School’s out and you want something to do! There are loads of places and things to do for your summer vacation. Fortunately, if you have to work, there are still a variety of activities you can partake in if you have the time.

Beach: As cliché as it sounds, it’s still the hottest place that many people head to, even if it’s only for a day. It may only be attainable if you live by the coast, but if you’re not fortunate enough to live in close proximity to a beach, you can rent a van and pack your friends and beach gear and head out! Travel towards Miami’s South Beach if you want real action. Along each coast of the U.S. there are an array of beaches to visit, check out this link for a ranking of the best beaches around.

 

 

 


Camping/Hiking: I myself have never been camping or hiking, but now that summer’s on its way, it’s not a bad time to try it out! Look in your local phone book or search the web to find places you can set up camp. There are usually campgrounds in every state so it shouldn’t be too hard to locate a good one. Some even have lakes and rivers where you can go both swimming and fishing. Be sure to pack insect repellent and a first aid kit, just in case. L.L. Bean’s website offers a search to help you in choosing different camping locales in the United States: click here.

  

  Sightseeing: Summer is the best time to get to know a place you might have never been. There are some unique places to visit on the west coast of the United States. In Nevada you can take one of many ghost tours of old ghost towns and mines. Ghost towns are some of the numerous tourist attractions in both Nevada and southern California. If you’re a wine buff, head towards northern California to Napa and Sonoma where they grow vast vineyards. Some wineries hold free wine tastings, plus the views are awesome.

Visit the largest home in America, Biltmore Estate in North Carolina’s Asheville. With the home itself covering 175,000 square feet, it’s sure to take a whole day to see the entire estate. Gardens, a winery, and horseback riding can keep you occupied the rest of the time. While you’re there, do some hiking in North Carolina’s vast mountains.

It might seem redundant to mention places like D.C. and New York to visit, however, you’d be surprised at how many people still haven’t seen some of the most famous landmarks here in the United States. If you’re one of those people, go on over to Washington D.C. and check out the White House, the Smithsonian Museum, the Lincoln Memorial and more.

 

 

Head to New York City and visit the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and Central Park. Remember, however, that New York is more than just what is found in its most famous city. Explore other parts of New York such as Long Island, which is full of old lighthouses and other points of interest. Why not try New Orleans and explore Cajun history and culture. The history of the different cities in the U.S. can actually be quite interesting.

Nevertheless, there are a lot of places to visit over the summer, and you’d be surprised at how many things there are to do around your own state.

California: http://www.carneros-creek.com/          http://www.napavalley.com/
Florida: http://www.see-florida.com/
Montana: http://www.visitmt.com/
Nevada: http://www.ghosttownexplorers.org/
New Orleans: http://www.mardigrasworld.com/
New York: http://www.centralpark.org/
North Carolina: http://www.mountainstoclimb.net/          http://www.biltmore.com/
Pennsylvania: http://www.experiencepa.com/
Washington D.C.: http://www.whitehouse.gov/            http://www.si.edu/