Top 5 summer vacation destinations
Grab your sunscreen and get excited for your upcoming summer adventure in one of these incredible destinations around the U.S.
Compiled by Hilton’s team of expert travel writers | April 11, 2024 (Updated April 16, 2025)
It's that time of the year. You know what we mean: the weather alternates between gray, drizzly skies, and sunny yet chilly; you have a burning desire to start making tomato salads, but the tomatoes aren't there yet; and the internet keeps targeting you with swimsuit ads. Yes, you guessed it. Summer travel-planning season is officially here! Not to worry if you haven't started thinking about it yet because we've done the research for you. Read on and discover the most popular summer vacation destinations in the U.S. this year.
San Diego
San Diego boasts a riviera atmosphere and laid-back SoCal charm, including a diversity of neighborhoods and natural surroundings. Stay at Hilton San Diego Bayfront for easy access to the seaside beauty of San Diego Bay and the vintage allure of the nearby Gaslamp Quarter. A stroll along the Embarcadero, San Diego’s waterfront social hub, includes everything from shops, grassy parks, and restaurants to Navy aircraft carriers that now house museums. For wildlife encounters, the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park are internationally known attractions that also add to the city’s family-friendly reputation. Green spaces abound, and joining the locals to bask in the lush surroundings of Balboa Park is never a bad idea. Don’t forget the park’s top-notch museums, too. The San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego Air & Space Museum, and The San Diego Museum of Art are fascinating and memorable and filled with exhibits that appeal to a wide range of ages.
Joshua Tree National Park
Take your summer adventures to new heights and surround yourself with the natural beauty of Joshua Tree National Park. Just a few hours’ drive from Los Angeles, you can enjoy an outdoor experience while staying in style right near the park entrance. AutoCamp Joshua Tree’s bright and airy design-forward Airstream suites and modern cabins are the perfect place to unwind after a day of hiking through stunning rock formations and exploring local communities brimming with eclectic art, food, and shops. Choose your adventure from an abundance of unique outdoor experiences. Back at AutoCamp, you can take advantage of on-site activities like yoga, meditation, and campfire music or cool down with a dip in the sparkling pool. Joshua Tree offers plenty of opportunities for the whole family to make memories and connect with nature — and each other — under the desert sky.
Boston
If you’re able to get an early start on your summer vacation, head to Boston in June. With area schools typically in session until later in the month, visitors get to enjoy the city’s attractions without the crowds. Stay near the city’s best sights at Canopy by Hilton Boston Downtown, which is within walking distance from TD Garden, Faneuil Hall, the Freedom Trail, and Government Center. Hop on one of the hotel’s complimentary Canopy Bikes for an even faster journey. In July, the city hosts Boston Harborfest, one of the biggest Independence Day festivals in the country. The weeklong celebration includes parades, live music, fireworks, Chowderfest, and other special events that are mostly free. For travelers who love a great deal and the chance to savor award-winning cuisine, visit in August when Dine Out Boston offers discounted prix fixe meals at some of the city’s top restaurants. No matter when you’re in town, the Boston Children’s Museum, the New England Aquarium, and the popular-for-all-ages Boston Duck Tours make the city particularly welcoming for families.
Bend, Oregon
Bend is arguably the hottest travel destination in all of Oregon right now. The city sits on the eastern side of the Cascades, putting it squarely in the high desert. With so much natural beauty to explore, a comfortable stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites Bend offers the perfect place to recharge, where a dip in the whirlpool helps melt away tension. Explore the mile-long (1.6 kilometer) Lava River Cave at Newberry National Volcanic Monument, the longest lava tube in Oregon accessible to the public. The cave can be as cool as 42 F (5 C) even in summer, so bring warm clothes and sturdy shoes to traverse the sharp and potentially slippery rocks. Learn more about the area by visiting Bend’s High Desert Museum, where regional wildlife, culture, art, and natural resources come together to promote a deeper understanding of North America's high desert country. Another local highlight is the dozens of tiny breweries where you can stop in for a pint, such as Deschutes Brewery, which has been known for being a community gathering place since 1988.
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is split up into four sections: the South Rim, the North Rim, the West Rim, and the East Rim. The South Rim and the North Rim are operated by the National Park Service, and the West Rim is on Hualapai Indian Tribal Lands. The West Rim, home to the Skywalk and rushing waterfalls, makes for a doable day trip from Las Vegas (some visitors even opt for helicopter tours of the West Rim, which leave from Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas and take only a few hours). The South Rim and the seasonal North Rim work best as overnight trips, but you can’t go wrong exploring any part of the Grand Canyon and its striking rock formations.
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