The Best Summer Destination in Every State

The "Sunset Capital of Alabama" provides one of the more laid-back stretches of the Alabama shore each summer.  Walk along the beach, sink a Bushwacker (the beloved local frozen tipple) and watch the sun sink below the Gulf of Mexico for a true taste of the Dauphin Island summer magic.

In addition to enjoying nearly 24 hours of daylight this time of year and being a great jumping-off point to exploring jaw-dropping Denali National Park, Fairbanks also is known for holding a sensational annual summer festival: Golden Days. This soiree features the biggest annual parade of the year and lots of sun-soaked revelry.

It can certainly be fun trying to find ways to stay cool in the Grand Canyon State during summer (see: Scottsdale pool parties), but when the mercury hits triple digits, Flag' provides a breath of fresh mountain air and a long list of cool things to do. Hike in the local pines, use the town as a base for exploring the Grand Canyon or sip a local craft beer downtown at one of the city's many summertime festivals. 

One of the few remaining free-flowing rivers in the USA, the Buffalo meanders its way through the Natural State and each summer it becomes a playground for paddlers, campers and hikers. Floating past the river's signature bluffs while the sun shines above is peak summer in Arkansas.  

Summertime is the warmest and driest time of the year on the Channel Islands, and Catalina is the shining star of these pearls of the Pacific. Take the ferry over to soak up the Mediterranean climate and an atmosphere that will remind you of the Riviera. 

This mountain town fills the summer calendar with multiple excellent festivals like the Telluride Jazz Festival, Mushroom Festival and Blues & Brews Festival, which are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fun summertime events. And if the weather gets a little warm for you, then just hop in the San Miguel River with a tube and you'll cool down in no time.

This charming coastal town offers the best of both worlds all summer long: stay in Old Lyme and soak up the historic atmosphere and pretty local beach or head down the road to the handsome sands of Hammonasset Beach State Park. Either way, your summer vacation wins.

Known as "The First Town in the First State", Lewes owns the summer with its nationally-known Fourth of July parade and an endless supply of great things to do throughout the season. Soak up the historic maritime vibes in town, take a cruise out to spot some dolphins or just while away the days on the dreamy beach & trails of nearby Cape Henlopen State Park.   

This beach town on the Panhandle's Emerald Coast lies within a day's drive of much of the East Coast & Midwest and each summer it comes alive with excited vacationers. Fill your days with fishing excursions (Destin owns the nickname "Luckiest Fishing Village in the World") and pontoon trips to the floating party of Crab Island and your nights enjoying seafood at breezy beachside eateries. Or, just stick your toes in the sugar-white local sand.

This island on the outskirts of Savannah is the spot to be spotted on the sand each summer in the Peach State. The Tybee Pier & Pavilion serves as the epicenter of the fun, as it regularly hosts fireworks and concerts throughout the season. In addition to offering a slice of island life, Tybee is also home to a tremendous food scene.

Head to the North Shore of O'ahu all summer long to fully enjoy the wonder of Waimea Bay. This is the season when the water is calmer here and thus perfect for swimming, snorkeling, rock diving or simply just relaxing on the beach.

Spend your days on the placid waters of Lake Pend Oreille or stay on dry land and stretch your legs on the local trails. Regardless, you'll fall in love with this cute lakeside town, which buzzes all summer long. There's no better time to visit than during the spectacular Festival at Sandpoint, which fills the Idaho night sky with sensational music and splendid fireworks.  

Is it the endless list of food festivals, concerts, sporting events and cultural gatherings that makes the Windy City so wonderful in summer? Or is it the fact that Chicago embraces summer with a gusto unparalleled in the Midwest? A little bit of both and the urban beaches that bubble over with fun when the sun comes out are the icing on the cake. 

One of the biggest lakes in the state, Patoka Lake turns into a paradise for those who love houseboats and waterside recreation each summer. After you spend a few days on the water, explore the natural beauty of the nearby Hoosier National Forest for a totally different—yet equally as enchanting—atmosphere. 

When the summer temps get hot, Hawkeye State residents make for the cool waters of the state's "great lakes", which were carved by glaciers like their cousins up north. This town is the best spot to explore the region, which is full of great beaches, lakeside bars and the beloved Arnolds Park amusement park, which has been entertaining Iowans for generations.  

One of the last remaining tallgrass prairies anywhere, the Flint Hills are truly fabulous all year-round. Come summertime, the hills come alive with the sights of sunflowers and the sounds of classical music during the beloved Symphony in the Flint Hills event.

