Where in July '26 ?
 

Hi:
Possibly an unusually complicated request for advice this but please bear with me if you would.
Family, two sons in late 20's planning probably our last chance for a big foreign vacation/ family get together before marriages/grandkids etc .
Dad will also be celebrating his 70th.
We're UK based. Have travelled the US widely from Mum and Dad coast to coast road trips before the kids were born, to the usual Florida and California Disney and Wrestlemania vacations when they were young, RVs etc.
We're planning the trip in early July '26 around the latter stages of the soccer world cup up to and including the final.
Not to go to any matches but to avoid having to watch it in the middle of the night in Europe ( kids are soccer nuts )
We don't want to go to any big cities to catch the excitement etc - in fact quite the opposite.
The host cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco/Bay Area, and Seattle.
We're also looking to avoid the higher airfares to those places where lots of fans will be travelling although understand it's summer with summer fares.
What we are looking for is a smaller location somewhere not overpoweringly hot in July. Youngest son doesn't enjoy the heat, humidity and/or bugs
Good selection of bars/restaurants. In walking distance would be great too.
Possibly a tourist/ second home area as we'll be looking to rent somewhere with a pool get together area - and we do a lot of US home exchanges with our place in Ireland.
I'm thinking one of the Northern States or Maine, New Hampshire etc but are really open to anywhere and everywhere.
A direct flight from London would be good but not absolutely essential. Willing to drive a distance on arrival but we like to walk to eat and drink in the evenings - therefore safety would also be a priority.
If you've got this far thanks for your patience and in advance for any replies. I realise there are lots of variables and not all may be possible but any suggestions would be really appreciated.

The first place that comes to mind is Denver. There are nonstop flights from London and you might consider finding a place near Vail as it should be a little cooler than many places. There are many differing accommodations there and a fair amount of restaurants. You could consider staying in Denver for a couple of days upon arrival as the downtown area is nice for a couple of days.

And...Welcome to Flyertalk!

I was going to suggest New Hampshire and Maine and see you are already considering it. We live in San Diego. Every 3 or 4 years, we fly to Boston, rent a car, and head north. We love lobster so that's a great reason to go, but beyond that, there is a lot to see and do. You can head as far north as Acadia National Park, one of our beautiful parks and well worth a visit. Portsmouth (New Hampshire) and Portland (Maine) have a lot to see and do in the surrounding areas.

I would recommend a nonstop flight to Seattle, rent a car and drive north to Olympic National Park. We stay at the Olympic Lodge in Port Angeles, which is the best accommodation around. You can also stay inside the park, but reservations are hard to get and the facilities are meh. Port Angeles is a cute town with some great seafood restaurants. From there you can take a day (or more) trip on the Black Ball Ferry Line to Victoria, Canada. From Victoria, there are hourly flights to Vancouver, BC, if you want a larger city experience with theatres and summer festivals.

Options are….

1 denver

2. Minneapolis

3. Portland, OR

you can fly to other cities then do a second flight elsewhere like take the cheapest direct into USA then fly domestically to another city as your base.

While more crowded than other times, northern parts of Michigan or Wisconsin would be lovely. Michigan's Upper Peninsula may be crowded, but like you said--World Cup. A flight into Chicago could easily get you to anywhere reasonable in Wisconsin via car hire (Madison--not sure how crazy summer is though). Michigan is one US location that has good train service. Beautiful views and climate. Home shares also could be easy in these areas due to uni professors taking holiday. You're likely familiar with those sites. Oh, and adding to the Minneapolis suggestion, look north as well to Duluth. Beautiful city, Might be a perfect place with proximity to much more.

I don't blame you one bit, by the way. One of the cities I telecommute from much of the year is on those host cities. Today I learned that despite having basically no feasible public transport in the greater metro area, there will be two "drop and rides" for the airport, which are "free." It's a trial approved by two cities to operate in light of the World Cup coming... Paid for by the hotel tax (whioch I just bet they raised--and it's pretty high in both cities). It's going to be chaos. I am sure it will be fun for those who love it, but not a quiet family getaway! Not that I expect anyone would go to the WC for that!

