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Maps

Six Google Maps travel hacks to make this your best summer yet

summer
Genevieve Park
Head of Summer Fun, Popsicle and Pools Division, Google Maps
Published Jun 6, 2018

If you’ve been dreaming of pool floats, warm sandy beaches and balmy days, you’re in luck—the long-awaited summer months are finally here. And for many of us, summer means one thing—a chance to get away for some much needed rest and relaxation. For vacation inspiration, we’ve used historical Google Maps data to identify examples of the top mobile searches for places to visit in the U.S. this season. Read on for tips to make sure your trip is smooth sailing from start to finish.

Seek the great outdoors

Taking a hike, setting up camp or stargazing under the open sky at national parks can be a great way to unplug from the world and reconnect with nature. Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon top our list as the most popular U.S. parks to visit this time of year.

Tap into your inner history buff

School’s out but there’s no reason that the learning needs to stop. Whether your wanderlust takes you to Mount Rushmore or the Hollywood Sign, our list of trending historical landmarks can help you keep your history game strong.

Seas the day

There’s nothing like lounging on the beach and watching the waves roll in and out. Check out our list of top trending beaches—from Coney Island to Hawaii, you’ll be sure to find a spot to lay out, catch a wave or snorkel with a school of fish. And it never hurts to have a nice cocktail (or mocktail!) in hand for the ultimate summer experience.

Once you’ve decided on a place to go, here are six ways you can use Google Maps to keep your summer vacation stress free:


  • Search for hotels right in Google Maps to see everything you need to know to decide where to stay. You’ll see photos, descriptions, reviews and more—and you can even book a room directly from Google Maps.

  • If you’re road tripping, use Google Maps to find your nearest rest stop so you can rest, eat, and refuel during a long drive.

  • Flying to a new city? Orient yourself around an airport with Google Maps. A quick search for an airport terminal, say DTW Terminal 2, will show you the lay of the land, including nearby gates, lounges, restaurants and stores.

  • Taking local transit is a great way to instantly feel immersed in a new city. Use Google Maps to get navigation times, ETAs and a notification that tells you when to transfer or get off your bus or train, so you can stop worrying about missing your stop and start enjoying the sights.

  • If you’re traveling to a place where you don’t have Wi-Fi or a data plan, don’t panic. With Google Maps, you can download a region of the map to access it offline—so you can still search for places, get directions and use turn-by-turn navigation even without connectivity.

  • It can be easy to lose your bearings in a new place and spend hours (or what feels like hours!) of precious vacay time searching for where you parked your car. Save your parking location so you can spend less time wondering if your car is parked at D4 or E17.


Summer is here—use Google Maps to help you make the most of it. 🏖☀️


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