7 Summer Vacation Spots for Geeky Travelers!
Summer is often a time of equal parts relaxation and adventure. As the warmer months quickly approach, many find themselves lost in thought about the vacations they want to take.
From the simplicity of the Shire to the bustle of Metropolis, the worlds in our favorite fandoms have no shortage of places to visit. Here are the top 7 locations we would love to find ourselves exploring this summer!
Metropolis
Superman, DC Comics
Where Gotham is known for its crime rates and the Caped Crusader, Metropolis is known for its welcoming atmosphere and Kryptonian guardian. The vast city possesses a sleek skyline that features the world-famous Daily Planet news headquarters and stunning waterfront views.
Beyond what it has to offer visually, the six unique boroughs of the city guarantee that Metropolis has something to offer for everyone who visits. Despite the occasional criminal activity from a billionaire CEO or wayward alien invasion, Metropolis easily secures a spot on our list of places to visit over the summer. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of Superman himself!
Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters
X-Men, Marvel Comics
Visiting Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, located in upstate New York, is often by invitation only. Despite its mutant-related prerequisites, we would be remiss to leave such a beautiful place off this list. Upstate New York itself is a wonderful place to visit in the summer with comfortable temperatures and lush greenery as far as the eye can see.
Xavier’s school, located on the estate that Charles Xavier and his family once called home, features sprawling acres of land to explore. With little else surrounding the X-Mansion, visitors can also expect some degree of privacy. Guests might even be afforded some quiet contemplation time, depending on which mutants are currently within the school’s walls in the summer months. If Jubilee, Gambit, or any other energy-wielders are nearby … well, things could get explosive.
Hogwarts
Harry Potter
During the school year, visiting Hogwarts would come with its own risks, ranging from the more benign prank items from Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes to downright deadly attacks from dark wizards. In the absence of students over summer though, one could hope to enjoy more peaceful activities without sacrificing any excitement.
From admiring the temperamental Whomping Willow (from a distance) to riding a hippogriff over the Forbidden Forest to taking a day trip to Hogsmeade, the magical school in the Scottish Highlands offers plenty of fun. For guests seeking more relaxation, there are serene boat rides on the lake, delicious meals in the Great Hall, or plenty of books to cozy up with in the school’s extensive library.
The Shire
The Lord of the Rings
Middle-earth is full of places any fan would want to visit, but few are more picturesque or tranquil than the Shire. With rolling green hills, modest farmlands, and gently flowing rivers, the Shire is the place to be in the summer. Although many locals find visitors troublesome, they are a generally welcoming folk who mostly go about their own business.
In the Shire, one can explore the beautiful landscape, borrow one of the many books from Bilbo’s library, and enjoy delicious food over the course of many meals throughout the day. If fortune favors any visiting travelers, a certain Grey Wizard might visit at the same time with his famous fireworks in tow.
The Forest Moon of Endor
Star Wars™
Any nature lover would jump at the chance to spend part of their summer on the sylvan moon of Endor™. The moon is covered in thick forests made up of tall, ancient trees that one could spend hours exploring on foot or speeder bike™. Despite their adorable appearance, the locals have a history of somewhat aggressive behavior with visitors. Travelers to Endor can hope, however, that the Ewoks™ have softened to humans after the Empire was overthrown.
If guests win the respect of the Ewoks, they might even be celebrated by becoming an honorary member of their community. This acceptance comes not only with reverence, but with an opportunity to be dressed in some of their soft, flowing raiment and to enjoy shelter in their cozy treehouse homes.
Prince Eric’s Kingdom
The Little Mermaid
Set on the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean, Prince Eric’s kingdom seems like the perfect place to visit in the summer. The Disney kingdom features beaches with sparkling white sand, a breathtaking castle on the ocean’s edge, and it appears to have nearly perfect weather with only the occasional shipwrecking storm out at sea.
On land, visitors could expect to eat delicious meals prepared by the royal chef in the prince’s castle or enjoy a carriage ride through the cobbled streets. As one draws closer to the water, a visit to the kingdom becomes even more exciting. With singing sea life and merpeople who have grown more trusting of their human counterparts following Ariel’s marriage to Prince Eric, guests of Prince Eric’s kingdom can expect their vacation to be truly magical.
Anywhere with Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones
Our last destination is focused less on amenities or destination and more on the company. As a college professor of archaeology, Indiana Jones is busy shaping young minds when school is in session. Between semesters, however, he takes field experience to the extreme. Traversing the world and facing unimaginable dangers, a summer vacation with Indiana Jones would certainly not be for the faint of heart.
As he hunts for artifacts to study and saves the world from evil forces, Indiana Jones finds himself in South American jungles, ancient Egyptian tombs, and European cities. Admittedly, the travel companions of Indiana Jones risk coming home with a few scars and the occasional broken heart. But the memories and stories of what they experienced can be quite literally out of this world.
Given the opportunity to visit these places, many fans would be eagerly packing their bags. From oceanfront kingdoms and ancient woodlands to extraordinary schools and far-off planets, there is no shortage of places in fandom we would love to visit. Each place has something for everyone, from the most Hobbit-hearted of travelers to globe-trotting adventure seekers.
Where in fandom would you like to spend your summer vacation? Join the conversation with other art print collectors over at Sideshow Social Network or in our Hall of Frame Facebook Group — and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!