Got a summer road trip planned? Or want to hit the slopes in the winter? You can do it all in the USA. Year-round, there is something to excite every traveler. Your travels will change dramatically with the seasons, it’s all about finding what suits you.
Maybe you want to soak up the sun on the California beaches, see the Spring blossoms in Washington D.C, or enjoy a white Christmas in Colorado. Whatever you have planned for your travels to the US, this list will help you decide when you should go on your next adventure.
The Best Places to Visit in the USA by Month:
January: Idaho
February: Charleston, South Carolina
March: Las Vegas, Nevada
April: Washington D.C.
May: Utah
June: Oregon
July: Washington State
August: California
September: Hawaii
October: Florida
November: Phoenix, Arizona
December: Colorado
January: Idaho
Idaho is a picturesque state in the North West of the US. It is one of the best places in the US to visit for the winter. Like Colorado, it’s perfect for travelers into snow sports. Idaho has two of the nation's best ski resorts, McCall and Sun Valley.
McCall, the smaller ski resort of the two is located in the northern part of the state. The resort gets over 300 inches of snow a year, so there is always fresh powder to ski on. You can find some of Idaho’s most stunning natural features here, McCall has picturesque lakefront views and is part of the beautiful Payette National Forest.
Sun Valley ski resort is one of the most popular ski resorts in the US. If you're looking for bluebird skiing in January, Sun Valley lives up to its name. You can enjoy the sun on 120 out of 150 days of the snow season.
February: Charleston, SC
One of the earliest cities to be formed in the US. Charleston, South Carolina has a rich history, ripe for exploring. Nearly 500 years old, it is one of the best places to visit in the USA no matter the month.
Charlestown is also one of the most romantic cities in the USA. Making it the perfect February vacation destination for a couple. Stroll along the quaint cobblestone streets, lit by antique lamps, or prepare for a fright on the Ghosts of Charleston tour.
The best time to visit the city is usually during shoulder season, fall or spring, the weather is perfect and the crowds are a lot smaller. Outdoor enthusiasts should plan to attend the annual Southeastern Wildlife Exposition which is held in February.
Charleston is voted as the best city to visit in the USA year after year by Travel & Leisure, and Condé Nast Traveler readers.
March: Las Vegas
After a long winter, you might just be ready for a trip to the playground in the desert. Sin City is the perfect place to visit in March if you want to shake off the winter blues. Las Vegas in March is warmer than the rest of the country but doesn’t reach the uncomfortable sweltering heat that it does in the summer.
Hockey fans can score tickets to see the Las Vegas Golden Knights play at the T-Mobile Arena. NFL fans can check out the new raiders stadium that is soon to be completed.
If you're looking for entertainment, Las Vegas is non-stop. Before the lockdown, the strip went off at all hours of the day and night - let’s hope it gets back to that -. Famous 5-star hotels and casinos like the Bellagio, MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, are all here and play host to top-named entertainment all year long.
Give the partying a break and road trip to the Hoover Dam and the incredible Grand Canyon. Here's a 3-day itinerary.
April: Washington DC
Since 1912, the Nation's Capital has been one of the best places to visit in the month of April. Over 100 years ago, the mayor of Tokyo gifted the city 3000 cherry trees as a sign of friendship. Since then, the city has bloomed every spring. Covering the city in beautiful pink and white flowers.
Spring is the city’s most exciting season, and one of the best places to visit in USA in the month of April. April 4th is the peak bloom date for the blossoms and the famous National Cherry Blossom Festival happens in April. The popular festival features tours, cruises, a parade, music performances, garden walks, and kite-flying demonstrations.
Keep in mind that this is one of the busiest times of the year for Washington D.C. Hotel prices tend to be higher than usual and the crowds thick at popular attractions like the National Air and Space Museum and the blockbuster National Museum of African American History and Culture.
May: Utah
Unique red rock formations, canyons, and dramatic landscapes make for amazing views in all 12 National Parks in Utah. The milder May weather makes hiking and mountain biking the go-to option for any traveler.
Hike to Zion Canyon in Zion National Park for one of the most spectacular views in the USA. If you are into Mountain Biking, Moab is the place to be. The epicenter of Mountain Biking in the US, and home of the famous Slickrock Trail. There are trails at Moab for any level of mountain biker.
When not hiking or biking, check out some of Utah’s other top attractions. Visit Monument Valley, Salt Lake flats, Salt Lake City, Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase National Monument, or Dead Horse Point State Park.
Utah is by far one of the best states to visit in the US at any time of the year. For a list of Top 10 States, Cities, and National Parks, give this a nosey.
June: Oregon
Oregon is a nature lovers dream. Diverse landscapes spread across the state, each as spectacular as the next. The misty and rugged Oregon Coast, seemingly eternal sand dunes at Dunes City, a beautiful lake inside a volcano, and one of the tallest waterfalls in the US. If you love the outdoors, Oregon is the best place to visit in June.
Oregon experiences all four seasons and is a completely different experience depending on when you visit. June temperatures sit between 70-77F or 20-25C for most of the month, perfect weather for a hike.
