10 Best Summer Road Trips from Canada

Quebec City is a UNESCO World Heritage site with 17th-century architecture and a fortified Old City. The city also has many interesting museums along the western bank of the St Lawrence River. Visiting in summer lets you enjoy fun-filled festivities, especially in July. Music lovers gather at Festival d'été de Québec, one of the largest outdoor festivals in Canada. You can enjoy Saint-Jean Baptiste Day in June, which takes place on the historic Plains of Abraham.

Craving some time in the great outdoors? The Jacques-Cartier National Park offers plenty of activities, including almost 100 km of hiking trails and 30 km of biking trails. Alternatively, hop on a ferry to Lévis to take in the beautiful views of Chateau Frontenac and the Lower Old Town (Basse-Ville).

Banff offers easy access to the majestic Canadian Rockies, making it a popular holiday retreat for nature lovers. Summer is a great time to explore the region’s many lakes, waterfalls, dense forests, and lush valleys. The Vermillion Lakes is a group of 3 picturesque lakes backed by Mount Norquay and Snow Peak.

About 1 hour northwest of Banff is the Sentinel Pass, where you can hike with scenic views of jagged peaks, rolling meadows, and untamed landscapes. If you prefer a leisurely retreat, Banff Upper Hot Springs – Canada’s highest thermal mineral springs – are just a short drive south of Banff.

Drive through Okanagan Valley and you’ll be treated to beautiful countryside views with lakes, hot springs, vineyards and dairy farms galore. The valley offers plenty of sun and warm weather well into August and September, though peak summer is arguably the best time to enjoy hiking and biking adventures, as well as a wide range of recreational activities.

Must-visits include Okanagan Lake and Kalamalka Lake, both of which are great for boating, swimming, and family recreations. Vineyard tours and tee-offs at championship golf courses are available within a short drive of Kelowna, the main town of Okanagan Valley.

Muskoka is at the heart of the beautiful cottage country of Ontario. It has around 1,600 pristine lakes, where you can go on a boat tour to take in the beautiful scenery from a different perspective. Must-visits include Lake Muskoka, which the region and township take their name from, as well as Lake Rosseau and Lake Joseph – both narrowly connected by the Joseph River.

Most of these lakes are surrounded by cottages and campgrounds with plenty of leisure facilities – from electricity and fresh water to mini-golf and boat rentals – so you can take a break during your drives across the region. There are also epic hiking trails available at the Algonquin Provincial Park and Mile Lake Provincial Park.

New York City is beautiful any time of the year thanks to its diverse range of world-famous sightseeing spots. The Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Broadway, Times Square, and Rockefeller Center are just some of the city’s definite must-sees. If you prefer natural wonders, drive out to the 750-mile Empire State Trail that runs along the Hudson River Valley, Erie Canal, Champlain Valley, and Adirondacks.

Summer is a great time to visit New York City, with numerous festivals, dance parties, and open-air markets taking place in its main boroughs. Prominent music events include SummerStage, GMA Summer Concert Series, and Global Citizen Festival.

Seattle is one of the few US cities where you can visit historical sites and natural wonders in a single trip. The bustling metropolis on the Puget Sound is set in contrast to the beautiful Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountain Range.

A Seattle road trip can take you to modern-day venues, such as the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and Seattle Art Museum. Each neighbourhood is distinct, so there’s always something new to discover. Scenic hiking awaits you at the Mount Rainier National Park, which is only a 90-minute drive south of Seattle.

Chicago is a great place to enjoy street fairs, music festivals, and art exhibitions in summer. Music lovers can enjoy a wide range of outdoor concerts with impressive lineups. Standouts include Lollapalooza, Pitchfork Music Festival, and Hyde Park Summer Fest.

Chicago has great beaches for you to soak up the summer sun, swim in clear waters, and play beach games on the sandy shores. No visit to the city is complete without a few hours at Millennium Park – you can find playgrounds, a splash park, and walking paths, along with futuristic sights like the Cloud Gate and Crown Fountain sculptures.

Summertime brings loads of exciting events in Boston, including music concerts, street fairs, and sports events. The city’s New England location means you get to enjoy rather mild weather throughout your vacation. Some of the best things to do include catching baseball games at Fenway Park, boat cruises on the Charles River, and shopping at open-air markets.

Summer is also the best time of the year to spend balmy evenings at Boston's rooftop bars. The city offers plenty of variety, from swanky cocktail lounges to casual breweries with sweeping downtown vistas. Learn about the city’s history with a stroll along Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile route that takes you past 16 notable landmarks, including the Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, and USS Constitution.

Maine makes for an epic coastal road trip in the US thanks to its collection of spectacular mountains, miles of secluded beaches, and vast state parks. Nature lovers can spend hours exploring the Maine Highlands, which has hiking trails leading to the 5,267-ft-tall Mount Katahdin and Moosehead Lake.

The Acadia National Park is another iconic retreat for outdoor enthusiasts in Maine. You can drive along the 27-mile-long Park Loop Road for breathtaking scenes at every bend. There are plenty of idyllic spots along the route, including Sand Beach, Jordan Pond, and Azalea Garden.

Portland enjoys great weather throughout summer, resulting in plenty of activities under blue skies. The city has biking paths along the Columbia and Willamette rivers, both with Mount Hood as an epic backdrop. For something more adventurous, drive east to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Back in Portland, free summer events often take place in the city’s lush parks and gardens. Standouts include Movies in the Park, Portland Rose Festival, Washington Park Summer Festival, and Concerts in the Park. End the day in Portland's Distillery Row, where local breweries serve up unique brews like organic IPAs and black beers.