9 summertime getaways

9 nonstop flights from Houston for a summer getaway in 3 hours or less

Houston certainly isn’t lacking in things to do this summer, but if the temperatures are a little too hot and you’re looking for a quick escape, here are some of the best cities — including some top international destinations — all with direct flights from either Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) or George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) for a quick summer getaway. (Note: Flights are often seasonal and can change at any time.)

Denver
Colorado in the summertime is one of the most glorious places you’ll ever experience, and lucky for Houstonians, daily direct flights into the Mile High City are plentiful and usually budget-friendly. Whether you’re looking for some action with altitude, a Colorado Rockies game, a concert at famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre, hiking, or something else, Denver tops our list of best direct flights from Houston during the summer.

Get there: Fly from either IAH or HOU on United, Southwest, Frontier, or Spirit into Denver International Airport (DEN).

Flight time: 2 hrs and 26 minutes.

Where to stay: Halcyon Hotel
Located in the Cherry Creek district surrounded by great shopping and top-rated restaurants, this boutique hotel is where you’ll want to lay your head. The rooftop pool and bar doesn’t hurt — and neither do unique hotel amenities (like a Gear Garage where hotel guests can rent just about anything from a longboard, a beach cruiser, a camera, and more), but its proximity to so many Denver attractions like Denver Botanic Gardens (which is a gorgeous, tree-lined walk from the hotel or a quick ride in the hotel’s complimentary Range Rover), and just a 20-minute jaunt from the buzzing RiNo District, it’s got everything.

Aspen, Colorado
Sticking to the glorious Colorado theme during the summer months, Aspen has long been a favorite for Houstonians for decades. The small-town vibe with breathtaking mountains and outdoor adventures (hiking, biking, SUPing, golf, and more) are sure to top your summertime wants and needs. This mountain town makes the ideal setting to disconnect in nature and discover the outdoors in ways you never imagined (along with the unassuming, metropolitan culinary scene that awaits you). Popular attractions include the annual concert series JAS, a three-day concert series over Labor Day weekend. It's hard for Houstonians to imagine so many outdoor activities during the summer, but Aspen will help make all your dreams come true.

Get there: Fly from IAH on United into Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (ASE).

Flight time: 2 hours and 37 minutes.

Where to stay: Limelight Hotel
Just a block off Main Street, this primetime downtown location is one of the only 4-star luxury hotels you can experience without the stuffiness you might find in others in town. It’s offers a great pool, complimentary shuttle service from the airport, complimentary cruiser bikes for guests to get around town (though it’s all wonderfully walkable), free breakfast each morning (which goes above and beyond your standard complimentary continental breakfast), and is pet-friendly complete with doggy beds, neon-lit water dishes and more. Come for the town, stay for the hotel.

Nashville, Tennessee
One of the most authentic, accommodating and of course accessible cities to make our summer bucket list is Nashville. The city boasts a music scene that is second to none and provides adventure for a girl’s weekend getaway, a romantic vacation, or even a family-friendly trip everyone can enjoy. Music aside, Nashville’s dining options runs the gamut, including James Beard-award-winning Henrietta Red, Rolf & Daughters, and world famous Hattie B’s Fried Chicken. Be sure to check out the The Rolling Stones exhibit at Nashville's Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, which tells the story of one of the most influential rock bands in history through more than 500 artifacts and memorabilia.

Get there: Fly from either IAH or HOU on United or Southwest into Nashville International Airport (BNA).

Flight time: 1 hour and 55 minutes.

Where to stay: Loews Vanderbilt Hotel
Dubbed the “genuinely Nashville, soulfully inspired” hotel, this spot has taken southern hospitality and elevated it to a new art form with little touches like complimentary shoeshines and a luxury SUV at your beck and call. The hotel is perfectly appointed on Music Row and boasts programs perfect for the kids or pets (like Loews Loves Kids and Loews Loves Pets programs), if you decide to bring them along for the trip. Loews Vanderbilt adds a sense of authentic, local foods through their unique Flavors program, which is indigenous to the city and built on partnerships with artisan food and beverage vendors — ranging from bakers to ice cream makers. You'll feel and eat like a local in no time.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Houstonians already know a quick, direct flight to Mexico can be faster and cheaper than traveling to many East Coast spots, which is why Puerto Vallarta makes our list. Located on the Banderas Bay, one of the largest bays in the world, Puerto Vallarta is uniquely situated where the jungle meets the sea and provides a picturesque landscape. This diverse scenery makes Vallarta more than your average "fun in the sun" summer spot, giving visitors a wide variety of activities to choose from. Travelers can opt for the usual beach activities like jet skiing, parasailing, surfing, boogie boarding, fishing, and sunbathing, as well as tropical jungle expeditions, which educate guests on the flora and fauna indigenous to the area. There's also zip lining through the jungle or tours of nearby towns for a taste of Mexican culture.

