One of the hardest parts about traveling can be figuring out where to go. You could throw a dart at a map of the U.S. and it’s bound to land somewhere worth visiting. From bustling cities to quiet towns, America is home to amazing places both big and small, all with something special to offer.
If you’re in need of some vacation inspiration, this list of travel destinations that hold a one of a kind event every June will come in handy. It might even get you thinking about where you want to go next year!
Fruita, CO
Don’t lose your head trying to decide where to go this summer. Instead, head to the quaint town of Fruita, Colorado, home of the annual Mike the Headless Chicken Festival. Yes, you read that right; it’s a festival dedicated to a chicken with its head cut off.
As the story goes, Mike was a chicken from Fruita that was able to live for 18 months without a head. During that time, Mike toured the country as a popular sideshow act.
Now every June the town of Fruita pays homage to Mike with a festival that features fun activities like a 5K run, a disc golf tournament, a rooster calling contest, and of course, a wing eating competition.
New Orleans, LA
It’s not hard to have yourself a good time in the Big Easy, especially if you’re visiting in June. That’s when the city of New Orleans hosts one of its most popular events, the New Orleans Oyster Festival.
Many local restaurants attend the festival, each one serving up signature dishes with oyster as the star ingredient. From fried oyster tacos to an Oysters Rockerfeller po’ boy, they’ve got it all and then some.
In addition to delicious food, visitors can also attend live musical performances and unique competitions like the World Oyster Eating Championship. Even if you don’t like oysters this festival is still one shell of a time!
New York, NY
Home to famous landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building, tourists flock to New York City from as far as the depths of the ocean. Well, sort of.
Every June, hundreds of costumed “mermaids” come ashore onto New York City’s iconic Coney Island Boardwalk for a day of maritime merriment. This event, known as the Mermaid Parade, has marked the start of summer for many New Yorkers since it was founded in 1983.
Avon, OH
The city of Avon, Ohio is the self-proclaimed Duct Tape Capital of the World. Why? Because it’s home to Duck brand duct tape, the product that’s become synonymous with the all-purpose fixer-upper.
Avon is also home to the Avon Heritage Duck Tape Festival, where visitors from all over come together to celebrate the tape famous for holding things together. Stick around for tape-themed events like a parade featuring Duck Tape-decorated floats and the Duck Tape Fashion Show.
Portland, OR
Stop and smell the roses this summer at the Portland Rose Festival. Since 1907, this festival has celebrated Portland’s status as the “City of Roses.” Portland earned the nickname over a century ago because of its warm, dry summers and cool, rainy winters; an ideal climate for growing the delicate flower.
The festival takes place over the course of three weekends beginning in late May. Over 60 events are held, including an opening night fireworks display and dragon boat races on the Willamette River.