With the last of the school across the nation finishing up for the year and heat waves settling across the country, it looks like summer has officially arrived. That means its time to hit the road and head to the airport for those summer vacations.
Whether you’re headed to the mountains, the beach, or anywhere in between, it’s a great time to get out on the water or in the hills to beat the summer heat. If you’re looking for a little last-minute inspiration, then here are some of our favorite states to visit during summer break.
These states run the gamut from being jam-packed with fun family activities to being the perfect place to escape from the summer crowds and get some much needed rest and relaxation.
California
California checks the boxes for almost any traveler looking for some summer fun. With cities like Los Angeles and San Diego loaded with family-friendly attractions like theme parks, zoos, and aquariums to go along with their miles of beaches, you know the kids won’t get bored. Summer in California also means the Sierra Nevadas are within their short window of accessibility, so outdoor lovers can head to the hills and get lost amongst the granite peaks of this stunning mountain range.
Hawaii
No state in the nation better checks the tropical vacation box than Hawaii. Summer on this island paradise is serene as the surf is mild, temperatures are warm, and the ocean is prime for snorkeling and swimming. The north side of Kauai is an underrated gem to visit during this time of year. During winter, the beaches are pounded by surf, but during the summer, they can be flat and calm, and there are tons of reefs and shoals to explore.
Florida
Perhaps the country’s most popular beachside getaway, Florida is home to town after town that caters to the beachgoing vacation crowd. This means that you’ll have no shortage of sand to choose from and cheaper hotel options that you might find in many other oceanfront destinations.
If you’re looking for a unique vacation experience, then head down to Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Located only 90 minutes from Miami, this laid-back community offers much of the charm and laid-back vacation experience you’ll find in Key West without the 3+ hour drive each way.
New York
Summer is the time when city dwellers of the Northeastern corridor make their pilgrimage to the lakes and cottages of upstate New York. This deeply forested region is home to camps and summer getaways that have been bringing families together for generations.
With popular locations like the Finger Lakes region and the Adirondacks, there is no shortage of areas to escape to during these sweltering couple of months.
Colorado
There is no better way to beat the heat than to get up high and Colorado offers up no shortage of those opportunities. With over 800 peaks topping out at over 13,000 feet, Colorado leads the way for high alpine fun in the contiguous 48 states. Here, you can camp under the stars on a backcountry traverse, bike through scenic valleys full of wildflowers, or explore high-elevation ghost towns that spend the majority of the year buried under snow.
Hit up one of the state’s many ski resorts during the summer, where they turn into meccas for hiking and downhill mountain biking.
Alaska
If you’re looking to escape the heat altogether, then there is no better place to do it than at the last frontier. Although those in the know will tell you that parts of central Alaska will leave you feeling like you’re still in the lower 48 as summertime temperatures in cities like Fairbanks can still top out at well over 90 degrees. Don’t let that deter you, though, as most of the state stays pleasantly mild, if not downright rainy, throughout most of the summer, which is perfect for those long days out exploring or fishing for a mighty Alaskan halibut.
Homer is one of the most popular summer destinations in the state as RV’ers will set up camp on the spit and tend to beachside bonfires well into the twilight hours.
Washington
When summer rolls around, there are few places I would rather be than on Puget Sound. With an endless supply of sunny days, perfectly warm temperatures, and the waters of the sounds just calling out for adventure, this region, and Washington as a whole, is tough to beat.
Washington’s mountain passes also beckon travelers to explore the high alpine and its stunning lakes and wildflower meadows during the short time period between when the last of the snow melts and when the next season’s snow starts arriving again.
While Pike Place is always jam-packed during the summer, it is an experience not to be missed for the aisles of fresh fruit, flowers, and seafood, just waiting to be brought home and turned into a summer feast.
Maine
The coastline of Maine is dotted with small towns that are filled with fishermen tending to their boats, coastal breezes that keep the summer heat at bay, and all the charm that you’d expect from this region. Here, you can spend the days lounging on the porch of a rental home, catching up on those books that have been piling up over the past year, or setting sight for a remote island out on the bay by boat or kayak.
For the ultimate Maine adventure, head north to the quaint town of Bar Harbor, which sits at the doorstep of the stunning Acadia National Park. Here you can explore secluded beaches, hike to the top of granite knobs, and enjoy the peace and quiet that comes with the Northwoods of Maine.
Michigan
Despite being an inland state, Michigan boasts some of the best shorelines and coastal towns in the nation. Along the mighty Lake Michigan, you’ll find miles of sand dunes just waiting to be explored, plenty of towns that burst to life during the summer months, and wilderness areas where you can escape to nature.
Don’t miss the impossibly charming island town of Mackinac Island. Accessible only by ferry, this summer destination doesn’t allow cars on any of its roads, so you’ll instead spend the day walking by horse-drawn carriages. In fact, the island is home to a state highway—the only one in the nation on which cars are not allowed!
Oregon
Oregon offers up the perfect blend of urban fun as Portland is a must-visit during the summer months with quintessential Portland events like the PDX Adult Soap Box Derby and the Waterfront Blues Festival. Summer is also the perfect time to get out in nature and explore the waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge or take a drive along the scenic coastal highway to take in the stunning vistas and wide sandy beaches.
Make sure to take a drive up to Mt. Hood and Timberline Lodge. Here, you can hike the trails around the lodge and explore this historic inn that was in the movie The Shining.
North Carolina
Anyone who has spent a summer vacation on the Outer Banks knows that there is something magical about that narrow strip of land that separates the mighty Atlantic Ocean from the rest of North Carolina. Out here, the days are spent fishing from the beach, playing in the surf, and spending your days with your toes in the sand. The Outer Bank’s location off the mainland means the cool ocean breeze keeps the hot summer temperatures at bay, unlike much of the rest of the state.
If you are craving a little mountain time as well, then head inland to the Blue Ridge Parkway, where you can hike along the Appalachian Trail and explore the area’s lush forests.
Montana
Home to one of America’s most stunning national parks, Montana is a must-visit for hikers, fly fishermen, and outdoorsmen looking to explore the wild lands of this rugged state. Most of the adventures here will be of the DIY variety, such as theme parks and other family-friendly prepared fun, which is not something you’ll find much of here.
During the brief summer window of snow-free time at Glacier National Park, make sure to take the drive up the Going-to-the-sun road. Here, you’ll get a glimpse of some of the most dramatic landscapes in the country outside of Alaska.
Wyoming
Home to two of America’s most stunning national parks, Wyoming and its high-elevation northwestern corner is a must-visit during the summer season. Jackson Hole serves as a basecamp for the nearby Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, where you can take in stunning mountain scenery, watch wildlife like bison, moose, and grizzly bears go about their day, and look into otherworldly geothermal pools that exist almost nowhere else in the world.
If you’re looking to escape the national park crowds, then head over to the Wind River Range. This mountain range sees a fraction of the visitors as the state’s national parks, yet has scenery that will put them to shame.
