By Nathan Grant ’16, contributor
It’s finally summer time! The weather will be hot, sunny, and perfect for activities in the pool or at the beach. Summer is my favorite season because it’s perfect for swimming, surfing, and visiting that one place you’ve always dreamed of visiting. As your family is planning a fun-filled and exciting vacation, make sure to check this list of top summer destinations!
Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida
This amusement park, commonly known as the “Harry Potter theme park,” is by far the best I have been to! From the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man and to the Land of Doctor Seuss, this place has exciting activities for everyone. In the Land of Doctor Seuss, you will be able to eat lunch with all the characters as well as ride a train around the attractions. In the land of Super Heroes, you will be able to ride roller coasters based on the adventures of Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, and the Hulk. The Hulk, a perfect mix of insane and exciting, goes fast, upside down, has a couple of loops, and sprays you with water half-way through. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is amazing and looks exactly like the set in the movies. On “The Forbidden Journey”, you get to walk through Hogwarts castle (I know, it’s every fan’s dream) and go on an adventure with Harry. You will see talking pictures, classrooms, and Dumbledore’s office. At the end of the ride, you have the option to buy a replica of any Harry Potter wand. Islands of Adventure is an amazing place and you are guaranteed to have fun!!
Atlantis in the Bahamas
Atlantis is a huge resort with many pools, waterslides, and aquariums. There are activities for everyone, including swimming, visiting the aquarium, and eating at an outside restaurant. There is also a dolphin park where guests can swim with the dolphins, a shark tank where guests can walk among the sharks with the help of a trained diver, and an eleven million gallon fish tank where guests can see manta rays and other giant fish. There is even a 60 foot, nearly vertical waterslide that shoots you through a shark tank; it doesn’t get the name “Leap of Faith” for nothing.
Disney Boat Cruise
The Disney boat cruise is amazing and has activities for everyone. This is my favorite cruise and I would go on it over and over if I could. The Disney Cruise Line’s ships are family-friendly and include many entertainment activities each night. There is a huge Walt Disney Theater, which resembles a Broadway house, as well as a cinema which features Disney movies. There are also multiple pools on deck and one has a 200 foot water slide. By each pool, there are restaurants and a big flat screen that plays movies or shows pictures of the events from that day. In addition to this, there are clubs (a kid’s club and a teen’s club) which are fun and offer exciting activities. For example, in the teen’s club, one can go on a scavenger hunt throughout the ship (and win a big trophy), play a game of basketball, tennis, or shuffleboard, and attend dances at night. The Disney Boat Cruise is an amazing place. I had a great time here and I am sure you will too!
San Francisco
San Francisco is another exciting summer destination and there are many places to visit and things to do. From visiting Alcatraz to exploring Fisherman’s Wharf to seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, you will have so much to do and you will never get bored – so make sure to plan accordingly! It is an extremely unique city with an exciting life for the young and adventurous. It is famous for its little underground restaurants that surprise you by serving delicious and unique dishes in an ethereal setting. San Francisco is a great city and you will have an amazing time if you plan to come here on your vacation.
