Gulf Shores sits smack in the center of a thirty-mile-plus stretch of sugar-white Alabama sand. Each summer, vacationers from around the region-and the country-flock here to hit the beach, indulge in seafood feasts and blow off a little steam at the legendary local bars. Honorable mention goes to next door neighbor Orange Beach, which offers more of the same.

Technically speaking, DNP isn't a town. During the summer months though, the population of this magnificent national park multiplies-making it the epicenter of adventure in the Alaskan interior. Explore the backcountry spotting wildlife and then stay at either a rustic or luxurious lodge alongside plenty of fellow explorers.

During the summer months, the weather in the Desert Southwest can be downright stifling. So where do Arizonans go to beat the heat? Flagstaff. Flag' provides cool, thin Ponderosa pine-scented air and a myriad of things to do like re-tracing Route 66 roadways and taking side trips to the Grand Canyon.

"America's First Resort" blossoms into a beehive of good times each summer. While the waters of the natural springs in town are still warm, the lakes that surround Hot Springs are cool and refreshing. After a couple days out on the water, take some to time to learn all about the town's sordid past at the Gangster Museum of America and see the surrounding hills from the seat of a mountain bike.

Everyone knows Lake Tahoe is a winter paradise, but the summers are spectacular high in the Sierra Nevada, too. In South Lake Tahoe, you can luxuriate on a lakeside beach and then head just over the state line to Nevada in order to see a show at one of America's best outdoor concert venues.

Plenty of Mile High ski towns keep their spirits elevated in the summertime, but no one does it like Telluride. Outdoor concerts, festivals, floating and mountain biking are just a few of the activities that make the town a May to September haven.

This historic coastal town is lovely all year, but the summer energy is special indeed. Hit the sands of nearby Hammonasset State Park before ambling down historic Main St. with an Italian Ice in your hand before partying the night away at Connecticut's best beach bar.

Bethany Beach is surrounded by several more boisterous beach towns, but none can match the perfection of its chill summer vibes. Bethany's beach houses are the perfect place for a family escape and the memories of the frozen custard and fresh crab sold in town will stay with you all winter.

More and more people are finding out that the beaches of South Walton, Florida are some of the finest in the country and Seaside is the region's cheeriest summer retreat. Count the shades of pastel you pass on the way to Seaside's sugar-white beaches or on a stroll to Bud & Alley's for a sunset drink.

Sitting on the outskirts of stunning Savannah, Tybee Island offers timeless coastal charm in spades. During the summer, the island (and town of the same name) fills with visitors lounging on the sand, taking in the island's famous lighthouse and historical fort. The best way to see the town? By beach cruiser bicycle.

You won't find a municipality called Waimea Bay on the map of O'ahu, but this spot swells with people come summer time. The reason? Because the big waves of winter-that were previously the exclusive domain of surfers-have turned calm for swimmers, snorkelers and cliff-divers.

During the snowy months, Mccall is a sensational base for skiing and snowshoeing. Come summer though, it's all about fun on the lake. The town sits on the shores of Payette Lake and it's the best place in Idaho for a day at the beach capped by a sunset cruise.

The Windy City is more popular than ever and no American metropolis sheds its layers like Chicago does. During the summer, this city buzzes with tourists and locals alike living it up on the shores of Lake Michigan. Cap a day sightseeing and sunbathing on an urban beach and sightseeing by taking in a Cubs night game at Wrigley Field.

Syracuse sits right beside Lake Wawasee, which is one of Indiana's most stylish summer spots. During the sunny season, the bars and restaurants here buzz with boaters and waterskiers recounting the day's adventures and nursing their scarlet skin with a cold beverage.

Okoboji is where you go for old-school summer fun in the Hawkeye State. The town sits in the center of the Iowa Great Lakes and is home to the historic Arnolds Park Amusement Park. This beloved theme park sits steps from the water and is the region's answer to Coney Island.

Swaying fields of sunflowers send Kansas hearts aflutter in the summer, but Dodge City offers a completely different style of fun. The town shakes off the winter rust to offer an Old West experience unmatched anywhere on the Plains. Come for the gunslingers, stay for the sasparilla.

Kentuckians let loose at Lake Cumberland each summer and Jamestown is the best base for exploring its waters. The town is home to several restaurants, a marina and plenty of places that will set you up with a houseboat-the most popular way to lodge on the lake.

