15 Best Places to Visit in June (USA + International)

Looking for the best places to visit in June? Summer travel can mean longer, warmer days for more outdoor adventures. You can enjoy delicious seasonal produce, longer and warmer days, and — if you have vacation time to spend — it’s a great time to experience new cities and cultures.

June is one of my favorite times to travel (like everyone else) so naturally, it is one of the most popular months of the year for travel. We’re finally past the winter, school is out for many, and it’s easier to social distance outdoors!

With the popularity of summer travel comes the higher seasonal prices and increased crowds. The heat can also make certain climates, like the desert, too hot to visit.

With all this in mind, and based on my own travel experiences, I created this travel guide to help you figure out where to go for the ultimate summer getaway! Keep reading so you can plan your vacation in some of the best places to travel to in June.

1. Yellowstone National Park & Grand Tetons

This is one of the best places to visit in June for those to whom temperature is a priority. I mentioned Yellowstone in my May guide because the weather is just starting to warm up and there are smaller crowds. You can enjoy both Yellowstone and Grand Tetons even more in June. Just be prepared for lots of people to join you.

The parks are just 30 miles apart, making them worth a combined trip. Located in Wyoming, these are some of the most popular national parks in the country. Enjoy waterfalls, hot springs, canyons, trailheads, and more. I suggest booking any hotels or campgrounds well ahead of the busy tourist season.

2. Blue Ridge Mountains

The Blue Ridge Mountains are a 550-mile-long section of the Appalachian Mountain range. They run through Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia! Even though they are loved for their beautiful fall foliage, you could also plan an epic summer road trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway!

Find all kinds of opportunities to go camping, explore mountain towns, or tour caverns deep inside the mountains. Fun fact, the mountains actually look blue from a distance, due to a chemical released by the forests along the range. They let off a blue haze in the air. This makes for absolutely stunning views during long summer evenings!

3. Alaska

Alaska is one of the best places to visit in June for those looking to avoid extremely hot or cold weather! During the summer, temperatures stay between 40 and 60 degrees. June is also the height of whale season in Alaska. Take a tour of the scenic Kenai Fjords and catch a glimpse of migrating humpback whales!

Alaska is popular for cruises that get you close to jaw-dropping landscapes (check out my Alaskan cruise experience here) — but is also perfect for the experienced outdoorsman. During the summer, you’ll have 18-hour long days with the sun barely leaving the horizon, almost until dawn!

4. New York City

New York City is one of the best places to visit in the USA in June! While July and August in NYC can be humid and hot, June tends to be breezy and mildly warm. Take advantage of the balmy weather and explore all the exciting things to do.

You’ll find tons of rooftop parties every night when the weather is cooler. NYC also has some of the best outdoor dining opportunities in summer! Whenever I’m in NYC I make sure to take advantage of free first Sundays with my bank card so I can get into expensive museums like the MET.

With the entire island of Manhattan being about 8 miles long, you can walk or bike the whole thing! Check out all the big tourist attractions like the Empire State Building, the High Line, The Yankee Stadium and Botanic Gardens, or walk the Brooklyn Bridge.

5. Burlington, VT

Summer is a great time to head to northeast Vermont — there are so many things to do in Burlington. It’s less than an hour from the US/Canadian border and nestled on the shores of Lake Champlain. And the weather in June is warm, but not stifling. This makes it one of the best places to visit in June for all kinds of outdoor activities.

Enjoy an array of watersports, including fishing, boating, and paddleboarding. Relax on the beach or explore excellent trails and biking. Downtown there are plenty of great restaurants and a slew of scenic spots. Here is my 4-day Burlington itinerary if you decide to make the trip!

6. Maine

The northernmost state of the eastern United States, Main has a lot to offer to the summer traveler! You can expect to enjoy warm days with temperatures reaching 85 degrees, but also mild nights. Consider going camping in the coastal Acadia State Park – the best national park on the east coast. Go swimming on Mount Desert Island, or hike along the rocky coastline and explore historical lighthouses.

If you want to stay in the city, head to Portland. There’s so much history to be found in this old seaport town! There are tons of fun boutique shops to check out and more than a few excellent restaurants. When you want to take it easy, just off the coast is sleepy Peaks Island, where you can rent a lovely cottage on the beach.

7. Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip

While you’re looking for the best places to visit in June, consider taking the ultimate California road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway! The PCH in California runs from San Diego, through Los Angeles, and along the coast, all the way to San Francisco.

Covering over 650 miles of roadway, you can bask in the beauty of almost constant coastal views. Make sure to take in great stops along the way! June is a great time to watch surfers on Zuma Beach in Malibu.

The PCH (also known as Highway 1) works for all budgets. If you’re looking for cheap places to travel to in June, you can make this trip work for you! Camp at one of California’s many state parks, like Big Sur, and grab food at diners along the highway.

