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Summer is my favorite season! I love the warm temperatures and all-around good vibes. As the days get longer, leading up to the summer season here in the United States, I can’t help but feel hopeful and excited about the summer weather and sunshine-filled days that lie ahead. On the other hand, I am always a bit sad as Labor Day passes, knowing that my favorite months are behind me.
Lucky for us, it always feels like summer somewhere in the world! Today, I am sharing 12 places, one for each month of the year, where you can travel and experience a little slice of summertime. I have personally been to all of these places.
So, this is first-hand travel experience. I hope you can find summer during some of your 2024 travels!
Where Can You Find Summer Weather Each Month?
One quick disclaimer. It may not actually be summer in some of these places during the months I recommend them. In fact, some may be too hot and crowded during their actual peak summer season. Each of these destinations is one where it feels like summer that particular month. For me, this means summer weather, including abundant sunny days and temperatures in the 70s or 80s.
So, let’s get started! I will break down 12 destinations, one for each month, where it feels like summer!
Where is it summer in January?
Average monthly high: 84°F
Number of sunny days: Approximately 20
Suppose you live in the United States, especially up north or in the Midwest. In that case, January is typically when you are ready to plan your escape in need of some summer weather. If you know, you know!
San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a great place to visit in January. Not only is it warm and sunny, but you can generally find some great deals visiting after the kids go back to school in early January. Speaking of school, San Juan gets extra credit here, too, because it’s a tropical destination that doesn’t require a passport!
Where should you stay? Consider staying at the iconic Caribe Hilton, home of the Pina Colada, or at the oceanfront San Juan Marriott Resort and Casino.
What should you do? Tour the Castillo San Felipe del Morro or take a flavorful food tour with The Spoon Experience.
For more ideas, click the image below:
Where is it summer in February?
Average monthly high: 76°F
Number of sunny days: Approximately 23
This southernmost city holds a special place in my heart. The second you set foot on the island, you’ll know why the late Jimmy Buffett fell in love with the Conch Republic. While visiting Key West, make sure to catch the sunset at Mallory Square!
Key West is perfect for a quick weekend trip, but also somewhere you can easily spend the entire winter. I enjoy all of the live music, seafood, and people-watching, of course! Whenever I visit Key West, I make sure to stop by the Hemingway House and visit the famous Hemingway House cats.
Where should you stay? There are a limited number of vacation rentals on the island if you are looking to snowbird in Key West. Otherwise, for hotels, I absolutely loved my stay at The Marker Key West, and I would like to stay at the Hyatt Centric Key West sometime, too!
What should you do? If it’s your first visit, make sure to ride the world-famous Conch Train or Key West Trolley. I recommend either (or both) a daytime or evening cruise with Sebago Key West. Feel free to browse my other blog post about fun things to do in Key West!
For more ideas, click the image below:
Where is it summer in March?
Average monthly high: 78°F
Number of sunny days: Approximately 24
After visiting Miami this past March, I had to include it here. Abby and I went for a short girls’ trip and had the most incredible summer weather. Spring is a great time to visit because you are outside of hurricane season. If you visit during the first two weeks of the month, you will usually miss the Spring Break crowds that tend to arrive toward the end of March.
Between the iconic South Beach strip and up-and-coming neighborhoods in Miami, there is something for everyone in this famous southern city!
Where should you stay? If your goal is to experience summer, stay out in Miami Beach or South Beach. The latter will have more nightlife, and the Art Deco hotels are a destination in themselves! Stay at the legendary Fontainebleau. The Confidante Miami Beach, a Hyatt property, is another excellent option.
What should you do? Take advantage of the free Miami Beach / South Beach trolley and explore as much as possible! Enjoy a meal at the Versace Mansion, or take the Miami Water Taxi downtown and spend the day shopping and exploring the city!
For more ideas, click the image below:
Where is it summer in April?
Average monthly high: 71°F
Number of sunny days: Approximately 22
San Diego is quite possibly perfect in April, but in all fairness, it’s perfect most of the year! We lived in California for a couple of years, and I just loved visiting San Diego as often as possible.
And while you can’t go wrong visiting this popular US city any month, mid to late April is especially temperate. This makes those long bike rides around Coronado Island wonderful!
Where should you stay? For a true vacation, consider the Hotel del Coronado! I am excited to be heading back there in a few weeks myself! Or, choose to stay downtown at the Intercontinental or head north and stay in La Jolla.
What should you do? Spend the day (or two) at Balboa Park, exploring the museums and enjoying the San Diego Zoo. And then, spend your evenings hopping around in the Gaslamp District.
For more ideas, click the image below:
Where is it summer in May?
