Here are the summer vacation destinations in the USA, chosen for American travellers. Summer is the time for northern parks, lakes and coastal escapes.
Summer vacation destinations in the USA
1. Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is known as the Crown of the Continent, with the Going-to-the-Sun Road, turquoise lakes and more than 700 miles of trails. Read our Glacier National Park travel guide.
- Best time: July to September
- Getting there: About 30 minutes from Kalispell to West Glacier
- Don’t miss: Going-to-the-Sun Road, Logan Pass and Lake McDonald
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
2. Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone, the world’s first national park (1872), protects geysers, hot springs, canyons and wildlife including bison, elk, wolves and grizzly bears. Read our Yellowstone National Park travel guide.
- Best time: late May to September (most roads open); winter by snowcoach
- Getting there: About 1.5 hours from Bozeman to the North or West Entrance; 1 hour from Jackson to the South Entrance
- Don’t miss: Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
3. Acadia National Park
Acadia protects the granite coast of Mount Desert Island, with Cadillac Mountain, carriage roads and lobster shacks nearby in Bar Harbor. Read our Acadia National Park travel guide.
- Best time: June to mid-October; early October for foliage
- Getting there: About 1 hour from Bangor; 3 hours from Portland
- Don’t miss: Cadillac Mountain, Park Loop Road and Jordan Pond
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
4. Seattle
Seattle sits between Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains, with Pike Place Market, coffee culture, the Space Needle and quick access to Mount Rainier and Olympic National Park. Read our Seattle travel guide.
- Best time: June to September
- Getting there: About 3 hours to Vancouver; 3 hours to Portland
- Don’t miss: Pike Place Market, Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass
- Mid-range hotels: $260–450 a night
Our hiking gear picks
- Best portable power stations VerdictFox
Run a cooler, charge cameras and power a CPAP at campsites without hookups. - Camping and outdoor gear guides Buyzello
Headlamps, multi-tools and camping essentials for park trips. - High-capacity power banks for road trips BuyrSkip
Navigation, photos and cold weather drain phones fast; a 20,000 mAh bank keeps you going.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
5. Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a vast alpine lake famous for clear blue water, beaches and summer hikes, and for big ski resorts in winter. Read our Lake Tahoe travel guide.
- Best time: June to September; December to March for skiing
- Getting there: About 1 hour from Reno; 3.5–4 hours from San Francisco
- Don’t miss: Emerald Bay, Sand Harbor and Palisades Tahoe
- Mid-range hotels: $260–450 a night
6. Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska
Anchorage is the gateway to glaciers, fjords and wildlife in Southcentral Alaska, from the Kenai Peninsula to Denali. Read our Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska travel guide.
- Best time: June to August for summer; September to March for aurora
- Getting there: About 2.5 hours to Seward; 4–5 hours to Denali
- Don’t miss: Kenai Fjords National Park, Denali National Park and Seward Highway
- Mid-range hotels: $260–450 a night
7. Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park packs three ecosystems into one: rugged Pacific beaches, the Hoh Rain Forest and the glaciated Olympic Mountains. Read our Olympic National Park travel guide.
- Best time: July to September
- Getting there: About 2.5–3 hours from Seattle
- Don’t miss: Hurricane Ridge, Hoh Rain Forest and Ruby Beach
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
8. Chicago
Chicago is a city of bold architecture, a sparkling lakefront, world-class museums and deep-dish pizza, with neighbourhoods full of blues clubs and restaurants. Read our Chicago travel guide.
- Best time: May to October
- Getting there: About 1.5 hours to Milwaukee; 5 hours to Detroit
- Don’t miss: Chicago Architecture Center river cruise, Millennium Park and Cloud Gate and Art Institute of Chicago
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
9. Boston
Boston is a walkable city of colonial history, top universities, seafood and sports, and a gateway to New England’s coast and autumn colours. Read our Boston travel guide.