Get there: Fly from IAH or HOU on United or Southwest into Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR).

Flight time: 2 hours and 29 minutes.

Where to stay: Casa Velas
This adult-only, luxury, all-inclusive, boutique hotel and ocean club is reminiscent of a Spanish hacienda and features a private ocean club just minutes from the beach. Located only five minutes from Puerto Vallarta Airport and 15 minutes from downtown, its art galleries, and "El Malecon" (the boardwalk), the hotel features 80 spacious suites. Nestled on the greens of Marina Vallarta's 18-hole golf course, the hotel offers guests complimentary golf at three nearby, signature-designed 18-hole courses. Forbes Travel Guide awarded Casa Velas Four Stars; it's the only boutique hotel on the Mexican Pacific coast to receive the honor. Don't miss their “handbag bar," a novel concept where guests can enjoy use of a “loaner” designer handbag at no extra charge during their stay.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Another can’t miss direct flight is into San Jose del Cabo Airport, to experience all that Cabo has to offer. The Mexican beach town is no secret to Houstonians, offering at least four non-stop flights a day (that’s less than 3-hours in the air). Soon, you’re on the beach and posting on Instagram in no time.

Get there: Fly from IAH or HOU on United, Southwest or Spirit into Los Cabos International Airport (SJD).

Flight time: 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Where to stay: The Cape, a Thompson Hotel
One of the newest boutique, luxury resorts in the Cabo San Lucas region of Baja California Sur, Mexico, The Cape sits along one of the most desirable stretches of white sand in all of Los Cabos — which is also a well-known secluded surfers’ paradise known as Monuments Beach. Each luxury room comes with unobstructed views of the Sea of Cortez and the destination’s famed icon, El Arco — a stunning natural phenomenon of granite carved into an arch by centuries of wind and sea exposure. The Cape blends the brand’s upscale, urban aesthetic with a distinct 1960s, Baja-meets-Southern California vibe. Guests can enjoy two pools, including an infinity pool with swim-up bar and another built within a natural rock formation.

Don’t miss the sixth-story rooftop lounge and garden, the signature restaurant from acclaimed Mexican Chef Enrique Olvera, or the on-property Mezcaleria. The hotel’s resident mezcal curator, Daniel Quezada, has created a cocktail program specializing in all things Mezcal, featuring regular guided tastings.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida
This summer, Houstonians can quickly and easily fly over to one of the best East Coast beaches. Fort Lauderdale has become a hotbed for art, fashion, and design (check out what Nylon has to say about the city's booming art scene), with a monthly art walk in FAT Village and a bustling beach year-round. If you want shopping, fancy drinks and just all-around beach time, consider Fort Lauderdale this summer.

Get there: Get there: Fly from IAH or HOU on United, Southwest, or Spirit into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

Flight time: 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Where to stay: W Fort Lauderdale
Situated directly on the sandy shores of Fort Lauderdale, W Fort Lauderdale is the ultimate playground for a summer escape with an Insta-worthy rooftop pool, buzzing Living Room with nightly entertainment, daily beach bootcamp, and yoga classes for the fit-focused. For a true VIP experience, travelers can upgrade to the Vacation Like A VIP package.

Chicago
Chicago in the summertime is always a good idea. In fact, it’s probably the best idea possible — and it's easy to make happen. The hotter daytime temperatures are countered with the lake breezes at night. The overall vibe and energy of The Windy City can’t be beat, plus there are world-famous events like Lollapalooza, two baseball teams to choose from, restaurants fit for every mood and budget, Navy Pier Centennial Wheel & Rides, Lincoln Park Zoo, and bike rentals around the city are just a few reasons that make summertime in Chicago so memorable.

