55 Things to See in 55 Places This Summer

Summer is a great time to relax, be with loved ones, satisfy wanderlust, absorb much-needed vitamin D, go swimming, dance the night away, or try food from different cultures. The list is endless. There may be infinite ways to spend your summer, but you have to start your planning somewhere. Breeze currently flies to 56 cities, and we’re here to showcase the best places to visit in summer for each one! Use this guide as a starting point for your summer planning inspo.

Jump to Northeastern/Eastern Destinations

Jump to Midwestern Destinations

Jump to Southern Destinations

Jump to Western Destinations

Northeastern/Eastern Destinations

Strawberry Picking – Manchester, New Hampshire: The sunny season is the best time to harvest sweet and juicy strawberries, and Manchester is home to several farms where you can do just that.

Whale Watching – Bangor, Maine: Take a day trip to Bar Harbor, where you can set sail on a cruise out into the Atlantic Ocean in search of humpback whales, dolphins, seals, sharks, and a collection of sea fish and birds.

Croatan National Forest – New Bern, North Carolina: This unique wooded land stretches nearly from inland New Bern to the Bogue Sound on the ocean and features several lakes. Great for hiking, camping, or for a lazy day hammocking.

Casco Bay – Portland, Maine: Take a boat to one of the many islands in Casco Bay, a great day-trip filled with adventure. Keep a close count of all the lighthouses you manage to see, as there are several in the area.

Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour – Burlington, Vermont: Cool off with some delicious ice cream! Tour the iconic brand’s first ever factory built in 1985, just a quick drive from Burlington.

Jordan Lake – Raleigh, North Carolina: This large reservoir stretches in all directions through the countryside and is ideal for all types of water recreation, including boating, swimming, and jet skiing.

Pocono Mountains – Scranton, Pennsylvania: These green mountains offer outdoor lovers many activities to choose from, including hiking, biking, white–water rafting, and zip–lining.

James River Park System – Richmond, Virginia: This network of parks makes for a great way to get around town, several river crossings, a canal walkway, and the hidden gem, Belle Isle.

Oneida Lake – Syracuse, New York: Spot a colorful sailboat on this wide and pristine body of water nestled in the countryside of Upstate New York.

Chesapeake Bay – Norfolk, Virginia: Get colonial in this historic inlet from the Atlantic Ocean. Take a cruise through the water, visit one of the many nearby beaches, or visit the world’s largest naval stations.

Point State Park – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Make the trek to the iconic spot where the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela rivers come together in spectacular fashion.

Coney Island – Long Island, New York: In the nearby borough of Brooklyn, visit America’s oldest amusement park and the Big Apple’s own beachfront built on the Lower Bay.

The Riverfront Recapture – Hartford, Connecticut: Traverse a collection of reclaimed land transformed into four parks connected by public walkways, straddling the Connecticut River and cutting right through downtown.

Old Croton Aqueduct Trail – White Plains, New York: Walk or bike this wooded trail that follows a historic water transportation system situated just north of the Bronx, New York City.

Blackstone River Bikeway – Providence, Rhode Island: Race along miles of trail that crisscrosses breathtaking river views, forest, waterfalls, old railroad tracks, historic buildings, and plenty of wildlife.

The Hudson River – Newburgh, New York: Enjoy the beauty of the Hudson River away from the big city. Charter a boat to go sailing or fishing, or take a ferry to the nearby town of Beacon.

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Midwestern Destinations

Whitewater Rafting – Charleston, West Virginia: The water is perfect in the nation’s newest national park, the New River Gorge. Traverse the rapids that wind through profound greenery on a guided tour.

The Wisconsin Dells – Madison, Wisconsin: There’s no better time than summer to visit “the waterpark capital of the world”, host to endless indoor and outdoor slides, pools, and other water attractions.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Akron, Ohio: Get lost in this tranquil park filled with cascading waterfalls, towering green rock formations, forested trails, and babbling rivers.

Louisville Mega Cavern – Louisville, Kentucky: Cool off in this massive caving system, so large you can glide over the gaping gaps via zipline. Complete high ropes courses and go spelunking entirely underground.

King’s Island – Cincinnati, Ohio: Can you survive The Beast, the world’s longest wooden roller coaster? Experience countless family and thrill rides in this classic park operated by the prestigious Cedar Fair.

Wine Country – Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Did you know Pennsylvania has its own wine country accessible directly from Lancaster? Kick back and enjoy delightful pairings home grown in the countryside.

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium – Columbus, Ohio: From the wild imagination of Jungle Jack Hanna comes one of the nation’s consistently top-rated zoos, home to thousands of animals from around the world and the world’s oceans.

Lake Springfield – Springfield, Illinois: This expansive reservoir wraps around the bottom of Springfield and is a relaxing place to spend the day fishing, picnicking, boating, or even enjoying the Henson Robinson Zoo built right next to the lake.

The Ohio River – Evansville, Indiana: Rent a kayak or grab some fly fishing gear to enjoy the serenity of this winding, green river, great for escaping the summer sun.

Fenner Nature Center – Lansing, Michigan: Just outside of town is this tranquil park with miles of trail winding through trees and emerald pools. A great place to spot local wildlife.

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Southern Destinations

Lido Key – Sarasota, Florida: One of a chain of islands off the Gulf Coast, Lido has beaches that stretch for miles with shallow, crystal-clear water perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge – Savannah, Georgia: A stretch of barrier islands reaching out into the ocean, this sandy green space weaves through several rivers and creeks and is perfect for bird watching, fishing, shelling, and exploring the beach.

