47 Activities You Should Do In The US This Summer
<p class="p1"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/53b42968ecad04834ad8477e-1200-600/malibu-surf.jpg" border="0" alt="Malibu surf" />
Summer is the season of cookouts, festivals, and outdoor events. With so many ways to spend your day, it's often hard to choose one activity.
<p class="p1">From finding the best private swimming holes to partying at summer festivals like Burning Man, here are the best things to do in the U.S. this summer.
<p class="p1">Did we miss one of your favorite things to do in the U.S. in the summer? Add it in the comments!
<h3>Eat a fresh, delicious lobster roll in Maine.</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53b2e331eab8eafe32d61a16-400-300/eat-a-fresh-delicious-lobster-roll-in-maine.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Go whitewater rafting on the Snake River in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53b2e51269bedd694b39a7d1-400-300/go-whitewater-rafting-on-the-snake-river-in-jackson-hole-wyoming.jpg" alt="" />
Find out more about Snake River white water rafting here >
<h3>See the professional eaters chow down at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest at Brooklyn's Coney Island on July 4th. </h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/53b2e8536bb3f78317603d6c-400-300/see-the-professional-eaters-chow-down-at-nathans-hot-dog-eating-contest-at-brooklyns-coney-island-on-july-4th.jpg" alt="" />
Find out more about the event here >
<h3>Tackle the water slides at Hyland Hills Water World, the best water park in America.</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/538624a36bb3f7cd1c4e37e3-400-300/tackle-the-water-slides-at-hyland-hills-water-world-the-best-water-park-in-america.jpg" alt="" />
Find other great water parks here >
<h3>Sample ice cream at the Ben & Jerry's factory in Vermont. </h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/53b2e71d6bb3f79a15603d7b-400-300/sample-ice-cream-at-the-ben-and-jerrys-factory-in-vermont.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Go whale watching in the waters of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/53b305e569beddd95d39a7d1-400-300/go-whale-watching-in-the-waters-of-cape-cod-massachusetts.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Cheer on your favorite team at a baseball game.</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/53b4130a69bedd3c18e1852f-400-300/cheer-on-your-favorite-team-at-a-baseball-game.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Gorge on cherries at the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan, from July 5th through 12th.</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53b2ec3769beddf06c39a7d3-400-300/gorge-on-cherries-at-the-national-cherry-festival-in-traverse-city-michigan-from-july-5th-through-12th.jpg" alt="" />
Find out more about the National Cherry Festival here >
<h3>Go horseback riding on a mountain trail.</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/53b4102b69bedded0ae1852f-400-300/go-horseback-riding-on-a-mountain-trail.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Tube down a lazy river.</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/53b30ce3eab8ea8750d61a21-400-300/tube-down-a-lazy-river.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Try a little bit of everything at the Taste of Chicago festival, which runs from July 9-13.</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/53b40feeeab8eae71633181e-400-300/try-a-little-bit-of-everything-at-the-taste-of-chicago-festival-which-runs-from-july-913.jpg" alt="" />
Learn more about Taste of Chicago here >
<h3>Soak in some rays at Hanalei Bay Beach in Hawaii, one of the best beaches in America.</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/53b40c706bb3f7ae5d8c2a59-400-300/soak-in-some-rays-at-hanalei-bay-beach-in-hawaii-one-of-the-best-beaches-in-america.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Transport yourself to Scotland at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in Linville, North Carolina, which runs from July 10th to 13th.</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/53b411a2ecad047f72d8477b-400-300/transport-yourself-to-scotland-at-the-grandfather-mountain-highland-games-in-linville-north-carolina-which-runs-from-july-10th-to-13th.jpg" alt="" />
Learn more about the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games here >
<h3>Host a summer BBQ with friends and family.</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/53b311566bb3f7173a603d6c-400-300/host-a-summer-bbq-with-friends-and-family.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Taste flavorful wines at the California Wine Festival in Santa Barbara, from July 17th to 19th.</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/53b410956bb3f7f0658c2a5b-400-300/taste-flavorful-wines-at-the-california-wine-festival-in-santa-barbara-from-july-17th-to-19th.jpg" alt="" />
Find out more about the California Wine Festival here >
