Best summer vacation destinations north america
There are thousands of places travelers can visit throughout North America during the summer, but only some are considered to be the best. In this post, we’re going to provide you with a comprehensive list of 11 cities chosen due to their appeal to tourists and locals alike. So, if you want to find some great places to travel this summer, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get started!
Every year, millions of Americans head out on holiday to the USA and Canada from destinations around the world. These tourists still tend to favour the old standbys, like New York and Las Vegas, but there are lots of sun-soaked beaches elsewhere in North America as well as a host of unique excursions to be had during the winter months.
The first destination on the list is Canada. The most visited province in Canada is British Columbia mostly due to Vancouver, the provincial capital and its beaches that are beautiful. The second most visited province is Quebec. Quebec City is a perfect destination for those who want to go hiking and camping. For those who want something less adventurous, Montreal has everything they need. Whether you want to experience a big city or want something more relaxing, the choice is yours.
In the summer, you want to go somewhere that is going to be fun and interesting, but also relaxing. If you’re looking for the best summer vacation destinations in North America, look no further! With so many options available, it’s hard to decide which one is right for you.
Here are some suggestions:
-The Grand Canyon: This is one of the most popular spots in North America, and with good reason. You can hike down into it and explore or just drive around and enjoy its beauty from above. It’s also not very expensive—you can get a hotel room for about $100 per night.
-Niagara Falls: If you love waterfalls like I do, this place is a must-see! The three waterfalls are absolutely stunning and worth every penny of your airfare. Also, there are plenty of hotels nearby if you need one after your trip!
-New Orleans: This city has a lot of history behind it and offers lots of activities for visitors like tours through plantations or museums about Hurricane Katrina. There are also tons of great restaurants where you can try authentic Creole cuisine!
If you’re looking for the best summer vacation destinations in North America, look no further. We’ve got all the information you need to plan your perfect trip this summer!
- Alaska – The great outdoors are calling—and Alaska is their answer. With over 75 million acres of wilderness and over 3,000 miles of coastline to explore, there’s no better place for an adventurous getaway than Alaska.
- Niagara Falls – You can’t go wrong with a trip to one of the world’s most famous waterfalls! Located on both sides of the US-Canada border, Niagara Falls is a must-see destination this summer.
- Banff National Park – This national park is the perfect place to rest up after a long day exploring Canada’s highest peak (Mount Assiniboine). Enjoy hiking or biking through some of the most beautiful landscapes you’ll ever see!
- Acadia National Park – The coast of Maine offers some stunning sights—and Acadia National Park is just one example of why it’s worth taking a trip there this summer! Hike through forested areas or take in views from atop Cadillac Mountain at sunrise; either way, you’ll leave with memories that will last forever.
Denali National Park, Alaska
Located in Alaska’s Interior, Denali National Park is home to North America’s highest mountain, Denali, with a summit elevation of 20,310 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures are ideal, averaging around 66 during the day, perfect for getting out and enjoying the Great Outdoors, breathtaking scenery, and wildlife viewing. As the park is home to diverse habitats that include forest at the lower elevations, tundra in the middle, and glaciers, snow, and rock at its highest elevations, a wide range of animal species live here.
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Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Summers in Cape Cod, just an hour from Boston, are renowned for enjoying time on beautiful beaches, exploring lighthouses, and dining on delicious seafood, including fresh lobster and out-of-this-world clam chowder. In July and August, the water temperature is often ideal for a refreshing swim, or you can always enjoy simply lounging on the sand or strolling through the dunes. Provincetown, located on the far end of the Cape, is famous for its scenic surroundings and over 30 miles of beaches, as well as its colorful downtown area, which hosts everything from grand mansions and fine eateries to fabulous seafood shacks.
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Grand Canyon, Arizona
Located in the northwest corner of Arizona, the Grand Canyon is something everyone should see at least once in their lifetime, as pictures just can’t do this 277-mile-long canyon justice. Instead of spending just a day here, make it a vacation so you can truly immerse yourself in all that it offers. At the South Rim, you’ll find one of the most awe-inspiring vistas, and if you want a closer look, you can embark on a mule ride down to the bottom or take a helicopter tour. By driving to the North Rim, the less-visited and far less crowded region of the park, you’ll discover more amazing panoramic views as well as plenty of twisting trails to enjoy them from. In the park’s southwestern region is Havasupai, which means “people of the blue-green waters,” – the famous jaw-dropping waterfalls with turquoise-hued pools at the bottom.
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The Black Hills, South Dakota
The Black Hills of South Dakota host a surprising number of sights and attractions that make it an ideal summer vacation destination. Outdoor adventures abound, with countless lakes ideal for swimming, fishing and other activities on the water, particularly Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park. On the park’s scenic Wildlife Loop Road, all types of animals are frequently spotted, including large numbers of bison, elk, pronghorn, deer, coyotes, prairie dogs, eagles, and even wild burros. If you’re here on the biggest holiday of the summer, Fourth of July, you can celebrate with Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt at Mount Rushmore by taking in a spectacular fireworks display and more. Within just minutes of this famous monument, are Wild West shows in Hill City, gold panning in Keystone, cave tours in Custer and much more.
