We’re in the plain summer and you haven’t set your plans yet? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve hand-picked the best places in the US to visit this August, so you could just pack your bags and set off for your wanders.
No matter if you’re a solo traveler, a group of friends, or a family, we’ve got something for everybody on this list. So read on, there are plenty of exciting adventures waiting for you.
Here we go, Best Places to Visit in August:
BIG ISLAND, HAWAII for Remote Beaches
Do you want to visit Hawaii? If so, you have plenty to be looking forwards: it’s one of the most beautiful and diverse places on Earth.
Hawai’i is known across the globe for two things: hula and its beaches. And the Big Island has them in spades! Of course, snorkeling and diving are great options, but you can also do things like surfing and stand-up paddling.
There are gorgeous beaches that attract people to catch their waves and a variety of watersports facilities. Hiking through the tropical rainforests is a must-do, too.
The Big Island is truly a wonderful place and a must-see for anyone who likes nature, culture, wildlife, and stunning beaches.
GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK for Hiking
Glacier Bay National Park is one of the best places to visit in Alaska, especially for nature lovers, because it has over 200 glaciers, and 97% of the national park is covered with wild, untouched wilderness.
The scenery throughout Glacier Bay National Park is spectacular. The park features numerous waterfalls, ranging from small, easy-to-access falls to large cascades.
The most famous spot in Glacier Bay National Park is Icy Bay, named after the icebergs that calved off the Icy Island glacier and into the bay.
Tarr Inlet, on the other hand, is home to some of the most beautiful and easily accessible waterfalls in all of Alaska.
SAN DIEGO for Best Summer City Vibe
San Diego has beautiful beaches, parks, and museums to explore. The most famous beach in San Diego is Mission Beach.
This beach has several activities, including cycling, swimming, surfing, stand-up paddling, fishing, and kayaking.
San Diego has many venues with an assortment of shows and performances.
Some notable venues include San Diego Bayfront Convention Center, The Marina, Balboa Park, La Jolla Playhouse, and The Old Globe Theater.
Many attractions are located in Balboa Park, including the San Diego Museum of Art, House of Pacific Relations International Cottages, and the Natural History Museum.
Popular activities include hiking trails, yachting, boating, and horseback riding. There is also a playground area for children, including a carousel and miniature train.
PRIEST LAKE, IDAHO for Romantic Getaway
Priest Lake, Idaho, is a perfect place to visit. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or participate in some fun activities with the family, Priest Lake offers something special for all visitors.
Some of the activities offered are horseback riding, canoeing, swimming, and kayaking.
When you need to get away from the water for a little bit, there are some fun activities for every family member, such as the Heritage Museum, which is a great place for kids of all ages to learn about the history and culture of Priest Lake.
PARK CITY, UTAH for Nature
Park City is located just 40 miles from Salt Lake City and is a popular tourist destination for all of Utah.
Its residents enjoy the views of deer, coyotes, elk, moose in their natural habitat, and many other beautiful animals.
Deer are known to roam around freely in the town, and most people ignore them or even offer food that they find on their way to work.
Visitors can take advantage of skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, golfing, fishing, hiking, camping and more within a short drive from the city because it is located in Utah’s best state parks.
The town is also known for its Alpine resorts with over 100 downhill skiing slopes, and various Park City houses over 2,500 skiers during peak season.
The city was selected by readers of Condé Nast Traveler as the “Best Mountain Resort” in both 2007 and 2011.
JEKYLL ISLAND, GEORGIA for East Coast Beach Vibe
Jekyll Island is often referred to as the crown jewel of Georgia’s natural beauty. Snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and bird watching are popular activities on this barrier island.
Visitors may be tempted to stay on the beach all day, yet there are still many opportunities to enjoy nature on this island paradise.
Jekyll Island also offers many hiking trails. The most popular is the 100-mile Jekyll Trail, which circles the island.
SANTA FE for Best Mexican Food
Here’s why you should visit Santa Fe. First of all, the food is excellent there, and there are many restaurants to choose from: Santa Fe is especially known for its authentic Mexican cuisines.
Shopping is excellent: Santa Fe is known for its unique and eclectic mix of art, jewelry, and gifts.
Also, Santa Fe is a small town where you won’t have to worry about encountering large crowds of people or aggressive panhandlers.
CANNON BEACH, OREGON for Wild Pacific
Cannon Beach is a city located in Oregon in the United States. It is a popular tourist destination known for its coastal bluffs and picturesque beaches.
Cannon Beach is also famous for offering public beach access, meaning that anyone and everyone is allowed to enjoy their beach without having to buy a membership.
