12 Best Places to Travel in June (2024)

Summer officially arrives in June, and with it, thoughts of sandy beaches, mountain escapes, and time away from work and school. Deciding how to spend your summer vacation is fun, with possibilities including scenic road trips, European travel, a lakeside cabin getaway, or a luxe oceanfront resort stay. We’re suggesting a few traditional ideas here — Michigan’s Mackinac Island, the Jersey Shore, and the Catskill Mountains — along with some festival hotspots and wine destinations.

Here are 12 of the best places to travel in June in the United States and around the world.

Mackinac Island, Michigan

This small island in Lake Huron welcomes thousands of summer visitors to its car-free environment every year. Mackinac Island greets the season with the annual Lilac Festival, from June 9-18 with nightly entertainment, tours, art shows, and a parade. Most visitors arrive by ferry, and two companies provide service: Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry and Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry. Leashed dogs are welcome on the ferries and in many of the island’s restaurants and hotels. Visitors ride in horse-drawn carriages or rent bikes to get around and explore the island. For a classic Mackinac Island experience, stay at the legendary Grand Hotel or the elegant Mission Point Resort. First-time visitors: Remember to sample the famous fudge and to pronounce the name of the island correctly.

The New Jersey Shore

Asbury Park is one of New Jersey’s most popular coastal towns, with a beautiful beach and lots of entertainment, restaurants, and places to stay along the Asbury Park Boardwalk and beyond. Stay at The Asbury, with a vintage bowling alley, diner, and concert venue. For a luxury experience, the Asbury Ocean Club offers a spa, an elevated pool deck, and an on-site restaurant. Further south on New Jersey’s shore, charming Cape May is one of the country’s oldest resort destinations with nearly 600 preserved Victorian buildings. Places to stay include The Virginia Hotel, an adults-only, restored 19th-century boutique hotel, and Congress Hall, America’s oldest seaside resort which opened in 1816. Steps from Cape May’s historic district, Congress Hall features a luxurious spa, beach and pool services, and a variety of dining venues.

The Catskill Mountains, New York

The Catskills are located in southeast New York State about two hours north of Manhattan. Weather in the high 70s with cooler evenings makes June a great time to be outdoors hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, or boating on the lakes. Places to stay include Scribner’s Catskill Lodge, a picturesque boutique in Hunter which plans to add 12 private lodges this summer. The Chatwal Lodge features 11 elegant guest rooms and suites with handcrafted furnishings. There’s glamping in vintage campers at Boheme Retreats, and Camptown has 26 log cabins and a 24-room motor lodge. The Blue Fox Motel in Narrowsburg is a rustic retreat along the Ten Mile and Delaware Rivers.

Piedmont, Italy

Located in the northwestern part of the country, the Piedmont area is known more for its prized Barolo and Barbaresco wines than for its tourist destinations. June is a lovely time to visit thanks to ideal weather, and there’s much to explore, including vineyards, castles, museums, medieval towns, and picturesque countryside. In Piedmont’s capital city of Turin, once the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, the splendid Royal Palace is filled with art, antiques, and sumptuous furnishings. History fans will enjoy the Museum of Antiquities and the entire palace complex. Continue the historic ambiance with a stay at the Sina Villa Matilde, once a family residence dating to the 18th century. Set in a small village between Turin and Aosta, about 80 miles west of Milan, it’s a lovely home base for exploring the Piedmont countryside.

Los Angeles, California

A year-round destination for mild weather, Los Angeles has seen some rainy days this spring — and those reminded us how much there is to do indoors when it’s not beach weather. Aside from many fascinating museums, Los Angeles offers entertainment favorites that include studio tours and live television tapings. Outdoors, there are hiking and mountain biking trails, beaches, and plenty of places to enjoy the view, whether from hilltops or rooftops. The city of Los Angeles covers more than 500 square miles, so make your plans, check your map, and decide on the most convenient place to stay.