Get there: Fly from either IAH or HOU on United, Southwest, Spirit, or American into Midway International Airport (MDW) or O'Hare International Airport (ORD).

Flight time: 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Where to stay: Moxy Chicago Downtown
Chicago’s River North neighborhood welcomed a new, playful hotel earlier this year, and it’s reason enough to visit. The city’s first Moxy Hotel, this millennial-focused boutique property has 156 guestrooms and is located on the corner of Grand Avenue and LaSalle Drive and exudes the playful spirit the city is known for. Bar Moxy in the lobby serves as the hotel’s hub as well as the front desk, where guests check in and are greeted with a complimentary ‘Got Moxy’ signature cocktail to kick off vacation.

Already a coveted spot for happy hour, the hotel features a curated music program into the evening with activations, including DJs and the Moxy SoundOff booth, with live podcasting and psychic readings — as well as a 24-7 food truck inspired concept, Zombie Taco. If you’re looking for a vibrant way to experience Chicago this summer, this is for you.

Milwaukee
If you’re using this summer travel guide as a summer plan, knocking out Chicago and Milwaukee together is definitely the way to go (fly into Chicago and then take a $40-50 Amtrak train right into Milwaukee or vice versa). For those who’ve never experienced Milwaukee in the summer, this is an under-the-radar treat for Houstonians looking to take a break from the scorching heat. The weather averages 65 to 80 degrees in the summer, plus the beautiful breeze off Lake Michigan to help recharge your summer activities and get you ready for a fun-filled evening.This beer and cheese-loving city is a great scene, complete with lively outdoor patios and bars in every neighborhood. Between June and September there are more than 40 festivals and outdoor events in the city.

Get there: Fly from IAH or HOU on United or Southwest into Mitchell Airport (MKE).

Flight time: 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Where to stay: Kimpton Journeyman
The Kimpton Journeyman Hotel is the only hotel in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward District. The nine-story red brick building sits in the heart of Milwaukee’s bustling art and cultural district, and features 158 eclectic guest rooms. The hotel features two dining options, both led by executive chef Heather Terhune, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant called Tre Rivali and an always-busy rooftop bar, The Outsider. The Journeyman is pet-friendly and hosts a complimentary happy hour for hotel guests called Cutwater Spirits at Wine Hour offering canned cocktails and lots of excitement.

Nassau, Bahamas
The Bahamas are always a good idea and with average temperatures around 82 degrees; now's the time to book. At Nassau's Paradise Island, you'll be treated to lush beaches and crystal clear blue waters that make the trip well worth the quick trek, plus you're just a hop, skip and a jump from other fun islands, like the infamous swimming pigs. The great part about visiting this gorgeous and fun-filled island during the summer is that the deals are in abundance.

Get there: Fly from IAH on United or Bahamasair into Lynden Pindling Airport (NAS).

Flight time: 3 hours.

Where to stay: Baha Mar
Baha Mar has redefined adult luxury, not only in the Bahamas, but pretty much anywhere. The recently completed $4.2 billion integrated beachfront resort development Baha Mar, is located along the beaches of New Providence, and is comprised of three hotels — Grand Hyatt, SLS, and the all-new Rosewood. The entire complex has 2,300 rooms; 40 restaurants and lounges; a casino; an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Royal Blue Golf Course; 30-plus luxury retail outlets (including some favorites like Rolex, Tiffany & Co., and Hublot); and pin-striped pastel cabanas — which are perfect for Instagram.

Bar Moxy in Chicago.

Courtesy Photo

Bar Moxy in Chicago.

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Get your kicks

Texas is just the start of the ultimate Route 66 road trip

Cadillac Ranch/ Facebook

Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo is an essential stop on a Route 66 road trip.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — There are faster ways to get from Chicago to Los Angeles, but none have the allure or cultural cachet of Route 66.

To John Steinbeck, it was the Mother Road that led poor farmers from Dust Bowl desperation to sunny California. To Native Americans along the route, it was an economic boon that also left scars. To Black travelers, it offered sanctuary during segregation. And to music fans, it was the place to get their kicks.

