The Top Vacation Spots for the Month of July

Now that summer has fully arrived, we are brainstorming vacation destinations that range from the beach to the mountains to the lakes to the cities to the far reaches of the globe. Music festivals can be found in Telluride, Chicago, and Lucca, while in Alberta and Cheyenne, people celebrate the pioneer spirit of the West. Summer is a wonderful time to visit Long Island, Lake Tahoe, Oklahoma City, and North Carolina, as well as the beaches of Turkey, Mexico, Greece, and Southern California. Whether you'll be staying close to home this July or venturing far away, a change of scenery is one of the best ways to enjoy the season. Listed below are 13 of the top destinations in the US and abroad to visit in July.

This article is related to: 20 Timeless Summer Vacations Everyone Must Experience Once.

The Bodrum peninsula in the Aegean Sea is a popular summertime vacation spot due to its beaches, high-end resorts, and lively town of the same name. In July, the sun is shining and the water is warm, perfect for lounging by the pool or on the beach. However, there are other attractions to see, such as Bodrum Castle, which was constructed by the Crusaders on the coast in the 15th century and is now home to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Bodrum Town is a fascinating blend of ancient ruins, cobblestone streets, and whitewashed houses with contemporary architecture and buzzing nightlife. The Bodrum EDITION is a hotel with a spa, an infinity pool, and the Brava restaurant and bar with views of the Aegean. Located on a beautiful stretch of beach, the METT Hotel & Beach Resort is home to a spa, a Turkish Hammam, and a number of upscale dining options. Located on the northern coast of the peninsula, the Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum is a five-star establishment.

Location: About 50 miles west of Florence and about 20 miles from the Ligurian Sea, this historic walled city is a true hidden gem. Lucca Summer Festival (June 26–July 24): Celine Dion, John Legend, Ben Harper, and more. Medieval architecture meets contemporary hospitality in this charming city. During the months of July and August, the annual Puccini Festival will feature performances of Madame Butterfly, Turandot, Tosca, and La Rondine for opera fans. In 2020, the city's central Grand Universe Lucca will open, and its musical theme will be reflected in the room names, which will include things like the "Puccini Suite" and the "Symphony Lounge." Sommità Martin Orsyn Champagne Rooftop Bar, where guests can sip champagne while taking in views of Lucca, is located on the hotel's top floor.

When measured from Manhattan to its easternmost point, Montauk Point on Long Island, that distance is 118 miles. There are marinas, wineries, historic mansions, a castle, and beachfront hotels and restaurants packed into its roughly 1,400 square miles. The Hamptons are a popular summer destination for wealthy New Yorkers, and the "Gold Coast" on Long Island's north shore is home to picturesque New England towns and stately Victorians that influenced F. Scott Fitzgerald. Title Characters in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald Once the summer retreat of a wealthy banker, Oheka Castle is now available for tours, meals, overnight stays, and special events. In the direction of the east, you'll find the roughly 60 vineyards that make up Long Island Wine Country. Greenport, on the island's North Fork, is home to both the popular seafood restaurant Claudio's and the Greenport Harbor Brewing Company. The nearby Sound View Hotel offers a private pebble beach and stunning ocean views. EHP Resort & Marina is a great place to stay in East Hampton, with its contemporary cottages and five waterfront acres.

With the snow gone and the skis and snowboards put away, Telluride becomes a summertime haven. Hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and relaxing in natural mineral hot springs are just some of the activities available in this former mining town. It's also festival season, with the Ride Festival (rock 'n' roll) happening July 6-10, Telluride Art & Architecture Week (architecture) happening July 11-17, and the Americana Music Festival (music) happening July 14-17. Visit the Dunton Hot Springs, located about 30 miles outside of Telluride in a restored 1800s ghost town turned Relais & Chateaux resort with luxury log cabins and views of the San Juan Mountains, after staying at the quaint Dunton Town House. Alternately, you could go camping at the nearby Dunton River Camp and engage in activities such as fly fishing, biking, hiking, and more The Madeline Hotel & Residences, located in a scenic mountain setting, features a wide range of comfortable lodging options.

The town of Cheyenne, Colorado, about an hour and a half north of Denver, has as its slogan, "Cheyenne—Live the Legend," because the town evokes the Old West with its rodeos, railroads, and expansive plains. Cheyenne is a city with a rich history and a thriving modern culture, boasting the largest outdoor rodeo in the world, the Wyoming State Capitol Building (built in 1888), and a variety of family-friendly attractions, as well as a thriving craft beer and arts community. Pleasantly mild temperatures in the low 80s make July perfect for outdoor activities, and the annual Cheyenne Frontier Days festival features a rodeo, parades, a carnival, concerts, and cultural immersion with local Native American communities from July 22nd through the 31st. Nearby Medicine Bow National Forest and Curt Gowdy State Park provide year-round opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Temperatures in Los Cabos reach the mid-80s in the month of July, making it ideal for lounging by the pool or on the beach. Enjoy the warm summer weather and the pristine Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez with a boat trip along the coast, a sunset cruise, or a sportfishing excursion. Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park is about 60 miles from most Los Cabos resorts, making it an ideal destination for scuba divers and snorkelers. There are plenty of hotels and resorts to choose from, both in town and on the beach, with some offering all-inclusive rates. The Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort has a turtle protection program, and the season for hatching turtles has just begun. Located on a cliff above the Pacific Ocean, the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal offers breathtaking panoramas. This year, Las Ventanas al Paraiso will host a series of festivities to mark its silver anniversary. Stay at the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Costa Palmas on the East Cape and enjoy two miles of beachfront, golf, a marina, a spa, and a variety of restaurants.

