If the warm weather has you itching to pack up and travel somewhere new, you might be wondering where to go. The US destinations on this list range from major cities to cultural hubs to well-known vacation destinations. Whether you want to be in awe of distinguished landmarks, spend your days shopping and dining, in museums, or at the beach, we have a city for you! Keep reading to find out our recommended top ten cities to visit this summer.
Chicago, IL
Chicago, Illinois, is one of the biggest cities in the United States. There are tons of things to do in Chicago, including visiting the Art Institute of Chicago – one of the world’s major museums. You can easily spend a whole day exploring in there. Chicago also has The Field Museum – for those who love natural history, Adler Planetarium – for astronomy lovers, and Shedd Aquarium – for marine and aquatic fans. Stroll through Millennium Park. Sample some deep-dish pizza. There are a plethora of things to do in this city.
Portland, ME
Portland, Maine, is often overlooked because it is one of the smaller major cities in the US. Yet, Maine in the summer is like a world of its own. Portland has art, nature, and tons of dining options to explore. Visit the iconic Portland Head Light – the oldest lighthouse in Maine, dating back to 1791. Walk through cobblestone streets in Old Port, where you will find boutiques and art galleries. Enjoy a lobster roll, a famous Maine culinary staple.
Boston, MA
Boston, Massachusetts, is full of history. Walk the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile path full of significant historical landmarks, including graveyards, churches, and old state buildings. If you like art, check out the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, or the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum – both facilities offer beautiful collections for viewing. If you want to explore outside of the city, head right over to nearby Cambridge, where to can tour Harvard University’s campus.
Orlando, FL
Next on the list is sunny Orlando, Florida – a recognizable vacation destination thanks in part to theme parks like Walt Disney World, Universal, and SeaWorld. Outside of the theme parks, there are still many things to enjoy, like visiting areas with many parks, preserves, and springs. Check out Wekiwa Springs State Park, where you can go hiking through wildlife trails and swimming in crystal-clear water.
Seattle, WA
Seattle, Washington, is a major city in the Pacific Northwest. Visit the well-known, recognizable Space Needle, an observation tower that will provide you with beautiful views on a clear day. Pike Place Market is a famous public market and a huge place to explore. There are many craft vendors and dining options at the market. The Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit in the Seattle Center is a unique place to see studio glass artwork. You can also take a ferry across Puget Sound and explore nearby towns outside of the city.
Nashville, TN
Nashville, Tennessee, is a country music lover’s premier destination. There are tons of venues to catch up-and-coming musicians performing. Take a Music Row tour, where you can visit studios and get behind-the-scenes stories about notable Nashville artists. There are beautiful green spaces to walk through, such as Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park or Centennial Park, which contains a full-size replica of the Greek landmark, The Parthenon.
San Juan, PR
San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a beautiful US city and Caribbean destination you can travel to without a passport. The city is full of history and stunning landmarks. Castillo San Cristobal is a fortress that was finished in 1783 to protect San Juan against land-based attacks. The fort overlooks the ocean and is a memorable site to visit. Enjoy shopping in Viejo San Juan, where you can walk down cobblestone streets in this historic area. And it wouldn’t be a trip to the Caribbean without a beach day! San Juan has picturesque, sandy beaches to enjoy.
Denver, CO
Denver, Colorado, is a Southwest city with many things to do. You can visit the Denver Art Museum, Denver Zoo, or a personal favorite – the Denver Botanic Gardens, a 23-acre park with a conservatory and many themed gardens. 16th Street Mall is an excellent place in Downtown Denver to get some shopping done. It is a pedestrian street with over 300 stores. Head outside of the city to visit the well-known Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, where you can watch an unforgettable concert and hike amongst the red rocks.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, California, is a large city with a lot of notable places to visit. Walk through Golden Gate Park, a large urban park with a variety of gardens to see. See the Golden Gate Bridge and visit Alcatraz Island. Pier 39 is a great place to go for shopping and dining, as well as lovely views of the city and the water. Venture out to Muir Woods National Monument, where you can hike through stunning redwood forests.
Washington, DC
Washington, DC, is the US capital. It is full of historical and cultural sites. History lovers will be quite busy trying to see all that Washington has to offer, like The White House, the United States Capitol, and the Library of Congress, to name a few. There is no shortage of museums to visit here, like the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. See the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and enjoy the National Mall and the many other sites located here.
