We Asked 7 Travel Experts Their Favorite U.S. Summer Destinations—and They All Picked the Same Region

Travel + Leisure

14 hours ago

We have just a few weeks left to celebrate summer before the wind begins to chill, the leaves begin to change, and kids have to head back to school. But again, that's still a few weeks away. So, to help you savor the season as long as you can, we asked travel experts where they think you should spend the remainder of your summer vacation. And it turns out, they all had the same idea: you need to head to the American West.
The region is bursting with summer-ready destinations, from national parks with miles upon miles of trails, gorgeous beaches offering warm, sunny days, and endless plains where you can feel like the only person in the world. It offers the perfect mix of new and nostalgia that vacationers are after. Here's exactly where you need to go over the next few weeks to max out the summer of 2025.
Yellowstone
"When I think about the ultimate American summer, Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park immediately come to mind," Christophe Le Chatton, the general manager of The Ballantyne in Charlotte, North Carolina, shared. "There's something truly transformative about experiencing this pristine wilderness during the summer months—it represents the very best of what authentic American travel can offer."
Le Chatton added that it's a fantastic place for those hoping to do a bit of wildlife spotting too, from the "bison herds roaming freely" to the potential sighting of the park's elusive wolves at dusk. Not to mention the park's most iconic features like Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and Mammoth Hot Springs. The best moments in the park, he said, come during the quieter periods—early morning or late afternoon—when the light turns golden and the crowds thin out.
Idaho
Idaho, Mara Repetto of Yellowstone Peaks Hotel, shared, offers more of that rugged and wild beauty that solitude seekers may be after this summer. Specifically, Repetto noted, it's key to check out Island Park. "It's peaceful, wild, and still feels like a hidden gem," Repetto said. Travelers here can spend their days "hiking, floating the river, fishing, horseback riding," or heading into nearby Yellowstone. The best part? "It doesn't get unbearably hot during the summer months, just crisp mountain air, pine trees, and starry skies."
Montana
Luxury travel expert McLean Robbins also recommends checking out nearby Montana for both its pristine landscapes and luxury touches. "Montana's luxury ranches offer wide-open spaces, top-notch cuisine, and just enough adventure," Robbins said. "Whether you're riding horses at sunrise or unwinding at the spa, it's a true luxury escape that still feels grounded and unpretentious." She recommends it as an ideal destination for couples or families looking to disconnect, though noted, "yes, there's Wi-Fi, if you must."
California
Wildflowers grow throughout a vineyard in Napa Valley.
Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure
The Golden State offers the full spectrum of summer offerings: vineyard valleys, seaside drives, and a generous amount of sunshine, Andrew Satkowiak of The Luxury Travel Agency, explained. "I love a California road trip from Napa Valley to Santa Barbara," Satkowiak shared. "You can start your mornings with fresh pastries in Napa, spend your afternoons sipping wine in Paso Robles, and end your day with a sunset seafood dinner in Santa Barbara."
LaDell Carter of Royal Expression Travels noted that Southern California has its charms as well. "Laguna Beach offers that easy-breezy charm," Carter shared. "Newport Beach, on the other hand, gives yacht-club glamour. I stayed at Pelican Hill in a three-bedroom villa with ocean views, it's gated, private, and feels more like a Mediterranean village than a U.S. resort."
Oregon
It's not only the coastal cities that are worth the late-summer adventures. Adrian Gonzalez, the general manager of The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park in El Paso, says Bend, Oregon, should be on your must-see list as well. As Gonzalez said, it offers great "weather, dining and wining, outdoor activities from kayaking to golfing to hiking to horseback riding and every other summer activity in between. Want something ultra-Oregonian? "The local craft beers are one of a kind, and of course, you are about a two-hour drive to Willamette Valley, the heart of Pinot Noir country."
Alaska
Those seeking remoteness in its most dramatic form should go all the way west and north this summer, right to Alaska.
"One of my favorite places for a summer vacation in the U.S. is Southeast Alaska—specifically, the stretch from Juneau to Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage," Cory Lawrence, the CEO of Off the Beaten Path, said. "It's peaceful, immersive, and awe-inspiring in the most grounding way."
The summer months, Lawrence noted, bring long daylight hours, whales swimming by, eagles soaring above, and bears foraging for their next meal. Just make sure to bring a sweater with you for that transitional weather. As Lawrence added, pack for sunshine, mist, and even a touch of early fall, because it's coming sooner than you think.