Route 66 marks its 100th anniversary this year. Despite losing its status decades ago as one of the nation’s main arteries, people from around the world still flock to it to take perhaps the quintessential American road trip and soak in its neon lights, kitschy motels and attractions, and culinary offerings.

The dream
Route 66, which runs for roughly 2,400 miles (3,860 kilometers) from Chicago through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before ending in Santa Monica, California, was stitched together a century ago from a collection of Native American trading routes and old dirt roads with the goal of linking the industrial Midwest to the Pacific coast.

Oklahoma businessman Cyrus Avery, known as the Father of Route 66, saw it as more than just a way to cross the country efficiently. It was a chance to connect rural America and create new pockets of commerce.

Avery knew the number 66 would be ripe for marketing and could be seared into drivers' minds, and he was right: Route 66 has been immortalized in movies, books, including Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath and Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, and songs such as Bobby Troup's “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66,” which served as an anthem for post-World War II optimism and mobility.

If you’ve ever planned to motor west and take the highway that’s the best, the year of Route 66's 100th anniversary just might be the time.

Many stretches of Route 66 may be littered with abandoned buildings and faded signs, but there's still much history and magic to be discovered. With each stop the wheels of imagination turn, leaving travelers to contemplate what life was like for the people and communities that made the road hum.

Here are essential stops and sights to see on a road trip along historic Route 66.

Somewhere along Route 66. Photo by Morten Andreassen on Unsplash

Illinois
Chicago has long been one of the country’s economic engines, with access to international waters and railroads that linked all corners of the country.

For some travelers, the journey is fueled more by the food than the scenery, and there’s plenty to choose from — slices of homemade pie, thick shakes, cheeseburgers and an assortment of fried delights.

The Cozy Dog Drive In in Springfield, the Illinois capital, is one of the many diners that sprang up along Route 66, and its breaded hot dogs on a stick have stood the test of time. Third-generation owner Josh Waldmire says the recipe is a secret.

Waldmire’s grandfather, Ed, saw the concoction’s potential as fast and convenient road food and developed a system for frying the dogs vertically.

Missouri
Route 66 has its share of twists and turns, and it’s no surprise that a highway famous for its quirky roadside attractions would cross the nation’s most famous river on one of the more peculiar bridges known to modern engineering.

As the road nears St. Louis, the mile-long (1.6-kilometer-long) Chain of Rocks Bridge hovers more than 60 feet (18 meters) above the Mississippi River.

Engineers eventually built a straighter, higher-speed option, and a poor resale market spared the original bridge from the scrap heap. Today it’s reserved for pedestrians and cyclists.

A median in Missouri is home to St. Robert Route 66 Neon Park, which features orphaned neon signs that once beckoned travelers to stop at certain sites and businesses along the highway. Often handcrafted, they weren’t only markers for motels, cafes and gas stations, but were also folk art and symbols of local culture.

Kansas
The Sunflower State hosts only a short stretch of Route 66, but it packs a punch with the Kan-O-Tex Service Station in Galena. A classic example of roadside fare, the station served as inspiration for the animated 2006 Pixar film Cars.

Director John Lasseter and his crew took road trips along the route, digging into history and looking for elements that could bring the project to life. It was in Galena where they spotted the old boom truck that served as the basis for the character Tow Mater. The plot wasn’t far off, as so many once bustling towns — like the fictional Radiator Springs — nearly faded away after being bypassed by an interstate.

Kansas also is home to the Brush Creek Bridge, otherwise known as the Rainbow Bridge. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of few remaining examples of the concrete arched bridges designed by James Barney Marsh.

Neon signs along Route 66. Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

Oklahoma
There was a real danger for some who traveled the road, particularly Black motorists passing through inhospitable and segregated areas during the Jim Crow era. The Green Book — a guide first published in 1936 by Victor Hugo Green — listed hotels, restaurants and gas stations that would serve Black customers.

The Threatt Filling Station near Luther wasn’t listed in The Green Book, but it was a safe haven — not only for getting fuel, but for barbecue and baseball. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was the only known Black-owned and operated gas station along Route 66.

Route 66 is littered with abandoned buildings and faded signs, but one example of the highway’s resilient spirit stands tall in Sapulpa, near Tulsa. The restored Tee Pee Drive-In Theater offers a step back into the 1950s, when the booming car culture helped spawn thousands of drive-in theaters nationwide.