Cannon Beach is a city that has many different activities to offer for its tourists. It provides all the basic facilities, including beach access, outdoor activities, lodging, and dining options.
The town dedicates to protecting its environment. It regularly organizes litter pick-ups and other clean-up events to keep its beautiful land unspoiled by nature’s filth and pollution.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – for Arts and Culture
One of the first places you should visit this August is San Francisco. Not only is it a fantastic vacation spot, but many of California’s national parks (and waterfalls) are nearby as well!
There’s still plenty to do, even if it’s a bit cool outside. Be sure to check out the Golden Gate Bridge, the bridge that is in most of the photos.
For those who want to take a stroll and discover some hidden gems, Golden Gate Park, where places like Shakespeare’s Garden, the Academy of Sciences and the Conservatory of Flowers are located, is the ideal place to start.
MACKINAC ISLAND, MICHIGAN – for charming and quaint scenery
A visit to Mackinac Island in Lake Huron is like a trip back in time, perhaps because there are no cars there or because of the immaculately preserved historic structures.
History buffs can stroll the city streets and admire the Victorian architecture or visit one of the city’s 12 museums.
There are various outdoor activities, such as sailing and beach walks. And if you like sweets, you should try homemade fudge. At the end of August, a 3-day festival is held in honor of this regional sweet delicacy.
SAN JUAN ISLANDS, WASHINGTON for Wildlife
The islands provide a sanctuary for wildlife, recreation, and relaxation – with wild, untamed shores, unspoiled natural beauty, abundant marine life, and beautiful sunsets.
Close to Seattle, the islands are surrounded by freshwater lakes, waterfalls, and streams. These inland waterways provide beautiful views of the islands from the water.
They offer residents a quiet rural atmosphere, diverse recreational and outdoor opportunities, numerous transportation methods, and easy access to the larger communities of Seattle, Bellingham, and Victoria, Vancouver Island.
Door County, Wisconsin
Door County, Wisconsin is definitely one of the best places to visit in the USA in August. It’s known as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest” for its beautiful coastal communities, specialty stores, fishing, cherry and apple orchards, and scenic splendor.
With more than 300 miles of shoreline on Lake Michigan, Door County, Wisconsin is a great vacation spot for the summer. Around the peninsula and islands, you’ll find numerous shipwrecks and lighthouses. A handful of small lakeside towns are worth visiting.
Door County has the most lighthouses and the most state parks of any county in the state. The County is also noted for its art galleries and performing arts, as well as outdoor leisure.
BLUE LAKES, COLORADO for Beautiful Summer Scenery
For a visual treat, travel to the Blue Lakes Trail in the summer if you love hiking. The 900-kilometer Colorado Trail is one of the state’s most famous routes. The Blue Lakes trail is another route that goes through the Mt. Sneffels Wilderness in the Uncompahgre National Forest.
Even the short side trip to the trailhead offers breathtaking scenery.
You have the option of hiking the entire trail or taking a shorter route to Lower Lake, which is 5 kilometers from the trailhead and has campsites.
Take Instagram-worthy photos of the picturesque views and green surroundings, enjoy the breathtaking views of the gorgeous turquoise lakes, or choose the hiking trail that is perfect for you to have an adventurous day.
PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK for Remote Nature
If the heat doesn’t dissuade you, the Petrified Forest National Park is a very cool place to visit in August.
When you visit Petrified Forest National Park, it’s like going back in time. The petrified tree trunks date back hundreds of millions of years ago, when this land was lush and fertile. Even before dinosaurs inhabited the world, these trees fell and became mineralized copies of their former shapes.
Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona is definitely worth a visit. People are usually shocked at how much it has for families to see and do in a day there. The Painted Desert, Puerco Pueblo, and a hike to Blue Mesa are all worth seeing. And all of this is right by famous Route 66.
More ideas for places to visit in the U.S. in August:
- SOUTH LAKE TAHOE for Lake and Mountains
- BOULDER, CO for Outdoor Activities
- BEAVERS BEND STATE PARK for History & Nature
- MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE for Best BBQ & Music
- BOSTON for History
- HALF MOON BAY for Golfin and Relaxing
- YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK for Hiking and Natural Beauty
- Olympia, Washington
- PORTLAND, OREGON, For Music and Biking Events
- STONINGTON, MAINE for a Cooler Summer Vacation
- FRIDAY HARBOR, San Juan Island, Washington for a peaceful break away from the crowds
- PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND for Fresh Food & State Park
- Berkshires, Massachusetts for a summer in nature