Best us states for summer vacation
Best US states for summer vacation – With summertime quickly approaching, many of us are wondering where we should head off to on vacation. For many, the destination doesn’t really matter, as long as it’s hot and has great beaches or a snow-capped mountain you can chill on. But why should some people have all the fun? If you live in the USA, there’s no need to fly off to some tropical jungle or frozen tundra (unless that’s what floats your boat). There are tons of caribbean islands within driving distance and a lot of people don’t know about them. I’m here to share with you hidden gems along with the most popular US travel destinations according to a recent survey by The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2014-2015.
In my experience everybody want to travel to the USA for vacation. But whether or not it’s worth it depends on the state you’re planning to visit. I’ve decided to make this list on most beautiful states for tourists in summer.
Summer vacation is a time when most of us take a break from our jobs to enjoy the long holidays. We may spend some quality time with friends and family during summer vacations. I would suggest you to plan your vacation before the summer vacation starts. You can then carry out your plans prepared and make the most out of it. There are many different things you might do on your summer vacations. Some of them include traveling, taking up new courses, hanging out with new people, etc.
The best U.S. states to visit in the summer are Alaska and Colorado, according to a new ranking by TripAdvisor.
The two states were ranked first and second, respectively, on TripAdvisor’s list of the top 10 best states for summer vacation.
Alaska is home to Denali National Park and Preserve, which offers “spectacular mountain views” and wildlife viewing opportunities, according to TripAdvisor. There are also plenty of activities like kayaking and hiking available in Alaska’s largest state.
Colorado is known for having some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country—but it’s not just about scenery: The state also has a “vibrant cultural scene,” according to TripAdvisor. In addition to visiting sights like Pike National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Park, visitors can enjoy music festivals like Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Vail Jazz Festival.
Summer is the perfect time to take a vacation. It’s hot, you’re tired of school, and you need a break from the daily grind. But where should you go?
If you want to keep it cool and go somewhere that isn’t too crowded, we’ve got just the list for you. Here are the top five best states for summer vacation.
- Wyoming
- Utah
- Montana
- South Dakota
- Alaska
1. Grand Canyon, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is one of the most iconic, family-friendly American summer vacation spots because of its views, notoriety, and things to do while you are here. Summer is a crowded time, as it is peak season, especially with kids out of school, so you will want to lock in lodging many months in advance. Plan ahead for activities that might require a reservation, like rafting on the Colorado River.
There are lookouts and hiking trails throughout the Grand Canyon, and you can even take the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams, Arizona to the South Rim, which is a popular vantage point. The South Rim is where you can find the Grand Canyon Village and the winding Bright Angel Trail, which is a popular hike for those who want a more aggressive excursion.
The North Rim is the least crowded spot with fewer tourists and it is only completely open from May to October. From October to December 1 it is only open for day use.
Accommodation: Best Hotels at the Grand Canyon
2. Mackinac Island, Michigan
A summer vacation on Mackinac Island in Michigan is a throwback to the simplicity of the summer vacation of the 1800s. A ferry to the island is required, and once you arrive, there are no cars and no chain hotels.
Transportation is by horse and carriage, bicycles, or on foot. There are several resorts on the island, like the famed Grand Hotel and Mission Point resort, where Adirondack chairs adorn the lawn along the Lake Huron shoreline. The island represents a wholesome kind of vacation that is ideal for families or romantic getaways.
Throughout Mackinac Island, you can explore the outdoors with a carriage ride and tour, kayaking trips on the water, horseback riding through Mackinac Island State Park, relaxing at the spa, or taking a leisurely bike ride through yesteryear in a place that seems to have stopped in time.
Grab high tea in the afternoon at the historic Grand Hotel on the hill or enjoy a mega-scoop of ice-cream at Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor. Everything on the impeccably manicured island is the epitome of the perfect summer vacation.
- Read More: Exploring Mackinac Island: Top Things to Do
3. Door County, Wisconsin
One of the best summer vacation spots in the United States is the serene peninsula of Door County, Wisconsin. The 19 small villages that stretch along the peninsula each have charming uniqueness, from cherry orchards and beaches to cliffs and historic bed and breakfasts. With 300 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan on one side and Green Bay on the other there are so many ways to make summer memories.