Built in 1949, the drive-in officially opened in the spring of 1950 with a screening of John Wayne’s “Tycoon.” It was one of the few drive-ins at the time to have paved pathways. Over the years, it survived a tornado, a fire that destroyed the concession stand and break-ins before being shuttered for more than 20 years. It reopened in 2023.

route 66 historic district Get your kicks on Route 66 in Amarillo. Photo courtesy of Visit Amarillo

Texas
Blink and you might miss it, but a stop at the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo is a must for any Route 66 journey. For decades, visitors have been spray-painting the 10 vintage Cadillacs at the site and mulling the transitory nature of time as Bruce Springsteen did in his 1980 song of the same name.

It’s not a ranch, but rather a public art installation created in 1974 by the art and architecture collective Ant Farm. At first, the cars — which were half-buried front-down at a 60-degree angle — were used for target practice. Others would scratch their initials into the metal. The spray painting started later.

Arrive in Adrian and you’re halfway through your trip. Steps from a white line marking the midpoint of Route 66 is the Midway Cafe, where the “ugly pies” are anything but.

If you’re still hungry, head back to Amarillo for a 72-ounce (2 kilogram) steak and all the sides at The Big Texan. If you can finish the meal in an hour or less, it's free.

New Mexico
More than half of Route 66 cuts through sovereign Native American lands, often tracing routes used by tribes long before settlers arrived. Much like the railroad in the 1800s, the highway opened the door to a new era of commerce, but it also fueled stereotypes about cultures along the way.

There are still faded and crumbling references to tipis and feathered headdresses at some stops along the historic highway. The symbols were easily appropriated for marketing by roadside vendors but weren't indicative of the separate and distinct Native American cultures in the area.

Today, tribes are telling their own stories and showcasing their creations, whether it be pottery, fruit pies or poems.

Albuquerque boasts the longest intact urban stretch of Route 66. Those 18 miles (29 kilometers) pass through several neighborhoods and business districts, from historic Old Town to Nob Hill.

Some of the old motor lodges and neon signs along what is now Central Avenue have been restored. Other signs are being reimagined using hubcaps, elaborate lowrider-inspired paint jobs and New Mexico’s classic yellow and red license plates in a nod to the car culture that is very much still alive in the city.

Arizona
Musician Jackson Browne was taking his own road trip in the early 1970s when his car left him stranded in Winslow. The experience inspired the lyrics to the Eagles’ hit “Take it Easy.” But it’s certainly not the only song that is a must-have for a Route 66 playlist.

Bobby Troup created a classic American road anthem in the 1940s with “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66.” Nat King Cole, Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones and Depeche Mode carried it through the decades, each covering the song with their own flair.

While standing on a corner in Winslow, don’t be surprised if someone saunters up with a guitar and starts strumming favorites from their own road trip playlist.

Before leaving the state, the one-time gold mining town of Oatman features a Wild West atmosphere, daily staged shootouts and beloved burros. Oatman was a destination along one of the original alignments of Route 66 via a treacherous path through the Black Mountains, but it was later bypassed as part of improvements made in the 1950s.

California
Once a desert oasis, Roy’s Motel & Café in Amboy is a quintessential Route 66 landmark. The towering neon sign is one of the most photographed spots along the road. Inside, foreign currency left by international visitors lines one wall. Across the street, a clothing post decorated with shoes, shirts and other items juts up from the desert floor.

This stretch of the highway through the Mojave Desert offers a special kind of solitude. The pavement gets rough in spots and the landscape takes charge, showing off Joshua trees, wide-open spaces and the remnants of ancient volcanic activity.

Much of the area is undeveloped, meaning it looks a lot like it would have when Route 66 was commissioned in 1926.

After making it through oft-congested Los Angeles, the iconic Santa Monica Pier marks the end of the line, and it’s nothing short of a perpetual party with a steady stream of spectators and performers. Although many stretches of Route 66 have lapsed into decay, the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean are a reminder of the pursuits made possible by the road over the last century.

american road trip neon signs road trip route 66

9 summertime getaways

9 nonstop flights from Houston for a summer getaway in 3 hours or less

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