Best Places To Travel In The US in July

Mount Rainier National Park is the perfect place to visit in the summer, especially in July. Up until a few weeks before July, the weather can be unpredictable and July is typically the first safe month for a snow-free drive.

The drive into the park alone yields spectacular views and if you aren’t even planning on hiking you will still have a jaw-dropping experience. There are a few visitor centers that are popular but the two most common with some great hiking and visitor center experiences are Sunrise Visitor Center and Paradise Visitor Center.

At the sunrise visitor center, you can sign up for the Junior Ranger Program for the kids, and take some fairly easy hikes that start steps from the parking lot. Paradise Visitor Center, while popular in the winter for its snowy activities is also great in July.

This visitor center also has a Ranger Station and even an inn where you can spend the night. Just like Sunrise, Paradise Visitor Center is a great starting spot for lots of accessible hikes for families. Mount Rainier is a perfect July destination because it not only is incredibly beautiful but also an excellent place to escape the summer heat.

Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world and is a perfect place to visit in July. The combination of beautiful weather and jaw-dropping sites set Glacier apart from other destinations, and makes it such a unique and incredible experience.

Glacier National Park is nestled in Northern Montana on the border of Canada, and as such can get quite cold at times. However, in July the weather is gorgeous, you’ll be out in a t-shirt and shorts on the lakes and hiking trails throughout the park.

While the weather is gorgeous, it is the lakes and hiking trails  that are the true draw in Glacier National Park. Lake McDonald, the largest lake in the park, is full of opportunities for adventure.

You can kayak, stand-up paddleboard, boat, fish, swim, or just sit and enjoy the stupendous view of the mountains with the lake before you. If you’d like to hike, then the Many Glacier is full of stunning hikes such as Iceberg Lake, Grinnell Glacier, and Cracker Lake.

Glacier National Park is a wildly awesome destination, especially if you’re looking for a place to visit in July. This Montana wonderland has perfect weather, awesome hikes, and tons of fun adventures available on Lake McDonald.

Summer is the perfect time to visit Maine with cool nights and warm days, making Acadia National Park a fantastic place to travel in July! One of the most popular U.S. parks for good reason, ANP has beautiful scenery and lots of short hikes all nestled right outside a touristy town, Bar Harbor, that is full of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.

Clean up after exploring Ocean Path trail along gorgeous cliffs and the exciting Thunder Hole rock formation and eat the famous popovers at Jordan House. Watching the sunrise over Cadillac Mountain, lets you be one of the first people to greet the day along the Eastern coast!

There are several spots to head out and explore tidepools so everyone can marvel at beautiful sea stars and cute little crabs. There’s even a sand beach where kids can frolic in the chilly waves and parents can relax along the edges.

If you decide to go, read thesetips to have the best trip to Acadia National Park with kids while you research your itinerary!

One of the best places to travel to in July to celebrate America’s Independence is Boston, MA.

What better place to celebrate the Fourth of July than where it all started!

Start the day off walking the Freedom Trail and visiting all the historic spots.

Then make your way to Independence Hall and tour the building where the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted.

The main event in Boston in July is the Boston Pops Fourth of July celebration. Be prepared for security checks if you’re planning to watch the celebration. No bags are allowed, and only clear water bottles are allowed on the premises if you want to watch the entertainment at the DCR Hatch Shell on the Esplanade.

You can bring food in, but there is also water and food for sale at the event. If you only want to watch the fireworks, then just grab a spot along the Charles River and bring a blanket.

Make sure to get here early to get the prime spot for viewing the fireworks. Also, be aware that the fireworks celebrations don’t start till about 10:30 in the evening, so it’s something to think about when visiting with kids.

If you happen to be in California in July, leave behind the crowds and head to one of the beach cities in Los Angeles County.

It takes little to no time to jump from one city to another. Therefore, you can spend one or more days exploring this part of the coast.

In El Segundo, you can hand glide, ride on a classic car at the Automobile Driving Museum, visit an art museum or make a bonfire at Dockweiler Beach. The Point has green spaces suitable for picnicking and running around.

Manhattan Beach is the foodie spot of the area. Eating at one of the restaurants serving modern interpretations of American, Vietnamese, and Italian food is a must. In addition, you can walk the pier, visit the aquarium, or bike the Esplanade.

