs 273 km’s. The seafood is incomparable, especially the lobster, oysters and mussels. Don’t miss the chance to wolf down a PEI lobster roll. The small city of Charlottetown has fine inns and restaurants. You also can try sleeping in a wine barrel at Nellie’s Landing in the town of Murray Harbour. One of the top foodie destinations in the country is The Inn at Bay Fortune, run by celebrity Chef Michael Smith. The summertime FireWorks Feast features food cooked exclusively on roaring wood fires, but there’s also an oyster station with raw oysters galore. You’ll also find excellent food and stylish rooms at 45 Steps, a “Culinary Inn” in St. Peter’s Bay. Here’s a post of mine about great food and things to do in PEI.
