Summer Activities in the United States
1. Walk the historic Freedom Trail in Boston
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile, red-lined route that leads you to 16 historically significant sites in Boston – each one an authentic treasure. Explore museums and meetinghouses, churches, and burying grounds. Learn about the brave and determined people who shaped the U.S., and see the places where the American Revolution began.
2. Play at the beach
Whether you want to walk, bike, swim, search for shells, or just relax, you’ll find beautiful beaches up and down the East and West coasts, from Maine to Florida, and from Washington to California.
3. Hear jazz in New Orleans, Louisiana
Music is everywhere in the “birthplace of jazz.” Whether you head to a local club or watch musicians along Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, be sure to enjoy this original American art form.
4. Take a free tour of Chicago
The Chicago Greeter Service, operated through the city’s tourism office, matches you with a friendly, knowledgeable local for an insider’s introduction to Chicago. You can explore almost any interest, from art to history to food – all for free!
5. Experience the awesome Grand Canyon
A mile deep and up to 18 miles wide, this massive canyon in Arizona is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The most accessible part, the South Rim, can be viewed from the national park’s free shuttle buses. There also are opportunities to hike, camp, ride a mule to the bottom, and take a raft trip through the canyon on the Colorado River.
6. Learn about civil rights in Atlanta
With videos and interactive displays, the new Center for Civil and Human Rights honors the American Civil Rights movement and explores current global human rights issues. At the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, sign up for a tour of the civil rights leader’s nearby birthplace.
7. Celebrate Native American culture at a powwow
Summer is the season for powwows in Wyoming. The celebrations started when the Plains Indians danced to honor tribal members, mark important events, or pray for protection. Now Native Americans also hold powwows to keep their cultures and traditions alive. Many are open to the public and feature dancing, music, and traditional food.
8. Visit Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina
Enjoy a beautiful drive along the 469 mile Blue Ridge Parkway, in North Carolina. You will have the chance to see long-range vistas, close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. This drive is best traveled in warmer months within the summer season.
9. Travel the Pacific Coast Highway
Ask an American friend to take you on a drive down this 123-mile twisting, scenic highway along the stunning Pacific Coast. Fun stops along the way include Big Sur, Hearst Castle, and Morro Bay.
10. Volunteer in your local community
Whether you prefer to walk the dogs at an animal shelter, serve food at a soup kitchen, or plant a tree with a conservation group, there are many ways to volunteer in your local community. You’ll find plenty of other opportunities at networkforgood.org/volunteer/ or volunteermatch.org/. Be sure to tag #cieegivingback when you post your photos!
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