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From Coast To Coast: Your Ultimate Summer Travel Guide In The USA

Summer in the USA offers diverse experiences from coast to coast — from festivals in Philadelphia to adventure in Illinois, and from hiking in Lake Tahoe to food & history in Louisiana.

Summertime in the USA is an exciting season filled with culture, sports, relaxation, and outdoor adventures. From Philadelphia’s rich history to Lake Tahoe’s scenic beauty, Louisiana’s vibrant music scene, and Illinois’ urban charm, every region offers unforgettable experiences coast to coast.

Philadelphia 

Philadelphia comes alive with an abundance of seasonal sensations, inviting pop-up parks, and unforgettable festivals during summer. Enjoy fountain shows, mini golf, dance lessons, and other family-friendly fun at Franklin Square or be sure to stop by in the evening during the annual Chinese Lantern Festival illuminated by thousands of lanterns starting in June.

Nature lovers have plenty of opportunities to explore the trails and historic homes found throughout the 2,000+ acre Fairmount Park. The Delaware River waterfront is one of Philadelphia’s top summer destinations offering seasonal activities, dining experiences, and memorable attractions. Cherry Street Pier is one of Philadelphia’s most popular seasonal summer events and art installation space also offering riverside dining at The Garden, the pier’s pop-up dining space serving Mexican-inspired snacks and frozen cocktails. 

From Coast To Coast: Your Ultimate Summer Travel Guide In The USA

Celebrate love in all its forms during Philadelphia Pride March and Festival, a day-long festival in downtown Philadelphia that starts with a parade from Independence Mall to the vibrant Gayborhood. Also, in July, Wawa Welcome America, an annual festival that celebrates the 4th of July across Philadelphia, is a must-visit.

Summers became a lot more sporty in Philadelphia, as Lincoln Financial Field was announced as the site for six FIFA World Cup 2026TM Matches and will host matches for the upcoming FIFA Club World CupTM in June 2025 adding to an endless summer of travel and unforgettable experiences in the region.

Illinois

Illinois offers a unique selection of experiences to explore the state in the summer. Families must visit The Forge: Lemont Quarries, a one-of-a-kind adventure park about 20 miles southwest of Chicago in suburban Lemont. Its highlights include a climbing tower with ziplines traversing a lake and incredible views of the Chicago skyline, an outdoor track for BMX and mountain bikes, escape rooms and children’s scavenger games, hiking and biking trails to explore, and more.

For those looking to catch a show, Bloomington-Normal in Central Illinois destination provides ample opportunities at its numerous theatres, including the Bloomington Center for the Performance Arts, the Community Players Theatre and the Historic Normal Theater.

From Coast To Coast: Your Ultimate Summer Travel Guide In The USA

Summertime finds Lake Michigan in all its glory. The sprawling lakefront trail meanders 17 miles along the shoreline, offering breathtaking views and hidden hideaways for a stroll or a picnic. Sandwiched between downtown skyscrapers and the lake, the museum campus houses the famous Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and Field Museum.  

Visiting historic sites in Springfield during the summer may be the closest you can get to replicating the experience of interacting with the nation’s 16th President — thanks to History Comes Alive at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum where you can see Abraham and Mary Lincoln go about their daily lives, hear him deliver his most famous speeches, or watch the famous couple visit with friends.

Finally, take a road trip through Route 66, one of the most iconic roads in the country starting its course in Chicago, stretching 300 miles through Illinois and offering unforgettable stops along the way.

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe in California is a can’t-miss summer destination. Whether you are in search of a fun family vacation or an all-out mountain adventure, there are plenty of things to do in Lake Tahoe in summer. Hiking is one of the most popular summer activities here with numerous trails leading to an abundance of stunning views and adventures. Tahoe Rim Trail, Carson Pass’s wildflower hikes, the Mt. Tallac trail, and the Rubicon Trail are among many others that offer hiking opportunities for both experts and beginners.

Fishing is a fun thing to do in Lake Tahoe during the summer and in the rivers and smaller lakes in the region. With the water levels higher than normal this year, take caution when being near rivers as the water is very cold and moving very fast.

From Coast To Coast: Your Ultimate Summer Travel Guide In The USA

Lake Tahoe has numerous beaches ideal for spending summer afternoons. Some popular and accessible beaches include Baldwin Beach, Kiva Beach, El Dorado Beach, and Pope Beach among many others. Zephyr Cove is a popular summer beach offering rented boats, jet skis, parasailing, kayaking, and dining, as well as cruises on boats like the M.S. Dixie II, which docks in the Zephyr Cove Marina.

South Lake Tahoe concerts heat up in the summer and each year the Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys hosts the Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series, which has some of the hottest music acts under the stars performing in a 4,000-seat amphitheatre. 

Louisiana

With more than 400 fairs and festivals scheduled annually around the state, you can consider Louisiana the "festival capital of the world” and summertime ushers in some of the most-awaited events in the state.

At celebrations like the Louisiana Peach Festival in Ruston, the Beauregard Watermelon Festival and the French Market Creole Tomato Festival, fresh local produce is honoured. Seafood is abundant in Louisiana, and there are several great places to get a taste during the summer. The Jean Lafitte Seafood Festival, Louisiana Catfish Festival in Des Allemands, Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival, Cajun Music & Food Festival in Lake Charles, the Gonzales Jambalaya Festival in Ascension Parish, and Delcambre Shrimp Festival are some of the best food festivals to attend in Louisiana in summers.

From Coast To Coast: Your Ultimate Summer Travel Guide In The USA

Hear the accordions and washboards of Cajun and Zydeco music at the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival in Opelousas and the Mamou Cajun Music Festival. In addition to Cajun music, the Marshland Festival in Hackberry features popular country and classic rock performers. Other summer music festivals include the Highland Jazz & Blues Festival in Shreveport, the Natchitoches Jazz and R&B Festival, Satchmo SummerFest, and Jazz Fest in New Orleans.

Louisiana has such a strong history that influenced the economy, culture and traditions that are still not only practiced but celebrated. In Morgan City, the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival honours both the local fishermen and the petroleum industry that have influenced the area. 

The Louisiana Cattle Festival & Fair in Abbeville has celebrated the state’s cattle industry with awards like Outstanding Cattleman and Restauranteur of the Year. Since 1937, the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival has celebrated the sweetest thing of all – sugar – with a Blessing of the Crops and a parade with the reigning King Sucrose and Queen Sugar.

All these and more make Louisiana a top choice for summer travel.

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