Top 20 Must-Visit Destinations for July Getaways

July is the height of the summer vacation season, and if you’re thinking of getting away for a bit, we have some ideas for you. Whether you want to be part of the crowd in Europe or prefer an out-of-the-way destination, we’ve got you covered. With our research and experience, we’ve rounded up the best places to travel this July in the United States and around the world.

Alaska

There are many ways to explore the 49th state, and July—the peak of high season—is a popular time to go on a cruise. Most Alaska cruises take place between May and September, with voyages ranging from large cruise ships to small expedition vessels. On land, the Grand Alaska Adventure Train Ride is a relaxing way to see several cities, plus Denali National Park. Visitors can experience more of Alaska’s landscape with a stay at a wilderness lodge. Alaska’s coastal towns are rustic places with reminders of Gold Rush history, Indigenous culture, and opportunities for fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and fresh seafood. 

Where to Stay: Alyeska Resort and Denali Backcountry Lodge were previously named among Travel + Leisure readers’ favorite resorts in the West. Holland America offers Alaska cruises as well as the Holland America Denali Lodge, the cruise line’s exclusive hotel in Alaska. Silversea offers a variety of 7-14 day Alaska cruises, while the Discovery Princess features an adults-only top deck on its seven-day Inside Passage sailing. 

Oregon

From its rugged Pacific Coast to lively Portland and Bend in the central part of the state, Oregon is a great place to visit in July. Portland’s walkable downtown is known for tax-free shopping, casual dining at food carts, coffee culture, and the Waterfront Blues Festival, set for July 2-4, with music, dance, art, food, and the state’s largest fireworks display. Heading east to central Oregon, visitors will find mild weather, hiking, biking, golf, and outdoor activities on the Deschutes River in Bend. A road trip is a great way to explore Oregon, and oenophiles will want to spend a few days in the Willamette Valley for wine tastings and tours. Whether you choose outdoor adventure or city experiences, there’s an abundance of things to do in Oregon during July.

Where to Stay: The Allison Inn + Spa in Newberg is a wonderful home base in the Willamette Valley. Brasada Ranch and Sunriver Resort are lovely spots in the Bend area, and on Gleneden Beach, there’s Salishan Coastal Lodge by SCP Hotels. In Portland, Cascada is a wellness sanctuary.

Aspen and Snowmass, Colorado

Summer in Colorado’s mountains brings temperatures in the high 70s and many ways to enjoy the gorgeous surroundings. Visitors can soak in breathtaking views from Aspen Mountain’s Silver Queen Gondola and the Elk Camp Gondola at Snowmass. Hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and fly fishing are a few ways to spend the days outdoors. The Snowmass Rodeo takes place every Wednesday night from June 17 to August 19. The Saturday market in Aspen begins in June, and dowtownn has shopping, art galleries, parks, concerts, and historic buildings. Celebrate Independence Day in Aspen with a parade, music, and more, and in Snowmass, there’s a free evening concert. The annual Food & Wine Classic is set for June 19-21.

Where to Stay: W Aspen features a rooftop with a pool, hot tub, fire pits, and panoramic mountain views. T+L readers placed Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection, at the top of their list of favorite Colorado resorts. The Little Nell and Limelight Aspen also made the list. 

Oahu, Hawaii

In Honolulu, Hawaii’s capital, restaurants, nightlife, resorts, Waikīkī Beach, Chinatown, and Diamond Head offer much to do. The Bishop Museum is dedicated to Hawaii’s cultural history, and Iolani Palace, a National Historic Landmark, also tells about the islands’ past.  First-time visitors can learn more about Hawaii at the Polynesian Cultural Center. The Pearl Harbor Memorial honors more recent World War II history. Oahu’s beaches are world-famous, and for visitors who want to get active and enjoy stunning views, we’ve rounded up the best Oahu hikes. Other popular things to do on Oahu include trying famous Hawaiian shave ice or taking a surfing lesson.

Where to Stay: Some favorite resorts in Oahu include The Kahala Hotel & Resort, Kaimana Beach Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton O’ahu, Turtle Bay, Halekulani, and Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko Olina. Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, is a fantastic choice if you have little ones in tow. 