<h3>Ride a mule into the Grand Canyon.</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/53b40f606da811a415e3ac7d-400-300/ride-a-mule-into-the-grand-canyon.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Bike on a sandy beach, like in Hilton Head, South Carolina.</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53b30789ecad04047248e9ea-400-300/bike-on-a-sandy-beach-like-in-hilton-head-south-carolina.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Don a beret and beard and enter into the Hemingway look-alike contest during Hemingway Days, a celebration in honor of author "Papa" Ernest Hemingway. The event takes place in Florida's Key West from July 15th to 20th.</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/53b412b66bb3f77f738c2a59-400-300/don-a-beret-and-beard-and-enter-into-the-hemingway-look-alike-contest-during-hemingway-days-a-celebration-in-honor-of-author-papa-ernest-hemingway-the-event-takes-place-in-floridas-key-west-from-july-15th-to-20th.jpg" alt="" />
Learn more about Hemingway Days >
<h3>Brave the waves and go surfing in Malibu, California.</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/53b310db6bb3f78636603d73-400-300/brave-the-waves-and-go-surfing-in-malibu-california.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Go camping and take advantage of the great outdoors.</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5391debf69bedd7f0203e629-400-300/go-camping-and-take-advantage-of-the-great-outdoors.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Waterski on a lake.</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/53b40e44ecad049265d8477b-400-300/waterski-on-a-lake.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Attend a rodeo at the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo festival in Cheyenne, Wyoming, which runs from July 18th to 27th.</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53b40faf69beddf37ce1852f-400-300/attend-a-rodeo-at-the-cheyenne-frontier-days-rodeo-festival-in-cheyenne-wyoming-which-runs-from-july-18th-to-27th.jpg" alt="" />
Learn more about Cheyenne Frontier Days here >
<h3>Go sandboarding at Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado.</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/53b42d4869bedd6926e1852f-400-300/go-sandboarding-at-great-sand-dunes-national-park-in-colorado.jpg" alt="" />
Learn more about Great Sand Dunes National Park here >
<h3>Ride the roller coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain, which we ranked the best amusement park in America.</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/53b42bb769bedd6921e1852f-400-300/ride-the-roller-coasters-at-six-flags-magic-mountain-which-we-ranked-the-best-amusement-park-in-america.jpg" alt="" />
Find other great amusement parks here >
<h3>Try more than 88 craft beers from around the country at the Oregon Brewers Festival in Portland, which runs from July 23rd to 27th.</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/53b412616da8119e20e3ac7b-400-300/try-more-than-88-craft-beers-from-around-the-country-at-the-oregon-brewers-festival-in-portland-which-runs-from-july-23rd-to-27th.jpg" alt="" />
Learn more about the Oregon Brewers Festival here >
<h3>Drink outdoors on a rooftop.</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/53989923eab8ea5e2a49116b-400-300/drink-outdoors-on-a-rooftop.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Channel your inner cowboy at Golden Buffalo Bill Days in Golden, Colorado, which runs from July 23rd to 27th.</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53b415b86bb3f7d37d8c2a59-400-300/channel-your-inner-cowboy-at-golden-buffalo-bill-days-in-golden-colorado-which-runs-from-july-23rd-to-27th.jpg" alt="" />
Learn more about Golden Buffalo Bill Days here >
<h3>Roadtrip down the coast of California on the Pacific Coast Highway.</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5130e89c69bedd8c6400000d-400-300/roadtrip-down-the-coast-of-california-on-the-pacific-coast-highway.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Sail on Lake Michigan.</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/53b40cfeecad04f061d8477d-400-300/sail-on-lake-michigan.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Catch a free concert in New York City's Central Park during the Summer Concert Series.</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/53b31ef96bb3f7f26a603d6c-400-300/catch-a-free-concert-in-new-york-citys-central-park-during-the-summer-concert-series.jpg" alt="" />
Find out more about Central Park concerts here >
<h3>Stargaze at Haleakala National Park in Hawaii.</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/53b411186da8119e1be3ac7c-400-300/stargaze-at-haleakala-national-park-in-hawaii.jpg" alt="" />
Learn more about Haleakala National Park here >
<h3>Pig out at the annual two-day Atlanta Bar-B-Q Festival on August 15th and 16th. </h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/53b320026bb3f72d6c603d75-400-300/pig-out-at-the-annual-two-day-atlanta-bar-b-q-festival-on-august-15th-and-16th.jpg" alt="" />
