June is generally a popular month for travel. The summer months begin in the northern hemisphere—the weather warms, school’s out, and everyone is ready to go on their summer holidays. Meanwhile, the south experiences the opposite: cool, dry weather that marks the beginning of winter.
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This month is also when peak season kicks in for many destinations. Wait too long to book summer vacations, and you might end up sharing the beach with all the other tourists. But if you plan your trip well, you can be the first to jet set to your summer holiday with fewer crowds around you.
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To get you started, here’s a list of some of the best places to visit in June, complete with national parks, beautiful beaches, and charming towns:
Stunning Beaches to Visit in June
Charleston: A Charming Southern City by the Sea
Average Temperature in June: 29°C (80°F)
Charleston, South Carolina, is one of the best places to visit in the USA if you don’t want to travel too far in search of a quaint coastal town. In June, Charleston is known for its warm weather, with temperatures slightly cooler and breezier the closer you are to the ocean.
That said, the beach is the best place to spend the summer day. There are miles of beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, so there’s no excuse not to take a dip. Go for a swim, a boat tour, kayak, or even fishing.
Visiting Charleston’s popular Farmers Market is also a treat in the summer, like the city’s own Pike Place Market. It’s open every Saturday in June, with 100+ local vendors offering fresh produce, delicious seafood, live music, local art, and more.
Mexico: Beach Vibes Rain or Shine
Average Temperature in June: 23°C (73°F) to 32°C (90°F)
Mexico is beautiful in June, despite it being the start of the rainy season. On the brighter side, the rainfall makes the vegetation flourish. This doesn’t mean you should skip Mexico altogether; it only rains in short periods in the afternoon or at night, and there’s still a lot of sun before or after the downpour.
In fact, it’s actually quite hot and humid. Visitors can still enjoy the white sand beaches in Tulum or go cenote diving in Cancún. It’s also sea turtle nesting season in Riviera Maya, the beautiful island of Isla Mujeres, and Cancún, so you can add them to your itinerary to catch a glimpse of the endangered marine animals. And if you prefer the swimming pool to the sea, you won’t run out of beach clubs and luxury hotels to check out. On top of that, history fans will be thrilled to know that Mexico is home to 35 World Heritage Sites.
Mexico City also goes all-out for Pride Month. Stay until late June and be part of their extravagant Pride Parade.
Ningaloo Reef: Winter with the Whale Sharks
Average Temperature in June: 24°C (75.2 °F)
Down under, it’s winter in June, but things pick up at Ningaloo Reef as the whale-watching season begins. Mornings and evenings are cooler than the summer, with offshore breezes and pleasant, warm days.
Surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the reef is one of the best untouched World Heritage Sites in Western Australia. You can see one of the largest populations of migrating humpback whales here, and even get the chance to swim with the whale sharks! If you do, make sure to choose reputable tour companies certified by Ecotourism Australia that let you do this without harming the marine animals.
READ NEXT: Responsible Way to Swim With Whale Sharks in Ningaloo Reef
Beautiful National Parks to Visit in June
Pleasant weather, popular destinations, head north
Yosemite National Park
Average Temperature in June: 27°C (81°F)
The warm dry season makes Yosemite Park one of the best places to visit for stunning views. Waterfalls are flowing, flowers are in bloom, and the best hiking trails are open.
Nature lovers will enjoy hiking, backpacking, wildlife watching, mountain biking, and other outdoor adventures in near-perfect weather. Summer is also the only time of year when visitors can experience Yosemite’s water sports like rafting, swimming, and river floats.
The only downside to visiting in June is that it’s the start of the park’s busiest season. However, the national park is big enough that there are lesser-known spots that help you avoid the crowds, like Sentinel Dome or Taft Point.
READ NEXT: Best Things to do in Yosemite National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Average Temperature in June: 15°C (60°F) to 22°C (72°F)
Yellowstone National Park is one of the most popular destinations in June for those who want to surround themselves with natural beauty in the summer. There are 1,000 miles of trails to choose from, all of which offer stunning views of the national park. Wildflowers are in full bloom, and you can walk past meadows and hiking trails with the snow-covered peaks of the high ranges behind you.
