When is the best time to travel in the US?

Visiting the US in April

If you’re planning to visit the South or Southwest, April is an excellent time to travel, with warm, sunny weather. The national parks, forests and wetlands are lush and vibrant, wildlife is more active, and a variety of events take place in towns and cities as they emerge from winter.

Events & Festivals

• Baseball season (April to September): The baseball season is long enough to be accessible to many visitors. Catch a game in Chicago, Boston or New York for a quintessential American experience.
• Ski season in Colorado and Utah (April): The peak of the ski season in Colorado and Utah is in April, with more than enough snow covering the ground, coupled with sunny days and pleasant temperatures.

Visiting the US in May

Spring has arrived in most of the country. Sunny days reveal vivid-green vegetation, attractive prairie grasslands and wildlife newly emerged from winter. Mild temperatures mean you can explore in comfort and enjoy outdoor activities.

While Pacific storms can bring Hawaii most of its rainfall in May, the southwestern states are typically warm and dry, making it a good time to explore their natural landscapes. 

Events & Festivals

• Baseball season (April to September): The baseball season is long enough to be accessible to many visitors. Catch a game in Chicago, Boston or New York for a quintessential American experience.
• Memorial Day takes place on the last weekend of the month and is recognized with parades and commemoration ceremonies.

Visiting the US in June

June offers the best of both worlds in the northern half of the country, as you can experience warm, sunny days without the crowds of summer. The Rockies are perhaps at their most majestic, national parks are verdant and full of life, while in cities, you can take advantage of the weather at outdoor cafés and restaurants, in parks and gardens, and by following lakeside trails and cycle paths.

It’s also a good time to visit the south, where temperatures are ideal for outdoor and water-based activities like biking, hiking, fishing or sailing. 

Events & Festivals

• Baseball season (April to September): The baseball season is long enough to be accessible to many visitors. Catch a game in Chicago, Boston or New York for a quintessential American experience.
• Wildflowers in Colorado (June): The mountains and valleys of Colorado are carpeted in bright wildflowers in full bloom at this time of year.

Visiting the US in July - August

Summer in the northern states is the most comfortable time to explore the outdoors, with many of the region's national parks at their very best. Take a hike into Montana's Glacier National Park, see the steaming geysers of Yellowstone or stay on a ranch in the Rockies. 

In the southern half of the country, the hot summer months are filled with outdoor events, including fourth of July fireworks. The southwest attracts a dry heat and the south eastern states see humidity soar, inviting occasional thunderstorms to break up the heat.

Events & Festivals

• July 4th celebrations: A day of barbecues, fireworks, carnivals and fun events across the country to recognize the Declaration of Independence.
• Baseball season (April to September): The baseball season is long enough to be accessible to many visitors. Catch a game in Chicago, Boston or New York for a quintessential American experience.

Visiting the US in September - October

The summer crowds have started to disperse in the southern half of the country by September, making this a quieter, better-value time to visit. However, storms are more prevalent along the eastern and central coast, with the hurricane season producing wet and windy weather. You’ll find less risk of storms further west, where temperatures are still pleasant and it’s a good time to explore the national parks of Utah and California. Meanwhile, Hawaii basks in warm, sunny days and you’ll find fewer visitors than in the summer months.

Events & Festivals

• Baseball season (April to September): The baseball season is long enough to be accessible to many visitors. Catch a game in Chicago, Boston or New York for a quintessential American experience.

Visiting the US in November - December

Colder, shorter days mark the arrival of winter, with many areas in the northern half of the country experiencing their first snowfall in November. In southern states, the end of the year is milder and can be inclement in places, with rain showers possible. However, temperatures in the South are still pleasant. 

There’s a noticeable air of anticipation across the country as Thanksgiving, and then Christmas, approaches, when travel becomes much busier.

Events & Festivals

• New Year’s Eve celebrations: See fireworks filling the sky and enjoy parties across the US.
• Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday of November): A national holiday giving thanks for the harvest and the preceding year, marked with traditional parades in many cities.