The Pride of the Unexpected: Summer Travel Worth Discovering

Summer 2025 is all about being intentional with your travel. Rather than defaulting to the same coastal cities or overbooked hot spots, it might be time to look inward. There’s a fresh energy in overlooked destinations — places that may not make every top 10 list, but consistently deliver memorable summer experiences. Think great food, walkable neighborhoods, vibrant cultural scenes and a strong sense of local pride.

Sometimes the best travel discoveries are places you’ve overlooked. These four cities are ready for your attention. Each one is packed with character, easy to access and full of warm-weather experiences — from lakeside lounging to rodeos, rooftop concerts to historic walking tours. These aren’t bucket-list cities. They’re the kind of places you didn’t know you needed — until now.

Spokane, Wash.

Spokane thrives in the summer. The city comes alive with riverfront events, outdoor dining and sun-soaked hikes in the surrounding bluffs and trails. Spokane Falls is roaring, patios are packed and the city’s arts festivals and night markets give visitors plenty to explore. There’s a sense of ease here that feels refreshing — laid-back but not boring, and surprisingly lively once you get to know it. From river rafting to gallery hopping, it offers a summer lineup that balances chill with culture.

Don’t Miss: A ride on the Numerica SkyRide over the falls, brunch at Bruncheonette, art and exhibits at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, and live music in the historic Garland District.

Where to Stay: The Louie — Spokane’s newest boutique hotel blends contemporary design with a historic downtown setting.

Fun Fact: Spokane’s nickname, the “Lilac City,” is celebrated each May during the Lilac Festival, a civic tradition dating back to 1938.

Spokane Pride is held June 8 at Riverfront Park. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly event with a strong local following and an emphasis on community. LGBTQ+ nightlife hubs like The Globe Bar & Kitchen help maintain visibility and inclusiveness all year.

Getting There: A three-hour direct flight from MSP lands you in Spokane, with easy access to downtown.

Madison, Wis.

Madison in the summer feels like one long outdoor block party. The city is surrounded by lakes, laced with bike paths and animated by festivals nearly every weekend. Locals kayak before work, lounge on the Memorial Union Terrace with pitchers of beer and flood State Street after farmers market runs. The city balances outdoorsy energy with an intellectual, creative streak that gives it depth.

Don’t Miss: A Saturday stroll through the Dane County Farmers’ Market, biking the Lake Loop, live music at the Memorial Union Terrace and lunch at Graze on the Capitol Square.

Where to Stay: The Madison Concourse Hotel & Governor’s Club — centrally located with high-touch service and views of the Capitol.

Fun Fact: Madison is home to the largest producer-only farmers market in the country, drawing vendors from all over Wisconsin.

OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center hosts The Magic Pride Festival on August 18 at Warner Park. It’s one of the region’s most grassroots-focused events, and queer culture thrives in everyday venues like the Shamrock Bar and Café Coda.

Getting There: A four-hour drive from the Twin Cities makes this an easy weekend road trip.

St. Louis, Mo.

In the summer, St. Louis shows off. The Gateway Arch glints against blue skies, neighborhoods spill onto sidewalks with live jazz and cold drinks, and Forest Park feels like the city’s shared backyard. It’s a city where you can mix museums and barbecue, rooftop cocktails and baseball games, all within the same zip code. The cultural offerings are as deep as the food scene, and both shine in the warmer months.

Don’t Miss: Catching a CITY SC soccer match, touring the Saint Louis Art Museum’s “Roaring” exhibit, visiting the Missouri History Museum and eating ribs or brisket at Salt + Smoke in Ballpark Village or trying bold flavors and street-style tacos at Session Taco in Soulard.

Where to Stay: Angad Arts Hotel — colorful, design-forward and steps from nightlife in the Grand Center Arts District.

Fun Fact: The Gateway Arch is the tallest man-made monument in the U.S., standing at 630 feet.

Pride St. Louis is June 29-30, centered downtown with a large-scale parade, vendor fair and concerts. LGBTQ+ life in St. Louis is anchored in The Grove district, where bars, drag brunches and performance venues thrive year-round.

Getting There: A quick 90-minute flight or an eight-hour drive from MSP.

Cheyenne, Wyo.

Cheyenne has a way of surprising people. It has all the hallmarks of a Western hub — the rodeo, the boots, the trains — but also plenty of art, music and indie business. Come summer, the streets fill with murals and live music, the depot plaza hosts food truck rallies and the vibe leans relaxed but rooted. Cheyenne offers a slice of history and a lot of sky — and it’s easy to settle in.

Don’t Miss: Frontier Days, the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, brings parades, concerts and championship bull riding to town every July. Also, check out the Depot Plaza for food trucks and music, or catch a Hell on Wheels rodeo event if you’re visiting earlier in the season.

Where to Stay: Nagle Warren Mansion — a restored 1888 Western estate with Victorian charm, adult-friendly elegance and a storied past.

Fun Fact: Cheyenne’s Boot Trail features 8-foot-tall cowboy boots painted by local artists, with some including LGBTQ+ themes and pride flags.

Pride Cheyenne is set for June 21 with a street fair, vendors and music downtown. Rendezvous, a five-day queer summer campout in Medicine Bow National Forest, returns in August and draws people from all across the region.

Getting There: Fly into Denver and drive 90 minutes north — or plan a scenic 10-hour road trip from the Twin Cities.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to chase crowds to experience something meaningful this summer. Whether you’re admiring city views from the top of the Gateway Arch, sipping wine at a local Spokane vineyard or sharing laughs over beers in Kendall Yards, chatting with locals at Madison’s lakeside terrace or watching the sun dip behind the rodeo arena in Cheyenne, the real draw is how these destinations make you feel. For LGBTQ+ travelers — and anyone who values inclusion and authenticity — these spots offer a refreshing sense of ease. They’re fun, they’re welcoming and they’re close enough to make your next great trip easy to say yes to.

Pack light. Leave space for curiosity. And don’t underestimate how good a smaller city can be when summer shows up in full.