San Diego, California

In the middle of summer, San Diego’s mild weather, sea breezes, and abundant activities make it a perfect place for a vacation, whether you’re traveling with the family or looking for a romantic weekend getaway. With miles of coastline, there’s a beach for everyone, from surfers to sunbathers. Adventure travelers will find stunning hiking trails for all levels, and shoppers will enjoy browsing at San Diego malls and Liberty Station, with 360 acres of shops, art galleries, restaurants, and entertainment. On Independence Day, the Big Bay Boom is one of the country’s largest July 4th fireworks shows, with viewing spots throughout the area. Beachside Belmont Park is a free amusement park with a historic wooden roller coaster, the Giant Dipper, which dates to 1925. San Diego Pride celebrates with a parade from July 15-19. The thoroughbred racing season at Del Mar opens July 17, attracting fans from around the country.

Where to Stay: Hotel del Coronado, Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, and The Lodge at Torrey Pines are among the best hotels in San Diego. 

Key West, Florida

With July’s warm weather, beaches are popular in Key West, but there’s lots going on in town as well. The annual Key Lime Festival, July 1-5, celebrates the fruit with pie-eating contests, cocktail competitions, cooking demonstrations, a 5K run, music, and fireworks. On the literary and cultural side, Key West’s annual tribute to Ernest Hemingway is set for July 22-26. Hemingway Days includes the renowned Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition, tours of Hemingway’s historic home, the Key West Marlin Tournament, Caribbean Street Fair, the Papa Birthday Bash, and Hemingway Rum Bar Stroll. Sloppy Joe’s Bar sponsors a Hemingway look-alike contest and the Running of the Bulls, a safer version of the Spanish tradition.

Where to Stay:  We rounded up the best hotels in Key West to help you choose the perfect home base, but you can also consider others, such as Casa Marina, which is set on a private beach.

Newport, Rhode Island

With temperatures in the low 80s, coastal breezes, and exciting events, Newport is an appealing July vacation destination. From July 2-19, the Newport Classical Music Festival brings 29 concerts to 11 venues, including Patriotic Pops on July 4. Every Saturday throughout the summer, visitors can see exciting polo matches with competitors from around the world. Tennis fans will enjoy the International Tennis Hall of Fame events, as well as the exhibits in the museum located in the Newport Casino. The popular Newport Folk Festival is set for July 24-26. Farmers’ markets, beach picnics, bike rides along Ocean Drive, strolls along the Cliff Walk, sunset sails, and tours of Newport’s Gilded Age mansions are more ways to enjoy the city. 

Where to Stay: Island House Newport is a new boutique resort steps from the Cliff Walk. The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection is an elegant resort in downtown Newport with indoor and outdoor pools. Gardiner House, a 21-room waterfront hotel, features views of Newport Harbor. Or, you could stay in a secluded lighthouse on Rose Island for a unique experience. 

Little Rock, Arkansas

Summer temperatures are in the low 90s, but there are many ways to cool off and enjoy the outdoors, like kayaking on the Arkansas or Little Maumelle rivers, taking a pontoon boat tour, or cruising the city on an e-bike. Hiking trails on Pinnacle Mountain State Park offer panoramic views of Lake Maumelle, the Arkansas River Valley, and the Ouachita Mountains. Walk or bike over the Big Dam Bridge, the longest pedestrian/bicycle bridge in the world. Little Rock’s River Market District & Riverfront Park offers art galleries, indie bookstores, boutiques, restaurants, and splash parks for warm afternoons. The Museum of Discovery and Little Rock Zoo are ideal family destinations, and the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum is home to interesting stories and exhibits. 

Where to Stay: The iconic 1876 Capital Hotel is downtown, steps from the Arkansas River and the Clinton Presidential Library. The Empress of Little Rock is a Victorian-style bed-and-breakfast with stunning architecture and gourmet breakfasts.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Morning fog and cool temperatures in coastal Carmel-by-the-Sea make the town a perfect escape from hot summer weather, but a short drive inland to Carmel Valley takes visitors to a sunnier, warmer climate. Visitors can stroll through the charming seaside town’s art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants and picnic on the beach. Even in July, the sea is chilly, but the beach is beautiful. The Carmel Bach Festival is set for July 11-25 with concerts at various venues. In Carmel Valley, there’s wine tasting, golf, and Garland Ranch Regional Park with hiking trails, wildlife, a waterfall, horseback riding, and gorgeous scenery. 

Where to Stay: Carmel Valley Ranch offers 500 acres of activities, including golf, tennis, and a spa, and L’Auberge Carmel is a charming choice in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

New York, New York

July can be warm and humid, but visitors can find museums, Broadway theater matinees, shady parks, and iconic restaurants to escape the heat in New York City. Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks are spectacular in the Big Apple, and viewing spots along the Hudson River are plentiful. Walk along the High Line, across the Brooklyn Bridge, head to one of the city’s beaches, or take the Long Island Railroad out east for some time away from the city. 

