The best places to visit during summer in the US celebrate simple pleasures, live music accompanied by a balmy breeze, sunbaked hikes, and lake swims.
As the temperatures rise, the country’s natural beauty, and vibrant culture are on full display. The West’s dramatic scenery is illuminated by awe-inspiring sunsets and the Eastern seaboard’s historic sites are easy to explore. Here's where you should be celebrating summer.
Best national parks to visit in summer in the US
These national parks put on a show during summer vacations in the US.
1. Glacier National Park, MT
In the far Northern reaches of Montana, where weather can be harsh, facilities and attractions at Glacier National Park are typically only open from June until September. Summer offers the best chance of hiking in fine weather. Glacier has more than 700 miles of hiking trails and hundreds of alpine lakes backed by waterfalls and mountains.
While frosty, if you go in July or August, you might be able to take a dip, as my family and I did one summer followed by watching the sunset from the porch at the Many Glacier Hotel with a huckleberry margarita, of course.
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2. Zion National Park, UT
The Virgin River runs through Utah's Zion National Park and is the primary reason for the park's dramatic 1,000-foot-tall pink sandstone walls. The Narrows, the narrowest section of Zion Canyon, can be dangerous to navigate in the spring because of high water levels. In summer, it's possible to wade through the cool waters.
And while Zion is in Utah's high desert, the carved-out canyons stay quite cool. I've been canyoneering in Zion's Mystery Canyon in August and still needed to wear a wetsuit to keep warm. It’s a popular place, so make sure to plan accordingly for crowds.
Get up early to hike Angel's Landing or see Weeping Rock and explore less trafficked trails within the Zion Wilderness, such as the Subway, which requires a permit (canyoneering experience required).
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3. Acadia National Park, ME
Maine is one of the best states to visit in the summer. Acadia National Park is a jewel in the national park system. There's water everywhere, steep hiking and fishing villages with charming inns and restaurants serving the freshest lobster rolls. Summer must-dos include seeing the thunderous waves at Thunder Hole, a semi-submerged cave; biking the Carriage Roads, a network of paths funded by John D. Rockefeller from 1913 to 1940 and hiking to the top of Cadillac Mountain. The highest point on the East Coast, it's the first place in the US to see the sunrise from October to March, but the coastal views at sunrise and sunset in the summer are still stunning. After a hike, cool off in Echo Lake and then go for lobster at Beale's Lobster Pier in Southwest Harbor.
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4. Yellowstone National Park, MT
Considered the world's first national park, Yellowstone National Park is a jewel in the national park system and very popular.
The park, which sits on top of a volcanic hot spot, is vast, with nearly 3,500 sq. miles of wilderness, including dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, lush forests, hot springs, and geysers, so it's still enjoyable in June, July, and August. Just secure reservations for campsites and accommodations in and around the park early.
I highly recommend camping at the Madison River campground and going for a walk during golden hour to snap photos and swim in the river, which is warm in certain sections because of thermal activity making it easily one of the best places to visit in the US during summer.
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Best family vacation places to visit during summer in US
Families will find endless summer fun in these destinations. Looking for more recommendations dedicated to kids? Check out these fun summer family vacation ideas at home and abroad.
5. Bend, OR
The mountain town of Bend is considered Oregon's summer playground. Surrounded by rivers and mountains, it has abundant fly fishing, hiking, and mountain biking. Families flock to the Deschutes River, which runs right through the center, during the summer months.
At the Bend Whitewater Park, families can float the Fish Ladder, a series of small rapids, on an innertube, or water lovers can surf, yes surf, the Whitewater Channel, a four-wave feature in the center of the river. More adventurous families can go on a white-water rafting trip along the Deschutes or fishing for trout on the sparkling Fall River. The outdoor Hayden Homes Amphitheater on the river attracts great acts, and downtown Bend has restaurants, breweries, and wine bars.
6. Santa Barbara, CA
While San Diego gets all the accolades for being family-friendly, Santa Barbara, America's Riviera, is one of the most family-friendly destinations on the West Coast and a great summer vacation idea in the US. There's a children's museum, a natural history museum, an aquarium where visitors can pet small sharks and touch other sea life, and a small but mighty zoo with interactive exhibits like the Australian Walkabout where you feel like your amongst the kangaroos and wallabies.