Hiring ATV’s to blast across the Dunes at Dunes City National Recreation Area is a highlight on any Oregon trip. While you're here, explore the quaint little town of Florence, and swim or boat on any of the surrounding lakes and rivers.
Crater Lake is one of the most spectacular sites in the US and no photos can do it justice. Its deep shades of blue are unmatched in nature. Formed when Mount Mazama erupted nearly 7000 years ago, it's the deepest lake in North America and one of the most famous calderas in the world.
July: Washington State
Seattle on a sunny day is one of the best places to visit in the summer. Known primarily for its miserable, rainy weather, the sun breaks through in the month of July and warms the city.
The warm weather brings the salmon to Seattle, which means Orcas follow. The whales make their way into the Puget Sound and can be seen from downtown Seattle every year. Every summer, Puget Sound express offers boat tours to get a closer view of the incredible animals.
Seattle in the summer is one of the best places in the US to enjoy great food, live music, and beautiful weather. Checkout the Seafair Summer Fourth celebration or Pike Public Market Place while you're here.
Every July, the wildflowers of Washington come into full bloom. Summer flowers of all kinds cover the hills with vibrant colors. Mt Rainier is one of the best places to see wildflowers in Washington. Hike the network of trails around the mountain and find wildflowers of every shade dancing in the breeze.
August: California
California is the best state to be in during the summer months. The golden state is known for its rugged coastlines, perfect beaches, some of the best national parks in the USA, and world-famous cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles.,
Southern California weather is great all year round, but August really turns it on. Locals, travelers, surfers, and sunbathers flock to the beaches when they aren't on lockdown. San Diego is one of the best places to visit in summer, head to La Jolla or Pacific Beach to swim, tan or surf.
Beaches aren’t the only thing to do in California. A trip to the unique landscape of Joshua Tree will make you feel like you’re on another planet. You can visit the Redwood National Forest and see the enormous redwoods. Some of these ancient specimens are over 3000 years old. Or hike, camp, and chase waterfalls in Yosemite National Park.
September: Hawaii
Extend your summer by spending September in Hawaii. Temperatures remain between 80-90F or 26-32C throughout the month, never losing its summery feel. The ocean temperatures peak in September making it the best time to hit the beaches in Hawaii.
September is a month packed full of festivals that celebrate Hawaiin tradition and culture. The Aloha Festival on Oahu is the biggest street party in Hawaii. The Mokihana Festival is held on Kauai, where travelers can immerse themselves in the traditional Hula dance and Hawaiin music. The islands of Oahu, Maui, and Kauai all have tropical rainforests to explore. Hawaii is the only place in the United States where you can find an ecosystem like this.
The month-long Hawaii Island Festival is held on the Big Island or the Island of Hawaii. Experiencing the Hawaiin heritage through dance, art, food, and music. While you're on Big Island be sure to check out Volcano National Park, you'll see ‘lavafalls’ pouring into the ocean, ever-increasing the size of the island.
October: Florida
There are few better places to travel in October than sunny Florida. The rest of the country is coming out of summer and cooling down, but Florida’s year-round brilliant weather makes it the best place to visit in the month of October.
Fort Lauderdale and Keywest are both locked in a perpetual summer, giving you a sense of what it's like to live in the tropics. The weather is still perfect in October, so be sure to take a boat out and snorkel or dive off the incredible coral reefs. Or grab a cocktail with the laid back, friendly locals.
If you're planning a family holiday or just a Disney fanatic then head to Orlando. Disneyland is here. Its shoulder season and the crowds and prices drop, so you won’t have to stand in line for hours to ride the roller coasters. Just another reason why October is the best time to travel to Florida, .
November: Phoenix, Arizona
As the rest of the country cools for the winter, Arizona locals prepare for the best weather of the year. While Arizona can be too hot for most in the summer, in November the temperature sits around 23 to 27C or 70 to 80F. The Phoenix population swells in November with the influx of cold weather dodgers. The combination of spring training for the MLB and spring break for college students provides an exciting and unique atmosphere around the city.
The perfect weather during the month of November is the event season for Phoenix. Food and beer festivals are everywhere in the city. Festive theater shows happen in the Valley. You can keep the whole family entertained at the Circus or ice skating rinks.
Thanksgiving celebrations are awesome in Phoenix and you can even get into early Christmas spirit with tree-lighting ceremonies. If you want to stay warm while getting festive, Phoenix is one of the best places to visit in the USA by month of November.
December: Colorado
When you arrive in Colorado for winter, you will feel like you’ve left America and entered the Swiss Alps. Aspen, Breckenridge, and Vail are famous ski resorts in Colorado. Perfect for anyone looking for a dreamy white Christmas.
For serious skiers, Aspen is one of the best places in the world to ski. Four separate skiing areas: Aspen Highlands, Ajax Mountain, Buttermilk, and Snowmass make it the perfect playground for winter sports lovers.
Christmas is a month-long celebration for those in Colorado. Carolers, candlelight walks, a holiday market, and so much more take place throughout the month. Hop aboard a free, horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic downtown district
December is one of the busier months for Colorado travel, tourists pack into the state to try their hand at skiing or snowboarding. Be sure to book accommodation early if you plan on spending December in Colorado.
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