Average monthly high: 71°F
Number of sunny days: Approximately 20
I know it’s not technically New York City’s summer in May, but the energy the city exudes in May as it comes back to life is undeniable. As the Cherry Blossoms bloom in April and into May, outdoor seating gets brought back out as locals and visitors anticipate a hot summer in the city.
This is why you should go in May! Once school gets out in June, the city gets busy fast. Visiting New York City in May offers an excellent opportunity to see all popular tourist destinations before the crowds arrive. And it’s early summer weather, for sure.
If it’s your first visit to New York City, read my NYC Tips for First-Time Visitors blog post!
Where should you stay? I always recommend Midtown on your initial trip to the city. We enjoyed our stay at the Intercontinental Barclay a few months ago. The location was great! But if you really want it to feel like summer, the Margaritaville Resort Times Square consistently gets excellent reviews!
What should you do? Everything you can fit in! There is so much to do in New York City. We loved doing the Summit One Vanderbilt Observatory and seeing Wicked on Broadway. Don’t forget to swing by Ellen’s Stardust Diner!
For more ideas, click the image below:
Where is it summer in June?
Average monthly high: 73°F
Number of sunny days: Approximately 20
Speaking from first-hand experience here, Paris in June is magic! The four of us actually arrived on a family vacation to Paris on May 30th this year, but our stay was essentially in June. We had sunny summer weather and 75°F temperatures daily, making it just perfect to explore the city on foot.
Early June is an especially sweet spot for visiting. Most European schools go through the month, so there are fewer crowds at many popular landmarks. It’s still busy but not jam-packed like later in the summer. The days are very long this time of year, with the sun often not setting until almost 10 p.m., leaving you over 16 hours of daylight!
Where should you stay? The Hôtel du Louvre is a great option, central to everything! However, if you are traveling with more than 2 people, you may find hotel options limited. Most European hotel rooms are limited in size, and often, Airbnb is a better option. That is what we did for our 4 days in Paris.
What should you do? Add a Seine River Cruise to your must-do list and think long and hard about how much time you want to budget for The Lourve (read my thoughts here). The Eiffel Tower is also a bucket list experience, especially as it lights up at night!
For more ideas, click the image below:
Where is it summer in July?
Average monthly high: 73°F
Number of sunny days: Approximately 20
Amsterdam is another city best explored on foot! So, sunny 73°F days will make your visit extra lovely as you stroll along the iconic Amsterdam canals. European street cafes are also my guilty pleasure, and there is no shortage of them in Amsterdam! These warm summer weather and sunny summer days are also perfect for venturing out of the city and exploring smaller communities, complete with windmills!
Did you realize that Amsterdam is further north than anywhere in the continental United States? It’s true! This means you will find the best summer weather of the year during these actual summer months.
Where should you stay? The Jordaan neighborhood is the most recommended place to stay while visiting Amsterdam. We stayed in an apartment not far from there in Oud-West. TripAdvisor rates the Pulitzer Amsterdam as the best place to stay in the city, touting its central location as a big plus.
What should you do? You absolutely must take a canal cruise while in Amsterdam! Consider visiting the Rijksmuseum and buying tickets for the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House well in advance. Want to experience something even more unique? Check out the KattenKabinet cat museum in Amsterdam!
For more ideas, click the image below:
Where is it summer in August?
Average monthly high: 76°F
Number of sunny days: Approximately 22
Growing up in Washington State, I have to say that it gets a pretty bad rap when it comes to weather. I remember so many summers spent at camp, sunburnt, jumping into cool lakes! When we returned to the Seattle area last month, in August, for a family reunion, I was reminded just how special the Pacific Northwest is during the summertime!
Now, summer will be more crowded here than the other months because the summer weather is so close to perfect. For this very reason, most schools in this part of the county don’t start back up until after Labor Day. But there is so much to do and see that I still recommend visiting Seattle in August.
Where should you stay? If staying downtown, the Hyatt Regency Seattle is a great choice. Also, the Thompson Seattle near Pike’s Place Market is on my list for next time!
What should you do? Catch a Seattle Mariners game. Take the ferry over to Bainbridge Island for the day. Go sailing on Lake Union. Check out the Seattle Center and the Space Needle. There is so much to do! If you stay for an extended period, head east toward the Cascade Mountains. You’ll thank me later!
For more ideas, click the image below:
Where is it summer in September?
30A and Rosemary Beach, Florida
Average monthly high: 84°F
Number of sunny days: Approximately 20
We own four vacation rentals on 30A, near Rosemary Beach, Florida, and spend much time there. After visiting monthly at all times of the year, I have crowned the 2nd week in September as the absolute best time to visit 30A! This area can get very crowded during peak summer and school holidays, so visiting in early September lets you enjoy the summer vibes without the crowds.
