15 Best Places to Visit in June in USA 2023

Looking for the best places to visit in June in USA? These are the places you want to travel to this month.

Summer is finally here. To help you find the best destinations this June, we spent many hours cross-referencing our travel experiences with advice from locals, the most optimal weather, special events, natural phenomena, and high and low seasons.

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Last Updated: June 23, 2023

1. Congaree National Park, South Carolina →

100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061, map

Weather Avg: 89° / 68° F

Have you heard of the synchronous fireflies show? Only a few species of fireflies synchronize while searching for their mates, and Congaree National Park is one of three places in the Western Hemisphere to see them. Great Smoky Mountains also has these fireflies, but it’s much more crowded, and the lottery is closed already. It happens over two weeks, sometime between mid-May and mid-June. Even though I’m deathly afraid of bugs, it was worth seeing once.

• TO DO: Synchronous Fireflies, Hiking, Kayaking.
• EAT: Midwood Smokehouse, Tazza Kitchen, 929 Kitchen
• STAY: Columbia Hotel Deals
• EVENTS: Synchronous Fireflies

See More: 7 Unique Things to Do in Congaree National Park

2. New York, New York – Governor’s Ball →

151 W 34th St., New York, NY 10011, map

Weather Avg: 80° / 64° F
Governor’s Ball Dates: June 7 – 9, 2024

NYC is one of the best places to visit in June in the US. It’s warm but not too hot in NYC, making it a great time to visit and walk around the city, explore Central Park, and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. For ideal weather, I prefer springtime, but then you’d miss out on the Coney Island Mermaid Parade and Governor’s Ball, which we got to check out while living in NYC.

• TO DO: Broadway Shows, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock
• EATS: The Ultimate NYC Food Bucket List
• STAY: Find Nearby Hotels
• EVENTS: Governor’s Ball, Coney Island Mermaid Parade

3. Manchester, Tennessee – Bonnaroo Festival

110 E Main St, Manchester, TN 37355, map

Weather Avg: 85° / 62° F
Bonnaroo Dates: June 13-16, 2024

Every mid-June, Manchester, Tennessee, hosts the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on a 700-acre farm. It started with jam bands and folk rock, but now they have all types of artists, food, experiences, art, and more.

• TO DO: Bonnaroo, Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, Manchester Arts Center
• EAT: Kubo Grill, Mayan House, Paco’s Pizza & Pasta
• STAY: Search for Manchester Hotel Deals
• EVENTS: Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

See More: 15 Best Festival in the US to Add to Your Bucket List

4. Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Summerfest

400 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203, map

Weather Avg: 76° / 57° F
Summerfest Dates: June 22-24, June 29-July 1, July 6-8, 2023

Summerfest is the world’s largest music festival, which takes place every summer in Milwaukee. Mild and sunny weather also makes June a great time to visit, where you can enjoy the shores of Lake Michigan, attend any number of festivals, visit museums, catch a Brewers’ game, or explore one of its many breweries.

• TO DO: Milwaukee Art Museum, Harley Davidson Museum, Mitchell Park Domes
• EAT: St Paul Fish Company, Swingin’ Door Exchange, The Vanguard
• STAY: Boston Hotels and Rentals
• EVENTS: Summerfest, Cedarburg Strawberry Festival

See More: 15 Spectacular Day Trips from Chicago IL

5. San Francisco, California →

Pier 39, San Francisco, CA 94133, map

Weather Avg: 71° / 55° F

San Francisco is one of our favorite cities, and we’ve been every month of the year except for Nov-Jan. June is a great time to visit, especially if you live somewhere hot. SF Pride is also in June, and it’s a party. The cooler weather is perfect for enjoying the gardens, going hiking in nearby mountains, and exploring the neighborhoods.

• TO DO: The Ultimate SF Bucket List, 25 Free Things to Do in SF
• EAT: Gary Danko, Nopa, Lazy Bear
• STAY: Hotel Deals in San Francisco.
• EVENTS: SF Pride

Pro Tip: Always pack a warm jacket for the Bay Area. On my first visit, I mistakenly thought it would be warm during the summer because it’s California.

See More: 101 Things to Do in San Francisco

6. Rye, Colorado – Sonic Bloom Festival

1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230, map

Weather Avg: 79° / 44° F
Festival Dates: June 15-18, 2023

Most people visit in June for the Sonic Bloom Festival, a three-day edm music, art, and cultural event. The weather is beautiful in Rye, Colorado, in June, with temperatures in the mid-70s. The wildflowers are in bloom, making the hikes extra magical. Plus, you can hang out at the nearby lakes fishing, swimming, or boating.

• TO DO: Lake Isabel, Bishop Castle, Sonic Bloom Music Festival
• EAT: Rye Cafe
• STAY: Rye Hotel Deals
• EVENTS: Sonic Bloom Music Festival

7. Bryce Canyon, Utah →

UT-63, Bryce Canyon City, UT 84764, map

Weather Avg: 74° / 40° F

Bryce Canyon National Park stays in the mid-70s throughout June, making the weather perfect for hiking. The wildflowers are blooming, it’s usually relatively quiet, and the park holds an annual Astronomy Festival in June.