Take a guided kayak trip in Peninsula State Park or over the shipwrecks of North Bay. You can also choose to hop on board the ferry to Washington Island, where you can see Schoolhouse Beach, which has pebbles instead of sand, and soak in the relaxing aroma at the Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm.
In the evening, gather around for a traditional Door County fish boil as you listen to stories around the fire at one of the historic inns. It is easy to add a day or two in Green Bay to your Door County vacation, where you can tour Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers, and visit several other Green Bay attractions.
Accommodation: Top-Rated Resorts in Door County, WI
4. Yellowstone National Park
A summer vacation to Yellowstone National Park enables you to experience some of the most stunning natural beauty in the United States. The park crosses the boundaries of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, with more than two million acres of natural landscape and wildlife viewing to enjoy.
Plan some time for this vacation because there is so much to see and do, from hiking the many trails to photographing the Old Faithful geyser, one of the most popular stops in the park.
It is estimated that Yellowstone attracts two million visitors in the summer months, which means the park will be crowded. It is also the best time to go, not just for the warm temperatures and wildlife activity but also for the events happening in the towns around the park that have many summer festivals.
Some other must-see Yellowstone points of interests are Mammoth Hot Springs and Yellowstone Lake.
Accommodation: Where to Stay near Yellowstone NP: Best Areas & Hotels
5. Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Summer in Cape Cod defines the idea of a cottage escape. With pristine beaches and quaint villages with old-fashioned ice-cream parlors, Cape Cod is one of the best vacation getaways in New England.
The ocean and public beaches almost never leave your eyesight, unless you opt for a bike ride along one of the many paths that weave through the area. Kayaking and fishing are top things to do in Cape Cod but so is beachcombing; listening to live music; and visiting art galleries, where you can find lots of unique creations from local glass blowers and painters.
Cape Cod beaches stretch for 40 miles and are home to many celebrities during the summer months. Some of the notable beaches to visit are Herring Cove in Provincetown and Nauset Beach in Eastham. July and August are the best beach months to visit, but be prepared to spend quite a bit for this iconic summer vacation. Hotel, resort, and bed and breakfast rates will be at a premium, and availability will be limited if you do not book several months, or even up to a year in advance.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Cape Cod: Best Areas & Hotels
6. Outer Banks, North Carolina
A summer visit to North Carolina’s barrier islands, known as the Outer Banks, is one of the best vacations in the United States. You can make a base in one of the small towns along the 130-mile stretch and make day trips along Highway 12 to places like Cape Hatteras National Seashore or to some of the historic lighthouses along the Outer Banks.
It is common for many summer vacationers to rent beach houses in Duck, Nags Head, Hatteras, or Kill Devil Hills and make the Outer Banks an annual tradition. The area has long stretches of beautiful beaches, perfect for family vacations. Due to the popularity of the area, it is best to lock in lodging six months to a year in advance.
While the main attractions in the Outer Banks are the picturesque Atlantic Ocean and dramatic sand dunes, there’s much more to explore. On the northern tip of the Outer Banks in Corolla, you can see wild Spanish mustang horses roaming the beaches.
Several historic sites, like the Wright Brothers National Memorial, Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station, and the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum are worth visits. For a truly unforgettable experience, walk the 100-foot-high sand dunes at Jockey’s Ridge State Park or take a hang-gliding lesson at the largest hang-gliding school in the world located at the park.
If you want to make it a truly memorably vacation, consider doing a camping trip to the Outer Banks. Most campgrounds are protected by the dunes but allow easy access to the beaches.
7. Grand County, Colorado
The quiet outdoorsy area of Grand County, Colorado is ideal for a quiet summer vacation. The peak times to visit this picturesque area are during the summer months, when temperatures are warm, wildlife is active, and the plants and flowers are at their peak.
One way to spend a vacation in Grand County is at a dude ranch like Latigo Ranch in the mountains. You spend a week learning to ride horses and experience what true ranch life is like.
You can also rent a cottage or stay at a resort near Grand Lake and enjoy the scene at Colorado’s largest natural lake. Take kayaks out for a morning paddle trip and drive through Rocky Mountain National Park in the evening to watch the elk herds graze.