June marks the beginning of summer, and many cities and towns celebrate this turning of seasons with festivals and parties. Whether visitors plan to enjoy June on a beach or in a city, there are certainly many options highlighted on this list to satisfy everyone’s needs. Many families travel during this time of year, as children are out of school, and finding the ideal destination is the start to a perfect vacation.
Acadia National Park, USA
A visit to Acadia National Park during the month of June can end up being drastically different, depending on whether the visit takes place at the beginning, middle, or end of the month. Visitors during the start of June, the regular season, are likely to find less black flies, a bit chillier weather, and far less tourists. Visits that take place in the middle of the month could go either way, depending on the season, but still won’t be too busy. Visits at the tail end of the month approach the beginning of peak tourist – and black fly – season. The weather will be the warmest at the end of June, but campsites will be harder to come by and trails will likely be far more crowded; however, there will be more ranger programs, events, and flowering trees to see.
Antigua
Given that June has the most sunshine hours per day, some of the cheapest prices throughout the year, and is considered the off season for the island, visiting Antigua in June is a win-win situation. As hurricane season starts to wind up at the end of June, a visit to Antigua during this month often has more rain on average than in April and May, but not nearly as much as July or August. Many hotels are seeking guests during June, so it is far easier to find booking deals, particularly if airfare and hotels are bundled together.
Bend
With summertime hitting this mountain town in Oregon, guests who visit during June will be pleasantly surprised at the plethora of outdoor activities available to them during their trip. Access to Mount Bachelor, Paulina Peak, and Pilot Butte are easily achievable from Bend, as is enjoying the Deschutes River on a kayak or a small boat or along the shoreline. If the weather permits, there are many craft breweries in Bend with outdoor seating, enabling guests to enjoy locally crafted beer and the outdoors simultaneously. For the more adventurous traveler, the Lava River Cave is a must-see as it showcases a natural phenomenon unique to this type of area.
Bermuda
Given that June is prime beach time in Bermuda, it isn’t uncommon for hotels and other accommodations to be booked up months in advance, so anyone wishing to visit this island getaway destination should plan accordingly. As June brings warm weather and warm waters, it is near the start of beach season, and there are many pink sand beaches to enjoy around the island. Vacationers to the island who prefer to play golf or shop instead of swim will find a large assortment of golf courses as well as plenty of districts to spend entire days in, filled with luxury shops and high-class restaurants.
Block Island
Set off the coast of Rhode Island, Block Island is no stranger to cold wintertime weather. But as the warm winds of summer make their way across the shores of this East Coast getaway, June is a perfect time to explore all that Block Island has to offer on these long days of pleasant sunshine. With a variety of live music performances, community events, and food festivals typically scattered throughout the month, guests to the island will find daily entertainment everywhere they look. A highly recommended activity during the summer months is a midnight kayaking trip under the stars, giving participants a unique view of the cosmos away from city lights.
Fiji
June is the time of the year in Fiji when tourists season hasn’t yet ramped up with high prices on hotels and adventure packages, and the weather is starting to enter the ideal range between not too cold and not too hot. Visitors to Fiji at this time may enjoy discounted airfare and hotels, especially if they are booked in conjunction, and the ability to explore cities, hiking trails, and beaches without the immense crowds that typically come in July and August. Although there is still a chance of rain and chilly days, there is a greater chance that the weather will be optimal for spending time on the beach, shopping, golfing, hiking, or any other outdoor activity that guests may enjoy.
Houston
With hot temperatures, frequent afternoon thunderstorms, and high humidity, a visit to Houston in June is not the ideal vacation for many people, but for those who can tolerate these minor inconveniences they will find the city filled with far less tourists. Being a slow time for tourist season means that hotels and airlines are interested in offering incentives, and oftentimes a visit to Houston in June can be done at a much lower cost than during other times of the year. There are festivals, delicious restaurants, and plenty of indoor attractions when the heat becomes too much to bear, giving June visitors the best of both worlds in Houston.
Innsbruck, Austria
Surrounded by striking mountain faces and set along a river, Innsbruck is the perfect June destination for visitors wishing to see the Alps without a winter jacket. Innsbruck typically skips springtime and jumps right into summer, so temperatures can be expected to be moderate to warm in June, though on cloudy days and after the sun sets a light jacket will probably be needed. A visit to the Alpenzoo, the highest zoo in Europe, is a great idea for families travelling with children or animal lovers in general. If time permits, after exploring the city itself there are plenty of hiking trails that offer breathtaking vistas of Innsbruck and the surrounding valley.
