Maine, NH, Vermont in summer
 

We are looking for a place to vacation in July or August to escape the Midwest heat and humidity. Would Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont be good choices? How is the weather there in the summer?

Hot and humid :-)

Seriously depends on the particular summer, which of the three states, if you are on the coast or in the mountains.

Generally if you're on the coast it's not TOO hot - but may be humid. That said - I've been in Main when it's been in the low 90's (but was 102 in NYC). So - although comparatively cooler - and usualy comfortable, there are no guarantees.

the white mountains can still be hot but it will beat the midwest. are you set on the east? if you are looking for a nicer climbe, have you thought of the northwest? the olympic penninsula? you might fair better, take in the mountains and the sea. ...

I've been to Maine in July to escape the NY heat and the coast was refreshingly cool at night, we even had a moody, foggy day at one of the craggy coastal towns. Definitely cooler than say Illinois near Chicago -- not sure what part of the Midwest you're from.
What about Door County in Wisconsin, or the UP?
And if Maine isn't cool enough -- what about Nova Scotia?

seriously, the coast of Maine is lovely. eat lobster on the beach! lots of nice inns and drives.

i love Vermont dearly and it is a perfectly beautiful state but i'm not sure i'd send someone there who want to escape humidity in the mid-summer. that said, there's streams, mountains, back roads...

Our summer weather can vary from week to week. Last summer when we camped in Maine we had beautiful weather for 4th of July week but there have been some 4th of July's in NH that have been too hot. We had a perfect day for an August wedding in 2004 but the rest of the week was drizzly, icky. We can have a week of humidity but other weeks can be in the 70s. It's not unheard of to have it in the 90s inland but cooler and socked in by fog on the coast. Sometimes we have cool summers. The past two years it has rained on the weekend before Labor Day. I would however vote for a vacation in NH's Lakes region. You're close enough to enjoy the mountains, lots of swimming and boating if the weather is good, and other things to do if it's raining.

I grew up in the midwest and now live in MA. The heat and humidity in New England doesn't come close to the midwest -- mbob, unless you get really unlucky you will find it comparatively pleasant. Even the worst day cools off and gives you relief by evening.

Depends on what you're looking for, of course.

Are you campers or resort types? We have plenty of all kinds in all the states mentioned!

Please let us know more specifically what kind of places you're looking for and we may be able to help better.

Capxxx makes an excellent point. I live in Vermont now, but when I lived in Chicago I remember walking outside and feeling like I walked into an oven. You can't just look at high and low temperatures for the day. When you see a high temperature in New England, it was probably reached around 3pm before heading downward around 5pm. The nights are cool so the mornings and early afternoons are pretty nice.

I'd say the Maine coast would be your best. Then the White Mountains of NH.

The Maine coast is your best bet of those three. Check out the areas of Kennebunkport, Camden, and Acadia/Bar Harbor. Obviously, the further north, the cooler. Make sure you get an air-conditioned hotel; not all are, and the air can be moist. Temps south of Portland usually run in the 80's during the day, and it can get rather humid in spells.

Meant to mention the "east wind" that comes off the ocean almost every afternoon, cooling things down.

I would go with New Hampshire. Alot of places to stay and is pretty cool. The town of lincoln is just below white mountain national forest, close to alot to do. I would look into Lincoln or Jackson. Great place to stay in Lincoln, the Nordic or the Wentworth in Jackson. Check out cyberrentals for condos rented by owners where you will get the best deal.