Discover the best places to enjoy your summer vacation – forested mountains, beaches and boardwalks, giant national parks – chances are you'll find it somewhere in the US. Here we will find you 🙂 Summer in the USA: best destinations.
Start your summer travel planning with our roundup of the top US summer destinations.
So pack your bags, gas up your car, unfold your map and hit the road to visit one of these great wonders.
Tucson – Arizona
Tucson it is hot in the summer, with average temperatures of 37ºC and above. Starting in May, snowbirds gather in colder climates, and the University of Arizona's 30,000 graduate students head home.
What's left is a quiet, peaceful version of Tucson, the heat demanding a slower pace.
There are hikes at night and at higher elevations – the Mount Lemon , whose 9,000-foot peak is at least 30 degrees cooler than the base of the mountain, and whose brooks and bubbling pines provide breezy shade, located about a 30-minute drive from downtown.
Perhaps the most compelling reason to come in summer is the deals – during these off-season months, you'll find cheap hotel rooms, cheap meals and the space to enjoy them.
Santa Barbara – California
Los Angeles' smaller, quieter neighbor to the north shares its laid-back atmosphere and year-round perfect temperatures.
Located at the base of the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara's ocean breezes, walking downtown, and ample hiking opportunities make it an ideal summer destination.
Head to Praia dos thousand steps at the end of Avenida Santa Cruz. Don't worry, there are less than a thousand steps, and at the end you'll find a peaceful stretch of beach.
They say that Butterfly Beach has one of the best sunsets in the region, east beach it is easily accessible from the city center and offers great mountain views, and Arroyo Burro Beach County Park, Known to locals as Hendry's , it's a gem of white sand where you can try your hand at surfing.
Ithaca – New York
Like any place with a long, cold winter, the Finger Lakes region comes alive during the winter months. summer, offering an abundance of fresh produce, new wines to taste, and hiking trails.
Ithaca, a pedestrian-friendly college town filled with eclectic shops and high-end restaurants.
Dine alfresco at Moosewood Restaurant , a popular spot that started as a vegetarian collective and spawned a series of best-selling cookbooks.
Go to farmers market at their permanent lakeside pavilion for a mix of local produce and prepared foods.
Rent a sailboat or canoe and head out to Cayuga Lake – or admire the water from green stretches like Stewart Park and Cass Park.
Be sure to hike the famous Ithaca Canyons. Popular options include Buttermilk Falls , Taughannock Falls and the particularly spectacular Treman State Park. These trails are closed from November to April due to icy conditions, but in the warmer months they offer shady trails, spectacular views and (very cold!) rock pools.
Oregon Coast
Year-round, the Oregon coast is temperate, misty, and lush. Pacific breezes and humid air offer welcome relief from the hot summer.
Head two hours west of Portland and you'll arrive at Tillamook , the most outdoorsy town on the Oregon coast.
A series of spectacular trails, known as Three Capes Scenic Loop takes hikers through wet, ancient forests to spectacular ocean views.
Tillamook may sound familiar to foodies – it's the birthplace of Tillamook Cheese, produced locally in Oregon. You can also buy local fruits and homemade sweets and take them straight to the beach.
From here you can drive along the coast, stopping at towns like lincoln city , the busy Newport and yachats quirky .
stay tuned for Yaquina Head Lighthouse, as well as several spots to see sea anemones and starfish up close in natural pools unique to the Pacific Coast, such as the formations of boiler bay in Depoe Bay.
If you get south to Florence , don't miss the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, which stretches 40 miles along the coast, making it the longest stretch of its kind in North America.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is always a popular choice for summer vacations – and vacations at other times of the year. This is a true family holiday destination with something for everyone.
One of the main attractions is the fabulous theme parks that make Orlando a giant playground for children and adults alike. Read: Orlando Theme Parks Mini Guide
However, you can also enjoy many other entertainments in the main tourist areas, such as International Drive, where you will find everything from great shopping to an incredible variety of restaurants, family attractions and much more.
Las Vegas – Nevada
Temperatures in Las Vegas are high in the summer; there is no doubt about it.
However, as all major resorts, shops, restaurants and entertainment venues offer excellent air conditioning, you can easily stay out of the heat and enjoy the huge range of world entertainment that Sin City has become known for.
You can also get great hotel deals during the summer months, making it affordable to stay in some of the larger, more luxurious hotels that might be out of your price range during the cooler months when prices tend to go up.
Have fun in Vegas!
San Juan Islands – Washington
Traveling here is like being transported to a quieter and dreamier place, where mountains and sand meet and there are few cars.
Despite how far they feel, the San Juans are close to Seattle, a city that loves summer perhaps more than any other in the country. You might consider planning your trip around the food festival. Bite of Seattle in July.
It's true that San Juan is at its busiest during the summer months, but that means you can enjoy several farmers' markets and arguably the best 4th of July fireworks anywhere.
Plus, the San Juans are a cyclist's paradise. Those looking for a leisurely day out can explore the mostly flat and rural island of Lopez. More professional cyclists can climb Orcas Island's Mount Constitution.
Wellfleet – Massachusetts
It's certainly not news that visitors flock to Cape Cod in the summer. For a low-key alternative to bustling Provincetown, try the sleepy, artsy town of Wellfleet .
The calm waters of the bay are great for swimming and practicing various water sports, such as kayaking; ocean side beaches, meanwhile, have bigger waves and windsurfing opportunities. Walk and bike along miles of national coastline or visit the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
Glacier National Park – Montana
Because of the weather-related closure, it's nearly impossible to access Glacier National Park , one of the most spectacular public spaces in the country, during much of the winter.
So take advantage of the region's relatively short summer: cool off, find solitude, and see for yourself the effects of climate change.
The park's Going-to-the-Sun Road, a winding, mountain-hugging road taking visitors deep into northern Montana, is only accessible by car during the summer months.
If you're itching to get out into the woods, you can hike the park's 1,100 kilometers of trails, camp at one of 13 sites, or get an inland permit and go off the beaten path. Ranger-led programs, including guided hikes, lectures and boat trips, are also popular.
Summer in the USA: best destinations
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