While some Louisianans make a run for Florida's Emerald Coast come summer, those that stay home go to Lake Charles. This town in the southwest section of the state is a paradise for those that love to partake in fun festivals, outdoor recreation, and gaming. Don't leave town without taking a wander on the famous boardwalk, one of the USA's best.

You don't have to come from presidential stock to get a kick out of Kennebunkport. Sure, the Bush family compound is located here, but for every blueblood out there on the beach you'll find ten tan vacationers (and their four-legged friends) taking in the summer vibe of this seaside town. And they all seem to end up at Alisson's for sunset drinks.

This one is a no-brainer. Ocean City teems with life all year but between May and September, things get cranked into overdrive. Cycle the boardwalk on a beach cruiser and then hit a waterfront bar before spending your evening riding a myriad of thrill rides or taking in a concert.

The Bay State is blessed with a wealth of summer escapes. From islands like Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard to Cape Cod, you really can't go wrong here, but Provincetown-located at the far tip of Cape Cod-provides the perfect mix of all of them. The most "summery" way to arrive in P-town? By ferry from Boston.

This island and city of the same name is the ideal Great Lakes getaway. A trip back in time and a tan awaits the flocks who arrive on car-free Mackinac by ferry during the summer. In addition, the list of things to do here includes but is certainly not limited to carriage rides, watersports and fudge tasting.

In the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes, nearly every body of water becomes a hotspot come summertime. Bemidji is located near a lake (naturally), but there's also loads of fun to be had in the town itself. Don't leave without seeing one of the coolest roadside attractions in America: a giant statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.

As the name would suggest, Gulfport is the premier summer town on Mississippi's gorgeous Gulf Coast. Sow your summer oats among its dunes, sea oats and soft powdery beaches before taking the quick trip over to D'Iberville to play mini-golf at one of the best courses in the USA.

After the success of the TV show Ozark, more and more people are making their way to Missouri's most fun lake. Driving over Bagnell Dam into Lake Ozark is the official sign that you've arrived at the Lake of the Ozarks and a certified summer rite of passage in these parts. Spend your day golfing or socializing out on the water and your nights playing skeeball on The Strip.

Whitefish is trending up in popularity and part of the reason why is that it's a wonderful welcome mat for Glacier National Park. Summer is unquestionably the best time to explore the rugged terrain of the park and after a day spent exploring, the restaurants and bars within the cute town center will be a welcome sight.

Omaha is one of the USA's hottest up-and-coming destinations and it is also the hub of summer fun in the 'Husker State. Join the friendly crowds at an outdoor concert or on a walk across the "Bob" pedestrian bridge before lingering late into the night in one of the city's lively entertainment districts. And that's to say nothing of the all the fun that takes place when the College World Series comes to town each June.

Located at the foot of the Carson Range, Nevada's political capital is also a summer playground. Explore the surrounding hills from the seat of a mountain bike or make your way to nearby Lake Tahoe for days filled with boating, beaches and frozen libations.

Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire is home to hundreds of islands and each May, Meredith wakes from its winter slumber to become the center of isle exploration. Explore the charming town on foot before hitting the water or hopping in the car to go count covered bridges in the nearby countryside.

New Jersey is the undisputed king of beachside boardwalks and stately Cape May's paved version is especially pretty. After a day at the beach, meander past a few of the town's grand "gingerbread" houses before making for the boardwalk and its myriad of sun-drenched distractions.

Taos is one of the country's top ski resorts but the fun factor doesn't go downhill during summer. Sitting at over 9,000-feet, it stays cool here when the rest of New Mexico sizzles and you'll love breathing in that fresh air during a scenic hike. Afterward, retreat to an adobe hotel at night and sleep with the windows open.

Even if Cooperstown wasn't home to the Baseball Hall of Fame and its enchanting annual summer induction weekend, it still might make the list. That's because the All-American town is nestled within rolling hills and its position beside Otsego Lake makes it a prime place for Upstate summer recreation.

Come May each year, the entire Outer Banks region transforms into a mecca of fun in the sun. You won't find anywhere in OBX more enjoyable than Kill Devil Hills. Lay on the Carolina shore with scores of happy vacationers before retracing the steps of the Wright Brothers and playing some top-of-the-line putt-putt.

Most months of the year, Minot relishes its role as one of North Dakota's hidden gems. During summertime though, the town fills with revelers who flock to the North Dakota State Fair. Feast on ND's take on state fair food before spending a night frolicking on carnival rides and taking in A-list entertainment.

