Two things make July an ideal time for travel: warm weather and summer vacation. With the rainy season mostly out of the picture, it’s summer’s time to shine. And since school is officially out in the US, everyone’s eager to travel and to make the most out of the warm, sunny summer months.
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Long days and warmer nights mean lots of time for outdoor activities. Calendars fill up with summer festivals, concerts, and cultural events, while destinations like national parks and sandy beaches welcome their busiest season of the year.
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Looking for the best places to go in July? Here are some of the best July destinations in the US, perfect for planning your summer vacation:
Best National Parks to Visit in July
Black Hills National Forest
Average Temperature: 25°C (77°F)
This national park gets its name from the Lakota words “Paha Sapa,” which translates to “hills that are black.” When viewed from a distance, the park’s rocky mountains and pine-covered hills live up to its name and actually appear black. It’s a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with 1.2 million acres of forested hills and mountains to explore. There are 11 reservoirs, 30 campgrounds, 26 picnic areas, 2 scenic byways, 1,300 miles of streams, 13,000 acres of wilderness, 353 miles of hiking trails, and so much more. Plus, it’s one of the few remaining intact native ecosystems in America. Those who go wildlife viewing at the hills have the chance to spot bighorn sheep, elk, deer, and black bears.
You’ll need at least 5 days at the Black Hills to enjoy the natural beauty it has to offer. The sunny skies in July make it even more inviting, so plan your visit in the early morning to maximise your time. Explore the park by choosing a trail to hike, taking a scenic drive, or even getting into the water. Fishing, kayaking, and swimming are also great activities to try in the forest.
If you’re going on a road trip this summer, you can visit the Black Hills and then proceed to Yellowstone National Park.
Yellowstone National Park
Average Temperature: 22°C (72°F)
July is peak season in Yellowstone National Park, when the thriving wildlife and flora and fauna go all out. Compared to early summer or late spring, the dry season experiences longer and warmer days fit for exploring the great outdoors. Hiking and backpacking are great to do in the summer, and Yellowstone has more than 1,000 miles of hiking trails to choose from. And though the calving season is over by July, that only means more animals are roaming freely around the park. Keep an eye out for bears, bison, elk, waterfowl, otters, beavers, and more. Even just driving down the road doubles as wildlife spotting.
An alternative way to experience the park is through a Llama Trek, a unique chance to explore the backcountry with minimal impact and maximum comfort. There are 3-day to 6-day trips that take you to waterfalls, wildlife, meadows, and stunning views. If you want to try out recreational activities in the water, there’s also an option to go fishing, kayaking, or swimming in one of the park’s designated natural hot springs.
Acadia National Park
Average Temperature: 25°C (77°F)
One of the best places to visit in July for outdoor adventures is Acadia National Park. Located on Mount Desert Island, it’s one of the few American parks located entirely on an island. Sunny skies and a cool ocean breeze in the summer make it a popular destination for exploring and going on countless outdoor adventures. (Just make sure to check the forecast, as summer can also bring thick fog that covers the island for hours, or sometimes even days.)
There’s no one way to explore Acadia National Park’s natural scenery. You can choose to go on a hike, take a scenic drive through the charming villages, or go mountain biking along the park’s carriage road system. If you prefer a boat tour, there’s an option to go island hopping to visit nearby spots like Little Cranberry Island and Somes Sound, or to go kayaking around Frenchman Bay.
Best Lakes to Visit in July
Lake Michigan
Average Temperature: 26°C (80°F)
You don’t have to travel too far for a summer destination that offers a sandy beach and cool, blue waters. Lake Michigan can be one of the best places to travel to in July. The sun-filled days are perfect for basking in the breathtaking beauty. There are a variety of scenic views from shorelines, beaches, to the world’s largest collection of freshwater sand dunes. If you’re interested in wildlife watching, marine life at the beach includes a variety of fish like lake trout, smallmouth bass, and whitefish. Just don’t be fooled by pranks offering whale-watching tours!
Lake Michigan is home to many charming towns, each with its own charm. There’s a local selection of hotels, restaurants, shops, farmers markets, and tourist attractions to immerse yourself in. Outdoors, boating, golfing, hiking, biking, and paddling are just some of the top activities in the summer.
