Best Summer Vacation Destinations in the United States

The summer season is currently on full blast, and the hot sunny days mean it’s time for a vacation! And if you live in the USA, you’re in luck: There are so many summer-perfect destinations that it can be difficult to decide where to go. Whether you’re heading to the beach, going on a cross-country road trip, exploring a new city, or camping in the mountains, you’ll certainly find your preferred activity in the United States, and there definitely will be no shortage of fun!

Not sure about which of the 50 beautiful USA states will be best for your vacation? We’ve got you covered. Here are some of the best summer destinations in the U.S. that you should add to your travel itinerary.

Manitou Island, Michigan

If you’re looking for an undiscovered beach destination, then Manitou Island is the place to go. This breathtaking island offers an escape for those who are looking for solitude in nature. The place offers a lot of outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, paddling, kayaking, and camping. Visitors interested in wildlife will also find diverse flora and fauna on its beaches and wilderness areas.

You can learn more about the history of Manitou Island by exploring the North Manitou Village and the ghost town of Crescent, taking care to respect the privacy of those who are living on the island. Manitou Island is accessible only via a boat, but you’ll surely have a great trip across Lake Michigan to get there as there are wonderful views in any seat on the boat.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

You’ll never run out of things to do in Cape Cod. This part of Massachusetts offers every kind activity you could want—no wonder it is one of the top vacation spots in the country! Enjoy gorgeous beaches, dine on fabulous seafood shacks, explore picture-perfect lighthouses, or simply lounge on the sand while stargazing or watching the seals play in the waves. The shoreline also offers a range of outdoor activities like sunbathing, swimming, beachcombing, kayaking, snorkeling, and sailing.

Visit the Salt Pond Visitor Center, the town’s main visitor facility that features a museum, bookstore, and an indoor theatre. Don’t forget to add the Province Land’s Visitor Center to your itinerary—it features an observation deck with a stunning 360-degree view of the Province Lands dunes, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Outer Beach. Get your camera loaded with lots of storage as there are plenty of scenic surroundings in Cape Cod, and you’ll surely love to shoot photos at its colorful downtown area.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco is without a doubt one of the greatest cities in the world. People are drawn for its lively crowd, eccentricity, beautiful scenery, and rich history. The place has been a famous destination for foodies for its variety of great restaurants, as well as food markets where they do market-to-table demonstration by local chefs. Thousands of visitors also take a cruise on the bay for a tour of the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary and the country’s first lighthouse. It’s not all grim history at Alcatraz, though: the island offers the most breathtaking views of the San Francisco skyline.

Summer is the most fun time of the year in the Bay Area. San Francisco offers many activities to do and discover during summer, with festivities, races, attractions happening almost every day of the week. The longer days of summer opens up more opportunities to experience everything the City by the Bay has to offer. And surely, nobody will go home without taking a picture with one of the seven modern wonders of the world, the Golden Gate Bridge. Take a selfie on San Fran’s famous cable cars and make the Lombard Street, dubbed the most crooked street in the world, your photo background!

Ocean City, Maryland

Ocean City is a family-friendly and affordable summer destination in the Mid-Atlantic. This resort town has ten miles of family-friendly beach, a famous Boardwalk, delicious bites, exciting attractions, and free events. The place receives up to 8 million visitors each year, making it one of the east coast’s most popular destinations. Tourists flock here for its warm sands and the fun-filled water adventures it offers, such as swimming, surfing, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. If you love the view of the ocean then this is the place for you!

It’s also worth noting that the Ocean City Boardwalk has long been a favorite American summer destination as it offers several amusement park rides, stores, and arcades. The place is perfect to explore on a bicycle or roller skates. Don’t miss the chance to visit Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum, where both kids and adults can discover and enjoy fun & quirky stuff, and ride the Boardwalk’s Ferris wheel, where you’ll get a picturesque view at the top!

The Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, is a destination that all Americans should see at least once in their lifetime. 6.38 million visitors flock here annually for the breathtaking natural scenery that stretches for 277 miles. You can explore the canyon as you wish, and we recommend taking your time as a day trip could be too short to truly immerse yourself in all the place has to offer.

The Grand Canyon Village is the most popular entryway into the park. Visit Yavapai Point, one of the best spots to view the canyon. The Horseshoe Bend is another top attraction for tourists coming from the eastern end, offering visitors and photographers with stunning views. Havasu Falls may be difficult to reach, but you’ll be rewarded with its famous jaw-dropping sceneries resplendent with turquoise-hued waters. Visitors must hike 10 miles into the canyon and 10 miles back up to the rim to get here, but the trip is well worth the effort.

Ready your travel bags and your cameras, because you don’t want to miss out on the precious moments of this summer! Of course, we would love to remember every moment of our summer trips, and there is no better way to keep them with Nixplay frames. These smart frames not only display a great assortment of your photos, but also play video clips of the summer you’ll never forget.