Hermosa Beach  appeals to active types. Get prepared to play volleyball, take a dip in the ocean, mural hunt, or skate. The Hermosa Beach Plaza is a pedestrian zone ideal for bike and scooter riding.

Last but not least, Redondo Beach, attracts visitors with its three marinas, whale watching cruises, and fish market. Make sure to visit the pier and Village areas.

As you can see, the beach cities are ideal for a family vacation. They will not disappoint!

Cannon Beach is a wonderful place to visit in the summer to escape the heat. This beach is not your typical beach experience, but it is so very unique in a good way! First off the water is not exactly warm, at all, and honestly, the waves are quite strong anyway so swimming isn’t what you are visiting for.

But the sand at Cannon Beach is some of the softest beach sand you will ever feel, making it a great place for the kids to play in the (not hot) sand. Another highlight of the beach is seeing tons of jellyfish and crabs being washed ashore by the waves.

Cannon Beach is perfect for hanging on the beach, exploring the village, and sightseeing. The famous Haystack Rock is an amazing sight to see on the Oregon Coast, and you may even be able to see puffins visiting the rock.

In the area of Cannon Beach, there are also some great state parks to visit including Ecola State Park, which boasts some awesome views of the Oregon Coast, and you may be able to even spot some sea life. You could easily spend a few days at Cannon Beach alone, or also explore north and south of it on the Oregon coast for a road trip!

Located in central Wisconsin sits the Wisconsin Dells, the ultimate destination for your family this summer. Besides the beautiful nature and adventurous experiences, the Dells is known as the waterpark capital of the world, featuring tons of awesome waterparks and great resorts.

If you’re looking for the biggest and best, Noah’s Ark Waterpark is the park to check out. It’s actually America’s largest waterpark, spanning 70 acres in the heart of the Dells. There are endless rides and attractions for the entire family.

Pick another day on your vacation and check out the natural areas around the Dells. Witches Gultch is an incredible narrow canyon that is only accessible on a Dells Boat Tour, but it’s totally worth it. Or a local’s favorite is Devil’s Lake State Park, complete with a lake, rock formations, and 29 miles of hiking trails.

There are also tons of other awesome things to do in the area – check out a Tommy Bartlett Waterski Show, take a Wisconsin Duck tour, or find a local zipline operator. The possibilities are endless!

Leadville, Colorado  is a great place to travel in July! This 19th-century mining town sits at an elevation of 10,200 feet, so July is right in the middle of a very short summer in Colorado’s high country.

While Colorado has many glitzy ski towns with nice hotels and fancy restaurants, Leadville still feels a bit like the Wild West, and everyone here is all about the outdoors.

For starters, the hiking here is world-class. The Colorado Trail runs right through Leadville. There are several lakes in the area, including Twin Lakes and Turquoise Lake, which are surrounded by snow-capped peaks.

The area is also great for horseback riding, whitewater rafting, ATV trips,, and pretty much any outdoor activity you can dream up! In town, there are a handful of local businesses along the main street, and a few interesting museums including the National Mining Hall of Fame.

There’s a nice bike trail through town, and a scenic train ride you can take into the mountains! All of this comes at a very affordable price as Leadville is not a fancy ski town!

Cooperstown New York is a place for all seasons, especially July. Why July?

The Hall of Fame  annual induction ceremony takes place at the end of July. It is a baseball lover’s dream. Dozens of famous baseball players attend, including those being inducted.

The induction ceremonies are free to attend and there is unlimited seating on the lawn. Bring a chair or a blanket. Come early—upwards of 50,000 people have attended. After the ceremonies go to the parade on Main Street.

Not a baseball fan? There is plenty more for the family.

• Take a cruise or kayak on Glimmer Glass (Otsego) Lake.
• The Farmers Museum is a great way for children to experience rural and farm life in the 1800s.
• The Fly Creek Cider Mill
• The Fenimore Art Museum has an amazing art collection.
• The world-class Glimmerglass Opera is in full swing in July.

As you can imagine, it gets quite crowded in Cooperstown. The good news is that you can park your car at your hotel or B&B and leave it there. If you are staying in town, most of the sights are walkable. You can also take the Cooperstown trolley everywhere.