8. Sarasota, FL

You might be surprised that Florida is on my list of best places to travel to in June. However, June is only the start of Florida’s hurricane season – especially in the west. So, if you go early enough in the month, you probably won’t see much rain at all. When you do, it is brief showers that are typical of the state year ‘round.

A big plus about coming at the beginning of the season is that you’ll find cheaper rates on hotels! You’ll get to enjoy Sarasota’s many West Coast attractions without all the crowds, too.

Sarasota is a great place to visit for its many art and history museums. Myakka River State Park nearby has great walking trails, or there are the white sand beaches and calm waters of the Keys.

9. Olympic National Park

I suggest taking at least 5 days to properly experience Olympic National Park! It’s a vast park with rocky coastlines, lakes, hot springs, and snow-covered mountains, all waiting for you to explore! My favorite part is the old-growth Hoh Rainforest with lush vegetation and wildlife not found anywhere else in the world!

If you can check out more of Washington, it’s worth taking the time. The Olympic Peninsula is next door to Seattle, so it would be a great addition to your time in the park. Spend a few days in this stunning city that’s made for outdoor lovers! Go kayaking in the Sound or go food shopping at Pike Place Market.

10. Aspen, CO

I’m obsessed with Aspen in June! The scenery is some of the best I’ve seen with rolling green hills backed by snow-capped mountains, and blooming flowers everywhere. There’s great skiing in the winter, but summer brings lots of other great outdoor activities.

One of my favorite things to do in Aspen during summer/spring is horseback riding. There’s a great trail to the peak of Buttermilk Mountain where you get the perfect view of the Maroon Bells (or you can just take the chair lift). For a great wellness activity, head to the peaceful John Denver Sanctuary and spend time meditating in the Boulder Garden.

I try to avoid too much international travel during the summer months because it’s the high season in most places = crowded and expensive. However, lots of international destinations are definitely worth a summer trip!

11. France

From the mountains to the coastal region, June weather in France depends on where you are. Expect mild weather, some rain, and summer heat with no AC. For the sunniest days, head to the south of France. There you’ll find centuries-old coastal towns, wineries, and beautiful flowers. In June the lavender fields have just exploded with color and will last until August. 

Visit Paris in June for lush botanical gardens, like the Jardin des Tuileries. Take a stroll along the tree-lined Canal St Martin. This is also one of the best places to visit for free summer music festivals. Every year the Fete de la Musique kicks off on the solstice with free performances all over the city.

12. Niagara Falls, Canada

If you’re going to see Niagara Falls, the Canadian side is beautiful and there are all sorts of things to do. The US side is just a state park, though there are some great hiking trails there. I think it’s one of the best places to visit in June because that’s when the weather is just starting to warm up at the falls.

The Canadian Niagara Falls area is set up for visitors. Take a stroll or grab a bus to all kinds of shops, restaurants, and other touristy spots. For a great way to see the falls, I recommend booking a helicopter tour, or taking a cruise boat right up to the mist of the falls!

13. Aruba

While June is when hurricane season kicks off for a lot of the islands, Aruba’s outside of the hurricane belt! Plus, the island has a winter tourist season when the weather is mild. By going in June, you’re skipping the crowds and high prices!

Summer in Aruba is perfect for heat lovers, with temperatures in the 80s and 90s. Check out the summer music festival line-up or take it easy on one of the many sprawling public beaches. Aruba is also one of the best places to visit in June for water activities like scuba diving to explore sunken wreckage! 

14. Iceland

In the Land of the Midnight Sun, June is when the days reach their peak 18 hours of daylight! Enjoy long, sunny days with temperatures hovering between 50 and 70 degrees. You probably won’t see the northern lights due to the daylight but you’ll have plenty of daylight to explore other things!

Check out one of Iceland’s over 45 natural hot springs or go on a whale-watching cruise. For a mini-road trip, rent a car in Reykjavik and drive the 140-mile Golden Circle! It starts in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, and carries you out into the southern uplands. After this, you move on to Þingvellir National Park and the Gullfoss waterfall, before circling back to Reykjavik. I visited Iceland during a stopover for a few days and it was epic!

15. Vorarlberg, Austria

I took a trip to Vorarlberg in late September due to a rescheduled June trip in the pandemic. However, I think it’s one of the best places to visit in June because of the great weather! You’ll have warm days and lots of clear, blue skies. While June starts the busy high season for Austria, you can beat the crowds a little if you go earlier in the month.

Located in western Austria in the Alps along the border of Switzerland, Vorarlberg is the heart of Alpine wellness culture. It’s the perfect opportunity to nourish and move your body while also nurturing your mind and soul. Make sure to enjoy some good food and check out all the different kinds of saunas, spa treatments, and movement activities.

Which amazing destination will you visit in June?

Choosing the best places to visit in June can feel like a huge task! But summer vacations are about more than just changing your geographic location.

You can make memories, refresh your spirit, and reconnect with your body. It’s all about finding a destination that speaks to you. Did you fall in love with any of the destinations on my list of top picks?

Enjoy!

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