We’re in the plain summer and you haven’t set your plans yet? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve hand-picked the 15 best places in the US to visit this August, so you could just pack your bags and set off for your wanders.
No matter if you’re a solo traveler, a group of friends, or a family, we’ve got something for everybody on this list. So read on, there are plenty of exciting adventures waiting for you.
Here we go, Best Places to Visit in August:
BIG ISLAND, HAWAII for Remote Beaches
Do you want to visit Hawaii? If so, you have plenty to be looking forwards: it’s one of the most beautiful and diverse places on Earth.
Hawai’i is known across the globe for two things: hula and its beaches. And the Big Island has them in spades! Of course, snorkeling and diving are great options, but you can also do things like surfing and stand-up paddling.
There are gorgeous beaches that attract people to catch their waves and a variety of watersports facilities. Hiking through the tropical rainforests is a must-do, too.
The Big Island is truly a wonderful place and a must-see for anyone who likes nature, culture, wildlife, and stunning beaches.
GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK for Hiking
Glacier Bay National Park is one of the best places to visit in Alaska, especially for nature lovers, because it has over 200 glaciers, and 97% of the national park is covered with wild, untouched wilderness.
The scenery throughout Glacier Bay National Park is spectacular. The park features numerous waterfalls, ranging from small, easy-to-access falls to large cascades.
The most famous spot in Glacier Bay National Park is Icy Bay, named after the icebergs that calved off the Icy Island glacier and into the bay.
Tarr Inlet, on the other hand, is home to some of the most beautiful and easily accessible waterfalls in all of Alaska.
HALF MOON BAY for Golfin and Relaxing
Half Moon Bay, California, is one of the best locations in the world to visit.
You’ll have many choices, from hotels and resorts to secluded campgrounds and charming bed and breakfasts, and the price range will vary greatly.
The area is well known for its golf courses. Golfing here can be a relaxing and fun way to spend a long weekend or even a full week exploring the various tracks available in Half Moon Bay.
You’ll find many scenic views and challenging terrain, perfect for players of all skill levels.
From Half Moon Bay to Atherton, several beachside towns are perched on cliffs with white sand beaches and rocky seabeds views.
SAN DIEGO for Best Summer City Vibe
San Diego has beautiful beaches, parks, and museums to explore. The most famous beach in San Diego is Mission Beach.
This beach has several activities, including cycling, swimming, surfing, stand-up paddling, fishing, and kayaking.
San Diego has many venues with an assortment of shows and performances.
Some notable venues include San Diego Bayfront Convention Center, The Marina, Balboa Park, La Jolla Playhouse, and The Old Globe Theater.
Many attractions are located in Balboa Park, including the San Diego Museum of Art, House of Pacific Relations International Cottages, and the Natural History Museum.
Popular activities include hiking trails, yachting, boating, and horseback riding. There is also a playground area for children, including a carousel and miniature train.
PRIEST LAKE, IDAHO for Romantic Getaway
Priest Lake, Idaho, is a perfect place to visit. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or participate in some fun activities with the family, Priest Lake offers something special for all visitors.
Some of the activities offered are horseback riding, canoeing, swimming, and kayaking.
When you need to get away from the water for a little bit, there are some fun activities for every family member, such as the Heritage Museum, which is a great place for kids of all ages to learn about the history and culture of Priest Lake.
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA for Summer Snow
This park is a beautiful and diverse ecosystem filled with waterfalls, secluded lakes, and spruce forests. There are also many opportunities for outdoor recreation like hiking and glacier climbing.
There are many animals that you can spot in this national park, including bears, moose, elk, and bighorn sheep. The best time to see wildlife is at dawn or dusk when the animals are most active.
This park is home to over 400 glaciers, and they are located in all parts of the park.
The most popular glacier to visit is Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Mountain. Several hiking trails lead up to the glacier and a visitor center.
PARK CITY, UTAH for Nature
Park City is located just 40 miles from Salt Lake City and is a popular tourist destination for all of Utah.
Its residents enjoy the views of deer, coyotes, elk, moose in their natural habitat, and many other beautiful animals.
Deer are known to roam around freely in the town, and most people ignore them or even offer food that they find on their way to work.
Visitors can take advantage of skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, golfing, fishing, hiking, camping and more within a short drive from the city because it is located in Utah’s best state parks.
The town is also known for its Alpine resorts with over 100 downhill skiing slopes, and various Park City houses over 2,500 skiers during peak season.
The city was selected by readers of Condé Nast Traveler as the “Best Mountain Resort” in both 2007 and 2011.
BOULDER, CO for Outdoor Activities
Here are some of the biggest reasons why everyone loves visiting Boulder.
Boulder offers endless opportunities for outdoor activities. It can meet your needs, whether you like hiking, golfing, fishing, or skiing.
The great weather attracts outdoor enthusiasts of all types, including campers, climbers, and mountain bikers.
One of the best places in the country to breathe clean air, Boulder is a great place to live because of its lack of pollution.
Boulder has numerous musical and visual art venues, including an opera company and a symphony orchestra.
There are awesome restaurants and bars in Boulder. It is actually home to some of the best restaurants in the country.
BEAVERS BEND STATE PARK for History & Nature
What makes Beaver Bend a unique place for an outdoor person to visit?
It is a state park with over 3,700 acres of property with 300 miles of hiking trails and it features natural springs, wetlands, creeks, scenic hillsides, and views.
The Beaver Bend State Park also has several historical attractions such as the living history museum, the Log Cabin Village, and the “Beaver Town” area.
There are also pavilions for special events and picnics. Another unique feature of Beaver Bend State Park is the numerous waterfalls found in various state park areas.
