3 Surprising U.S. Getaways Named As Top Destinations For June

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With summer just around the corner, the Travel Off Path team wants to make sure you start it off with a bang!

We’ve found a trio of getaways perfectly suited for June, and all 3 of them likely aren’t where you expect.

We’re not hyping up every Florida beach town known to man like “the other guys”, with regurgitated listicles saying how white Destin’s sand is, as if you didn’t know already.

This time, we’re going full Dumb and Dumber into Colorado’s stunning dreamscape where the Rockies definitely look rocky, a lakeside time capsule at the tip-top of the Midwest, and what we’re claiming to be the East Coast’s trendiest island.

With some help from fellow travel experts, here are 3 surprising U.S. getaways as top destinations for June.

Be sure to check the latest Travel Alerts before your next trip.

3) Telluride: Colorado’s Evergreen Village

If a major car brand names its SUV after your town, you know it’s chock-full of adventure.

Well, maybe not.

There is a Jeep Laredo after all…

But in this case, we’re sticking to it.

Telluride is one of Colorado’s greenest destinations. No, not in the hippie-dippie kind of way.

You won’t be forced to order an oak-spritzed latte from a barista ripe with patchouli oil.

This evergreen village’s rustic townscape is one of Aspen’s best alternatives for better prices and less cookie-cutter experiences.

This town is the perfect springboard for anyone into hiking, mountain biking, tubing, fishing, camping and for the more adventurous, river rafting.

One of the most surprising aspects of Telluride isn’t just that Tom Cruise once called it home; it’s the Telluride Bluegrass Festival (June 18 – 21, 2026) that fills the whole town with the soundtrack of fiddles and banjos.

No matter what you’re into, the outdoors are calling, whether it’s a breezy patio come dinnertime or must-visit treks to see the 365-foot-tall Bridal Veil Falls in person.

Far removed from its winter wonderland vibes in the coming months, expect a sunnier side of Colorado with welcoming locals, cozy inns, and a calendar full of fun.

2) Mackinac Island: Where Caribbean Blue Collides With A Bygone Era

“Midwest” and “Caribbean” seem like an odd fit, but so does vanilla ice cream and olive oil until you give it a whirl.

Mackinac Island is Michigan’s real-life time capsule. Think clip-clopping horse carriage rides, no cars, picturesque lighthouses, and rows of colorful Victorian cottages all along some of the bluest water in America.

Of course, that would be Lake Huron, a neighboring Great Lake of Lake Michigan.

If you crave a place where time slows down — or even stands still — this is it.

Whatever the opposite end of the spectrum is for Cancun foam parties, we’re saying it’s Mackinac Island.

But don’t mix up sleepy with boring — there’s plenty to do beyond gawking at its storied streetscape reminiscent of Nantucket if it were in the Midwest.

A fun summer event to look out for is the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival, a 10-day celebration each June featuring parades, live music, garden tours, and the island’s iconic lilacs in full bloom.

While proper beaches are lacking, the views couldn’t be more majestic, and exploring the town, whether on foot or by hoof, never gets old in splendid summer weather, often in the 70s.

1) Block Island: The Island In The “Island”

Not to confuse anyone, but Rhode Island is actually not an island.

Don’t believe me? Grab your nearest monocle, stroke your chin, and look at America’s smallest state on a map.

Block Island, however, is indeed an island, and a stunning one at that, brimming with windswept beaches and dramatic coastal bluffs.

We all know there’s an endless array of vacation spots along the East Coast, but this one is arguably the trendiest of them all right now.

We’ve covered Block Island’s spike in popularity numerous times, but HomeToGo’s latest report is showing a whopping 60% surge this month.

As Yahoo! Travel put it, ” Block Island has been called ‘the Island of Hope’ and one of 12 ‘Last Great Places’ in the Western Hemisphere”.

The scenery is immaculate, the vibe couldn’t be more low-key given it’s only accessible by ferry, and there are multiple waterfront hotels more than worth your while as your summer haven.

Now take this quiz to find your perfect match!

Sam Sears

Sam, our Senior Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 44 countries and written over 1500 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.