Find out more about the Atlanta Bar-B-Q Festival here >
<h3>Comb the shore for shells at Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina.</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53b413b36bb3f7206e8c2a5b-400-300/comb-the-shore-for-shells-at-cape-hatteras-national-seashore-in-north-carolina.jpg" alt="" />
Learn more about Cape Hatteras National Seashore here >
<h3>Take a scenic hike through the lush forests in Olympic National Park in Washington.</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/51cc4e33eab8ea3b0900000e-400-300/take-a-scenic-hike-through-the-lush-forests-in-olympic-national-park-in-washington.jpg" alt="" />
Learn more about Olympic National Park here >
<h3>Rock out at Lollapalooza in Chicago on August 1st through 3rd.</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/53b3047169bedd795839a7d3-400-300/rock-out-at-lollapalooza-in-chicago-on-august-1st-through-3rd.jpg" alt="" />
Find out more about Lollapalooza here >
<h3>Swim in the crystal clear glacial waters of Lake Tahoe, which straddles California and Nevada.</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/53b42ee6eab8ea890f33181e-400-300/swim-in-the-crystal-clear-glacial-waters-of-lake-tahoe-which-straddles-california-and-nevada.jpg" alt="" />
Learn more about Lake Tahoe here >
<h3>Don a crazy outfit and party in the Nevada desert at the Burning Man festival, which takes place from August 31st to September 7th.</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/53b4330d6bb3f751688c2a5a-400-300/don-a-crazy-outfit-and-party-in-the-nevada-desert-at-the-burning-man-festival-which-takes-place-from-august-31st-to-september-7th.jpg" alt="" />
Find out more about the Burning Man Festival here >
<h3>Dock your boat at Big Island in Minnesota's Lake Minnetonka, and party hop from boat to boat.</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/53b4162369bedd7e25e18532-400-300/dock-your-boat-at-big-island-in-minnesotas-lake-minnetonka-and-party-hop-from-boat-to-boat.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>See a show at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/53b3206aecad04304d48e9ee-400-300/see-a-show-at-the-hollywood-bowl-in-los-angeles.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Jump into a local swimming hole.</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/53b40c6e6bb3f7f45b8c2a59-400-300/jump-into-a-local-swimming-hole.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Eat some BBQ at Franklin Barbecue in Texas, the best BBQ joint in America.</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/53b3218f69bedda57a39a7d5-400-300/eat-some-bbq-at-franklin-barbecue-in-texas-the-best-bbq-joint-in-america.jpg" alt="" />
Find out more about Franklin Barbecue here >
<h3>Take a cruise in Alaska and watch for orcas, grizzlies, and eagles.</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/53b431e3ecad04656dd8477b-400-300/take-a-cruise-in-alaska-and-watch-for-orcas-grizzlies-and-eagles.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Feast on deep fried food at a state fair.</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/53ac3e04ecad04de3d2ad27b-400-300/feast-on-deep-fried-food-at-a-state-fair.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Wait for Old Faithful to erupt at Yellowstone National Park.</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/53b40f1becad049a68d8477b-400-300/wait-for-old-faithful-to-erupt-at-yellowstone-national-park.jpg" alt="" />
Learn more about Old Faithful here >
<h3>Celebrate one of the world's finest drinks at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, which takes place in Bardstown from September 16th 21st.</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53b40db6ecad04805bd8477b-400-300/celebrate-one-of-the-worlds-finest-drinks-at-the-kentucky-bourbon-festival-which-takes-place-in-bardstown-from-september-16th-21st.jpg" alt="" />
Learn more about the Kentucky Bourbon Festival here >
<h3>Go fishing and bring home your catch for a fresh meal.</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/53b411e8ecad04446ed8477b-400-300/go-fishing-and-bring-home-your-catch-for-a-fresh-meal.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Visit one of the many wineries in Long Island's North Fork.</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/53b3132a69bedd7e2739a7d9-400-300/visit-one-of-the-many-wineries-in-long-islands-north-fork.jpg" alt="" />
<h3>Now see what to do in Europe.</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53b1a515eab8ea627df136d1-400-300/now-see-what-to-do-in-europe.jpg" alt="" />
<h2>50 Places You Need To Visit In Europe In Your Lifetime ></h2>
<b>See Also:</b>
<ul><li>The 25 Most Patriotic Cities In The US</li><li>No One Throws A Gay Pride Parade Quite Like New York City [PHOTOS]</li><li>15 Essentials For The Perfect Summer BBQ</li></ul></group><group id="B24059A2-55B3-404F-ADC7-3FA0F1603659" type="seoLabels"><seoLabels></seoLabels></