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10 Best places to visit in August in the USA
Planning an August vacation? These are the 10 best places to visit in August in the USA — from Maine in the north to the Florida Keys in the south, and more.
Everything comes together in August making it the perfect time for summer vacations. School’s out, the days are longer, and it’s a popular month for festivals and celebrations — no matter which coast you are on.
If you’re planning your next vacation and looking for the perfect spot to let go, here are 10 of the best places to visit in August (USA edition) — considering both weather and August-only experiences so you don’t miss out on anything.
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Northeast USA destinations
If you’re unsure about where to go in August in the USA, we suggest starting with the north-east.
You’ve got both the tranquility of the vast outdoors and the chaos of the cities. Here are two places you should visit to start with.
1. Maine’s Coastline
Maine’s rugged coastline — with over 4,000 tiny islands, inlets, and bays — is a top vacation destination in the USA.
The beaches are beautiful, the seaside villages are incredibly charming, and it’s said nothing beats Maine’s lobsters — the meat is firm (not mushy), tender, and surprisingly sweet.
Things to do
While visiting Maine in August, you can:
- Enjoy the warm summer days by exploring Acadia National Park, which includes over 100 miles of hiking trails.
- Book whale-watching and wildlife tours to meet the local aquatic life, including harbor seals, humpback whales, and more. If you’re visiting in early August, you will be able to spot some puffins as well.
- Join the Maine Lobster Festival to enjoy fresh seafood dishes.
2. Boston, Massachusetts
Another of our favorite places to visit in August in the USA is Boston. And it’s one of few cities that caters to both art and sports enthusiasts.
You’ve got plenty of museums and equally many sports clubs — Red Sox (baseball), Patriots (American football), Celtics (basketball), and Bruins (ice hockey).
Things to do
Add these to your Boston itinerary in August:
- Attend a free outdoor Shakespeare performance at Boston Common — it’s on every day except Monday in July and August and starts around 6:00 PM.
- Explore Faneuil Hall Marketplace, a historic marketplace in downtown Boston famous for its street performers who perform every day from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
- August is peak baseball season so try catching a baseball game at Fenway Park. There’s nothing quite like it.
Southeast USA destinations
If you’d rather spend your vacation somewhere warmer, we suggest heading southeast. You’ve got some of the best beaches plus you can experience the famous southern hospitality.
3. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville — situated at the center of the Blue Ridge Mountains — is both a nature lover’s dream and a history buff’s delight.
You’ve got plenty of hiking trails and opportunities for mountain biking, horseback riding, and even fly fishing.
Things to do
Asheville in August can look like this:
- Hiking up to the top of Craggy Gardens to pick wild blueberries — perfect for the end of August.
- Attending the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival (the oldest continuously running folk festival in the United States) in Asheville in early August. It features bluegrass, ballads, clogging, mountain dance, and more.
- Enjoying a craft beer at one of the outdoor beer gardens at Asheville’s local breweries like Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. or Highland Brewing Company.
4. Florida Keys
The Florida Keys — a chain of islands off the southern coast of Florida — can be one of your best holidays in August in the USA.
The waters are calm and there’s almost no wind — great for water activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Key West, in the Florida Keys, is popular for its lobster, and August is the perfect time to visit.
Things to do
Here are some exciting activities to enjoy in the Florida Keys:
- Explore the underwater John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park — snorkel, kayak through mangroves, or take a glass-bottom boat tour.
- Go island hopping — some options are Islamorada (the sports fishing capital of the world) and Key Largo (a top destination for scuba diving and snorkeling).
- Participate in the annual Lobsterfest, where people celebrate the start of the lobster season (the second weekend of the month) with a lobster boil, street fair, and seafood.
East Coast USA destinations
The East Coast is the OG melting pot of cultures and you can find this reflected in its architecture, food, and arts.
This makes the East Coast perfect for anyone wanting to experience the United States at its most diverse.
5. New York City, New York
New York is an iconic city to visit all year round. No other city in the world can come close to its scale of experiences — from world-class museums and Broadway shows to one-of-a-kind celebrations.
Things to do
While in NYC, you can:
- Experience NYC’s uniqueness through the Harlem celebrations — a month-long festival (mid-July to August) honoring the city’s African, Caribbean, and Hispanic heritage. You’ll witness parades, dance performances, a night market celebrating global cuisines, and so much more.
- Enjoy a scenic ferry ride to Staten Island or Governors Island — a great way to beat the August heat.
- Visit iconic attractions like The Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
6. Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Cape Cod is a collection of 15 towns and each offers a glimpse into the region’s maritime history, culinary traditions, and art scene.
From Provincetown’s many art galleries to Yarmouth’s clam shacks — everything is an unforgettable experience. And in August, you can enjoy all of these along with warm, sunny days on Cape Cod’s beautiful beaches.
Things to do
Activities you can do in Cape Cod in August, include:
- Take a day trip to Sandwich (an hour’s drive at most) and explore the Sandwich Glass Museum which preserves the glass-making history of the town. The museum shop also has pieces from local artists and makes for great keepsakes.