The Gulf of Mexico is warm, like bathwater in September. However, I must mention that it is hurricane season for that reason. So you must be aware and make sure you purchase travel insurance. That said, I was just there earlier this week. The weather was again incredible in Rosemary Beach in early September for the fourth year in a row. Quite perfect summer weather!
Where should you stay? I have to insert a shameless plug here because you should say at one of my top-rated Seacrest Beach Airbnbs. As a superhost, I provide custom recommendations and cozy accommodations, earning 5 stars from nearly every guest I’ve ever hosted. However, if you can’t stay with us, stay at The Pearl in Rosemary Beach. It’s top-notch!
What should you do? Eat. Beach. Bike. Sleep. Repeat. That’s the 30A way! Also, if you are looking for more adventure, consider any of these day trips from 30A or renting a pontoon boat and visiting Shell Island for the day.
For more ideas, click the image below:
Where is it summer in October?
Average monthly high: 72°F
Number of sunny days: Approximately 25
I know, I know, Santorini is for the summer. But it comes with massive crowds and a very high price tag. So, consider visiting in early October. Most restaurants stay open during October, and the crowds thin out considerably! The weather is still lovely for boating and exploring beautiful towns like Oia.
Plus, the restaurant waits are shorter, and you won’t have to fight for a spot to catch the sunset. If you are traveling to Europe for the first time, make sure to pack these European Travel Essentials!
Where should you stay? Since this is the end of the peak season, you may find more options staying in Fira, at the center of the island. We stayed in a three-story cave house on a visit in November last year and had no issues finding places to eat and explore. On the other hand, you can find some great deals in Oia in October for a romantic stay.
What should you do? Want to spend the day out in the sun? Take the walk from Fira to Oia, or vice versa! Or, book a sailing outing and visit the volcano and famous beaches. Akrotiri, an archeological excavation site, is another excellent option, and stop at the Santo Winery to catch the sunset on the way home!
For more ideas, click the image below:
Where is it summer in November?
Average monthly high: 79°F
Number of sunny days: Approximately 20
We had such a great time visiting Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil, this past November 2023! Our family has never been to South America and spent 8 days there over our Thanksgiving vacation. The timing was perfect because they will be just heading into their summer season in Rio de Janeiro. It’s that feeling I love!
After doing a lot of research for our trip, I concluded that November is the best time to visit this part of the world. It’s akin to visiting a popular place in the Northern Hemisphere in May. Most locals are still in school, awaiting their summer holidays to begin in December. I will make sure to update this post after our visit! We had such a great time in Rio de Janeiro, staying near Ipanema Beach!
Where should you stay? Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach are both great options (adjacent to one another) along the coastline of Brazil. We have found many great, inexpensive choices for our stay on Airbnb and Booking.com.
What should you do? On our trip to Brazil, we enjoyed the beach and riding the cable cars to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. Add a visit to the Christ the Redeemer statue to your list as well! And stay tuned for more blog posts sharing everything we do on our upcoming trip!
For more ideas, click the image below:
Where is it summer in December?
Average monthly high: 82°F
Number of sunny days: Approximately 26
Okay, the theme here seems to be places I have loved during these months, and Tulum must be on the list for summer weather in December! Mexico is a great place to visit during our winter months in the United States. It’s an easy, typically nonstop, flight from many cities.
You can’t go wrong with anywhere in Mexico, so Cancun is also a great option. But I loved visiting Tulum, so I wanted to recommend that here!
Where should you stay? The top-rated Tulum hotel on TripAdvisor is the La Zebra Colibri Boutique Hotel, followed by Kanan Tulum by Ahau Collection. You can view the complete list here!
What should you do? Make sure to visit the ancient ruins at the Tulum Archeological Site. Other than that, enjoy the beach, get in some snorkeling, and read a good book. In reality, before you know it, you’ll be heading back to winter in the United States.
For more ideas, click the image below:
Where will you find summer weather on your next trip?
If you love summer weather as much as I do, you can’t go wrong with any of these destinations! Additionally, If you have a place that you recommend visiting during a particular month, leave me a comment on this post. I would love to hear about it!
Happy travels!
PIN This Endless Summer: Chasing Summer Weather Blog Post
In the process of looking for a “summer” like place to go in February. Thanks for the awesome ideas.
That’s one of my favorite months to get away and escape the cold! Let me know where you decide to go!
Great tips and I love the photos for each destination!
Thank you so much! It’s easy to photograph such lovely places!
I’m with you! Being from Canada, I’m always looking for warmer weather from November to April to escape from the cold.
What a beautiful and detailed list! Lovely photos as well!
Great post and beautiful photos! Many of these places are still on my bucket list… and since summer is my favorite season I am sure I’ll get around to most of tropical destinations mentioned 🙂