10 Best Summer Destinations for US Travellers

Early summer is a great time to visit Miami because the climate is settled, with low humidity and temperatures around 80°F. Heading into summer, you may have afternoon showers so it’s a good idea to pack an umbrella, but it’s usually a quick downpour before the clouds clear. Plus, flights and hotel prices are typically cheaper than they are during the peak winter months, which means your budget can stretch further.

Plenty of events and festivals take place in spring in Miami. Gay Pride is a week-long celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. For electronic music fans, Miami Music Week brings the world’s premier DJs and producers to the city with a range of parties and conferences. For live sports, check out the Miami Open, one of America’s premier tennis events. Read more

San Diego is a great option for a beach trip in the early summer in California. You miss the mid-summer crowds and still get a good chance of bright blue skies. The city has an interesting combination of big city vibes with plenty of outdoor adventures just a short drive away.

You can visit a museum and enjoy a surf session on the same day, and it's this variety that makes San Diego such a standout destination. If you visit in June, look out for the San Diego County Fair, which hosts fairground rides and local food that the whole family will enjoy. Read more

Cancun is a popular destination year-round thanks to the wide variety of experiences in and around this tourist resort on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. The high season is from December until April, so early summer is a good time for bagging a bargain on flights and accommodation.

Experiences fairly unique to the city include exploring the fantastic natural swimming holes known as cenotes and visiting ancient Mayan ruins that are scattered across the Yucatán Peninsula. For active types, Cancun is renowned for its excellent golf courses and pristine reefs for snorkelling or scuba diving. Read more

Honolulu evokes images of white-sand beaches, swaying palms, and incredible surf. You can experience all of this at Waikiki Beach, although the city has many other experiences for you to enjoy. Historical attractions include the famed battleground, Pearl Harbour, and the only royal palace in the United States, Iolani Palace. Not to be overlooked, the food in Honolulu is incredible, with a mix of seafood, western, and Japanese cuisines.

End the day in Honolulu watching a blissful sunset from an idyllic vantage point on palm-fringed Waikiki Beach. Come nightfall, the city has plenty of options to entertain, including fireworks displays and traditional dining and dancing at a Hawaiian luau. Read more

Myrtle Beach is a fantastic, family-friendly town on the Atlantic coast. Head to the boardwalk that runs along the beach to find an amazing range of amusement parks, games arcades, shopping centres, and markets. There’s something here for all the family. If you're visiting in early summer, look out for a sequence of festivals taking place in Myrtle Beach, such as Carolina Country Music Fest, Conway Riverfest, and the World Famous Blue Crab Festival.

Summer temperatures in Myrtle Beach can exceed 80°F, which makes it ideal for splashing around in the ocean but can also leave you flustered. It’s best to take things easy – thankfully, it’s that kind of place. Read more

Ocean City is a pretty Maryland beach town where not much has changed here in the last 50 years or so. When walking on its boardwalk, you come to understand the appeal of this seaside town. The enticing smell of Thrasher’s Fries still competes with the caramel popcorn at Fisher’s and the funnel cakes from the Alaska Stand.

There's a real nostalgic pleasure when playing old-timey games in Marty’s Playland arcade. The carousel at Trimper’s Rides is one of the oldest still-operating rides in the US. Northside Park is an excellent place to enjoy sea breezes with the family while flying kites or playing catch. Beachfront accommodation offers good-value rates in early summer, before the peak season crowds arrive in July and August. Read more

Punta Cana is a stunning resort destination on the easternmost end of the Dominican Republic. Along with several picture-postcard beaches, you can enjoy world-class golf courses, adventure centers, water parks, and even a few historical and natural attractions.

Widely known as a romantic getaway, most couples visit Punta Cana in winter when the weather is warm and dry. A visit to this Caribbean coastline in early summer sees temperatures hit an average of 80°F, but it can also get humid and wet – usually in the afternoons. The advantage of this is that you can find some great discounts on 5-star beachfront resorts. Read more

St Petersburg – and neighbouring Clearwater – is a place of rest and relaxation. Head here if you want to enjoy the Floridian sunshine without the hustle you might find in bigger cities. Early summer is the best time to visit St Petersburg as the days are getting longer, with many outdoor events staged throughout the city.

This area along the Mexican Gulf is known as the Emerald Coast because of the emerald-green ocean and sugar-white sands. If you love secluded beaches, this is the trip for you. Hop from one coastal state park to the next, enjoying the beautiful nature and a slow pace of life. Read more

Puerto Rico is a great place to visit in early summer, although it's a large island so you should choose your area carefully. For nature lovers, head to the Rio Grande on the northeast coast. Here you'll find the El Yunque National Forest, which is the only tropical rainforest in the US. For history and culture, the coastal town of San Juan offers a mix of interesting landmarks and plenty of local food – along with many excellent beaches.

Visit Puerto Rico in May or June for settled weather and lower prices than the winter high season. It’s also a great time for snorkelling and scuba diving, as the sea is typically clear and calm. Read more

Key West is a tourist town offering plenty of action and adventure, usually in the form of snorkelling and thrilling water sports. If that all sounds exhausting, you can simply head to one of the many golden-sand beaches and find a spot beneath swaying palms.

Away from the coastline, don’t miss Mallory Square. This commercial hub of Key West has a wide variety of shops, restaurants, museums, and family-friendly attractions. As you stroll along, you’ll be able to enjoy street musicians and performers so there’s never a dull moment. Late spring and early summer are best in terms of weather, as peak summer brings a high chance of rain to Key West. Read more