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Seattle, Washington
While Seattle is notoriously wet, in the summer months it’s usually dry and sunny, making it an ideal time to enjoy this outdoor paradise while massive Mount Rainier looms overhead. In addition to being surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, the Emerald City is home to the famous Pike Place Market where you can enjoy the quintessential Pacific Northwest experience by getting to know many of its interesting, and sometimes eccentric characters, along with the sounds and sights of street performers, and the famous fishmongers who toss the fresh catch of the day while cracking jokes. The city has an exceptional café, music and arts scene as well as a host of green spaces and waterfront trails for walking and biking.
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San Juan Islands, Washington
Frequently ranked as one of America’s, and the world’s, most spectacular island destinations, the San Juan archipelago, just off Washington State’s coast, is like entering another world. Getting there is an incredibly scenic adventure in itself, riding the as if weaves across glistening waters through small forest islands. San Juan Island, the second largest and most populous, is arguably the most popular for a summer escape, home to the charming historic seaport town of Friday Harbor, with its wealth of museums, art galleries, eclectic shops, and numerous eateries boasting menus based on local ingredients, including fresh seafood, produce and herbs. Lime Kiln Point State Park, on the west side of the island, offers an ideal opportunity for watching the orca whales that frequently pass by during the summer months.
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Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park offers the chance to completely immerse yourself in a world of turquoise-hued glacial lakes and rivers as well as jagged cliffs that soar above the clouds. Nicknamed “Crown of the Continent,” this region’s incredible natural wonders may make you feel as if you’ve entered a dream world. Not surprisingly, it’s been the setting for a number of films, including “What Dreams May Come.” Nestled in the northwestern region of Montana bordering Alberta and British Columbia, it covers more than 16,000 square miles of pristine wilderness and is home to a wide array of wildlife species, including rare and endangered animals, like grizzly bears and the Canadian lynx as well as mountain goats and bighorn sheep. While it’s best to get out on the trails and explore this hiker’s paradise on foot, the world-renowned Going to the Sun Road, a 50-mile highway that bisects the park east and west, spanning its width and crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, offers the chance to see many of the park’s highlights.
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Boulder, Colorado
Boulder sits at the base of the foothills of the Colorado Rockies and makes an ideal summer vacation destination with easy access to a wealth of outdoor adventure along with city delights. The Flatirons, just south of downtown, are a popular destination for hikers and rock climbers, as well as wildlife spotting mule deer, black bear, bobcat, and coyote. One of the summer’s highlights is the chance to go tubing on Boulder Creek, which runs right through town. Another must-do is to visit Pearl Street Mall, Boulder’s central hub and one of the country’s top open-air pedestrian malls. It’s not just for shopping, dining, and drinking, but for enjoying some of the best people-watching and free live entertainment with buskers.
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San Francisco, California
San Francisco makes an ideal vacation destination when you want to escape the heat, famous for its cool, foggy summers, though the sun usually breaks out in the afternoon. Plan to dress in layers and then enjoy a cruise on the bay for a tour of Alcatraz, the formidable fortress that once housed the likes of George “Machine Gun” Kelly and Al Capone. Take in incredible views of the Bay by walking the 1.7-mile span of the iconic Golden Gate bridge, and capture postcard-perfect photos of it from Battery Spencer on the Marin County side. Other highlights include rides on the famous cable cars and driving down Lombard Street, the most crooked street in the world. Of course, cultural attractions abound as well, including the California Academy of Sciences, one of the largest, most innovative, and most eco-friendly natural history museums on the planet.
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Upper Peninsula, Michigan
If you enjoy taking quiet strolls along moss-covered paths, the thundering sound of falling water across a vivid blue lake, and scenic landscapes, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a favorite heartland getaway, may be calling. You’ll feel as if you’re worlds away from the chaos of urban and suburban life, and you won’t be suffering from summer’s extreme heat either. Daytime highs tend to be around 75, and the evenings, with lows in the high 50s, are perfect for gathering around a fire. This is a stunning, if often overlooked, vacation destination that draws families with its forests, lakes, falls, and heatwave-beating chill.
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Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
While summer is peak tourist season at Grand Teton National Park, there are plenty of options for exploring among its 300,000+ acres, including remote areas for hiking and scenic drives. Even the best photographs won’t prepare you for the breathtaking sight of the jagged Teton peaks, dominated by the 14,000-foot-tall Grand Teton. There are glistening lakes, glaciers, and forests too, along with abundant wildlife with the opportunity to catch glimpses of moose, elk, wolves, bald eagles, and black and even grizzly bears.
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