Each summer, this man made wonder becomes a mecca for boaters, jet skiers, anglers and those just angling for summer fun by the water. The town of Jamestown serves as a perfect base for exploring Cumberland Lake as its home to a range of marinas, restaurants and venues for renting a houseboat—the best way to explore the lake.

Those seeking cool Gulf breezes, fishing and camping by the water make a beeline for this town located at the end of Highway 1. It's Louisiana's only inhabited barrier island and during summertime it buzzes with energy.

Sure, the crowds can get pretty thick this time of year, but there's also a buzz in the air in Bar that just can't be beat. Is it the long days and balmy temperatures? Or is it the energy from travelers on cloud nine from exploring Acadia National Park? Both of the above.

Was there ever any doubt? From the beach to the boardwalk filled with fun to the amusement parks and lively waterfront bars, Ocean City is summer in the Old Line State—and it never goes out of style. After you've spent a few days lounging on the sand, head off to nearby unspoiled Assateague Island for an experience you'll never forget.     

From the time you arrive on the ferry from Boston (trust us, the boat beats driving every time), you'll be in for a summery treat. This town at the far tip of Cape Cod is home to dreamy beaches, great bars & restaurants and one of the most inclusive atmospheres anywhere on the East Coast.

Take a step back in time on this summer paradise located in the heart of the stunning Straits of Mackinac. The island is famous for not having any cars, so you'll get to explore all its charms (old-school eateries & beaches paramount on the list) on two wheels or by carriage ride. 

This criminally-underrated national park on the border between the USA and Canada is a dreamland of waterways and forests and each summer it's the place to get close to "northern nature". Explore by canoe, do some camping and be sure to check out the unique rock gardens created by artist Jack Ellsworth. 

A great base to fully embrace the buzz of the Mississippi Gulf Coast each summer, Gulfport owns a handsome man made beach and a bevy of attractions perfect for the whole family. The Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo dominates the calendar in July, with the rest of the season seeing other special events in Gulfport proper or neighboring coastal towns.

There's only one place to be in the Show-Me State during the summer: at The Lake. Sure, this dragon-shaped reservoir in southern Missouri is now known around the world thanks to Netflix, but you'll still find secluded nooks & crannies to relax on the water alongside a daytime nightlife scene that rivals any in the Midwest.  

Summer is the only time of the year when you can fully explore the expanse of this remarkable national park, including the out-of-this-world Going-to-the-Sun Road, which is easily one of the nation's most scenic roadways. The hiking and alpine lake viewing is at its best during the summer, too. 

If you catch the beaches on the shores of Lake McConaughy in just the right light, you might swear that the color of the sand is sugar white and that's just the start of the delights to be found here. But you won't want to stay on sandy land, as the lake is a dream destination for boaters, anglers and campers, too.

In addition to hosting a handful of rock-solid events throughout the season (everything from a rodeo to a water lantern festival) Reno offers travelers the chance to do some whitewater rafting directly in the heart of downtown. Just head to Truckee River Whitewater Park, rent a vessel and you're on your way.  

The best base town for exploring Lake Winnipesaukee—the state's largest lake—and all its islands, Meredith holds plenty of surprises. Paramount is the town's collection of charming shops & eateries, which are perfect for visiting before or after visiting the local covered bridges. 

The grandest address on New Jersey's famous shoreline, Cape May is home to stately architecture, a great stretch of sand and a calendar full of fun summer events. From music festivals, a Crab & Craft Beer Festival and farmer’s markets to movies on the beach, the summertime is Cape May’s time to shine.

Sure, Taos may be more well-known as a winter destination, but come summer you'll appreciate the cool breezes and the opportunity to fully explore the surrounding landscapes. There's also a long list of great things to do in the town itself, one that includes the La Fiesta de Taos Festival and the Taos Summer Music Series. 

Each year between May and September, the hiking trails and cute small towns of this mountainous region of the Empire State come alive with the sounds of summer fun. The Great Western Catskills section of the region is the birthplace of fly fishing and as you would expect, it is awash in rivers, ponds and lakes perfect for casting a line, but it's also known for hosting scores of fun summer events like the Lumberjack Festival and Sausage & Brews Festival.

The Outer Banks is home to about a dozen destinations that could be the choice for the Tar Heel State, but Ocracoke edges out the competition. Home to one of the nation's most ballyhooed beaches and an eclectic village full of independent shops and restaurants, summer is a dream out on Ocracoke. The icing on the cake? The island typically stays a little less crowded than the rest of the OBX.

