7 Places to Visit in June
Searching for the best places to visit in June? Good idea! Why? Days are long and everything is open. Having explored many places during this month (and in early July), I've come up with a list of my off-the-beaten path favorites that I hope you’ll enjoy them too.
Freeport, ME
I love visiting Maine in June when days are the longest. Freeport, ME is the kind of coastal town that made the perfect early summer getaway for our family of three. We headed here on a recommendation from a family member while living on the East Coast for ten years and Freeport quickly became one of my favorite Maine getaways.
Our days were spent browsing the famous flagship L.L.Bean store (open 24/7!), exploring outlet shops and local boutiques downtown, and hiking on scenic trails at Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park.
- Average temperature: 54°F – 68°F (12°C – 20°C)
What I loved best:
Maine’s legendary lobster rolls at Lobster Cooker and Pub and Freeport Oyster Bar were my favorite!
Local Tip: You can drive to Acadia from Freeport, ME in about 2 hours and 30 minutes. It's doable as a day trip, but I recommend packing your tent and camping overnight in Acadia National Park. Yes, it's sometimes difficult to book a spot (and you MUST reserve it!) but not if you plan ahead. In fact, campsites are released six months in advance (on the first of each month). For late vacation planners, the remaining 10% of campsites are released at 14 days ahead of a desired arrival date on a rolling basis.
A downside? I have to warn you that the sun is particularly harsh in June heading into summer solstice. I recommend UV clothing, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen to avoid sunburn.
Port Orford, OR
This is my favorite destination when it comes to unspoiled nature on the southern Oregon Coast. You'll find Port Orford, OR on a headland above the Pacific Ocean. It's family friendly with heaps of things to do in June.
Our days were spent hiking in Battle Rock Wayside Park, exploring the tidepools and dramatic sea stacks at Port Orford Heads State Park, and kayaking the sheltered coves along the coast. We also loved watching the fishing boats unload at the unique “dolly dock” (the only one of its kind in the U.S.), and feasted on freshly caught seafood straight from the Pacific.
- Average temperature: ~ 52°F – 62°F (11°C – 17°C)
What I loved best:
Browsing the town’s small art galleries was very enjoyable.
Oakdale, CA
We thought that this is one of the best places to visit in California in early summer. Why? We loved that the weather was sunny but balanced with cool evenings. Best of all, Oakdale had that Old West atmosphere that made us feel like we stepped back in time so it was easy to re-set.
I enjoyed learning about local history at the Cowboy Museum with our son. We had fun strolling to the scenic Stanislaus River. It was easy to find a casual lunch stop in town. We enjoyed exploring shops and antique stores in the historic downtown after.
My son especially enjoyed stopping at Bloomingcamp Ranch Bake Shop for sweet treats. In fact, we returned a few times for more flavors and ours wasn't the only family who enjoyed these sweet treats in June!
Oakdale also makes a perfect jumping-off point for adventures to Yosemite National Park, less than two hours away. Or if you want something more romantic, head to nearby wineries in the Sierra Foothills.
- Average temperature: 58.6 °F – 90.1 °F (14.8 °C – 32.3 °C)
What I loved best:
My husband, son and I all thought that Oakdale is an amazing foodie destination. During our stay there we tried to sample as much as possible, including Bistro 120 for comfort fare, great pizza at Firenze, House of Beef for steaks, Ryderz Restaurant for burgers (as well as Backwoods Burgers)!
We decided to stay at the 3-star Best Western Plus Rama Inn & Suites for two days. It was a comfortable and modern option just minutes from downtown.
Martinsburg, WV
This West Virginia town in the Shenandoah Valley completely charmed me as a romantic early summer escape. It was easy to reach on a day trip from Washington D.C. in June, just 90 minutes by car.
Our days were spent exploring the Martinsburg Roundhouse, and hiking along the C&O Canal Towpath and Appalachian foothills. You can also walk past downtown shops and cafés, go wine tasting at nearby Shenandoah Valley vineyards, and visit the Belle Boyd House for Civil War history.
- Average temperature: 60°F – 81°F (16°C – 27°C)
What I loved best:
We decided to turn the day trip into a romantic weekend getaway last minute. I enjoyed returning to my cozy Victorian Double Room at McFarland House and having a relaxing bubble bath at the end of the day, my personal highlight.
Longmont, CO
I thought that Longmont, CO wasone of the best places to visit in June when we stopped at this charming Front Range gem! Why? First off, I loved nearly 15 hours of daylight. In addition, July is prime time for outdoor festivals and also for mountain adventures.
I drove just under an hour from Denver. You can relax at Union Reservoir, bike along the St. Vrain Greenway, sip local brews at Wibby Brewing, and take a drive up to Rocky Mountain National Park.
- Average July temperature: 58°F – 90°F (14°C – 32°C)
My personal highlight was the Rhythm on the River Festival in Thompson Park. You'll find live music, art, and local food vendors. Also, the Longmont Farmers Market was filled with fresh produce and affordable baked treats.
We stayed for four delightful days at 3-star Hilton Garden Inn Longmont which gave us plenty of time to enjoy strolls through the historic downtown.
Bloomington, Indiana
This lively college town of around 80,000 residents has become one of my favorite day trips from Indianapolis. Why? First off, it's just an hour southwest of Indianapolis so it's super convenient when I'm in the mood for a change of scenery. In addition, Bloomington has to be one of the coolest small cities I’ve explored, and it’s easily among my favorite affordable last minute escapes.
Right near the heart of downtown, I spent two hours at Tranquil Vibe Day Spa to unwind with a 60-minute massage ($100) followed by some time in the sauna.
In June, we enjoyed lunch at the outdoor patio at Cardinal Spirits . Just a heads up, if you want to sit inside the tasting room/bar you must be 21+ years old so it's not for families.
Top attractions we enjoyed in Bloomington were the Eskenazi Museum of Art (Free), WonderLab Museum, and the Indiana University campus.
Arcata, CA
This town in Northern California turned into one of the most underrated weekend getaway experiences my husband and I have ever had, especially with summer just beginning.
We started exploring near the Arcata Plaza, and even in June there was that cool coastal air that made everything feel calm. The first thing we did was grab coffee and delicious crepes at Renata's Crêperie.
After that we headed straight to the Arcata Community Forest, which is just minutes from town and honestly feels like a hidden gem. Walking together beneath the redwoods was such an amazing experience, with silence of trees around us.
Later we drove toward Mad River Beach close by. You'll see heaps of dunes, The parking area is very large which makes this an easy last minute beach to visit.
That evening we went back into town for dinner. Arcata’s food scene is affordable and very interesting. June wasn’t crowded, which made everything more relaxed.
- Average temperature: ~ 49.5 °F – 64.8 °F (9.7 °C – 18.2 °C)
What I loved best:
For me, Arcata is one of the best places to visit in June. We loved the lively community spirit, especially during the Arcata Oyster Festival in June. We watched the central plaza filled with live music, art stalls, and of course, delicious oysters prepared every way imaginable. It looked like the whole town came out and celebrated in a way that completely won me over!
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