Where to Stay: We’ve rounded up the best hotels in New York City, from the exclusive Aman New York to the buzzy Hotel Chelsea. 

Porto, Portugal

Porto, located in northern Portugal along the Douro River, is one of Europe’s oldest cities, and its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. July is festival season in the city known for wine, especially port, a sweet fortified wine. The Douro & Porto Wine Festival celebrates Portugal’s cultural and culinary heritage with wine tastings, chef demonstrations, music, and entertainment. July also brings concerts, art shows, and Porto’s International Folklore Festival. Visitors can explore and learn at World of Wine, where there are museums, restaurants, bars, shops, and panoramic views of the city. Spend a few days in the historic city as a prelude to a Douro River cruise to explore the picturesque valley’s lush green hills, beautiful towns, and rows of grapevines with Uniworld Boutique Cruises, AmaWaterways, Viking River Cruises, or other river cruise companies.  

Where to Stay: The renovated 1951 boutique hotel Hospes Infante Sagres is located minutes from the city’s historic landmarks, with a plunge pool, sundeck, and 85 individually designed rooms and suites. Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia and Casa da Companhia are also excellent options.  

Curaçao

Located in the southern Caribbean Sea, Curaçao offers hot, breezy July weather with temperatures in the mid-80s. The seas are warm, ideal for swimming, diving, and snorkeling among coral reefs. While beaches are the main attraction, the island is also rich in culture with Dutch-influenced architecture, vibrant local markets, and European-style charm. One of the “ABC” islands, along with Aruba and Bonaire, Curaçao is outside the hurricane zone, making it an attractive Caribbean destination during the summer and early fall season. In Willemstad, museums, street art, restaurants, and nightclubs offer much to do, and visitors can also hike or take a Jeep tour to the top of Christoffel Mountain for panoramic views of the island. 

Where to Stay: The oceanfront Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort is five minutes from Willemstad. Sandals Royal Curaçao is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort.

Queensland, Australia

July is an ideal time to visit Queensland, with pleasant dry weather in the 70s in the midst of the Southern Hemisphere’s winter. Humpback whales are arriving on their migration from the north, and they stay around until September. The timing is also perfect for exploring the Great Barrier Reef with clear seas and new eco-conscious ways to appreciate the world’s largest coral reef. Heading south from Cairns to Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Visitors will find beaches, Lamington National Park, cooler weather, and Bluey’s World, the popular family-friendly attraction. Brisbane, Queensland’s capital, offers restaurants, wineries, distilleries, and entertainment. 

Where to Stay: InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef on Hayman Island focuses on sustainability and partners with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. Shangri-la The Marina in Cairns is conveniently located near the Reef Fleet Terminal. The Sundays is a boutique property on Hamilton Island.

Oslo, Norway

Long daylight hours, mild weather, outdoor activities, and lots to see make Oslo a great place to visit in July, whether it’s your primary destination or a starting point for exploring the country. The midnight sun creates nearly 24 hours of daylight, a unique phenomenon for most visitors that provides more time to enjoy the city’s lively atmosphere and attractions. The waterfront area of Aker Brygge features restaurants, shops, and outdoor concerts, and visitors can take Oslofjord cruises on a wooden boat or public ferry to nearby islands. First-time visitors can see more of Norway with The Best of Summer Norway trip by Unforgettable Travel Company (one of our readers’ favorite tour operators), a nine-day adventure to the fjords of Flam, Bergen, and more via train and private cars. Up Norway offers custom tours of the country, too.

Where to Stay: Grand Hotel Oslo was voted a reader favorite in the 2025 World’s Best Awards for Nordic hotels.

Greenland

July is the warmest month in Greenland, with coastal temperatures in the 50s, and long daylight hours providing time to explore and see humpback, fin, and minke whales. Visitors typically join a cruise, expedition group, or tour to explore the island, and many adventurers are looking ahead to this year’s solar eclipse as an opportunity to visit Greenland. During the short summer season, activities include fishing, hiking, and diving among whales, icebergs, and shipwrecks. Several events include Greenland’s National Day and Nuuk Pride, and the Aasiaat Midnight Sun Marathon in June.

Where to Stay: Greenland offers a variety of places to stay, like the Hotel Arctic with its northern-lights viewing cabins in Ilulissat.