Gulf Islands – Pensacola, Florida: This national seashore stretches across Florida’s panhandle as a barrier island. Home to Pensacola Beach, a great spot for an idyllic day in the sun and surf, along with more remote dunes perfect for hiking.

Steamboat Cruise – New Orlean, Louisiana: A truly Southern experience, feel the rhythm of jazz music while meandering down the historic Mississippi River on a classic steamboat.

Sanibel Island – Fort Myers, Florida: A diverse island on the Gulf Coast filled with golden beaches, plenty of seashells, canals you can kayak through, and a large bird and wildlife refuge.

Golf Courses – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: This coastal town may well be the golf capital of the world, with hundreds of options including 18-hole courses, driving ranges, Top Golf, and mini golf, all with breezy balmy weather to boot.

The Ozark Mountains – Fayetteville, Arkansas: This Breeze city is situated right in the midst of this stunning forested mountain range, great for hiking or exploring one of its several networks of lakes.

Round Island Beach Park – Vero Beach, Florida: Bask in beautiful scenery, including groves of palm trees, expansive greenery, sand dunes, and beaches on this island just outside the city.

Lake Hartwell – Greenville, South Carolina: Rent a boat and go explore this expansive finger lake along the South Carolina, Georgia border. The area is ideal for all kinds of water sports, from tubing to wakeboarding to slalom skiing.

Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens – Dallas, TX: Visit this beautiful park built beside White Rock Lake boasting flowing gardens filled with flowering plants and stunning pools.

Atlantic Beach – Jacksonville, Florida: Get away from the big city and the resorts by visiting Atlantic Beach, with miles of pristine shoreline along Florida’s East Coast, bordered by green dunes and more private beach houses.

Folly Island – Charleston, South Carolina: Nestled alongside the ocean, this island features miles of sandy shoreline mingled with greenery, pristine views of the Atlantic, and secluded beach condos.

Cape Canaveral – Orlando, Florida: Catch the pioneer spirit of astronauts exploring the final frontier in this coastal area playing host to a Space Force station, NASA’s shuttle launching facilities, and the John F. Kennedy Space Center.

The Tennessee River – Huntsville, Alabama: The winding river snakes near Huntsville, in some places wide enough for boating and water sports, and in other areas narrow and excellent for fishing.

John D. MacArthur Beach – West Palm Beach, Florida: Explore the various seashores of this state park positioned between two sounds and the Atlantic coast. Walk across the area’s many boardwalks, or hitch a ride on a kayak to get around by water.

Tampa Riverwalk – Tampa Bay, Florida: Juxtapose water with the colorful lights of the city as you traverse the Hillsborough River at nighttime, streaming slowly out into the larger Bay and eventually the ocean.

Gulf Shores – Mobile, Alabama: Just outside Mobile Bay is this stretch of land boasting beautiful beaches, green dunes, several piers, and its own lagoon.

Biloxi Beach – Gulfport, Mississippi: This strip of land stretches out into the Gulf and features a sandy coastline, sparkling blue water, an iconic 19th century lighthouse, and several fishing piers.

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Western Destinations

Crystal Cove – Orange County, California: Visiting this state park is a great way to enjoy blue waters, sandy beaches, and grassy dunes while avoiding big crowds closer to the city.

Hot Air Balloon Ride – Phoenix, Arizona: Experience the diverse desert landscape of Phoenix in an unparalleled way – floating hundreds of feet in the air in a massive, colorful balloon. Most charters offer a sunrise ride in the summer.

Pacific Coast Highway – Los Angeles, California: Let your hair down, put the roof back in your rented convertible, and drive without a care in the world down this iconic West Coast highway with miles of ocean vistas.

Rocky Mountain National Park – Denver, Colorado: The high-elevation of these mountain trails are ideal for cooler summertime air. Just make sure to bring your sunscreen so you can enjoy this gorgeous alpine paradise without fear of getting burnt.

Coronado Beach – San Diego, California: The epitome of the West Coast, this beach opposite San Diego Bay boasts golden sand, turquoise waters, warm and breezy weather, and the most serene sunsets.

Resort Pool Hopping – Las Vegas, Nevada: The Strip is lined with expansive resorts, each enticing guests with lavish pools offering waterside bar service. Take your pick and treat yourself.

Pier 39 – San Francisco, California: This iconic spot at the northeastern tip of San Francisco is a hot spot for participating in cultural activities, quirky shopping, seafood dining, sea lion spotting, and visiting the Aquarium of the Bay.

The Wasatch Mountains – Ogden, Utah: This gorgeous mountain range stretching through northern Utah sports several hidden canyons great for hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, or hosting a summer barbecue.

San Bernadino National Forest – San Bernadino, California: Up for an alpine excursion? Travel to Big Bear Lake, Sugarloaf Mountain, Butler Peak, or backpack through one of several trails traversing canyons dotted with pine trees.

Grand Mesa – Grand Junction, Colorado: This beautiful alpine area is filled with forests and lakes galore and is perfect for a high-altitude summer backpacking adventure.

Provo River Rafting – Provo, Utah: Start up near the top of scenic Provo Canyon and float your way down through calm waters surrounded by trees and stunning rock formations.

How many of these places have you been to? Keep expanding your list and visit as many different corners of the country as you can this summer. We look forward to flying you to your next summer paradise!

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