Early summer comprises the best time in many US cities when the sun has not yet heated the steel to unbearable. The skies are clear to enjoy the endless line-up of festivals, and one cannot help but marvel at the fresh faces these best cities put out to the world in June.

　　

Boise, Idaho

A view of a street in Boise, Idaho.  The lush Boise puts on its best dress in June before crowds hit the city, and the weather is fantastically warm with a light breeze. The Annual Greek Food Festival and Savor Idaho take place in downtown Boise, bringing flavors from around the world for a true foodies-gathering paradise. Food carts also start appearing throughout to explore the town on foot while taking advantage of the nearby parks and trails. The famed Boise Music Festival at the end of the month highlights new faces and established artists, both local and regional, along with headliners from globally renowned musicians. The theater fans will rejoice in the annual Summer Solstice Masquerade Ball showcasing Boise’s amazing talent, while the Idaho Shakespeare Festival also starts up in June. The Boise Water Lantern Festival offers a wholesome family summer fun time with lights, music, and rainbows in the water. 

　　

Boston, Massachusetts

Aerial view of Boston, Massachusetts.  A must-visit city in June, the incredibly historic Boston comes with a famous food scene, endless sights, and attractions. The gentle sun kisses one's bare shoulders on an afternoon stroll along the waterfront, while the 2.5-mile historic Boston's Freedom Trail is known for many sites on the way to combine culture and exercise. The incredible city makes it easy to feel part of the energy while visiting parks, churches, and museums means stepping foot in places that played an integral role in making America independent. Set in the atmospheric Seaport District, the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum provides a wholesome experience to learn more about the historic tea-dumping into the harbor. The comfortable June weather with temperatures hovering in the mid to upper 70s makes Boston great to explore by foot. The city's vast and reliable public transportation comes to the rescue for that chance rainy day of the month. 

　　

Burlington, Vermont

Church Street Marketplace at Burlington, Vermont.  A vibrant city year-round, Burlington comes fully awake in June, with the weather perfectly suitable to enjoy all exciting outdoor activities. The wonderful Waterfront Park is great for strolls with views of the Adirondack Mountains hovering over Lake Champlain. There are also many hiking trails within city limits, while the Burlington Bike Path is a fabulous way to get exercise before turning onto one of the beaches to cool off and relax. Known for the busy art and music scene, one must partake in the Discover Jazz Festival of many free concerts in various venues throughout the city. For an unforgettable afternoon of people watching, mingling, and absorbing the vibe, one must pay a visit to the pedestrian mall of Church Street Marketplace, with countless unique shops and street performers within blocks of outdoor dining. The city's renowned cuisine, influenced by the farm-to-table movement, also includes food trucks, the famous Vermont maple creemee, amazing craft brew, fine spirits, and hard cider.

　　

Charleston, South Carolina

Aerial view of the skyline of downtown Charleston, South Carolina.  Beloved any time of the year, Charleston turns quintessential in June with festivals like Charleston Rum Festival and Carifest Caribbean Carnival hitting town. Piccolo Spoleto Festival comprises diverse art and music program of events, half of which are free, while Juneteenth Freedom is an epic celebration of the city's Black heritage and culture. The mild weather temps one to take daily walks through the scenic Battery area of colorful houses on the Rainbow Row. For more Instagrammable places, the White Point Garden is a beautiful park right at The Battery with blooming trees complimenting the picturesque houses. It is no secret that Charleston is renowned for BBQ, while the water-bound location adds great seafood to the mix for a true foodie's paradise. The Reggae Nights Summer Concerts take place at James Island County Park, while Jazz on the Harbor is a pleasure for the eyes and the ears. Nighttime at the Museum is a fun experience at the town's museum with re-enactments, special exhibitions, and demonstrations beloved by history fans and families.

　　

Chicago, Illinois

Aerial view of the skyline of Chicago, Illinois. 

　　A favorite travel destination, the best time to visit and enjoy the sparsely-crowded Chicago comprises the change of seasons from spring to summer. June comes to the windy city with mild temperatures between the mid-50s to high 60s, soft rains, and clear skies over the atmospheric streets. One will find endless ways to keep busy and fully absorb the vibe sans crowds in the galore of famed restaurants, waterfronts, and parks. Various festivals take over different streets every weekend with incredible food stands, beer gardens, and live music, like the Chicago Pride that sees the Boystown neighborhood come alive more than ever. One might be surprised to learn about the beaches along Lake Michigan, with the best Montrose beach known for a low-key family vibe and a sweet dog beach next-door. Among the many free events in June, there are free movies at Millennium Park for an atmospheric picnic over a film in the outdoors.

　　

Cincinnati, Ohio

Aerial view of Cincinnati, Ohio.  The rust belt city in June comes with complying weather for all of the outdoor activities and festivals, such as Pride and Juneteenth. There's the state's largest theater and performing arts 12-day festival, the Cincinnati Fringe Festival comprising some 200 performances, and the Bunbury Music Festival at Sawyer Point Park featuring pop-punk, rap performances, and everything in-between. The Newport Italian Festival that is held during the second weekend brings all the Italian food and culture lovers together across the Purple People Bridge. Over-the-Rhine neighborhood brims with trendy shops, bars, and restaurants, along with the historic Findlay Market's bustling outdoor shopping area. The Summerfair, held at the atmospheric Coney Island, is one of the country's oldest continuous art fairs, with hundreds of artists selling hand-made crafts and masterpieces. The city's temperatures between 59°F and 84°F offer comfortable evenings for catching a baseball game at the Great American Ball Park. 