- Best time: May to October; late September to October for foliage
- Getting there: About 4 hours to New York; 1.5 hours to Cape Cod
- Don’t miss: Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market and Fenway Park
- Mid-range hotels: $260–450 a night
10. Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton’s jagged peaks rise abruptly above lakes and sagebrush flats, just south of Yellowstone and next to the Western town of Jackson. Read our Grand Teton National Park travel guide.
- Best time: June to September; winter for skiing
- Getting there: About 1 hour from Yellowstone’s South Entrance
- Don’t miss: Jenny Lake, Mormon Row and Oxbow Bend
- Mid-range hotels: $260–450 a night
Summer tips
Book early and avoid the desert Southwest’s extreme heat.
How to choose
Start with when you can travel and how you like to spend your days. Some destinations on this list shine in summer, others in shoulder season; some suit active travellers, others are made for slow days and good food. Pick one or two that match your style rather than trying to see everything, and read the linked guides for timing, costs and where to stay.
How we chose
We picked destinations that consistently impress first-time and returning visitors, balanced famous names with lesser-known gems, and considered access, value, seasonality and the quality of the experience on the ground. Prices, opening dates and reservation rules change, so confirm the details before booking.
Planning tips for your trip
- ID for flights: Domestic flights require a REAL ID-compliant licence or another accepted ID such as a passport. See our guide to REAL ID and TSA rules.
- Money: Sales tax is added at the register and varies by state and city; tipping 18–20% at sit-down restaurants is expected.
- Insurance: Your health plan may have limited out-of-network cover in another state, and trip-cancellation cover is worth having for expensive bookings, especially in hurricane season.
- Driving: Most visitors drive; rental cars are widely available, and a US licence is all you need. Gas prices vary widely by state; California and Hawaii are usually the most expensive.
- Saving money: our budget vacation and cheapest places to travel guides have dozens of practical ideas.
What a trip costs
Typical spending per person per day, excluding flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $120–$180 | motel or hostel, casual meals, self-drive or transit |
| Mid-range | $250–$400 | good hotel, sit-down meals, some tours |
| Luxury | $600–$1,200 | resort or boutique hotel, fine dining, private tours |
Prices rise in peak season and on holiday weekends, and fall sharply in the shoulder seasons.
Travelling responsibly
Follow Leave No Trace principles: stay on marked trails, pack out everything you bring in, and never feed wildlife. Support locally owned restaurants, guides and shops, and visit popular places early or late to spread out the crowds. In busy parks, use shuttles where they exist to cut traffic and parking pressure.
Safety basics
Carry water and layers on outdoor outings, check weather and road conditions before long drives, and tell someone your plans in remote areas, where mobile coverage can be patchy. In cities, use normal precautions with valuables at night. The emergency number is 911.
Our travel gear picks
- Best action cameras for adventure travel BuyrSkip
Film snorkelling, ziplines and mountain biking hands-free. - Carry-on travel backpacks we rate BuyrSkip
A 30–40 litre backpack handles a long weekend and fits under most airline seats. - Best wireless earbuds for travel VerdictFox
Compact earbuds for flights, trains and long drives.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best choice on this list?
It depends on your travel style, but Glacier National Park is a standout for most travellers.
When should I go?
Most of these destinations are best in spring and fall, when crowds are lighter and prices lower.
How many days do I need?
Plan at least two to three days per destination.
Are these good for families?
Most are; check each guide for family tips.
How much should I budget?
Mid-range travellers typically spend $250–$400 per person per day.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Glacier National Park Travel Guide: Going-to-the-Sun Road and Best Hikes
- Yellowstone Travel Guide: Geysers, Wildlife and Planning Tips
- Acadia National Park Travel Guide: Cadillac Mountain, Hikes and Bar Harbor
- Seattle Travel Guide: Top Sights and Day Trips
- How to Plan a Budget Vacation in the USA: 25 Money-Saving Tips