Summertime in Minot is synonymous with the fun of the North Dakota State Fair, the biggest annual party in the Peace Garden State. The city is a great destination to visit all season long, with its riveting Scandinavian Heritage Park featuring traditional Midsummer celebrations in June each year.

The home of Cedar Point—one of America's most iconic theme parks—and its signature stretch of sand, Sandusky is a dream come summer each year. Get your adrenaline pumping on one of Cedar Point's world-famous roller coasters one day, and spend the next slathering on the sunscreen while you relax on the sand. That's how Sandusky rolls in the summertime.

When the sun starts shining bright and the mercury heads for the heavens, Oklahomans go to Grand Lake o' The Cherokees—and Grove is the best base for exploring the lake. Spend a day out on the water on your boat or take a cruise on the Cherokee Queen paddle-wheeler to experience the best of the lake before retreating to one of the lively restaurants in town. 

The Beaver State's best-known beach town, Newport becomes a hub of vacation vibes each summer. Spend time on the sands of South Beach State Park, explore the rugged beauty of Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area or learn about sea life at the Oregon Coast Aquarium before heading out for a meal featuring fresh-caught local seafood. 

Nowhere in Pennsylvania looks forward to summer more than Erie and each year, the sands of its Presque Island State Park—a gorgeous peninsula that extends into Lake Erie—are filled with locals and visitors alike. Downtown comes alive with special events all season long too, making this hidden gem a true summer haven.

As one of the East Coast's most charming coastal towns, this sailing mecca is filled with a buzz all summer long. Head to Newport to glide along the Cliff Walk—admiring some of America's finest Gilded Age mansions along the way—before taking to the water. And whatever you do, don't miss the iconic Newport Jazz Festival. 

Golf. Beaches. Tennis. Sensational Seafood. Sing-a-longs under an atmospheric oak tree in handsome Harbour Town that will last a lifetime. What more do you need for summer vacation heaven? Nothing. 

From the revving engines of Sturgis to the gun-touting outlaws putting on a show on the streets of Deadwood and the giddy exclamations of visitors seeing Mount Rushmore for the very first time, the Black Hills echo with summery sounds and experiences each year.  

This city at the foot of the Smokies is one of the South's up-and-coming travel stars and summertime is a great time to get to know 'Nooga. Head downtown to dine like a rockstar and you just might also hear some great tunes on the street from one of the city's many local buskers. Then take to the Tennessee River to do some SUPing or kayaking or head to nearby Lookout Mountain to admire some truly spectacular vistas.    

Simply put, summer trips to South Padre are the stuff of dreams. Long beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see, a diverse range of birdlife and a seemingly endless list of family-friendly attractions are just a few of the reasons you'll be dreaming about your return to SPI all autumn, winter and spring. 

Each year between May and September, travelers from around the nation and the world descend on this town in order to use it as a base for exploring Utah's stunning natural scenery. These happy travelers help bring a special energy to the season, which is crowned by the unique Moab Music Festival, which sees classical and chamber music take place in stunning natural venues. 

Summer visitors to Burlington have two choices: dip their two into the ever-growing list of seasonal events (a roster headlined by the Discover Jazz Festival) or dip your feet into nearby Lake Champlain, a summer recreation paradise. You simply can't go wrong. 

Part of the magic of this beach town is that you get all the benefits of being near Virginia Beach but with the added bonus of feeling like you've been let in on a little secret. Walk along the beach, admiring the sand dunes and sea oats one day, head down to VB the peruse the delights at one of the East Coast's best boardwalks the next.  

Home to nearly 30 miles of sand, this coastal town sure does what it says on the label. In addition to the long stretch of beach, you'll find enough classic diversions (think go-carts and mini-golf) to keep you making memories all summer long. If that wasn't enough, Long Beach is reknowned for being a great place to fly a kite, with an international kite festival typically taking place each summer. 

America's newest national park is a mecca for whitewater rafting and floating, which are two of the coolest ways to beat the summer heat in the Mountain State. Hit the water or just admire the views before making for the brand-new Waterfall Trail, which laces together lovely cascades all over the state. 

Imagine spending your day kayaking between a chain of breathtaking offshore islands filled with enchanting caves and topped with romantic lighthouses and your nights under a sky packed with pretty stars. It's not a dream, it's summertime at the Apostle Islands. 

All you really need to know about Cheyenne in the summertime is that it's the time of year when Frontier Days take place, arguably the best Western fest' in the entire nation. As an added bonus, the city fills its social calendar with plenty of cultural gatherings and special events all summer long, too.