Summer is one of the most popular times to explore the United States. Almost every destination in the U.S. has peak prices and tourist numbers in June, July, and August. But with some pre-planning, you can find deals, avoid some of the crowds, and visit under-the-radar places.

How To Travel the U.S. on a Budget

This post includes road trips, beach towns, national parks, cities, small towns, popular summer vacation spots, and off-the-beaten-path places.

Ready to plan your next vacation? Then here are the best Summer destinations in the United States!

Southeast

Destin, Florida. As one of the best beach destinations in the U.S., Destin is the perfect summer vacation spot. You can split your time between the iconic Gulf of Mexico beaches and boating on the calmer and more off-the-beaten-path intercostal waterways. Check out the best hotels in Destin!

The Outer Banks. Often abbreviated to OBX, the Outer Banks is a 200-mile string of barrier islands and spits off the coast of North Carolina. In between your beach-hopping, you can explore lighthouses and cute coastal towns. I also highly recommend going for a horseback ride on the beach.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama. These side-by-side towns are the perfect getaway if you want a budget beach trip. In addition to the sugar-white sand beaches, you should visit Gulf State Park and bike a portion of The Backcountry Biking Trail. Check out the best vacation homes in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!

Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Eighteen distilleries make up the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, including the world-renown Maker’s Mark, Wild Turkey, and Jim Beam. You’ll taste your way through Kentucky’s beautiful countryside and cities, and this is the perfect road trip to take with friends!

Northeast

New England Coastline. This road trip will let you experience the best of coastal New England’s towns, beaches, and attractions. Start by spending at least one night in Newport, Rhode Island. Then spend a couple of nights in Cape Cod (or nearby Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket). Next, stop in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Kennebunkport, Maine, on your way to Portland, Maine, for a couple of nights. Then finish your road trip in the stunning Acadia National Park.

Upstate New York. There’s so much more to New York than just NYC! Start this road trip in the Adirondack Mountains, then head west to the Thousand Islands (one of the best wine regions in the country), then The Finger Lakes, then Niagra Falls, then the Catskills. Check out these incredible vacation homes in Upstate New York!

Midwest

Chicago. June, July, and August are the sunniest, driest, and warmest months of the year in Chicago. The Windy City’s namesake breezes from Lake Michigan will keep you cool when you’re exploring the city or lounging on one of the lakefront beaches. If you’re here in August, then you could check out the Chicago Hot Dog Fest. And, of course, Lollapalooza will be in full swing. Check out the best hotels and Airbnbs in Chicago!

Mackinac Island, Michigan. This is one of the best getaways in the Midwest U.S. June is the best month to visit this picture-perfect town because the island will be covered in wild lilac. The Lilac Festival in early June is one of the best flower displays in the U.S.

Door County, Wisconsin. You’ve probably never heard of this under-the-radar peninsula just north of Green Bay, Wisconsin. This means other people haven’t discovered this breathtaking destination full of charming villages, cherry orchards, beaches, cliffs, and historic bed and breakfasts.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This is the perfect adventure and beach destination if you’re on a budget. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has some of the best beaches in the state on Lake Michigan. There are incredible hiking trails in the area with beautiful wildflowers this time of year. Plus, what could be more epic than sledding down giant sand dunes?!

West

Glacier National Park. Despite being in a remote part of the U.S., Glacier is one of the most-visited national parks in the country because the jaw-dropping beauty of this park is worth the trek. The summer months are the only time when night temperatures are above freezing and when the entire park is open. So book your accommodation and tours in advance to save some money and ensure availability.

Grand County, Colorado. This is the perfect “home base” for exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. The temperatures will be at their warmest, wildlife will be active, and the alpine plants and flowers will be beautiful. If you want an adventure, then you could stay at one of the area’s dude ranches and paddle on Grand Lake.

Southwest

Galveston. Texas. The Southwest is HOT in the summer, so escaping to this Insta-perfect beach town is one of the best ways to beat the heat in Texas. Make sure you shop and dine at the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. Then bike, hike, fish, or paddle in Galveston Island State Park. Galveston is one of the best getaways in the Southwest!

Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The caverns at this national park stay around 56°F all year. So this is a great destination for staying cool in the summer. Carlsbad, New Mexico, is the perfect “home base” for exploring this park and the nearby Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Scottsdale, Arizona. Summer is a great time to enjoy the glitz and glam of Scottsdale because you’re going to want to lounge around the luxurious pool at your vacation home or resort most of the day. Head out early in the morning to bike or walk around this beautiful town before it gets too hot. Then head out in the evenings to hike or horseback ride through the Sonoran Desert.

Seattle and Portland. These cities’ proximity to each other means they make for an incredible Pacific Northwest road trip. Summer is the warmest, sunniest, and driest season for both cities. Seattle and Portland have incredible food scenes, a welcoming and casual “vibe,” and amazing outdoor activities. Check out the best vacation homes in the Pacific Northwest!

Washington and Oregon Coastline. This stretch of coastline along Highway 101 is one of the most beautiful drives in the country. Can’t-miss stops on this scenic road trip are the Three Capes Scenic Loop, Thor’s Well, Cannon Beach, Cape Disappointment, Westport, and Olympic National Park.

Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur. This trifecta is one of the best stops on the Pacific Coast Highway. When you’re here, make sure you drive the 17-Mile Drive, taste your way along the River Road Wine Trail, walk the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, visit Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, hike the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Waterfall Overlook Trail to McWay Falls, and drive over the Bixby Bridge.

Yosemite & Sequoia & Kings Canyon. These three national parks are part of my epic California National Parks road trip. The summer months are the only times during the year when all trails, roads, ranger stations, shuttles, and accommodations are open in these parks. This means crowds will be at their peak, so reserve your hotel, vacation home, or camping spot early.

Hawaii

Summer is an incredible time to visit Hawaii. These are the driest months of the year, accommodation and airfare prices will be lower than in the peak winter months, and the tides will be perfect for swimming, diving, snorkeling, and boating.

Tips for Traveling To Hawaii on a Budget

All four of Hawaii’s main islands – Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai – have some of the best beaches, national and state parks, water sports, and outdoor activities in the world. So I’ve rounded up the top 101 things to do in Hawaii and the best adventure activities in Hawaii. I’ve also got the top things to do for a birthday, honeymoon, mother-daughter trip, and bachelorette party in Hawaii.

Alaska

Summer is the best season for wildlife viewing and exploring Alaska’s national parks. The weather is perfect, with daytime temperatures from 60-80º F in the day and 40-50º at night. You’ll have about 17 hours of daylight this time of year, giving you long days to explore this beautiful state.

On the Kenai Peninsula, you can see black and brown bears fishing in the rivers. In Seward, you can take a cruise to see orcas, bald eagles, puffins, sea lions, and humpback whales. Summer is also the only time of year when the general public can do glacier hikes.

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This article about the best summer destinations in The United States is not a sponsored post, and the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Some of the links in this post about the best summer destinations in The United States are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission.