With summer fast approaching, now is the time to start planning that vacation you’ve been thinking about. When we first started researching popular summer destinations in the US we noticed a lot of national parks listed. While we absolutely love national parks, we wanted to provide a variety of different locations for all types of travelers.
We decided to break our locations down into 5 categories and find a common thread through multiple sources to pick the most popular sites. I’ll give you a little info for each site as well as some links to further investigate each category you are most interested in. In addition to the number 1 spot I’ll also provide a runner-up location in each category to consider. Continue reading to find out America’s most popular summer destinations!
Family Fun Summer Destinations:
With kids out of school, summertime is the most popular time to take a family vacation. Families have so many options for destinations in the US that allow you to take advantage of the warm weather and fun activities. Not only is our first location a popular summer destination, it’s actually America’s most visited destination with 74 million annual visitors!
Orlando:
The major draw to Orlando are the variety of theme parks and attractions that are located around the city. However, Orlando is also within an hour drive of some of the more popular beaches on the Florida coast such as Daytona Beach. These along with popular animal attractions, make Orlando a hotspot for family fun.
Disney:
With 4 popular theme parks in Orlando, Disney is a major reason this city is a popular summer destination. Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom all fall under the umbrella of Disney Parks. These parks provide a variety of family fun no matter what you may be into. With 58 million annual visitors, it’s easy to see that Disney is the number one draw to Orlando.
Universal Orlando Resort:
Another popular family destination is Universal Resorts. With 3 theme parks, Universal provides a second option for families to visit while in Orlando. Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay provide a variety of different experiences for your family to enjoy.
SeaWorld Orlando:
With 3 parks of their own SeaWorld Orlando provides family fun with an emphasis on animal interaction experiences. SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, and Aquatica are theme parks that all provide some level of animal viewing or interaction. It’s the perfect place for the animal loving family.
Additional Info:
For anyone considering visiting Orlando in the summer, the best times to visit are May and the end of August. These times draw less crowds and prices will be lower as long as you avoid holiday weekends. On the other hand, June and July see the largest crowds and the highest prices for all of the attractions and hotels in the area. Also, if driving isn’t an option, cheap, direct flights can be found flying into Orlando International Airport.
Runner-Up: (Tie)
Branson, MO: Closest airport for visiting: Springfield Airport
Pigeon Forge, TN: Closest airport for visiting: Asheville Regional Airport
Popular Cities To Visit:
Offering more than just a beach location, the top city on our list ranks high in several websites’ most popular summer destinations lists. This particular city was actually the first European settlement founded, in what would become California, back in 1769.
San Diego:
You probably think of beaches when you think of San Diego (I did). However, there is much more than great beaches and surfing drawing nearly 29 million tourists to San Diego each year. Due to its location, you can find some of the most authentic Mexican food in the country here. Also, San Diego County is home to an astonishing 150 craft breweries! In between meals and brews make sure you check out these other attractions San Diego is known for.
Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo:
At 1,200 acres Balboa Park has plenty of space to provide enjoyment for tourists. Home to 18 museums, botanical gardens, miles of hiking paths, and the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park is a must see destination while in San Diego. With several playgrounds and three dog parks Balboa Park can be a great place to visit with the family as well. Finally, be sure to check out the festivals in the park or enjoy the art and live music that is common throughout the year.
Historical Districts:
The city of San Diego, and the area surrounding, have a rich history drawing in visitors every year. A number of historical sites can be found throughout this area ranging from art, to architecture, to culture, and more. It really is a fantastic city for the history buff. Many sites have been preserved and on display are from the late 1700’s to the early and mid 1900’s. No matter what you are most interested in, you have a good chance of seeing it here. With this being said, I will focus on two of the more popular areas within the city.
Gaslamp Quarter:
With over 90 preserved Victorian buildings, the Gaslamp Quarter is a popular part of the city. Although the history of this section of San Diego is quite checkered, the area was revamped in the 1980’s. Today San Diego holds many events and festivals in this part of the city. In addition to these, this neighborhood is also popular with tourists and locals for its abundant clubs and nightlife. In fact, many of the Victorian buildings are in use today as restaurants and clubs.
Old Town:
Originally a Spanish outpost, Old Town remained the heart of San Diego through the mid 1800’s. This area is home to many adobe buildings and other historic buildings that have been preserved. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park holds onto its Spanish heritage and offers tourists a number of museums and reconstructed buildings to visit or view demonstrations. Today the area is also home to many Mexican restaurants that showcase the Spanish culture through authentic cuisine.
Comic Con:
Even if comic books aren’t your thing, there is no denying that the San Diego Comic Con is a huge draw for tourists to this area. With attendance well over 100,000 people the SDCC draws hundreds of thousands of people into San Diego every summer to enjoy the experience. In fact, not only is this the largest Comic Con in the country, it’s also the largest in the world!
Additional Info:
With so much to offer it’s easy to see why San Diego is one of the most popular summer destinations in the US. While it’s sunny and warm for most of the year, the best times to visit are July and August. The reason being these months will be when the cold Pacific Ocean is “warmest.” However, the worst time to visit SD is June. Southern California experiences thick coastal fogs in June (June Gloom) due to the temperature differences between water and air. Having experienced this, it can take all morning, or sometimes into the afternoon, to burn off. Let’s be honest if we are traveling to SoCal a big reason is for the sunshine. The drive down the West Coast is one of the most beautiful we’ve ever experienced but if driving to SD isn’t an option, flights into San Diego International Airport are your best option.
Runner-Up:
Seattle, WA: Closest airport for visiting: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Summer Beach Destinations:
No popular summer destinations list would be complete without a beach location. Listening to the waves crash on the shore as you dig your toes into the sand is the ultimate way to relax in the summer. With thousands of miles of coastlines, Americans have a lot of options when it comes to beaches. However, one location combines warm water, affordable accommodations, ease of access, and a variety of activities and events to draw in huge crowds.
Myrtle Beach:
Myrtle Beach is the heart of the Grand Strand, a 60 mile stretch of beaches from Pawley’s Island to the NC state line. The warm waters draw in an estimated 19 million visitors per year! Offering nearly 2,000 restaurants and over 500 hotel/condo rentals the city is geared toward bringing in huge numbers of summer visitors. The 1.2 mile boardwalk is loaded with restaurants, shops, amusement rides, and museums, and arcades that are fun for people of all ages. Myrtle Beach is also nicknamed the Golf Capital of the World. It’s 90 championship golf courses host an estimated 3 million rounds of golf each year!
Having lived in Myrtle Beach for over 3 years, I also would like to make a few suggestions for places to visit in the area other than the beaches. These were the places we took everyone that came to visit to and they were always a hit.
Brookgreen Gardens:
By far our favorite place to visit in Myrtle Beach is Brookgreen Gardens, a botanical garden/sculpture park. At over 9,000 acres, Brookgreen Gardens sits on the site of a former rice plantation. As you walk around the grounds, you will see countless types of plants and sculptures by artists from all over the world. Their motto of “Ever changing. Simply amazing.” is true as every time you visit something else is in bloom.
You can hear the history of the low country described through an audio tour that takes you along the former rice fields and slave quarters. After the tour is completed, you can enter the Low Country Zoo and observe all kinds of animals native to this area including a massive alligator! With dining and shopping options, it is easy to make a day of the gardens and still not see everything.
State Parks:
There are two state parks near Myrtle Beach that are also great options to visit. Myrtle Beach State Park has a great pier for fishing and offers camping and cabin rentals and was actually our first stay in Myrtle Beach. Located only a few minutes from downtown, this is an incredibly popular beach to visit.
