Planning a summer vacation? There are many fantastic places all around the world to consider and the United States should definitely be one of them!
It’s an incredibly beautiful, fun and interesting place to visit with a number of terrific spots to consider for a summer holiday. Additionally, it’s a great place for all sorts of holidays from the beach vacation, family vacation, hiking, camping to road trip.
The summer is a great time to visit the States, we listed a few options and places on how to spend your vacation in the US:
Road Trip is Always a Good Idea!
Most of the holidays in the US are kind of road trip! Choosing one destination is impossible and most of the people rent a car and discover a few states around anyway.
You should definitely consider this option and plan your route in advance! Most of the people plan a road trip around the East Coast, West Coast or cross country road trip. On the map above you can see 11 most popular routes.
Editor’s note: we did our 25-days road trip around the West Coast 4 years ago and visited California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Arizona. Check out the video below capturing some highlights:
We created some useful articles and guides that you might find interesting:
- USA road trip tips for budget travelers
- Things to consider before cross country road trip
Camping in Arizona
Arizona has incredible camping opportunities in every corner of the state. Campgrounds at the state parks offer varied landscapes from white sand beaches to the red rock terrain around Sedona.
In addition to the scenery options, you can choose from tent sites or RV camping. If you prefer a few indoor comforts, you’ll find it at places like Dead Horse Ranch in the southern region. Cozy cabins near outdoor adventures sleep up to six campers.
Camping in any part of the Grand Canyon State offers exciting outdoor adventures. Hike Red Rock’s crimson trail and head to Oak Creek Canyon for spectacular scenery at Slide Rock State Park.
Hiking in Colorado
Colorado has scenic hiking opportunities for every season and every skill level. Find easy day hikes in the state and local parks scattered across the Centennial State. Most of these parks are an easy drive from major cities like Denver and Boulder.
The state has an abundance of sunshine and stunning mountain views. Enjoy balmy day hikes along the Front Range and stunning vistas in the summer. In warmer weather, you can hike in the higher elevation’s trails that are covered by snow in the winter. Local land management authorities can give you the current conditions of every trail.
In the western part of the state, the Colorado River has state parks with hiking trails and campsites that offer boat ramps and beaches for great water fun. To the east, Dankworth Pond and Roper Lake state parks have campsites on the water with nearby hiking.
Choose your terrain, distance, and level of difficulty from all across the state. For an easy, family-friendly hike, head to the Garden of the God’s Inner Loop near Colorado Springs. For a little more of a challenge, Devil’s Head Lookout is popular for its panoramic views from an old fire tower.
Beachtime in Florida
Second only to Alaska, Florida boasts 1,350 miles of white sand beaches. While most visitors pick between the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, the Sunshine State can be furthered divided into regions, each with their own unique beaches.
First Coast is the region travelers from the north reach first. The air and water temps are generally cooler here in both summer and winter. The Atlantic surf is fantastic for water sports, and the brown sand beaches are spacious.
The barrier islands of the Lee Island Coast is a favorite destination for seclusion and unspoiled natural beauty. Popular for birding, shelling, and wildlife-watching, you’ll also find great shopping and dining at places like Ft. Myers and Cape Coral.
The calm and shallow turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico are perfect for idyllic days in the sun splashing around with the kids. And if you’re looking for great snorkeling and scuba diving, head to the beaches of the Florida Keys.
Famous Lake Ozark
Deep in the heart of Missouri, the Lake of the Ozarks is a premier vacation destination. It was the filming location for the wildly popular Netflix series, Ozark.
Flanked by two state parks, the huge lake and recreational area offer world-class golfing, boating, water sports, and a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment. Both laid back and active types will find their niche, and the amenities come in options for every budget.
More recreational adventures await at the nearby Lake of the Ozark State Park and Ha Ha Tonks State Park. They provide miles and miles of lakefront with boat ramps and rentals, beaches for swimming, and trails for hiking. For a very different experience, explore the world underneath with a guided tour of the Ozark Caverns carrying a lantern to see the stalactite formations.
Camping at Diablo Lake – Washington State
Diablo Lake is a picturesque reservoir in Washington’s Cascade Mountains and hosts some of the best camping spots in Washington State.
The manmade lake has a deep blue hue and is the result of the Diablo hydroelectric dam, but the surroundings look anything but manmade.