• TO DO: 15 Amazing Things to Do in Bryce Canyon
• EAT: Idk BBQ, Pizza Place, Stone Hearth Grille
• STAY: Search for hotels

See More: 15 Amazing Things to Do in Bryce Canyon National Park

8. Denali National Park, Alaska →

Park Rd, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK 99755, map

Weather Avg: 63° / 48° F

June has the most pleasant weather and is the turn of the season in Denali National Park. We visited in mid-June, and it was perfect for being outside. In early June, you’ll find fewer visitors and better prices. In late June, the temperatures are in the mid-60s, and you have up to 20 hours of daylight.

• TO DO: Nenana River Whitewater Rafting, Wildlife Viewing, Tundra Wilderness Tour
• EAT: Gold Rush Dining Room, Denali Thai Food, Cabin Night Dinner Theater
• STAY: Denali Hotel Deals

See More: 17 Unforgettable Things to Do in Denali National Park

9. Vail, Colorado

241 S Frontage Rd W #8150, Vail, CO 81657, map

Weather Avg: 73° / 36° F

We’re visiting this June and can’t wait to edit the photos from our trip. Vail is more known as a ski destination, but don’t sleep on Vail this month. It’s quieter, and the weather is beautiful for other outdoor activities. Explore the 300+ miles of hiking trails, attend the festivals, or go fishing. Go mountain biking, whitewater rafting, or ziplining if you want something more adrenaline-pumping. Then after a long day outside, you can relax at the spa.

• TO DO: Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Vail Mountain Resort, Booth Falls Trail
• EAT: Sweet Basil, Mountain Standard, Matsuhisa
• STAY: Look for Vail Hotels
• EVENTS: GoPro Mountain Games, Vail Jazz Festival, Vail Arts Festival

10. Channel Islands National Park, California →

1901 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura, CA 93001, map

Weather Avg: 71° / 46° F

June is the peak season for whale watching in the Channel Islands. We visited in late June to go kayaking. You can also enjoy a cruise, camp on the island, or snorkel and dive in the crystal-clear waters.

• TO DO: Whale Watching, Kayaking to Sea Caves, Pelican Bay Trail, Fishing, Snorkeling / Diving
• EAT: Lillian’s Italian Kitchen, Hula’s Island Grill, Shadowbrook
• STAY: Search for Hotels in Santa Cruz

See More: Kayaking in Channel Islands National Park

11. Boston, Massachusetts

139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111, map

Weather Avg: 77° / 59° F

Boston is a great city to visit if you’re interested in history and culture. September and June give you the most pleasant weather to walk through the Freedom Trail and the city’s many historical sites, museums, and art galleries. You can also go to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park.

• TO DO: Fenway Park, Freedom Trail, Boston Public Garden
• EAT: Carmelina’s, Neptune Oyster, Citrus & Salt
• STAY: Best Place to Stay in Boston
• EVENTS: Bunker Hill Day, Juneteenth

See More: 15 Best Day Trips from Boston MA

12. Great Basin National Park, Nevada →

100 Great Basin, Baker, NV 89311, map

Weather Avg: 71° / 44° F

We went in early June, which was perfect for exploring the caves and hiking. Even though summer is the busiest time of year, it’s still an underrated national park, and you will never get the same crowds that Zion, Yosemite, and Yellowstone get.

• TO DO: Bristlecone Trail, Lehman Caves, Wheelers Peak, Stella Lake
• EAT: Great Basin Cafe, Sugar Salt & Malt Restaurant
• STAY: Great Basin Hotel Deals

See More: 7 Things You Can’t Miss in Great Basin National Park

13. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado →

11999 CO-150, Mosca, CO 81146, map

Weather Avg: 78° / 47° F

Mild weather is excellent for hiking these massive dunes. If you get warm, Medano Creek flows at this time of year if you want to take a dip. Also, make sure to try sand sledding or sand boarding. It’s so much fun!

• TO DO: High Dune, Sand Boarding, Medano Creek, Zapata Falls
• EAT: The Rubi Slipper, The Friar’s Fork, T Road Brewing Company
• STAY: Great Sand Dunes National Park Hotels

See More: 9 Things You Can’t Miss at Great Sand Dunes National Park

14. Mammoth Lakes, California

2510 Main St, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546, map

Weather Avg: 70° / 41° F

If you’re not looking to ski or snowboard, we went in mid-June, which was perfect for boating around Convict Lake, enjoying the hot springs, and hiking without all the snow. You can also ski and snowboard some years with record snow like we did this June, but if you are here mainly for snow sports, March has the best snow quality.

• TO DO: Convict Lake, Mammoth Mountain, Devils Postpile National Monument
• EAT: Dos Alas CubaRican Cafe & Lounge, Shelter Distilling, Vulcania
• STAY: Mammoth Lakes Hotel Deals

15. Cape Cod, Massachusetts

41.6863131,-70.2930048, map

Weather Avg: 72° / 57° F

June is an ideal time to visit Cape Cod before the peak summer season begins. The peninsula is known for its beaches, dunes, and small towns, and you can go swimming, sunbathing, sailing, and biking.

• TO DO: Race Point Beach, Heritage Museums & Gardens, Pilgrim Monument
• EAT: The Pheasant, Fin, Scargo Cafe
• STAY: Cape Cod Hotel and Rental Deals