Huntington Beach State Park was our favorite beach to go to in the area. Located close to Brookgreen Gardens this beach was always a lot cleaner and less crowded than the beaches in downtown Myrtle Beach. Also, for the animal lovers hundreds of species of birds and several species of animals can be seen throughout the park including common alligator sightings.
Broadway at the Beach:
Broadway at the Beach was our favorite place to go out in Myrtle Beach. With tons of restaurants, shops, and amusement rides this is a great entertainment hub less than 2 miles from the ocean. The best part about it, there is tons of free parking so you don’t have to fight to find an open parking lot downtown.
Additional Info:
I’m not going to lie, summers in Myrtle Beach are brutal. It’s not uncommon to have heat indices of 95-110 degrees for a large part of the summer. With that being said, the best times to go would be early June or late August. With kids being in school the crowds are less and you can find better prices. Also avoiding weekends if possible will help. Myrtle Beach gets crowded on weekends starting in April lasting well into October. July and early August draw huge crowds and the traffic can be pretty frustrating.
Myrtle Beach is within a days drive to 50% of the American population. This is one reason that it is one of the most popular summer destinations. Be advised to pack your patience because the traffic in and out of the area can get backed up for miles. Just a tip we’ve learned is to try and avoid Route 501 between Conway and Myrtle Beach. This route goes through Carolina Forest which is an extremely populated area of MB and the traffic is awful on any given day.
If driving isn’t an option or you want to avoid the traffic, Myrtle Beach International Airport is not far from the downtown hotels and is a cheap Uber away. They’ve been expanding the airport over the past few years and you can get a lot of cheap, direct flights in from several carriers. Also, it is just an easy airport to manage so getting in and out is a breeze.
Runner-Up:
Outer Banks, NC: Closest airport for visiting: Norfolk International Airport
Popular Mountain Summer Destinations:
With everyone heading to the beach, sometimes you can find great deals if you check out mountain locations. If you’ve read last week’s post, you’ll know years ago we found a great deal on a summer cabin rental in NC years ago. If your goal is to beat the heat, sometimes escaping to a higher elevation can do the trick.
Lake Tahoe:
A freshwater lake that straddles the boarder between California and Nevada in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the US. (1,645ft) The lake has over 70 miles of shoreline to enjoy and gets 15 million visitors per year. In addition, it provides pristine mountain and alpine lake views for anyone looking to relax and enjoy the over 400 restaurants and breweries located around the shores. It’s also an ideal location for anyone that enjoys arts or wants take in a concert during their summer concert series.
Having skied there myself, I know the area is absolutely stunning in the winter. However, summertime opens up a variety different activities for those of us that love the outdoors. At over 6,000 feet in elevation, you can take in the views while enjoying the mild temperatures.
Biking:
Lake Tahoe is a designated “bike friendly” community. There is something here for every type and level of rider. From paved trails to intense single tracks and everything in between, its easy to see why Lake Tahoe is on the list of popular summer destinations for anyone into riding. With more than 60 trails, you really have so many options to explore the area.
Hiking:
As with the biking, there are many trails in the Lake Tahoe area that can accommodate all types of hikers. Whether you’re looking to stroll along the edge of the water or climb the highest peak in the area (Freel Peak 10,886ft.) you will enjoy the beautiful surroundings that Lake Tahoe has to offer.
If you are unfamiliar with high altitude hiking make sure to ease into your trail selection. Having plenty of water along and keeping your pace slow can help combat the effects of the altitude but its best to air on the side of caution and start with short, easy hikes. The link I provided also has info at the bottom of the page that helps determine how much time you’ll need to complete a given hike.
Water Sports:
With the lake being 22 miles long x 12 miles wide, there is more than enough area to enjoy a variety of water based activities. Thankfully, several companies line the shores to rent equipment or book a charter. As there is such a large area to cover, it’s hard to make a recommendation to specific companies. However, I can list below what is available on the lake.
