When the sun comes out, so do we. Summer means traveling to new places, soaking up the sun, and spending the hours from dawn to dusk in the great outdoors. Whether you want to visit a city brimming with the best food, parties, and summer activities, or you want to escape to the sun-soaked wilderness, you can find the best summer vacation spots in the US.
From our most bustling cities to our widest stretches of wilderness, here are the best summer vacation spots USA for you to enjoy.
The Grand Canyon, Nevada
Few Americans will disagree that a trip to the Grand Canyon is one of the best ways to spend your summer. Staying in a nearby boutique hotel and spending a long weekend hiking, photographing, and taking in the views at one of the USA’s greatest natural landmarks makes for one of the best summer vacation spots USA.
Yellowstone National Park, California
California has no end of ideal summer vacation spots (you’ll find one more below) but one of the most enticing is Yellowstone National Park. From visiting Old Faithful, the park’s legendary geyser, to observing the park’s wildlife in its natural habitat, every sight and experience to be had at Yellowstone is unforgettable. The summer months make for the best photo opportunities, long hikes, and even stargazing at a rental cabin.
Chicago, Illinois
The Windy City is not a place anyone wants to visit during the winter months, which is why flocking to Chicago when the sun comes out is such a good idea. When you first arrive, head straight to 360 Chicago on Michigan Avenue to get a view of four different states, provided the sky is clear. Then take a long summer stroll on The 606: a pedestrianised stretch of abandoned rail that will take you to Logan Square.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Montana is a state known for its mountains and hiking opportunities. The best place to enjoy that is Glacier National Park. Known as the Backbone of the Rockies, Glacier National Park offers so much freedom to walk and hike. Drive the scenic Going-to-the-Sun road before taking a hike along the Highline Trail and the Iceberg Lake Trail. All of this is best done in the summer months, making Glacier National Park one of the best summer vacation spots USA.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Famed as an iconic spot for summer vacations in the US, Cape Cod is a place of rest and relaxation. Stay at a beachside hotel or apartment, enjoy shopping the small-town streets and buying handcrafted local treasures, and spend your afternoons hiking and cycling the pathways with a view of the ocean on one side and the cliffs on the other. Cape Cod’s seafood restaurants serve quality local food to be enjoyed outside as the sun sets over the cape.
Bar Harbor, Maine
The summer months are perfect for a stay at Bar Harbor. Head out onto the water in a canoe or kayak, or enjoy a round of golf or tennis. Bar Harbor is the perfect place for summer vacations in the US if you have a family. Then there’s Acadia National Park, which many vacationers in Bar Harbor head out to in the early hours to watch the sunrise over the shoreline. Ferry tours and sailboat rental can also be enjoyed if you’re staying in Bar Harbor. A week or two here will completely refresh you, making Bar Harbor one of the best summer vacation spots USA.
Portland, Oregon
Portland OR is one of the most welcoming and friendly cities in the United States. Summers here are warm and breezy, with plenty of opportunities for eating outdoors, taking drives to Mount Hood, and exploring the city’s famed Japanese Garden. Explore the craft fairs, vintage stores, and outdoor markets; pick up some Blue Star donuts and take a long stroll along the city’s boulevards and photograph some of Portland’s coolest street art. Spend your evenings enjoying local craft beers outside and making friends with the locals. Portland easily makes for one of the coolest summer vacations in the US.
Zion National Park, Utah
One of the most jaw-dropping natural sights in the United States is of Zion Canyon’s high red cliffs, framed by blue sky and carpeted with lush greenery. You can hike the forest trails, following the Virgin River, or scale the cliffs to take in breathtaking views of the entire park. A trip to Zion National Park is one of the best ways to spend a few days of your summer, making it one of the best summer vacation spots USA.
San Francisco, California
The crown jewel of Northern California is not always treated to the best weather. During the summer months, however, San Francisco is one of the best summer vacation spots in the US, with a warm (but not overbearing) sun blanketing the city while you explore the sights and the architecture, and enjoy the most varied world cuisine of any US city. Visit the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, and stroll through Fisherman’s Wharf and the country’s oldest Chinatown.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park offers visitors some of the best summer activities of any US park. Head out on the Scenic Loop Drive to take in the best views of mountains and lakes; hike the Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point trails; go fishing on Jenny Lake; spot bear, bison, moose, and eagles in their natural habitats; and go rafting down Snake River. The sights and activities of Grand Teton National Park are hard to beat. This park offers visitors one of the best summer vacation spots in the US.
New Orleans, Louisiana
One of the most vibrant and electrifying American cities, New Orleans is the perfect place to spend your summer if you love to eat, dance, and party. The iconic French Quarter of New Orleans is a place where you can lose an evening dancing to live music, enjoying cocktails, and eating traditional Creole cuisine. In the summer, when the sun is high and the air is hot, this is the perfect time to eat and dance your way through a city of deep history, outstanding food, and the best jazz music in the country.
Hudson Valley, New York
Situated a 90-minute drive north of New York City, the Hudson Valley features some of the sweetest small towns on the West Coast. Situate yourself in a town like Kingston or Woodstock and spend every day of your summer vacation visiting your neighboring towns. Pick up local crafts, eat out for every meal at local diners and restaurants, and hike through the forests and hills of the Hudson Valley.
Key West, Florida
If you’re on the East Coast and far-flung states like California and Hawaii are not reachable right now, Key West offers one of the best summer vacation spots in the USA. While chilling on some of the state’s best beaches and lazing under palm trees is all you need to make a good summer great, Key West also provides opportunities for budding divers, and even a lot of literary history. Fans of Ernest Hemingway can visit the Hemingway House where he spent his mornings writing in his private studio.
New York City, New York
Regardless of the season, New York City forever remains one of the best summer vacation spots in the USA. However, it’s in the summer months when the nights are short and you can really make the most of every day you’re there. Late evenings at a fancy Manhattan restaurant, followed by a Broadway show, are what summers in New York City are all about. An afternoon of hunting down the best local bagels before strolling and picnicking in Central Park makes for an unforgettable summer’s day in NYC.
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