You may have noticed that the students are heading back to Binghamton and the hot weather was last seen somewhere around July 3rd. Yep, like it or not summer is at it's end. Halloween merchandise has hit the stores and we need to start hunkering down for what I'm predicting to be a long ridiculously cold winter. With all that said, you might be thinking, "I didn't even go on vacation yet!" YOU need to salvage your summer! Here are a few ideas.. These are my favorite places to go with friends (my family) I don't feel like I worked your summer away:

1. Sylvan Beach
Only an hour and forty minutes away from downtown Binghamton and has an amusement park, dining, A BEACH, a nearby hotel and casino, stste parks and fun filled attractions for the whole family listed on their website!

2.Taughannock Falls State Park
Taughannok's waterfall is one of the outstanding natural attractions of the Northeast. Taughannock Falls plunges 215 feet past rocky cliffs that tower nearly 400 feet above the gorge. Gorge and rim trails offer spectacular views from above the falls and from below at the end of the gorge trail. Campsites and cabins overlook Cayuga Lake, with marina, boat launch and beach nearby. A multi-use trail--hiking, cross-country skiing--winds past sledding slopes and natural skating ponds. Boat Launch Site not suitable for any type of sailboat. The park also offers organized activities including tours through the Taughannock Gorge and summer concerts along the lakefront.

3. Ocean City Maryland
A little more pricey than the previous two, but if you shop the internet for best prices on lodging and attractions the vacation is affordable! It's only a 5 hour drive and the beach IS FREE!!

4.Enchanted Forest Water Safari
New York's Largest Water Theme Park!
If you are looking for a great escape, and a great adventure… then you are going to love Enchanted Forest Water Safari for great family amusement! Located in New York’s Adirondack State Park in Old Forge, NY, the Enchanted Forest Water Safari is New York's Largest Water Theme Park with over 50 rides & attractions including 32 of the wettest and wildest water rides!

5. Zoom Ziplines in Mount Vernon, N.J
If you are the more adventurous type You could always zipline down some mountains for a day or two! Get a birds-eye view of Mountain Creek in this heart-pounding ride. Fly through the trees on ziplines 1,040 feet in the air at Zoom Ziplines, just an hour away outside Manhattan on the NJTransit operating out of the Mountain Creek Waterpark. Ziplines range from 200 feet to 1,500 feet in length and riders sail at 40 to 50 miles per hour. Tickets are $69.99 on weekends, or $89.99 for both the zip line and water park. Visit www.mountaincreek.com for more information.

More From 98.1 The Hawk