If you live in the United States, then you are no doubt aware of how hot it can get during the summer. While this is a good excuse to stay inside with your favorite A/C going all day long, why not venture out for a little bit? There are plenty of places to visit that don’t have air conditioning, such as natural parks, water parks and exotic locations. Here are some great summer vacation ideas for the family.

Every year, millions of people make the changing decision to take a vacation during the summer months. Oftentimes, these people will plan out their vacations several months in advance, saving money and taking time off of work to afford these extravagant trips. While these well-studied vacationers do a great job at planning their vacations in detail, they generally only plan out the trip itself and leave their return trip at home completely untouched. Summer is a time for vacations, road trips and family outings. This means that kids will be out of school and often unsupervised during this time. If you are planning a trip for your children, family or group of friends it is important to try to plan with the following in mind:

Great Summer Vacation Ideas

If you’re a student, summer vacation is probably one of the highlights of the year. You can spend all day doing activities that you usually don’t have time for, or even travel abroad without any worries — as long as your parents don’t mind.

Best Summer Vacations in the USA

Summer is meant for using vacation days, whether your ideal trip involves a big city, an all-American national park, a relaxing beach or a stay in a small town. To decide the best summer vacations in the USA, U.S. News considered several factors, including affordability, weather and variety of things to do, plus traveler and expert sentiment. Like what you see? Vote below for your favorites to help influence next year’s ranking. (Note: Some of the below destinations may be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Check with the CDC and the U.S. Department of State before traveling.)

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• View 40 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoYellowstone#1 in Best Summer Vacations in the USANature lovers flock to Yellowstone each summer to watch Old Faithful’s awe-inspiring eruptions, hike through the expansive Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, gaze at the Grand Prismatic Spring’s mesmerizing hues and spot wild animals. The national park’s trails, lodges and visitor centers, which span Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, are busiest in summer. However, travelers willing to brave the crowds are rewarded with ideal temps (average highs sit in the 70s and 80s). What’s more, nearby towns feature summer calendars packed with fun events, like the Cody Stampede Rodeo and the Wild West Arts Fest. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
• View 48 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoGrand Canyon#2 in Best Summer Vacations in the USASummer is the busiest time to visit Arizona’s Grand Canyon, but don’t let that dissuade you from booking a trip. The North Rim is often less crowded, and you can enjoy miles of scenic drives and hiking trails. If you want to stick to the South Rim, consider parking your car and exploring by bike. Alternatively, anyone looking to head into the canyon on a hike or mule trip should keep in mind that temperatures inside the canyon are significantly higher than at the rim, often climbing above 100 degrees. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|FLIGHTS|THINGS TO DO
• View 78 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoSan Diego#3 in Best Summer Vacations in the USASan Diego’s plethora of shorelines (including Coronado, Mission and Pacific beaches), museum-filled Balboa Park and world-renowned zoo make it an appealing summer getaway spot for families and relaxation seekers. Plus, San Diego is home to a highly regarded dining and drinking scene that includes authentic Mexican cuisine and more than 150 craft breweries. To get a true taste of the city, enjoy a meal in the Gaslamp Quarter or sign up for a beer or food tour. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|FLIGHTS|THINGS TO DO
• View 43 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoSan Francisco#4 in Best Summer Vacations in the USABay Area summers are chilly compared to other parts of the country: Highs don’t go beyond the upper 60s, while lows rarely reach the mid-50s. However, these temperatures lend themselves well to exploring outdoor attractions like Muir Woods National Monument, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and garden-filled Golden Gate Park. You’ll also find that San Francisco hosts a plethora of summertime events, including San Francisco Pride, the Fillmore Jazz Festival and San Francisco Giants baseball games at Oracle Park. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|FLIGHTS|THINGS TO DO
• View 47 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoGlacier National Park#5 in Best Summer Vacations in the USAMontana’s Glacier National Park is known for its stunning geological features, including 700-plus lakes, several waterfalls and two mountain ranges across more than 1 million acres. July and August are the best – and busiest – times to visit this park, with average daytime temperatures in the low 80s (though you can expect lower temps at higher elevations). You’ll want to spend time driving the park’s roads, kayaking or canoeing on a lake and hiking some of the hundreds of scenic trails. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
• View 26 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoGrand Teton National Park#6 in Best Summer Vacations in the USASpellbinding beauty, challenging rock climbing routes, relaxing floating excursions and numerous trails attract travelers to this Wyoming national park for a summer vacation. The roughly 310,000-acre Grand Teton National Park is also an affordable getaway: Campsites abound, and visitors can avoid pricey park dining by stocking up on food at a grocery store in Jackson Hole before entering the park. Plus, budding naturalists can participate in summer ranger programs that include geological and cultural presentations. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
• View 17 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoBar Harbor#7 in Best Summer Vacations in the USABar Harbor, Maine, is a tranquil paradise praised for its coastal beauty and pleasant summer highs in the 70s and 80s. The gateway to Acadia National Park, the town draws travelers who love to hike, bike, boat and soak up the area’s stunning scenery. Meanwhile, Bar Harbor’s Main Street is home to shops, ice cream parlors, art galleries, pubs and restaurants serving New England classics like lobster rolls and clam chowder. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|FLIGHTS|THINGS TO DO