Lake Superior
Average Temperature: 15°C (60°F) to 26°C (80°F)
Just north of Lake Michigan is another great lake—Lake Superior. The waters are clean and clear, though they are notorious for being cold. That’s why visiting in July is a great choice: warm temperatures in the summer mean the cool waters are more than welcome.
Longer days mean lots of activities and attractions around the lake. Fun summer celebrations worth visiting include the Sidewalk Days Festival, with live entertainment, food, music, and local vendors gathering in downtown Duluth. Meanwhile, along the North Shore of Lake Superior, you’ll find pie-eating contests, guided hikes, and 99-mile bike races. Grand Marais has various small-town paradise and solstice celebrations, while Agawa Bay in Lake Superior Provincial Park boasts some of the most mesmerizing sunsets of the season.
Best Cities to Celebrate the 4th of July
Fireworks, picnics, BBQs, concerts, parades–Fourth of July welcomes the month with a bang. Independence Day celebrations in the US are huge, and every city has its own festivities that banner everything all-American. If you’re travelling in early July, check out these big cities that go all-out with their celebration:
New York
Average Temperature: 30°C (86°F)
Summer in New York is famous for a reason. The city does not hold back when it comes to celebrating the Fourth of July, making it one of the best places to visit in America in July. The largest fireworks display in the country happens here, and you can watch it from just about anywhere in the city. Apart from the fireworks, other Independence Day events include concerts, film screenings, and a big parade on Staten Island.
Apart from the Fourth of July, the weather in this month is perfect for soaking up the sun outdoors. It’s not very windy and there’s moderate rainfall, so locals and tourists take advantage of the season to see all the iconic national landmarks, visit art galleries, unique restaurants, and the five boroughs. Central Park is a crowd favourite since festivals, parties, and events happen throughout the park from day to night.
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Washington DC
Average Temperature: 31°C (88°F)
Of course, the capital city is a great place to celebrate Independence Day. Although it’s the hottest month of the year, with average temperatures leaning towards the warm side, the patriotic festivities make the trip worth it.
To get into the spirit of the Fourth of July, there’s a dramatic recreation of the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives. Just a few paces away, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival happens in the National Mall, where indigenous artists and makers showcase multigenerational traditions as well as new approaches to cultural expression. Another highlight is the annual A Capitol Fourth broadcast by PBS, with fireworks and performances by well-known bands, artists, and Broadway stars.
Sports fans can enjoy a ballgame at the Nationals Park, which usually ends with fireworks at night, or a tennis match at the Washington Open.
Philadelphia
Average Temperature: 30°C (86°F) to 31°C (88°F)
Philadelphia, a significant place in American history, is also at the top of the list of places to visit in July. It was here where the Founding Fathers met to sign the Declaration of Independence and iconic landmarks like the Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell add more context to your visit.
Named the Most Walkable City in the US, it’s easy to explore a lot of the city’s sights on foot. Events like pop-up parks, beer gardens, festivals, and concerts make the Philadelphia summer fun. Visitors also flock to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Pocono Mountains, Hershey Park, and Gettysburg National Military Park.
San Francisco
Average Temperature: 17°C (63°F) to 19°C (66°F)
San Francisco is another city that knows how to throw a good Fourth of July party. The pleasant weather in the summer is ideal for outdoor activities, so people gather in parks and set up picnics to celebrate. Fisherman’s Wharf has become a go-to spot for watching the fireworks, though anywhere from Aquatic Park to Pier 39 can give you a good view. Street performers, live music, and delicious restaurants add local flavour to the holiday.
Another way to enjoy the fireworks is out on the water. Many local ferry and boat tours offer Fourth of July cruises, often leaving an hour before the fireworks start to find the best spot on the water. Depending on your tour, these can include buffets, unlimited drinks, and snacks.
Other celebrations around the city include wine-tasting tours in Sonoma or a San Francisco Symphony performance at the Shoreline Amphitheater. With a fun range of social, historical, and cultural activities, it’s a great city to celebrate.