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is the modern, lively capital of the state of Oklahoma and is rich in culture and attractions and proud of its Western past, cowboy culture, and titles such as the “Horse Show Capital of the World.” The vast capitol complex is vividly contrasted by the surrounding working oil wells. The Oklahoma City National Memorial, with its empty bronze and glass chairs and reflecting pool, commemorates the victims of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing. An American elm that survived the bombing is also a part of the memorial. The Myriad Botanical Gardens spreads over 17 acres and includes a lush tropical conservatory, a dog park, and formal gardens. The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is a great place to learn about the city’s cowboy history through all kinds of artifacts, art, and dioramas. Kids will love the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, which has a range of wild animals and fun shows.
Lake Tahoe
With warm summer weather coming to Lake Tahoe and bringing mid to high 70°F days on average during the month of June, it is easy to see why this is one of the most popular times of year to visit. June is considered the start of the summer season, and that means visitors wanting to visit the Lake Tahoe area will want to book in advance, preferably at least 3 months ahead, to ensure availability at any hotels, attractions, and rentals they may want to enjoy. The warm weather opens up access to swimming and boating on the lake as well as spending relaxing time on the beaches, hiking in the surrounding woods, and mountain biking in the nearby mountains.
London, England
With gorgeous weather that is quite contrary to the typical London fog and rain, June marks the start of summertime in this capital city, and tourists come from all over to enjoy everything London has to offer. The Queen of England celebrates her official birthday during the month of June, and a large parade is held in her honor, known as Trooping the Colour. June also features the Taste of London, a large food festival, the Royal Ascot, the Open Garden Squares Weekend, as well as the horse lovers event, Polo in the Park. Given the popularity of London in June, it is highly recommended to book hotels and tours a few months in advance.
Mackinac Island
Riding the line between peak tourist season and cold weather season, spending time on Mackinac Island in June is a gamble that can swing either way, depending on the weather and the attractions visitors wish to experience. A major event that will likely sway the decision of many potential visitors is the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival, a 10-day festival held on the island that includes many special events. During the Lilac Festival, guests can enjoy horse-drawn carriage tours, a variety of concerts, wine tastings, a dog and pony show, and A Taste of Mackinac, a special culinary event.
Mallorca, Spain
With summer just around the corner, a vacation to Mallorca, Spain in June offers many of the same perks that visiting in summer provides, but without the crowds, high prices, and booking problems. June in Mallorca is filled with concerts, opportunities to spend time on the beach as the weather warms up, and there are plenty of museums, theaters, and stage performances to enjoy. One special event in June is the celebration in honor of Saint John the Baptist, which typically happens on the night of the 23rd and is locally known as the Nit de Foc. This celebration is a night of renewal, and bonfires are lit all over town, many on the beach, and people traditionally throw something old into the fire to celebrate new life.
Mykonos, Greece
June in Mykonos is more often than not filled with warm and gorgeous weather, optimal swimming conditions, and the onset of the beach party season. Visitors who plan their trip in June will find that many other tourists have planned their trips at the same time, and although this may lead to a feeling of overcrowding, it also means that there will be a much larger number of events and festivals happening. Halfway through June on Mykonos is the start of the official DJ beach party season, an exciting time where parties can be found all over the island and often last deep into the night while participants enjoy the music oceanside.
New Hampshire, USA
Situated in the northeast region of the United States, New Hampshire is a state that experiences drastically different weather throughout the year, shaping the experiences of visitors heavily depending on when they choose to visit. For guests who wish to explore the great outdoors in New Hampshire, June is the perfect month to visit as the heat of summer hasn’t quite arrived and the chill of winter has already slipped away. Whether exploring one of the many lakes or rivers, or perhaps even the ocean, guests can rent surfboards, kayaks, canoes, and a variety of other equipment to satisfy their need for adventure.
Nice, France
Nice, one of France’s many artistic cities, is set along the Baie des Anges and is considered to be one of the finer vacation spots in France, particularly during the month of June. Known for its pristine weather, festivals, many highly rated restaurants, and wine, Nice has been attracting tourists for over 100 years to its picturesque beaches and hillside homes. Visiting Nice in June requires advance booking with most hotels, preferably a few months ahead of time to guarantee there are no problems with reservations. As the weather is so pleasant, nightlife in Nice is a favorite of the locals, and it is very common to see people enjoying the Mediterranean atmosphere until the early morning hours.