　　

Los Angeles, California

Aerial view of Echo Park with downtown Los Angeles skyline. 

　　Best to visit in June over any other month of the year, Los Angeles boasts one of the biggest Pride festivals happening during this time all around the nation. June also makes for an optimal L.A. beach scene with ideal weather and no crowds to find a private spot under the gentle sun. Likewise, one can visit the iconic Hollywood Hills sign and viewpoint or take the 1.3 some-mile Hollywood Walk of Fame without waiting to take a photo at one of the infamous 2,700 stars. After shopping at the Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive, just a short drive away, one can take another quick ride to the Santa Monica Beach for a sunset over dinner. One can also rent a Harley Davidson to breeze through the city with stops to watch roller skaters on the promenade, work out at the “Muscle Beach,” and enjoy amusements at the pier. 

　　

Manchester, Tennessee

Rural scene near Manchester, Tennessee. 

　　Manchester in June is known for the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, an annual 4-day event going strong for twenty years. Set on a 700-acre farm spread, one can wander around multiple stages of various music styles, including indie and classic rock, followed by a dinner in-town at the popular Prater's Bar-B-Que & Catering. For the outdoorsy types and hikers, the Big Falls at the Old Stone Fort State Archaeological park features some of the most spectacular natural sights in the region just a short drive away. There are also the Old Stone Golf Course and the Willow Brook Golf Club, while the more extreme can breeze through the AEDC Mountain Bike Trail. Upon discovering the area's past at the Arrowheads/Aerospace Cultural Center, history buffs can share impressions over drinks at the Beans Creek Winery or the George Dickel Distillery or head to Bites of Europe for a taste of European cuisine in the heartland of America.

　　

New York City, New York

Aerial view of the Central Park in New York City with golf fields and tall skyscrapers surrounding the park. 

　　New York City in June is known for incredible weather and relatively crowd-free Times Square, which make a perfect recipe for absorbing everything the Big Apple has to offer. Similarly, one can take strolls in Central Park without breaking a sweat or people marring the view in the background for that perfect shot. Offering 843 acres of lawns, lakes, and trails, the park is great for skating, biking, and scenic picnicking by the waters. Other local favorites and picture-worthy spots include the Bow Bridge, Strawberry Fields, and Gapstow Bridge, while row-boating onto the lake offers another perspective. A spectacular High Line route leads one to the newer Hudson Yards hot spot for shopping and eating, along with the breathtaking “Vessel.” Those who climb its 154 interconnecting flights of stairs get rewarded with the best panoramic view from The Edge, the highest sky deck in the Western Hemisphere.

　　

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine, coastal townscape. 

　　Some say there's nothing lovelier than Portland, Maine, in early summer, where the water-bound location and the New England vibe make an ideal combination. Days can be spent wine-sipping and walking though blooming parks, endlessly strolling along the scenic pier, and enjoying the seafood galore like no other. With temperatures between 51F and 75F, the city comes with lots of cheap and free outdoor activities to enjoy under the gentle sun. Among many festivals, there's the famous Portland Wine Week comprising seven days of tastings and special events. The Portland Museum of Art offers collections from Andy Warhol and Claude Monet in a display of over 18,000 items, while the Victoria Mansion from 1941 takes visitors to the gilded life of the past. A walk through the Bug Light Park comes with views of the Portland Harbor, the skyline, and the Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, along with many activities and seasonal events. One can also spread out a picnic near the water to watch the legendary Mailboat Run on Casco Bay.

　　

Seattle, Washington

Seattle downtown skyline and Mt. Rainier, Washington. 

　　Offering great access to some of the most scenic spots in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle also comes with twenty culturally-unique neighborhoods where June's vibrant arts scene takes over the streets. The Fremont Fair spans six blocks of arts and crafts vendors as Seattle's largest outdoor summer market, while the Pike Place Market is a 108-year-old farmers market known for fishmongers, fruit and vegetable stand, along with craft booths, and specialty shops. There, one will also find the first and original Starbucks at the 1st & Pike Starbucks location. A short stroll away, the famous Seattle waterfront comes brimful with seafood restaurants, a Ferris wheel, and a fantastic Aquarium for some wholesome family fun, along with breathtaking views of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. For a unique experience, one must ride the Space Needle 605-foot tall tower from the 1962 World's Fair. The festivals include the renowned Chinatown-International District Dragonfest in the heart of Seattle's historic Chinatown, the Seattle International Film Festival, the Seattle International Dance Festival, and the Washington Brewers Festival. 

　　Comprising vibrant arts and culture meccas, these cities also offer easy access to the great outdoors in time for the perfect weather. Whether dining and drinking at the waterfront on a warm evening or picnicking at the many parks under the sun's gentle embrace, one is guaranteed to have an unforgettable June getaway.