Summer could also be coming to a detailed, but there’s still time to get your beach on, even when you’re nowhere near an ocean. Below are the pinnacle 5 “beach” destinations in North America, ocean not required:
Lake Powell, Utah: Beautiful Lake Powell is found many of the red-rock canyons of Utah. For the athletic types, there’s everything from kayaking to hiking; for the not-so-athletic types, there are many houseboats available for lazing about. Fun fact: The lake has more shoreline than the complete West Coast.
Lake Travis, Texas: Austin is a well-known hippie-dippy college town, known for its Tex-Mex, Longhorns, and top-flight music festivals. But Austin is additionally home to Lake Travis , an 18-acre lake, with 270 miles of shoreline. Fishing? Check. Water sports? Check. Parasailing and diving ? Check, check. Fun fact: Lake Travis also boasts the “clothing optional” Hippie Hollow Park .
World Waterpark, Alberta, Canada: In a city that boasts an ordinary temperature of 15 degrees, the opportunities for slipping into your bathing suit are few and much between. To not fear: Alberta also is home to the world’s largest indoor park. The appropriate part? It’s in a mall! The West Edmonton Mall is home to World Waterpark, which features five ACRES of water-filled goodness: water slides, tube slides and the world’s largest indoor wave pool. Fun fact: What? That is not enough for you?
Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan: It’s nowhere near an ocean, however the Dunes are at the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan, for you water lovers. This year, the park was named “Probably the most Beautiful Place in America” by ABC’s “Good Morning America.” That you could hunt, fish, hike, canoe, ski, snowboard – you can too get hitched there. Fun fact: The park is home to the world’s largest moving sand dune.
And the #1 spot in North America for watery fun … (drumroll, please) …
Lake Havasu, Arizona! Contrary to popular belief, Lake Havasu is not just for beer-chugging Spring Breakers. It’s actually a family-friendly destination, with numerous activities for both sons and daughters (beaches and water sports) and large kids (casinos and stale-roading). Fun fact: Lake Havasu City founder BOUGHT the London Bridge (the real London Bridge from the song) for $2.4 million in 1968. He had it shipped over, rebuilt and London Bridge “re-opened” in 1971.