Beach season is drawing near, and sandy shores are calling. There’s a lot to love about coastal vacations—saltwater waves, ocean breezes, endless shorelines—but this summer, why not visit an inland beach instead? We rounded up five great inland getaways that give visitors more to do than just sunbathe on the sand (though you can do that, too)—think mountain hiking, freshwater fishing and water sports from Jet Skiing to kayaking.
Oenophiles can visit unique tasting rooms at the roughly 100 wineries spread throughout the Finger Lakes region in central New York—and even take a trip down Riesling Road, a 15-stop tour of local producers of the grape. In Greensboro, Ga., an hour outside of Atlanta, antebellum architecture will impress history buffs during a stay on quiet Lake Oconee. Even destinations famous for their winter activities made the list, such as Lake Placid in upstate New York, where wooded ski runs become summertime hiking trails for mountain adventurers, and record trout-fishing draws a warm weather crowd. Check out which landlocked lakes made our list at Forbes.com.
Photo courtesy of Mirbeau Inn and Spa