Recently designated a Whale World Heritage Area, the Santa Barbara Channel hosts some of the most responsible and eventful whale-watching excursions in the US. The marine life-rich waters attract an abundant number and species of whales, from orcas to minkes. During the summer, you can see gray whales, humpbacks, and blue whales. If you stay at the Moroccan-inspired Hotel Californian, you can walk to many of Santa Barbara's main attractions.
7. Jackson, WY
Just as scenic in summer as in winter, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Jackson has invested heavily in becoming a year-round destination. Beginning in June each year, ski runs are traded for via ferrata routes. Jackson has many assisted climbing routes with ladders and rungs bolted into the rocks that weave along rocky cliff faces with alpine views.
Families can book guided excursions (it's open to kids 10 and up) and include options for everyone from beginners to expert climbers. The town of Jackson has upscale boutiques, bakeries, and sophisticated Western vibes. The entrance to Grand Teton National Park is just north of Jackson, where summer visitors can go for a scenic drive or hike around Jenny Lake.
8. Sag Harbor, NY
Long Island has memorable summer destinations from West Hampton to Montauk, but my favorite is Sag Harbor. The former whaling port dating back to 1745 has Victorian homes and a thriving Main Street where general stores sit beside art galleries and upscale shops. Haven's Beach is open to the public and has calm, warm waters.
There's a floating dock, and children love collecting shells and looking for horseshoe crabs. Get a sitter and go to dinner at the American Hotel, the restaurant has one of the best wine cellars in the country. At the end of any busy day of beaches and berry picking, walk onto the pier in Sag Harbor and grab a scoop of mint chocolate chip at the old-fashioned ice cream shop Big Olaf. It's cash only, but summer vacations in the US have never been sweeter.
Best cities to visit during summer in the US
These US cities spring to life in the summer months.
9. Portland, OR
Portland gets its palette of green: emerald treetops, neon moss, and brownish-green ferns from the abundant rain it receives in the winter and spring. On the 4th of July, the rain typically stops, and the entire city comes out to celebrate. Festivals happen on the waterfront all summer long, starting with the Waterfront Blues Festival on the first weekend in July. Restaurants' outdoor seating areas are finally full (go for bubbling woodfired pizzas at Café Olli, refined seasonal fare at Coquine or wood-fired steaks at Ox, and it's easy to exist outdoors all day.
Walk through the Rose Gardens or Japanese Gardens in Washington Park or drive to the Columbia River Gorge. Along the scenic route, hikes among cool trees and waterfalls provide a respite from the heat. The interior design of the new Ritz-Carlton Portland is a nod to the region’s natural beauty, from a rose petal-inspired spa to carpets invoking rivers.
10. Denver, CO
The Mile High City shines in the summer because of live music at concert venues like Fiddlers Green and Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater. The former, just ten miles southwest of the city, feels like a national park with angled red rocks creating a natural amphitheater. The amphitheater also hosts other activities like yoga and sunrise hikes.
Denver's outdoor spaces offer sublime views as the sunset casts a charcoal pink glow on the Rocky Mountains. The city is a gateway to all the adventure the mountain range provides, like white water rafting, hiking, and rock climbing.
11. Memphis, TN
The summer months in Memphis are hot but not unbearable, with temperatures hovering around 80ºF. The Juneteenth Festival, with a freedom walk and run and live music, serves as summer's official kick-off. Inspired by the Mississippi River's ecological features, Tom Lee Park has a 20,000-square-foot Civic Canopy that offers a covered space for recreation and events and pathways for runners, cyclists, and walkers.
In addition to seeing Graceland, get out on the water. Mississippi River Expeditions offers guided river tours from Shelby Forest State Park to Downtown Memphis and overnight and multi-day river adventures. Kayak Memphis offers kayak and paddleboard rentals from the riverfront harbor in Downtown Memphis.
12. Portland, ME
The other Portland is sublime during the summer months as well, especially for those who love salty sea breezes. Portland Schooner Co. will take you through Casco Bay on classic wooden boats, a staple of Maine's coastal heritage. Boating or kayaking in Portland Harbor can include views of lighthouses, wildlife, and island stops, like Fort Gorges, a Civil War-era bunker just off the coast of the East End. Thompson's Point is a beautiful outdoor venue for concerts, and in mid-June, Portland Wine Week has tastings, seminars and wine dinners hosted by the city's best chefs and sommeliers. The Portland Art Museum, featuring an extensive collection of American art, has Free Fridays all summer long.
