It’s almost the time of year for summer travel! Whether you’re taking some time off work or planning a family vacation while your little ones are off from school, this is the time to be preparing your bucket list and looking into bookings to ensure the best (and cheapest) options for where you want to go. But what if you aren’t ready to go out of the country yet? Or what if you want to explore the many summer offerings that the United States can supply?
Fear not! There are many unique and great places to be in America this season. Here are some of the most popular summer destinations in America for those of you putting together your summer travel lists this year to get out there and explore.
Yellowstone
Head to Wyoming for a picturesque nature destination this summer. Yellowstone National Park receives record high visitors and tourists each year, especially in the summer because of the ideal temperatures here this time of year as well as how gorgeous the sights and wildlife experiences are. You can do many things in and surrounding the park and it has dozens of trails for hiking.
San Francisco
If you need to get away from the high temperatures that can come with the season, San Francisco’s comfortable 50s and 60s Fahrenheit temperatures will lure you in for sure. There are loads of sights including the iconic Golden Gate Bridge here, and plenty of unique events that go on in the summer for visitors and locals alike.
Bar Harbor
How about something up North? Bar Harbor, Maine is an excellent option for some quieter getaway feelings while still getting a nice vacation. New England summer food features delicious seafood like lobster or clam chowder, and Bar Harbor has plenty of great shops and eateries for those in town.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Another national park hits the list, this one bordering Tennessee and North Carolina. Great Smoky Mountains National Park not only gives visitors free entry, but also has many stunning waterfalls and plenty of nature enthusiast opportunities in the form of drives, fishing, hikes, and more. There are also some great Ranger programs that teach you something new!
Chicago
Illinois hosts its own cultural powerhouse for the summer: Chicago. The architecture is amazing here, and there’s a bustling art community with much to display for visitors. Whether you want to relax and learn something new at one of its many museums or get out there to explore near Lake Michigan, in the parks, or for some yummy food; Chicago will have it all.
Cannon Beach
Heading back over to the West coast, Cannon Beach in Oregon hosts a laid back experience with all that the sea can offer. Early June means sightings of migrating whales, while all year round you can enjoy amazing waves, rock formations, and tide pools aplenty right here. Be warned though, Cannon Beach hotels often fills up fast each summer so plan ahead!
Now that you have some ideas that many others have enjoyed, you can choose some of your favorites to add to future travel plans or look into expenses for a trip. You can always try something else if you want to avoid the popular crowd for summertime, but destinations like these are so visited for a reason and you won’t want to miss out on some of the experiences you can get from these U.S. places. Are you ready to get to planning? Try looking into your favorites of choice soon for their current travel guidelines, where you could stay, and what options for getting to your destination. With planning ahead you can even spend some time saving up for the best summer vacation possible!