In July, I escape the southern heat and head to New Hampshire and Northern Michigan. But mostly lakes and not swimming pools (although there are some).

Harbor Springs/Petoskey/Traverse City in Michigan are all very nice in July and not far from Detroit (Delta has a non stop from LHR). It is safe, and very popular in July. I was in Harbor Springs this summer in July and the weather was wonderful. We took a day trip to Mackinac Island and it was just a really nice visit.

I'd check SFO/PDX/SEA airfares and get a car for a Pacific Ocean location - inland (including Portland) can have intolerable summer heatwaves as of late - not frequent but these cities (including Seattle) are not prepared when they hit. Coastal days, from SF northward are rarely above the 70s (low 20s C), and the 70s are a heatwave. The coast is relatively rugged, lots of outdoor things, and a myriad of charming coastal towns. Caveat that 4th of July might be $$$$$ in these locations. You are also much less likely to deal with nasty inclement summer weather in the central and eastern USA by taking a nonstop to the West Coast. You might find availability not so bad to SFO - there are 7 daily summer flights between SFO and LHR. BAx2, VSx2, UAx3.

Indeed, welcome to FT!
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I tend to be something of a broken record (a metaphor totally lost on anyone under the age of 60) on this, but have a look at the town of Hood River, Oregon and the adjacent (actually surrounding) Columbia River Gorge.

This is an area roughly 45 minutes east of Portland International Airport (PDX) and is in my view, one of the US's most underrated visitor destinations. The Gorge itself, a miles-wide canyon carved by the great river, is lined with vista points and numerous waterfalls, which in early July will still be full of water from melting mountain snows from the surrounding Cascade mountains. The town of Hood River, famous as a center for windsurfing and kite boarding, is also a.mecca for craft brewing and wineries. The Hood River Valley, extending to the south from the town, is full of orchards, vineyards and wineries, lavender farms, fruit stands... all beneath the looming presence of Mount Hood, a stratovolcano where one can ride a chairlift from iconic Timberline Lodge up to permanent ice fields where skiing lasts through the summer.

East from Hood River the landscape changes to arid red-rock and sagebrush country (the mountains block the rain) where you'll find more vineyards, the remarkable Maryhill Museum of Art, and a copy of Stonehenge set on a cliff top overlooking the mighty river.

In early July the weather will be warm but not yet hot, with low humidity. There are numerous options for accommodation lots of dining options, interesting excursions, and all within a remarkably compact area. The Portland area (like most of the Pacific Northwest) is mad about football, so finding someplace to watch the WC matches will be a no-brainer.

Like I say, do some research and see what you think.


Meant to add, McMenamins Edgefield, around 15 minutes east of PDX, would be a superb place to de-jetlag yourselves after a long flight. It's right on the western edge of the Gorge.


https://www.mcmenamins.com/edgefield

I just added this to my own list of places that interest me. I found a hotel recommendation on my list picked up from another FTer. Haven't stayed, but worth consideration.

https://www.skamania.com/columbia-river-gorge-hotel/

The Skamania Lodge is very nice and very golfy, if you get my meaning. Aside from the Edgefield, my preferred lodging in the area is a Best Western hotel on the Columbia waterfront in Hood River. But there are boutique hotels, lots of B and Bs, and Airb&bs all over the area.

https://hoodriverinn.com/

This is my recommendation as well.

The area from Traverse City to Mackinac is world class. We did a long weekend on Mackinac Island it was simply sublime.

Traverse City and Alpena all have a ton of connections in ORD and DTW.

Many thanks for all those great replies and as it's a ways off yet any more suggestions would be appreciated.
@Gardyloo Hood River looks fantastic and even if it doesn't make our soccer trip that's definitely one for the future we'll look at.