The abundance of wildlife is felt during summer, with calving season in Lamar Valley and Mammoth Hot Springs. Lots of animals also travel from lower elevations, where it’s starting to get too warm and food is quite scarce. You’ll often encounter them on the side of the road. It’s also a prime fishing season as streams, rivers, and waterfalls flow due to snowmelt.
Our tip: get an early start. It’s also peak season at Yellowstone, and this is the only way to beat the crowds.
Acadia National Park
Average Temperature in June: 10°C (50°F) to 23°C (75°F)
Head north to Acadia and discover the jewel of the North Atlantic Coast. This national park is where the ocean and mountains meet, and evergreen forests lead to granite peaks and rugged coastlines. One snapshot doesn’t do it justice; you’ll find a variety of landscapes here more than the other national parks.
The main park area is at Mount Desert Island which is divided into two sections. First is the east side, where most popular attractions are, such as Park Loop Road, Cadillac Mountain, Sand Beach, and Echo Lake Beach. The west side of the park is known as the “quiet side,” with similar views but significantly fewer crowds.
Summer in June is a great time to visit, with pleasant weather and bright, bold colours. Though it does get busy, there are ways to get around the traffic both on the road and at the park. Arrive before 8 am or after 5 pm if you plan to visit the popular trails and landmarks.
Beautiful Cities to Visit in June
New York
Average Temperature in June: 18°C (64°F) to 28°C (82°F)
The city that never sleeps is bursting with energy in June, which means long days and warm nights on the East Coast. The vibrant neighbourhoods are busy with activity, and there’s no shortage of music, movie, and street festivals hosted in parks all across the city. Events like Gay Pride NYC, Governors Ball, SummerStage, and Coney Island Mermaid Parade keep the party going all summer long.
Pleasant temperatures in New York mean many flock to Central Park for picnics, daytime strolls, and even rides on horse-drawn carriages. Cultural attractions are also buzzing with crowds of locals and tourists alike. Meanwhile, those who want a break from the big city drive upstate to Hudson Valley, an old town along the river known for its picturesque villages and historic architecture.
Las Vegas
Average Temperature in June: 34°C (94°F) to 40°C (104°F)
For those looking for non-stop fun, Las Vegas is one of the best places to visit in June. The summer sun is relentless, with temperatures reaching triple digits. In Vegas, June marks “pool season,” where there’s nothing better than chilling poolside at a luxury hotel with a drink in hand.
When the weather is pleasant enough to explore the city, head to The Strip and the Eiffel Tower, which are great to see no matter what time of day. Vegas’ Restaurant Week also takes visitors on an impromptu food tour, with a week-long event where restaurants offer delicious cuisine at fantastic prices for the benefit of Three Square Food Bank. From nightclubs, DJs, comedy shows, concerts, and poker—you won’t run out of things to do.
Vegas might be a little far from Lake Tahoe, Lake Huron, or the Great Lakes of America, but there are boat tours that offer a refreshing change of scenery. This one takes you on an afternoon trip to Lake Mead for panoramic views of the clear blue water as you cruise to Hoover Dam.
Cape Town
Average Temperature in June: 14°C (57°F) to 19°C (66°F)
If you’re looking for a city escape that has its low season in June, how about spending winter in Cape Town? The weather is cool and crisp, and the winter rainfall turns the scenic views into an intense, lush green.
It’s not quite beach weather, but there are lots of events to keep you occupied. With rates at their lowest and significantly fewer crowds, it’s an ideal destination for those who want a less hectic experience.
One of the best things to do on a clear day is go up Table Mountain before the winter closure in July. This is one of the rare times when it’s not packed with fellow tourists. The whale-watching season also picks up, and the best spots to see them are False Bay, Gansbaai, or Hermanus.
As for indoor activities, there’s a popular wine festival in Cape Winelands that happens at the start of the month. Meanwhile, Cape Town has a rich historic district as well as lots of art galleries and museums that offer a cultural recluse during the cold, windy, rainy winter.