-Boat/Jet ski rentals
-Kayaking/Stand-Up Paddleboards (SUP’s)
-Parasailing
-Waterskiing
-Wakeboarding
-Fishing (well known for its trout fishing)
Additional Info:
Since Lake Tahoe does partially lie in Nevada, there are also several casinos to visit while staying in the area. While gambling and dining options are available at all casinos, each one has something unique to offer. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing spa day, live shows, or testing your skills in an escape room you can find it in these casinos.
Lake Tahoe is popular throughout the entire summer. However the best times to go would be the week after July 4th or in late August before Labor Day. If you are trying to avoid the crowds, stay away in the rest of August or during any holiday weekend. Due to it’s remote location, flying is probably your best option. The closest airport to Lake Tahoe is the Reno/Tahoe International Airport.
Runner-Up:
Aspen, CO: Closest airport for visiting: Aspen/Pitkin County Airport
Most Popular National Park:
While parks like Yellowstone, Glacier, and Grand Canyon seem to get most of the hype, our #1 park gets more visitors than all of them combined! Having traveled around this area it’s easy to see why this national park would be on the list for most popular summer destinations.
Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP)
Tucked into the mountains between Tennessee and North Carolina, GSMNP is the most biodiverse national park in the US. The 800 sq. mile park offers a range of elevations to explore from the 875 ft mouth of Abrams Creek all the way up to the highest peak, Clingmans Dome at 6,643 ft! Also, since this is one of the few national parks that doesn’t charge an entrance fee, it’s easy to see why 13.3 million people make this one of the most popular summer destinations each year.
Hiking:
With 150 official hiking trails in GSMNP, there is something for everyone. Whether you are a novice, or hiking with children, or ready to scale some of its highest peaks (16 over 6,000ft.) this park has got you covered. In addition to witnessing waterfalls or scenic vistas the park is known for its sightings of black bears, deer, elk, turkeys and several other animal species. If animals aren’t your thing, it is also home to nearly 2,000 different types of plant species.
Fishing:
With nearly 3,000 miles of streams, GSMNP is the perfect place for fishing. Best known for trout and smallmouth bass, the waters are open to fishing year round. Please adhere to all rules and regulations on limits, tackle, and licensing while in the park.
Camping:
GSMNP offers a wide variety of camping options within its borders. It’s the perfect way to experience all this park has to offer.
- Frontcountry: There are 10 total campgrounds that provide campsites along with the availability of cold running water and flush toilets. Of these sites, 3 have a few campsites that can handle larger groups.
- Backcountry: You are able to backpack into the park and camp as well. GSMNP does require you to make an advanced reservation and obtain a permit on order to do this.
- Horse Camps: There are 5 designated areas that are drivable that have hitching posts for horses and primitive facilities. These sites allow access to backcountry trails for riding.
Horseback Riding:
GSMNP also has 3 different stables that offer guided horseback riding tours. These tours range in length from 45 minutes to several hours and are available all summer long. If riding on top of a horse isn’t an option, each stable offers a unique riding experience as well. Check the link to see how you can do a carriage, wagon, or hayride while visiting the park.
Additional Info:
GSMNP is within a days drive to half of the country. With this being said, with nearly 400 miles of roads (majority are paved) there are abundant opportunities to take scenic drives through the park. Some of the more well known drives provide excellent opportunities to view wildlife as well.
If you are trying to beat the crowds, May and early June are the best times to visit. The park is popular all summer long, however July is the busiest time and draws the biggest crowds. Also, if driving isn’t an option the closest airports are Knoxville McGee Tyson Airport (TN) of Asheville Regional Airport (NC).
Runner-Up:
Grand Canyon National Park, Northern AZ: Closest airport for visiting: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Wrapping Up:
Well no matter what type of vacation you are into, we hope we’ve provided some excellent options for you to consider. Now is the perfect time to start planning for your summer vacation. Also, if you’d like to hear more about our personal experiences with these locations be sure to check out our podcast episode related to this topic. Thanks so much for visiting our website and we wish you happy and safe travels!