Snow-capped mountains and nearby glaciers provide a stunning background.
There are several ways to get immersed in the beauty of Diablo Lake. Hike the Diablo Lake Trail that begins at the North Cascades Institute parking lot and follows the base of the giant Sourdough Mountain. Get a view of the Ross Dam from a height of 5.6 km at a signed overlook.
You can also enjoy views of the lake by car. The North Cascades Highway leads to a designated overlook. For an intense camping experience, camp at one of the three camping areas reachable only by boat. If you’re not into hiking, the nearby North Cascades State Park has waterfront campsites that are accessible by car.
Ocean City, Maryland – East Coast Hidden Gem
OC is a very classy East Coast vacation destination. With its 9 miles, long beach is an ideal place for summer beach vibes and relax. It has a very authentic American culture, amazing restaurants, annual events, a very friendly atmosphere, and a safe vibe.
We recommend experiencing during the 4th of July.
Nashville, Tennessee – Ideal for music lovers
There are few destinations as lively and fun in the USA than Nashville.
It’s famous for its vibrant live music and food scene which ensures that it is a great spot for a family vacation which is furthered by the fact that there is a laid back vibe with friendly Southern hospitality here.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a great spot for a family summer holiday because it has the perfect mix of nature and culture.
It’s surrounded by greenery which can be nice to explore, but Portland also has a very distinctive culture which makes it a unique and interesting destination. It has a thriving culinary scene, cool markets, pretty parks, huge bookstores and much, much more to explore.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
This postcard-esque destination is one of the most idyllic spots in the entire world with quaint villages, lighthouses, beaches and seafood shacks which makes it a very popular summertime spot.
The hook-shaped peninsula is unlike anywhere else in the country and a great area for relaxing while also exploring.
Orlando, Florida – Ideal for families
Orlando is another very summery holiday destination that you should consider!
It’s a home of Disneyland which can be fantastic fun for both kids and adults, but Orlando has a lot more to offer than just this, and it boasts a gorgeous climate at this time of year.
Orlando villa holidays are a good choice when traveling with your family! Having villa to return to after a thrilling day will allow you to chill out and relax before doing it all again the next day.
Florida is an amazing place for all types of travelers and has a lot to offer! Florida’s beaches are world-famous and you should definitely spend at least half of your holiday on the beach somewhere.
Do not miss, visiting Florida’s state parks and try also camping experience if you are a “nature lover”.
Classy San Fransisco
Another lovely place to visit in California in the summer is San Francisco. This is a very friendly, laid back and cultural city that is a well-suited & ideal summer destination.
A few of the highlights to see here include the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, cable cars and Fisherman’s Wharf but there is something for everyone in this great city.
Alternatives close by:
- Big Sur Park – one the Best Campgrounds in California
- Santa Cruz
- Monterey
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles is an iconic city and one that is synonymous with good weather and fun.
It’s a superb place to visit because there is so much to see and do in Los Angeles, including going to the beach, Theme Parks, movie studios, exploring Hollywood, going to a sports game and much, much more.
Additionally, there are many different districts and areas for you to stay so you should easily be able to find somewhere suitable for you and within your budget.
Other alternatives close to LA are:
- San Diego
- Malibu
- Santa Barbara
- Orange County
Busy New York City
New York is often the place to spring to mind when discussing the States and this is for a good reason. The Big Apple is one of the most glamorous cities in the entire world with charm unlike anywhere else.
Highlights here include going up the Empire State building, going to Central Park (very beautiful in the summer), shopping, going to the theatre amongst many other highlights. This is also a city that is enjoyable to simply stroll around and soak up the atmosphere.
If it gets too hot or you get tired of the city buzz, take a trip to one of the nearest beaches in NY state:
- Robert Moses State Park
- Orchard Beach
- Coney Island
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is one of the most historic cities in the USA and a place of high importance. It’s also a very beautiful, friendly and cultural place which makes it a great place to come during the warmer months of the year.
There are many highlights for families here, including legendary professional sports teams, beautiful parks, museums, markets, and walking trails.
The United States is an excellent place to visit on a family vacation or a friends trip during the summer months. As such a large and diverse land, there are many different places to consider with the above being a few of the best spots during the summer.
We hope you’ve found this useful and we would love to hear some feedback and tips on how we could improve/extend this article. Feel free to submit a comment in the discussion section below. Thanks for reading.