• View 26 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoGreat Smoky Mountains National Park#8 in Best Summer Vacations in the USAOccupying more than 520,000 acres, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an affordable summer destination perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. The national park – one of the few in the country that offers free entry – straddles the Tennessee-North Carolina border and boasts impressive waterfalls, top-notch fishing, scenic drives and exciting hikes. With evening temperatures in the 60s and 70s, it’s an excellent place to camp. Stop by any of the four visitors centers to brief yourself on some park history, pick up trail maps and check out the ranger-led programs. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
• View 34 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoHilton Head#9 in Best Summer Vacations in the USAHilton Head features everything from resorts to vacation rentals in addition to amenities like golf courses, tennis courts, spas and beaches. The island boasts summer highs in the 80s and low 90s, but the ocean is always nearby and ready to welcome visitors for a dip to cool down. Summer travelers can try activities like biking, kayaking, fishing, hiking, horseback riding and bird-watching before watching the waves while eating dinner at a waterfront restaurant. One thing’s for certain: There’s no shortage of things to do in this seaside South Carolina town. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|FLIGHTS|THINGS TO DO
• View 59 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoChicago#10 in Best Summer Vacations in the USAChicago’s Millennium Park proves particularly alluring during summer, with futuristic art and architecture and a smorgasbord of free concerts and exhibitions. Be sure to swing by Wrigleyville to check out the neighborhood’s namesake baseball stadium, grab a Chicago-style hot dog and watch MLB’s Chicago Cubs play. Also, take advantage of Chicago’s superb summer weather (average daytime temps hover between the high 70s and mid-80s) by visiting its numerous Lake Michigan beaches. When you need a break from the sun, explore the world-class museums in Chicago’s Museum Campus. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|FLIGHTS|THINGS TO DO
• Belongs on List?YesNoCannon Beach#11 in Best Summer Vacations in the USAThough summer – especially July and August – is the high season for this Oregon locale, you’ll be able to spread out along several beaches that feature everything from tide pools to towering rock formations to waves ideal for surfing. Visit in early June for a chance to spot migrating gray whales. And from April through July, you could see tufted puffins when they nest on Haystack Rock. Book early if you plan to make this your next vacation destination, as hotels fill up quickly.
• View 42 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoOuter Banks#12 in Best Summer Vacations in the USAA quintessential family vacation spot, the Outer Banks fills to the brim in summer with beachgoers looking to relax. Activities for kids and teens abound in this North Carolina destination, including fishing, windsurfing, boogie boarding and kiting adventures like kiteboarding, hang gliding and classic kite flying. Meanwhile, travelers interested in U.S. history appreciate the Outer Banks’ significance as the Wright Brothers’ first flight site and where Roanoke Island’s colonists mysteriously disappeared. What’s more, there are numerous lighthouses to discover and the beaches are wide and clean. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
• View 21 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoZion National Park#13 in Best Summer Vacations in the USAUtah’s first national park welcomes scores of outdoorsy types every summer, and for good reason: The park’s shuttle services a variety of trailheads and sights. Plus, it helps you conserve energy before you begin your adventure in sweltering temps (think: highs in the upper 90s or low 100s). During the day, experienced climbers can scale one of Zion’s 2,000-foot sandstone cliffs while hikers trek popular routes like the Canyon Overlook and Watchman trails. And at night, stargazers can look to the skies to see the Milky Way before enjoying a good night’s rest in one of the park’s campgrounds.