Get outta town: Easy weekend retreats

Chicago, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, offers visitors a range of cultural attractions.

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(CNN) -- It's almost August and for many people that means the summer vacation season is winding down. If you don't have time for a big trip, you can still get away for a last bit of rest and relaxation.

Bonnie Tsui, an associate editor with Travel & Leisure magazine, talked with CNN's Leon Harris Monday about weekend retreats in different regions of the country.

LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: You have got a number of suggestions for people of places they can actually drive to instead of having to go to the airport. Let's start in the Northeast right now.

BONNIE TSUI, TRAVEL & LEISURE: Well... we divided our long weekends up into different categories, and one of them was "back to nature." If you are looking for a natural getaway, the Adirondacks is a perfect place to go. It's 6 million acres of pristine wilderness, and you can go and hike, and there's also hundreds of lakes you can go fishing in. It's the perfect place to be if you want to escape the sort of day-to-day business.

And I know myself, I am going this weekend up to Lake George, which is about five hours north of New York City, and it's where I want to go when I want to forget about it all and be in a beautiful location.

HARRIS: What's the temperature like up there this time of year?

TSUI: Even though it's almost 100 degrees here today in New York, it's usually about 85 (there). But it feels really cool up there, because you are by the water, and it is sort of sheltered in the wilderness, and so it's very cool and comfortable, compared to the humidity here (in New York).

HARRIS: Let's move down the coast here. Let's go the Mid- Atlantic, and this one I've got to check out here. You are saying the doo-wop motels.

TSUI: Doo-wop motels. It sounds great, doesn't it?

HARRIS: Sounds like something guys like me would have done in college, I don't know.

TSUI: Well, the Jersey shore is known for this great strip of motels called doo-wop motels, and they're these fabulous vintage hotels, with things like lava lamps, and those fake fireplaces. If you love that kitschy style, it's a great place to go and just tour. It's near Atlantic City. It's really easy to get to.

HARRIS: Expensive?

TSUI: Not at all. You can stay at a place like the StarLux Hotel, and they're at motel prices, you know, like $100 a night. So it's a good bargain if you're looking for that kind of getaway.

HARRIS: I would never be able to tell my father I went to the doo-wop motel.

All right let's see, how about let's go down to the Southeast right now. Shopping? Now, this one sounds like something a certain lady sitting next to me would love to do.

Miami's design district is a great place to pick up something to brighten your home.

TSUI: Shopping in Miami. You know, South Beach has great style and going to Miami, the design district, Miami's design district has all these 18 square blocks of great shops, and if you're looking for something to perk up your home, this is the place to go. There are cheap flights to Florida right now of course. And if you go to designmiami.com, you can get a sort of guide of where to go.

HARRIS: You say Mandarin Oriental -- What is that?

TSUI: The Mandarin Oriental Hotel is a great hotel. It's just south of the downtown area. It's just near the downtown area, and Mandarin Oriental has a great style, influenced by the tropics, and it's a good place to go to reflect some Miami night life.

HARRIS: But at $395 a night, that's not the doo-wop there.

TSUI: Those are for your big spenders there.

HARRIS: Let's move up to the Midwest now. Cultural Chicago.

TSUI: Cultural Chicago. Chicago of course is always known for its restaurants, and also has great theater and jazz, and a music scene. So theater -- lots of shows start out in Chicago and then come to Broadway. Like 'Metamorphosis' -- great show -- (that's) one example of that. And in terms of jazz, Jazz Showcase is one of the oldest jazz clubs in the world, and you can stay at the W Hotel, which overlooks Lake Michigan, get a great view, and it's just steps away from the theater district.

HARRIS: That is a great little set up they got down there. And the lake really is in Chicago, believe it or not. It is beautiful.

TSUI: Shocking, I know.

HARRIS: Finally, let's wrap things up with the West Coast here -- Sonoma.

TSUI: Sonoma is another one of my favorite places. This is a place, we sort of categorized it under indulgent, relaxing weekend. Sonoma of course has great food and great wine, and also spas. So if you are going just to sort of pamper yourself, this is the place to go.

HARRIS: Now it sounds expensive, though, Bonnie.

TSUI: Well, you could go on a vineyard tour for free. There are so many vineyards, you can just take a wine-tasting tour and it doesn't cost you anything. And that... it sort of puts you in the mood just to enjoy the beautiful weather, doesn't it?

HARRIS: That's the whole idea. Bonnie Tsui, thank you very much. Appreciate it. Have a good rest of the summer yourself, all right.

TSUI: You too.