- Sample iconic seafood dishes like the Cape Cod clam chowder and fried whole-belly clams.
- Take the 45-minute ferry from Falmouth to Martha’s Vineyard to attend the annual Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival in early August.
7. Acadia National Park, Maine
Situated on Mount Desert Island, the Acadia National Park is an adrenaline junkie’s dream.
You’ve got everything — challenging hikes up Cadillac Mountain, advanced climbs on the granite cliffs of Otter Cliff, and the demanding kayaking routes around Western Ear and the Cranberry Isles, known for their strong currents.
Things to do
August — with its warm days and generally pleasant temperatures — is the best time for these outdoor activities:
- Drive the 27-mile Park Loop Road to Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast.
- Visit Somes Sound, the fjord that nearly divides Mount Desert Island.
- Spend the day hiking (there are 130 miles of trails) or biking (there are 45 miles of carriage roads)
West Coast USA destinations
Unlike the East Coast — which is steeped in history — the West Coast is more contemporary, whether that’s regarding art or attractions.
And if you’re a modern soul, here are three must-visit places to consider for your August vacation.
8. San Diego, California
San Diego is one of the most popular places to visit in August in the USA with family. And with good reason.
You’ve got theme parks like SeaWorld, educational experiences at Balboa Park’s museums, and plenty of non-crowded beaches to build sand castles to your heart’s content.
Things to do
Your San Diego adventure should include activities like:
- With August being the Del Mar Racing Season, catch a horse race at the Del Mar Racetrack.
- Bike along the Coronado Bridge for breathtaking views of San Diego, Coronado Island, and the bay.
- Check out the San Diego Zoo at night — it’s open until 9:00 PM during summer and they also host a variety of activities.
- August is also the baseball season. So be sure to catch a San Diego Padres home game at PETCO Park — even if you aren’t a baseball fan. A baseball game in the United States is an absolute must.
9. Portland, Oregon
One of the best places to visit in August in the USA, Portland is great for summer vacations.
The sunny weather, high humidity, and rare rainfall also make it the perfect time for water activities — whether that’s a swim in the Clackamas or Willamette rivers or one of the many beaches.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can also try stand-up paddleboarding.
Things to do
From berry picking to admiring flower gardens, here’s what not to miss in Portland:
- Explore the International Rose Test Garden where you’ll find thousands of rose varieties — they bloom from late May through October.
- Attend the annual three-day Pickathon Music Festival — known for its experimental music lineup.
- Head to the Pearl District on the first Thursday — galleries are open until late to celebrate art. The Portland Art Museum is also free to enter on the first Thursday of every month.
- Visit the Portland Japanese Garden — a 12-acre garden that’s considered one of the most authentic Japanese-style gardens outside of Japan.
- Go berry picking at surrounding u-pick farms, like Sauvie Island Farms and Bella Organic.
10. Seattle, Washington
Another popular tourist destination if you plan to visit the United States in August is Seattle, Washington.
Not only is the weather perfect for wandering around, but there are plenty of festivals and events you can take part in.
Things to do
If you’re visiting Seattle in August, you can:
- Celebrate Seafair Fleet Week to honor the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and other maritime services with exciting events and festivities.
- Join the Seafair Weekend Festival with boat races on Lake Washington and experience the thrilling Seafair Air Show featuring the famous Blue Angels.
- Attend Alki Beach Pride to celebrate diversity with live music from LGBTQIA+ entertainers, vibrant parades, and a Drag King Story Time promoting inclusive reading choices.
- Plan a weekend trip to visit the Olympic National Park — home to the largest intact rainforests in the United States.
Travel tips for exploring the USA in August
We hope this guide has been useful in helping you figure out the best places to visit in August in the United States.
While the country is full of iconic places, some are great to visit in August, others come into their own in December.
For example, San Francisco, though popular, is super foggy in August and you’ll end up missing out on seeing attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge (because they’re totally invisible). On a similar note, pick one region.
The country is so vast with diverse seasonal patterns and sticking to one corner makes travel and packing for the trip a lot less complicated.
And finally, if you’re an international tourist in the United States, we recommend getting an eSIM. They’re easy to set up (simply scan the QR code) and affordable – with Holafly, for example, the daily plan prices come down the longer you need.
Popular eSIM providers like Holafly give you tons of extra benefits as well. These include affordable plans, unlimited data, and roaming-free international VOIP calls. Holafly has partnered with both T-Mobile and Verizon for network coverage so you can expect stable internet in most of the United States.
Purchase your Holafly USA eSIM and enjoy top-speed internet right from the minute you land!
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Based in Mumbai, Sharan Kaur Phillora has 6+ years of experience in the B2B writing industry. She has written for brands like Pocket52, Nexweave, Maze, NaNLABS, and Userpilot. When she's not working, Sharan can be found immersed in murder mystery novels or exploring Mumbai's streets on her bicycle in search of the perfect slice of pizza.