In Oklahoma, you can travel more than 400 miles on Route 66, and in the state capital of Oklahoma City you can visit famous landmarks like the Milk Bottle Building, Tower Theater, and Lake Overholser Bridge. It gets hot in July, but there are many places to cool off, such as the Blue Zoo Aquarium, the Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden, and the 25-acre Hurricane Harbor Water Park. Oklahoma City is home to the Harn Homestead and 1889ers Museum, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, the American Banjo Museum, and the First Americans Museum. The National, Autograph Collection at the First National Center is a five-star hotel, apartment complex, bar, and retail space located in the historic First National Bank building from 1931. The Great Banking Hall, which formerly served as a vault, is now a public lobby with restored murals, decorative ceilings, stone columns, vault doors, and safes.

Lake Tahoe's pine-covered mountains, crystal-clear lake, and sandy beaches are all at their finest during the clear, crisp, and sunny summer months. Since the snow has melted, the fairways and greens at golf courses in both North and South Lake Tahoe are open for the season. Edgewood Tahoe Resort's new villa suites will make their debut later this year, but from July 5-10, the resort will play host to celebrities, athletes, and fans for the annual American Century Championship. The sandy beach, lawn games, outdoor movies, live music, and July 4 celebrations at this resort are all crowd-pleasers for vacationers. The Ritz-Carlton's Lake Club is located just a short drive from the hotel and provides guests with a private boat pier, beach access, free kayaks and paddleboards, and access to a fleet of MasterCraft boats.

Situated just north of Montana, Alberta is a western Canadian province sandwiched between the Canadian Rockies to the west and the vast prairies to the east. Long summer days (up to 18 hours in some parts of Alberta) and mild temperatures (typically in the 70s) make the great outdoors an appealing option throughout the season. Banff National Park, Lake Louise, and Jasper National Park are all stunning options for a summer vacation in the Canadian Rockies, and Edmonton, in northern Alberta, is a vibrant city that will be hosting the Fringe Festival and the Folk Music Festival in August. There will be a rodeo, a parade, nightly concerts and entertainment, motocross, a dog show, and more at the Calgary Stampede, held in southern Alberta from July 8-17. Elbow River Camp showcases First Nations history, literature, and music.

As the temperatures rise, summer becomes the ideal time to sightsee in Chicago. There is a wide variety of things to do in Chicago during the 15-hour July days, including boat rides on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, lounging on a sandy beach, and exploring the city's gardens and parks. From July 8-10, Grant Park hosts temporary food and entertainment venues for the annual Taste of Chicago festival. During the four days of Lollapalooza (July 28-31), more than 170 bands from all over the world will perform on nine different stages. A Japanese minimalist hotel in the heart of Chicago's West Loop, Nobu Hotel Chicago is known for its delectable sushi and breathtaking views of the city from its 11th-floor Rooftop at Nobu Hotel. The Fairmont Chicago and the Waldorf Astoria are two additional five-star hotels in the downtown area. Graduate Evanston, located close to Northwestern University, provides convenience and a taste of college life to its guests.

This island in the Aegean Sea is one of the Cyclades Islands located east of mainland Greece, and July is the height of the season there. Warm temperatures, beautiful sunsets, and packed beaches characterize the late summer season. Sunset cruises offer diner and a front-row seat to the nightly event, while boat trips to nearby volcanic islands take tourists there. One of the best parts of any trip to Greece is getting to sample the local wines. Destroyed by a volcanic eruption in the 17th century, the ancient city of Akrotiri is now a fascinating archaeological site. A variety of hotels, including the Andronis Luxury Suites, Andronis Arcadia, Andronis Boutique Hotel, and the Andronis Concept Wellness Resort, are available to guests. At the Oia boutique hotel Mystique, guests can stay in one of the many sea-facing suites or villas.

Campgrounds and five-star resorts sit side by side with public beaches, theme parks, museums, golf courses, shops, marinas, and more in Southern California. Pasea Hotel and "Surf City USA," Huntington Beach, are popular destinations for surfers, while Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm bring in tourists to Anaheim. The Surf and Sand Resort in Laguna Beach is located right on the beach, and golfers will enjoy their time at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club. Visitors to Orange County also enjoy the Montage Laguna Beach's spa, the Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano's historical significance, and the Inn's history. Some of Newport Beach's most popular activities include boating among the city's luxurious mansions and resorts, while others include staying in one of the townhouse-style suites at Lido House or the ocean-view rooms at Balboa Bay Resort. The area is serviced by John Wayne Orange County Airport, and most destinations in Orange County can be reached from Los Angeles International Airport in under two hours.

Although it may not be the first place people think of when planning a summer vacation, North Carolina's "Land of Waterfalls" certainly has the makings of a fantastic vacation spot. Natural beauty abounds in this region, which is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts thanks to its abundance of unspoiled forests, trails for hiking and mountain biking, streams perfect for fishing, and the highest concentration of waterfalls in North America. Museums, galleries, concert halls, and restaurants can all be found in the downtown area. Accommodations range from rustic cabins and motels to charming cottages and the luxurious Greystone Inn, which is located on a private lake in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Jackson County's Cashiers is close by, and it has lakes, mountains, and waterfalls; High Hampton is nearby as well, and it has golf, a spa, lawn sports, and dining options.