The term summer colony is often used, particularly in the United States, to describe well-known resorts and upper-class enclaves, typically located near the ocean, lakes, or mountains of New England, the Northeast United States, or the Great Lakes.
While some have roots in the 18th Century, many began in the 19th Century with the development of railroads and steamships and expanded with the invention of the automobile.
Many of these historic communities are considered quiet bastions of old money, though some, such as The Hamptons, are now well known for their celebrity-driven social scenes. Additionally, their economies tend to be driven largely by this tourist trade, particularly those communities that are remote or on islands. Some summer colonies within sufficient proximity to an urban center, such as Lake Bluff, Illinois or Denville, New Jersey, may eventually become a year-round commuter town, while retaining the original character.
In Canada, the term cottage country is often preferred.
Well-known summer colonies in North America
United States
california">
California
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Balboa Island
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Big Sur
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Avalon (an area in Catalina Island)
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Lake Tahoe
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Lower Russian River Area
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Malibu Beach Colony
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Mendocino
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Montecito (an area in Santa Barbara)
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Newport Peninsula (an area in Newport Beach)
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Stinson Beach
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Palm Springs
connecticut">
Connecticut
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Litchfield
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Candlewood Lake (an area in Danbury)
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Blue Lake (an area in North Stonington)
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Fenwick (an area in Old Saybrook)
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New London
delaware">
Delaware
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Bethany Beach
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Dewey Beach
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Fenwick Island
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Lewes
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Rehoboth Beach
Georgia
illinois">
Illinois
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Chain O'Lakes
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Lake Bluff
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Lake Forest
maine">
Maine
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Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island
["In the Imperial language of the time, Bar Harbor was a summer colony, and its local residents were natives" ]
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The Mid Coast, including Boothbay Harbor, Camden, Rockport and Islesboro
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The Southern Maine Coast, including (from south to north)
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Kittery
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York
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Ogunquit
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Moody Beach (a section of Wells)
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Kennebunk/Kennebunkport
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Biddeford Pool
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Old Orchard Beach
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North Haven
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Vinalhaven
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Winter Harbor, Grindstone Neck
maryland">
Maryland
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Cambridge
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Easton
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Ocean City
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St. Michaels
Massachusetts
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Cape Cod
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Duxbury
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Gloucester
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Great Barrington
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Lenox
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Manchester-by-the-Sea
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Marblehead
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Marion
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Martha's Vineyard
["Martha's Vineyard, that summer colony for the super rich and those who come to gawk at them" ]
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Nantucket
["the transformation of Nantucket from decaying backwater, long since past its heyday as a whaling center, into a thriving tourist area." ]
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Padanaram, South Dartmouth
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Plymouth
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Rockport
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Beverly Farms
michigan">
Michigan
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Baldwin
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Beaver Island
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Charlevoix
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Grand Haven
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Harbor Springs
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Mackinac Island
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New Buffalo/Union Pier/Grand Beach
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Lake Michigamme
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Petoskey
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Saugatuck
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South Haven
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Traverse City
minnesota">
Minnesota
missouri">
Missouri
New Hampshire
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Cornish
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Jackson
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Holderness
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Little Boar's Head
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Sugar Hill
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Wolfeboro
new_jersey">
New Jersey
Listed from north to south:
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Franklin Lakes
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Denville
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Rumson
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Elberon
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Deal
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Allenhurst
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Loch Arbour
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Spring Lake
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Sea Girt
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Barnegat Peninsula, including:
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Point Pleasant Beach
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Bay Head
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Mantoloking
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Lavallette
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Island Heights
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Long Beach Island, including:
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Barnegat Light
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Loveladies
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North Beach
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Harvey Cedars
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Beach Haven
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Brigantine
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Longport
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Avalon
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Stone Harbor
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Cape May
New York
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Adirondacks
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Chautauqua
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East Marion
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Fire Island
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Cherry Grove
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Fire Island Pines
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Fishers Island
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The Hamptons, including (depending on definition):
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Southampton
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Water Mill
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Bridgehampton
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East Hampton
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Sagaponack
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Sag Harbor
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Amagansett
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Montauk
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Lake George
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Lake Placid
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Putnam County, New York
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Thousand Islands
[[North Carolina/" itemprop="url" title="Wiki: north_carolina">
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[[North Carolina
Listed from north to south:
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Roaring Gap
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Little Switzerland
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Bodie Island including:
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Carova
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Corolla
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Duck
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Southern Shores
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Kitty Hawk
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Kill Devil Hills
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Nags Head
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Hatteras Island including:
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Rodanthe
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Waves
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Salvo
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Avon
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Buxton
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Frisco
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Hatteras
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Ocracoke Island
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Crystal Coast including:
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Atlantic Beach
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Pine Knoll Shores
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Indian Beach
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Salter Path
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Emerald Isle
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Topsail Island including:
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North Topsail Beach
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Surf City
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Topsail Beach
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Figure Eight Island
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Wrightsville Beach
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Pleasure Island including:
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Carolina Beach
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Kure Beach
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Bald Head Island
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Oak Island
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Holden Beach
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Ocean Isle Beach
ohio">
Ohio
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Kelleys Island
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Lakeside
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Marblehead
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Middle Bass Island
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South Bass Island
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Vermilion
pennsylvania">
Pennsylvania
rhode_island">
Rhode Island
virginia">
Virginia
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Colonial Beach
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Chincoteague
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Deltaville
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Gwynn's Island
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Hot Springs
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Sandbridge
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Warm Springs
Washington
Rosario Resort and Spa, Orcas Island, was a hangout for
John Wayne. The Wayne family's summers were often spent in the waters off the Pacific Northwest coast, from Seattle to the San Juans.
wisconsin">
Wisconsin
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Door County
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Eagle River
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Elkhart Lake
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Green Lake
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Lake Geneva
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Madeline Island
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Manitowish Waters
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Minocqua
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Twin Lakes
Canada
Prince Edward Island
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Cavendish, Prince Edward Island
nova_scotia">
Nova Scotia
New Brunswick
quebec">
Quebec
ontario">
Ontario
manitoba">
Manitoba
saskatchewan">
Saskatchewan
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Prince Albert National Park
alberta">
Alberta
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Banff, Alberta
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Canmore, Alberta
[[British Columbia/" itemprop="url" title="Wiki: british_columb">
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[[British Columbia
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Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia
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Lake Country
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Whistler, British Columbia
Summer colonies outside of North America
The Philippines
See also