French Polynesia

The nearly 120 islands that make up this South Pacific destination include Tahiti, Bora Bora, and many more. July is the high season because the weather is dry and warm. This time is ideal for snorkeling, diving, hiking, and enjoying the sunshine on a sandy beach. Humpback whales migrate north from Antarctica to give birth and nurture their young in the warm seas, making whale watching another popular activity. July is also the time for the Heiva, an annual cultural event in Polynesia featuring traditional music, dance, art, and sports competitions. A popular honeymoon spot, French Polynesia is also an ideal family or cruise destination. 

Where to Stay: In Tetiaroa, The Brando was established by actor Marlon Brando as a sustainable development. The Westin Bora Bora and St. Regis Bora Bora feature gorgeous overwater bungalows, and Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort offers a secluded location with beach, lagoon, garden, and overwater bungalows.

Nova Scotia, Canada

Summer is the perfect time to visit Nova Scotia, with warm weather, long hours of daylight, and more than 8,000 miles of rugged coastline and sandy beaches. The province’s Cape Breton Island and nearby Prince Edward Island were some of T+L readers’ favorites in Canada in the 2025 World’s Best Awards. Beautiful scenery, fishing villages, delicious seafood, wineries, history, and outdoor activities make this part of Canada an ideal summer vacation destination, and Nova Scotia’s capital, Halifax, visitors can explore the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, a hilltop fort with a stunning view of Halifax Harbour, stroll along the waterfront, and savor local seafood with a lobster roll, scallops, or a Halifax donair, the city’s official signature food.

Where to Stay: Dalvay by the Sea is a historic hotel dating to the late 1800s. Small cabins on Prince Edward Island are another option. Cabot Cape Breton, one of Canada’s premier destinations, features a variety of villas and homes as well as two world-renowned golf courses. 

Austria

From the Alps to Vienna’s palaces, cathedrals, and coffee houses, Austria is a lovely summer destination. The Salzburg Summer Festival (July 17-Aug. 30) presents concerts, theater, and opera performances in a variety of venues. In July, the Innsbruck Festival of Early Music celebrates the musical history of this Alpine city. After exploring Vienna, visitors may want to escape the heat and head for Austria’s lakes and mountains. The lesser-known Carinthia province, set in the southern Alps, has delicious food and a unique style based on its proximity to Italy and Slovenia. History fans will want to put Graz on their itinerary to stroll its medieval streets. 

Where to Stay: Rosewood Schloss Fuschl is set on Lake Fuschl amid the Austrian Alps. The Almanac Palais Vienna is a boutique hotel located in the heart of Vienna, and the luxe Rosewood Vienna is housed in a historic building in the city’s Old Town.  

Switzerland

Often viewed as a winter destination, Switzerland is wonderful in summer when visitors can hike or bike along scenic trails, cruise on a lake, or play golf at a world-class course. In Andermatt, popular for its ski slopes and luxury resorts, golf fans will enjoy Andermatt Golf Course for its beauty and challenge. Switzerland’s lakes offer boating and waterside dining at Lake Lucerne and Lake Geneva. Whether your Switzerland vacation wish list includes beaches, cities, small towns, mountains, or wineries, the country offers it all. You can see Switzerland’s scenery from the comfort of a plush railroad car on the Glacier Express; the full eight-hour journey covers 180 scenic miles between Zermatt and St. Moritz.  

Where to Stay: The Chedi Andermatt offers a pool, spa, and a range of summer activities. Gstaad Palace celebrates Swiss National Day on Aug. 1 and hosts polo during August. The Grand Resort Bad Ragaz has a stunning thermal spa.

Kyoto, Japan

July is a season of festivals in Kyoto, with many of the temples celebrating events throughout the month. The Gion Festival, held for the entire month at Yasaka Shrine, is one of Japan’s largest, dating back to 869. Giant floats parade through the city on July 17 (Yamaboko Junco), some up to 80 feet tall and 12 tons. Another July tradition is cormorant fishing, using the seabirds to catch fish, and visitors can watch from viewing boats. Along with more than 1,600 temples, Kyoto also offers summer flea markets for antique shoppers and excellent restaurants for foodies. July weather is quite warm, so travelers should come prepared. 

Where to Stay: The beautiful Six Senses Kyoto, Banyan Tree Higashiyama, Roku Kyoto, LXR Hotels & Resorts, and Park Hyatt Kyoto are excellent options.