Portland, USA
The Festival of Flowers kicks off the month of June in Portland, Oregon, with over 20,000 flowers to see and smell in Pioneer Courthouse Square, and it is an event that should be included on every itinerary. For the craft beer lover, Beer Week often takes place during this month, with many local restaurants and breweries offering special beers and discounts. For fans of parades, Portland hosts their Pride Festival and Parade typically towards the end of June, while the Sun Festival celebrates the summer solstice, another parade that is a huge hit with locals and tourists alike.
Prague, Czech Republic
As festival season kicks into full swing in Prague and many western Europeans travel to the city to enjoy a low price vacation, June can be a hectic month to visit the capital of the Czech Republic. Hotel bookings get hard to find as summer starts to swing into season, so booking at least 1 to 3 months in advance is strongly encouraged. Special events, such as the Prague Mini Beer Festival, the Prague Ice Cream Festival, and the Maker Fair, draw larger and larger crowds every year, helping to solidify June in Prague being one of the busier times to visit.
Puglia, Italy
Being a Mediterranean destination, the region of Puglia in Italy will be deep into summer by the time June comes around. Visitors to the area during this time can enjoy all of the outdoor delights that aren’t as accessible during the winter, such as hiking, biking, and enjoying a swim in the Adriatic Sea. Bari, the region’s capital, features a wide assortment of Roman ruins to be explored as well as easy access by ferry to many countries across the sea. Bari is also home to a large university, a renowned opera house and, thanks to the younger than average population of the city, a thriving nightlife.
Reykjavik, Iceland
The official start of summer in Iceland is in June, and with the premiere of the midnight sun, many tourists love to come during this time of year to enjoy warmer temperatures, seemingly never-ending daylight, and a collection of festivals to brighten the month further. The Festival of the Sea is held to honor the sea and fishery, while the Reykjavik Midsummer Music festival showcases a variety of award-winning chamber music. A newer festival that is still gaining steam is the Secret Solstice festival in the heart of the city; as this festival usually draws big headliners, it also attracts huge crowds.
San Antonio
The Texas Folklife Festival, a huge cultural celebration in the Lone Star State, is located on the premises of the UTSA Hemisfair Campus and runs for a total of 3 days. This special annual event highlights diversity and rich heritage with exhibits, food sampling, music, dance, artwork, and crafts from over 40 ethnic groups all located within Texas. June in San Antonio isn’t as hot as in the peak of summer, but the temperatures rise throughout the month, allowing visiting guests to pack light for their trip. Make sure to book far in advance for hotel rooms, tours, and other limited availability attractions as they tend to fill up fast during this time of year in San Antonio.
San Diego
An oceanside vacation is the perfect June retreat, and there are plenty of festivals happening in San Diego during June to keep visitors endlessly entertained. The month kicks off with the San Diego Brew and Food Festival, a 1-day event that features over 200 specialty and seasonally crafted beers. As the month continues, the Oyster Fest typically falls in the middle of June and draws big crowds because of its local seafood, music, beer, and bayside views. The summer solstice is not forgotten in San Diego but is instead celebrated with a parade and small festival. As the month winds down, guests will certainly want to check out the OB Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival, it typically draws crowds of over 50,000 people and has been running for over 35 years.
Seattle
The Emerald City during the dry months will dazzle guests with views of Mount Rainier, the bustline open air market known as Pikes Place, and a variety of festivals and celebrations that are quirky and unique to the city. Perhaps the two best-known summer festivals in Seattle are the Fremont Parade and Fair and PrideFest in Capitol Hill. The Fremont Parade and Fair celebrates the summer solstice and is renowned for its nude painted cyclists that ride before the official parade starts. PrideFest in Capitol Hill the largest gay, lesbian, and transgender event in the Northwest, is inclusive for everyone to attend, and is filled with music, dancing, and many special deals from local bars.
Virginia Beach
June in Virginia Beach is home to the longest running free maritime event, Norfolk Harborfest, which showcases tall ships, fireworks, live music, and a huge outdoor dock party for anyone who wants to attend. As June marks the beginning of summer for this northeastern city, the locals are quick to seize the warmth and start spending time on the beaches, and tourists to the area are quick to follow suit. Music lovers will delight at the thought of Sandstock, Virginia Beach’s tribute festival to the famous Woodstock, the main difference being that this festival takes place on the beaches and guests can listen to music while relaxing in the water.
