Top 10 Best Places to Spend Summer in the U.S.

10. The Oregon Coast, Oregon

The Oregon Coast is often rainy or foggy and the water might be too cold for swimming. But the beauty of the coastline more than makes up for it, with its wave-pounded rocky shores, dense forests, picturesque lighthouses and rugged headlands.

9.    San Juan, Puerto Rico

Isla Verde beach in San Juan boasts of rows of golden sand and crystal-blue waters, which make for an ideal summer getaway. The nearby neighborhood of Santurce also has art galleries, outdoor restaurants and a vibrant bar scene.

8.    Hill Country, Texas

The Hill Country is a place of rolling hills and pecan orchards. It also has some of the best bed and breakfast inns in the country.

7.    Salt Lake City, Utah

The Great Salt Lake City is especially stunning during the summer. Nature lovers can go hiking and biking near the local canyons.

6.    Milwaukee, Wisconsin

 

During the summer, Milwaukee is the site of some of the best music festivals in the U.S., including the Summerfest, an 11-day festival that features over a thousand performers.

5.    New Orleans, Louisiana

 

In New Orleans, summer means a celebration of food. The Tales of the Cocktail festival, one of the world's premier cocktail festivals, features mixologists from around the world. Other food festivals include the Creole Tomato Festival and the Oyster Fest.

4.    Pensacola, Florida

 

Pensacola Beach was named one of the top 10 beaches in the U.S. by TripAdvisor. The beach is home to a number of open-air bars and a series of concerts every week. It also offers access to the longest protected seashore in the country, the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

3.    Ann Arbor, Michigan

You won't be named Top 5 Happiest Cities in America by Newsweek for nothing. Ann Arbor is best known for its downtown shops and markets offering local products. Probably one of the most compelling reasons to visit Ann Arbor this summer is to witness the Street Art Fair happening on July 21, featuring different art exhibits and art performances.

2.    Chicago, Illinois

Every summer, Chicago hosts the Air and Water Show, which draws over 2 million people to Lake Michigan for an entire weekend of jet displays and other amazing tricks. The show has been held annually since 1959 and is known as the oldest and biggest free show of its kind in the U.S. This year's Air and Water Show will be held on August 20 to 21.

1.    San Antonio, Texas

 

The San Antonio River Walk, also known as Paseo del Rio, is especially vibrant during the summer, with its stone pathways connecting one shop to another, al fresco dining, museums, hotels all exuding a nostalgic 18^th-century Spanish vibe.