While you could make a case for Put-In-Bay and its bubbly beach bars, you won't find a world class rollercoaster on the island. For the official thrill ride of summer, you need to head to Sandusky. Sitting directly on the shores of Lake Erie, Cedar Point and its eighteen coasters are known as the "Roller Coaster Capital of the World". When your stomach settles, head straight or the Cedar Point Beach.

Grove offers visitors a front row seat to the natural splendor of Grand Lake. During summer, the town jumps as a jumping off point for boaties and fishermen who take to the water during the day and retreat to the town each night. Don't have a boat of your own? Take a cruise on the Cherokee Queen for a peaceful tour of one of Oklahoma's prettiest lakes.

The Beaver State might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of beach towns, but that's only if you've never been to Newport. This alluring fishing town has all the components you need in summer: soft sand, waves made for surfing and fresh seafood.

Erie defrosts in a divine manner each summer. The star of the seasonal show is Presque Isle State Park-a pretty peninsula that juts into Lake Erie. The soft sand beaches here have been awarded scores of accolades and attract millions of fun-seekers to this underrated corner of Pennsylvania each summer.

Newport is known for the gaggle of Gilded Age mansions dotted along its shore and for its signature New England charm. The town fills up each year with those looking to walk in the footsteps of some of America's most famous families and those looking to simply stick their feet in the sand.

From the laid-back hustle of Harbor Town to the peaceful beaches, highly-ranked Hilton Head is summer heaven. Start your days sunning yourself on the sand before getting sporty on the island's many golf courses and tennis. Then at night, huddle under a stately oak tree to listen to local legend Gregg Russell sing.

Sawdust-covered gambling halls. Lively nightlife. Outlaws having a shootout in the street. It's all waiting for you in the Deadwood, the town where the west is still wonderfully wild. As an added bonus, due to its prime Black Hills location, both Mount Rushmore-as patriotic of a landmark as you will find in the USA-and Sturgis-the home of one of the USA's best summer festivals-are only a short drive away.

Gatlinburg goes by the moniker "The Gateway to the Smoky Mountains" and it's home to more fun, family attractions than you can shake a walking stick at. Examples include multiple mini-golf courses, a harrowing haunted house and a quirky place dedicated to the humble salt & pepper shaker-surely one of the strangest museums in America.

Grand Galveston is an exquisite island retreat any time of year (especially during Mardi Gras), but the summer is something to behold. The streets come alive with fun and frivolity and the beaches are packed with gregarious vacationers all enjoying a slice of paradise-with a twist of Texas.

During the summer, tourists from around the globe descend on Moab to explore two of America's most stunning national parks: Canyonlands and Arches. Throw in Instagram-darling Dead Horse Point and you have a hat trick of epic proportions. Don't be surprised if you end up leaving just as enamored with this friendly tourist town as you do the natural wonders.

Burlington borders Lake Champlain and two make a spectacular summertime one-two punch. Tourists come here from all over New England and Canada to discover out a new favorite restaurant in town before island-hopping on the lake.

When Virginians are stuck in traffic on a cold dark winter night and their thoughts turn to carefree summer fun: it's Virginia Beach that they're dreaming of. This place has it all: a colorful boardwalk, great food, an extended cycle path and even a statue of the big man below the sea: Neptune.

They aren't joking about Long Beach being lengthy. There are approximately 28 miles of sandy goodness here and during the summer, this resort town is the place to go for long strolls on the sand and boardwalk-style diversions like go-karts and arcades.

With a name like Summersville, you know it's going to be a great place to be when the weather warms up. This town in the middle of the Mountain State is the best base for enjoying the legendary clear waters of its eponymous lake. Start your days here underwater, your afternoons above the surface on a jet-ski and your nights at the local watering holes.

Don't let its location directly by Devil's Lake State Park fool you, Baraboo is a ball. It was the hometown of the famous Ringling Brothers and you can explore all of their big top exploits at the Circus World Museum. Then, head to the lake to take in the ravishing rock cliffs.

It doesn't matter what page the calendar is currently sitting on, Jackson Hole will be jumping. Come summertime, the trails that fan out from town fill with hikers and cyclists and placid Jackson lake is populated by a flotilla of sunset watchers. And in case you were wondering, the nightlife scene doesn't miss a beat.