The Worst U.S. Summer Destinations (and What to Do if You Go)
By Laurie Kulikowski
New York, Connecticut, and New England are home to some of the least attractive summer destinations, according to a report by WalletHub, an online financial resource for consumers and small businesses.
WalletHub ranked the 80 most populated metropolitan statistical areas on five main areas: costs and hassles of getting there; local costs; attractions; weather; and parks and recreation. Within those five areas, WalletHub then drilled down into 13 key metrics to measure each area, including the cost and duration of the cheapest flight, the cost of a 3-star hotel in the area, and the diversity of attractions.
Those metro areas with the 10 lowest overall scores made TheStreet’s list, which shouldn’t be too surprising, given the lack of major tourist attractions.
Check out which U.S. cities are considered the worst cities for summer travel. And when you’re done be sure to check out the 10 best summer travel cities.
10. Allentown, Pa. (Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, Pa./N.J.)
Photo: iStock
Cost and Hassles to Get There Rank: 72
Local Prices Rank: 40
Attractions Rank: 75
Weather Conditions Rank: 42
Parks & Recreation Rank: 73
Should you find yourself there anyway….
Check out two notable museums: America on Wheels, an over-the-road transportation museum where visitors can observe the evolution of automotive vehicles.
There’s also the Liberty Bell Museum, where visitors can see where the symbol of American freedom was transported and hidden during the 1777 British invasion of Philadelphia.
If you’re willing to drive, Allentown is 90 minutes from the Pocono Mountains, where the nature lover, waterpark lover, and hiker can find plenty to do in the summer.
9. North Port, Fla. (North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla.)
Photo: iStock
Cost and Hassles to Get There Rank: 71
Local Prices Rank: 48
Attractions Rank: 80
Weather Conditions Rank: 36
Parks & Recreation Rank: 61
Should you find yourself there anyway….
Visitors should take advantage of the area’s beautiful outdoor surroundings. Kayak around Siesta Key, Anna Maria Island, Lido Key, and more.
Visit the Ringling estate for the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. See the house where the famous John Ringling, of the Ringling Brother’s Circus, lived. On the estate grounds is the Ringling Circus Museum full of historical artifacts and information about the history of one of America’s most famous circuses.
8. Hartford (Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, Conn.)
Photo: Wikimedia
Cost and Hassles to Get There Rank: 65
Local Prices Rank: 60 (tied with Albany, N.Y.)
Attractions Rank: 70 (tied with Albany, N.Y.)
Weather Conditions Rank: 48
Parks & Recreation Rank: 78
Should you find yourself there anyway…
The city might be worth a stopover to see The Mark Twain House and Museum, which was the famous author’s home from 1874 to 1899 and where he wrote his most important works, including Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Of the 80 cities ranked, Hartford had the third fewest parks and recreational facilities.
7. Albany (Albany-Schenectady-Troy, N.Y.)
Photo: Wikimedia
Cost and Hassles to Get There Rank: 74
Local Prices Rank: 60 (tied with Hartford, Conn.)
Attractions Rank: 70 (tied with Hartford, Conn.)
Weather Conditions Rank: 53
Parks & Recreation Rank: 67
Should you find yourself there anyway…
The city is the gateway for visitors to both Saratoga Springs and Lake George (pictured above), each located approximately an hour away from Albany.
In Saratoga Springs, visitors can walk through a quaint town and shops to the historical town, which drew city elite such as the Vanderbilt’s, Rockefellers and Whitney’s for its peacefulness and mineral springs. Additionally the Saratoga Racetrack opens for the season in July.
Drive a little further and visitors will hit Lake George, where outdoor enthusiasts can take in breathtaking scenic views.
Related: The Hottest Summer Cruise Destinations for 2015
6. Rochester, N.Y.
Photo: Thinkstock
Cost and Hassles to Get There Rank: 70
Local Prices Rank: 65
Attractions Rank: 58
Weather Conditions Rank: 78
Parks & Recreation Rank: 69
Should you find yourself there anyway…
Rochester may be ranked the sixth-worst city for summer travel, but did you know it was called the “Flower City” for its beautiful blooms and stunning gardens and tons of festivals from May through October?
Just an hour south of Rochester are the Finger Lakes, a collection of small lakes in upstate New York that offer areas for camping, boating, fishing, swimming, and more. Don’t forget to make a pit stop at one of several Finger Lake wineries.
5. Worcester, Mass.
Courtesy: Destination Worcester
Cost and Hassles to Get There Rank: 38
Local Prices Rank: 71
Attractions Rank: 76
Weather Conditions Rank: 77
Parks & Recreation Rank: 80
Should you find yourself there anyway….
There’s plenty of family-friendly activities in this bustling town for visitors who are passing through on their way to Boston or elsewhere in New England or making it their destination.
Watch the Worcester Bravehearts battle it out with nine other collegiate baseball teams across Massachusetts. Grab some tasty eats at the Worcester Food Truck Festival, slated this year for June 20. Or spend a day with the family at the EcoTarium.
Related: These Tips Will Save You $$$ on Summer Travel
4. Syracuse, N.Y.
Photo: iStock
Cost and Hassles to Get There Rank: 69
Local Prices Rank: 66
Attractions Rank: 61
Weather Conditions Rank: 80
Parks & Recreation Rank: 72
Should you find yourself there anyway….
Check out the city’s Taste of Syracuse, its annual food and music festival. Drive to nearby to the picturesque village of Skaneateles. Or play a round of golf on the myriad of courses available.
3. Providence, R.I. (Providence-Warwick, R.I./Mass.)
Newport, R.I. (Photo: iStock)
Cost and Hassles to Get There Rank: 73
Local Prices Rank: 76
Attractions Rank: 55
Weather Conditions Rank: 71
Parks & Recreation Rank: 75
Should you find yourself there anyway…
The capital of Rhode Island is just a quick 45 minutes from Newport, R.I. The seaside city was once the summer resort for the elite and even a few presidents. Today, one of the biggest draws to the town is that visitors can tour many of these famous mansions, but Newport also boasts great restaurants, shopping and beaches.
Of the 80 cities ranked, Providence had the fourth highest local costs, according to WalletHub.
2. New Haven, Conn. (New Haven-Milford, Conn.)
Photo: Wikimedia
Cost and Hassles to Get There Rank: 79
Local Prices Rank: 75
Attractions Rank: 65
Weather Conditions Rank: 61
Parks & Recreation Rank: 76
The area is totally devoid of things to do if you’re just passing through or New Haven is your destination. Should you find yourself there anyway…
Spend the day at picturesque Beach State Park in Madison, Conn., along the Long Island Sound and a 30-minute drive from New Haven.
Or shop till you drop at the more than 70 outlet stores at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets.
1. Bridgeport, Conn. (Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Conn.)
Mystic, Conn. (Photo: Wikimedia)
Cost and Hassles to Get There Rank: 80
Local Prices Rank: 72
Attractions Rank: 79
Weather Conditions Rank: 65
Parks & Recreation Rank: 77
Despite its worst ranking, the Bridgeport area is just over an hour’s drive to the quaint seaport town of Mystic, Conn. It is also a short ferry ride over the Long Island Sound to the eastern part of the island for wine country and beaches and an hour and a half from The Berkshires.
More from TheStreet:
These 10 U.S. Cities Are the Best for Budget-Friendly Summer Travel
7 of the World’s Best Restaurants Are in This One Country
10 Historic U.S. Cities Where a Vacation Rental Makes Sense
WATCH: Go Now: The New Seventh Wonder of the World — That’s Empty
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