JEKYLL ISLAND, GEORGIA for East Coast Beach Vibe
Jekyll Island is often referred to as the crown jewel of Georgia’s natural beauty. Snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and bird watching are popular activities on this barrier island.
Visitors may be tempted to stay on the beach all day, yet there are still many opportunities to enjoy nature on this island paradise.
Jekyll Island also offers many hiking trails. The most popular is the 100-mile Jekyll Trail, which circles the island.
SANTA FE for Best Mexican Food
Here’s why you should visit Santa Fe. First of all, the food is excellent there, and there are many restaurants to choose from: Santa Fe is especially known for its authentic Mexican cuisines.
Shopping is excellent: Santa Fe is known for its unique and eclectic mix of art, jewelry, and gifts.
Also, Santa Fe is a small town where you won’t have to worry about encountering large crowds of people or aggressive panhandlers.
CANNON BEACH, OREGON for Wild Pacific
Cannon Beach is a city located in Oregon in the United States. It is a popular tourist destination known for its coastal bluffs and picturesque beaches.
Cannon Beach is also famous for offering public beach access, meaning that anyone and everyone is allowed to enjoy their beach without having to buy a membership.
Cannon Beach is a city that has many different activities to offer for its tourists. It provides all the basic facilities, including beach access, outdoor activities, lodging, and dining options.
The town dedicates to protecting its environment. It regularly organizes litter pick-ups and other clean-up events to keep its beautiful land unspoiled by nature’s filth and pollution.
CAMBRIA, CALIFORNIA for Outdoor Sports
Among the many things to do in Cambria are hiking, rock climbing, kayaking on the ocean, or beachcombing.
Cambria also has many restaurants, a few wineries, a brewery, art galleries, and historic sites.
You can access the trails from one parking lot at the Cambria Community Center with picnic areas, restrooms, water fountains, and showers.
SAN JUAN ISLANDS, WASHINGTON for Wildlife
The islands provide a sanctuary for wildlife, recreation, and relaxation – with wild, untamed shores, unspoiled natural beauty, abundant marine life, and beautiful sunsets.
Close to Seattle, the islands are surrounded by freshwater lakes, waterfalls, and streams. These inland waterways provide beautiful views of the islands from the water.
They offer residents a quiet rural atmosphere, diverse recreational and outdoor opportunities, numerous transportation methods, and easy access to the larger communities of Seattle, Bellingham, and Victoria, Vancouver Island.
Colonial heritage is evident in the area’s historic towns – Friday Harbor and Orcas Island. Quaint shops and cafés are set in buildings built by the early settlers.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE for Lake and Mountains
The city has a history of hosting the Winter Olympic Games and offers gorgeous views from the surrounding mountains.
It also has year-round outdoor activities like skiing, snowboarding, and camping. Plus, you can play in the hip downtown scene or visit its charming neighborhoods.
The crystal clear lakes offer the best in boating and sailing. It’s no wonder that Tahoe is consistently ranked as one of America’s favorite vacation destinations.
PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK for Remote Nature
If the heat doesn’t dissuade you, the Petrified Forest National Park is a very cool place to visit in August.
When you visit Petrified Forest National Park, it’s like going back in time. The petrified tree trunks date back hundreds of millions of years ago, when this land was lush and fertile. Even before dinosaurs inhabited the world, these trees fell and became mineralized copies of their former shapes.
Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona is definitely worth a visit. People are usually shocked at how much it has for families to see and do in a day there. The Painted Desert, Puerco Pueblo, and a hike to Blue Mesa are all worth seeing. And all of this is right by famous Route 66.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE for Best BBQ & Music
Memphis is a great summer getaway, known for its BBQ and music culture. The Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market and the downtown Memphis Farmers Market are both fantastic places to visit in August. When you have so many great things to do, like visit the Blues Hall of Fame or the beautiful Memphis Botanic Garden, the heat is not that bad.
Memphis is a city worth visiting this year for its distinctive and colorful neighborhoods, food, hospitality, and a wealth of museums and sites dedicated to its cultural and musical heritage. It also boasts one of the best zoos in the country.
Three days/nights would be plenty to explore the major sites, including Graceland Mansion and other Elvis attractions in the region.
BOSTON for History
Boston is one of the best places on the East Coast to visit in August. It gets miserably hot in August in most places, but not in Boston, where temperatures are in the high 70s or low 80s. However, pack an umbrella in case of a surprise thunderstorm – which usually passes quickly at this time of year.
Since it’s also off-season in Boston, you can find great travel deals. There’s plenty to do on the Greenway and in some seasonal beer gardens. And great news: Boston Restaurant Week is ON!
In August, you can take a day or weekend trip to the Massachusetts beaches north or south of the city, or even head to Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket.
However, if you choose to stay overnight in a coastal destination, in many cases you will have to contend with peak season prices from Memorial Day Weekend all the way through October.
Olympia, Washington
Olympia is the capital of Washington State. Located 60 miles south of Seattle and Bellevue, Olympia is known as a cultural center, seat of state government, and a popular destination for travelers on their way to the sea.
The city is also known for its legendary farmers market. There you will find the best handmade and local goods that you can buy directly from the source.
The city boasts numerous galleries, musical events and museums to offer. In addition, the city’s proximity to the coast, national parks and lush forests make it an ideal base for all kinds of outdoor adventures.
The city of Olympia is also home to a diverse population and culture, as the state government invests in community-based programs that address the needs of residents. In fact, Olympia’s powerful sustainability makes it not only an ideal place to visit, but also to live in.
August is a great time to visit Olympia because it is the warmest month of the year. Still, temperatures rarely exceed the mid-80s.