13. Chicago, IL
Millennium Park buzzes with activity in the summer when film and music festivals seem to take place every weekend. Chicago has miles of lakefront beaches, and in the summer, it's finally warm enough to enjoy them. Join in for a game of beach volleyball at North Avenue Beach or play along with the families frolicking at Foster Beach.
Chicago has many rooftop bars with great views, like London House. Perched on the 22nd floor of the LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton it has impressive views of Chicago’s Skyline and the Magnificent Mile. Of course, Chicago’s myriad attractions, from the Lincoln Park Zoo to the Shedd Aquarium, will round out any summer vacation in Chicago.
Best lake destinations during summer in the US
Experience the lake life and enjoy the great outdoors at these destinations.
14. Hilton Head Island, SC
Summer days on Hilton Head Island in the Lowcountry can be lazy or action-packed. If quiet beach time is what you're after, the barrier island between Savannah and Charleston—which gets sublime warm and sunny weather in the summer—has 12 miles of immaculate beaches where visitors can go tide pooling and swimming.
The island has over 60 miles of bicycle trails, championship golf courses, and tennis and racquet clubs. Part of the charm of Hilton Head is the lack of development—Sea Pines Forest Preserve is a 605-acre oasis with hiking trails and a fishing pond, but it's still fun to head into Harbour Town to shop, dine on seafood, and see the candy-cane striped lighthouse.
15. Sandpoint, ID
In the Idaho Panhandle, pristine blue lakes are tailor-made for summer activities like Lake Coeur d'Alene and Priest Lake. My personal favorite, and where my family has been vacationing every summer for over a decade, is Lake Pend Oreille. Idaho's largest lake comes alive in the summer when families return to their island and lakefront homes to get as much water time as possible.
The lake is so large that even during high season, other boats won't disrupt water skiing or wakeboarding outings. There are many public access points and beaches like Sandpoint City Beach Park, and hotels like the Lodge at Sandpoint are right on the water. Sandpoint has breweries, ice cream shops, and restaurants to explore, and an excellent summer concert series, the Festival at Sandpoint.
16. Lake Tahoe, CA
Adults who want to relive their summer camp days should look no further than South Lake Tahoe. Camp Richardson Historic Resort & Marina on the South Shore is in an old-growth forest, and buildings are spread throughout the property, including a general store and an ice cream parlor.
Guests can stay in a 1926 hotel with wood beam ceilings or rustic cabins with gas fireplaces. Camp Richardson has a swimming beach and a marina renting out boats, Jet Skis, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. The Tallac Historic Site next door is where California's rich and famous built their summer estates in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The 35-foot Rum Runner yacht offers daily cruises from the marina to Emerald Bay, a blue-green inlet surrounded by state parkland. Wherever you stay on the lake, there will be brilliant Sierra sunsets and clear night skies for stargazing.
17. The Adirondacks, NY
The Adirondack Mountains in Northeastern New York have many lakes, ponds, and rivers. In the summer, everything is green. There are many opportunities for adventure. Scramble up Blue Mountain in the southern Adirondacks, and you'll be rewarded with forest and lake views. Snag an island camping spot on the sandy beaches of Lake Champlain. Large Valcour Island is also a Bird Conservation Area. The Adirondacks are also full of secret swimming holes. After all that activity, reward yourself with a brewery visit or trip to a village farmers market for vine-ripened tomatoes, crunchy kale, and raw milk cheese. You'll understand why so many wealthy New Yorkers vacationed there and built “Great Camps” during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
18. Wolfeboro, NH
Where is it not too hot in the summer? Two hours from Boston, the town of Wolfeboro is on Lake Winnipesaukee, a 72-square-mile lake at the foot of the White Mountains. The air temperature is a balmy 80°F, and the lake temperature is crisp. Summertime revelers stay warm enough to go for sunset dips at Brewster Beach or ice cream cones at seasonal Wolfeboro Dockside Grille & Dairy Bar. Cruising is also a Lake Winnipesaukee tradition. The M/S Mount Washington has been offering dinner tours and dinner cruises on the lake since 1872. The Pickering House Inn, a former homestead, offers quintessential New England style and hospitality.
Are you ready for summer vacations in the US, the smell of sunscreen, and the sweetness of a watermelon wedge? Start planning an early summer getaway in June, a July trip during the height of summer, or a sizzling and relaxing August vacation.