Berlin, Germany

June’s mild weather and long days make it an ideal time to visit Berlin. Every year, the city welcomes summer on June 21 with the free Fête de la Musique festival, an open-air celebration with musicians and bands playing live music in Berlin’s streets. The Special Olympics World Games will take place from June 17-25 in Olympiapark, where Olympiastadion was built for the historic 1936 Olympic Games. Explore Berlin’s museums, parks, the Brandenburg Gate, and the Berlin Wall, a reminder that the city was divided for nearly 30 years. Stay in luxury at Hotel de Rome, a Rocco Forte Hotel, set in the restored former headquarters of the 1889 Dresdner Bank. In the Mitte neighborhood, there’s the new Selina Bitte with a rooftop terrace, or stay near Tiergarten at the JW Marriott Hotel Berlin.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Located in the foothills of the Appalachians along the Tennessee River, Chattanooga offers outdoor adventures and a live music scene that includes bluegrass, blues, jazz, pop, rock, and more. The 40th annual Riverbend Music Festival is set for June 2-4 on three stages. All summer, the Nightfall Concert Series features free concerts every Friday night, rain or shine, in Miller Plaza and Miller Park. Lawn games, family-friendly activities, food trucks, and an art market add to the entertainment. Places to stay range from cabins and campgrounds to luxury hotels. The Read House combines history and modern comfort in its downtown location. Bode Chattanooga features group-friendly accommodations from lofts to four-bedroom layouts.

Maine

The northeasternmost state and the largest of the six New England states, Maine is gorgeous in June with temperatures in the 70s and natural beauty from lakes to mountains and its rocky coastline. The Pine Tree State’s lobsters, lighthouses, forests, and Acadia National Park attract visitors each year. In that area, guests can choose the family-friendly Salt Cottages with an outdoor pool, game room, fire pit, and kitchenettes. On Maine’s Midcoast, visit Camden for its Opera House and stay at the Relais & Chateaux Camden Harbour Inn. Also known for entertainment, Ogunquit features summer theater at the Ogunquit Playhouse, dating to 1933. Stay nearby at the Cliff House, set on 70 oceanfront acres. In the college town of Waterville, a lively arts and culture destination, stay at the Lockwood Hotel.

Prague, Czech Republic

The capital of the Czech Republic, Prague is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. June days are long and warm, perfect for exploring Prague’s Gothic architecture, crossing the famous Charles Bridge, taking a boat ride on the Vltava River, and visiting stunning Prague Castle. The Prague Spring International Music Festival offers a variety of events from May 12-June 2 at venues throughout the city. The Prague Zoo, opened in 1931, is one of the city’s most visited destinations, with more than 5,000 animals and 150 exhibits. Stay in luxury at The Mandarin Oriental, Prague, set in a former monastery dating to the 14th century. The Almanac X Prague, steps from Old Town and Wenceslas Square, is one of Prague’s art deco landmarks.

Utah

With so many things to do in Utah in June — from stargazing and hiking to fishing and rafting — Utah has added another reason to celebrate the season. Bryce Canyon National Park will mark its centennial, beginning on June 8 with an evening concert by The Piano Guys. Events throughout the year will include the Astronomy Festival from June 14-17 and Geology Festival in July. Camp at the national park or stay in the lodge, and for the ultimate outdoor experience, choose the nearby Under Canvas Bryce Canyon, located on 750 acres of secluded mountain plains, with 50 safari-inspired tents set on elevated decks with private ensuite bathrooms. You can travel to Utah with experts on the National Geographic Expeditions Grand Canyon, Bryce & Zion National Park Trip, an eight-day adventure with departures on June 3 and June 18.

Loire Valley, France

This region in central France is known for its wines, castles, medieval towns, and gorgeous scenery. About a two-hour drive from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, the valley is home to some of France’s most beautiful castles, with about 100 open to the public. Château de Chambord is the largest and one of the most spectacular, and guests can visit on guided or self-guided tours. For an elegant experience, stay at the Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé, a private enclave of 80 acres surrounded by the original medieval wall with French gardens, orchards, a spa, and a pool. Or opt to stay at the Château Louise de La Vallière, a 16th-century château featuring 20 rooms and suites, a restaurant, and a spa.

Telluride, Colorado

You don’t have to be a skier to love Telluride, and a summer visit proves it. Take the free gondola over the 10,500-foot Coonskin Ridge for stunning views of the town and surrounding mountains. Summer is festival season, starting with Mountainfilm in late May. More summer events include Telluride Food & Vine from June 1-4, Telluride Balloon Festival from June 2-4, and the 50th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival from June 15-18. Telluride offers a range of lodging options, from campsites to hotels. The Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection features upscale guest rooms, suites, and residential condominiums, while Dunton Town House is a charming home away from home on one of Telluride’s prettiest streets.