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Visit the USA and find out the best time to visit. We can assist with this decision. Instead, consider your desired travel activities.
Are you interested in climbing the nation’s tallest mountains? Participate in music festivals? Luxuriate on sparkling beaches? Go to big cities? With its vast geographical and cultural diversity, the US will always have something exciting to do.
Due to school schedules and warmer weather, summer is the high season, while crowds decrease in the winter (except for mid- to late December). Due to spring blooms in the west and fall colors in the east, some parts of the country experience high-season crowds during the shoulder seasons.
Winter slows things down, but traveling during it has unexpected benefits: pleasant temperatures in hot places, fewer crowds in cities, and tons of winter sports and activities, from skiing to snowshoeing to ice fishing.
Seasons and events in the US are explained here.
The best weather is May–July.
The ideal weather window varies by region, but most places have shaken off their winter chill and embraced spring and early summer. Nature-centric events like the Cherry Blossom Festival decorate the east, while fireflies illuminate the south and wildflowers cover the California hills. Patio season in cities begins, and outdoor concerts return after winter.
During this time, cultural events and national parks attract large crowds.
Best leaf-peeping season is October–November.
Late fall colours in the US give everything a cozy, crisp feel that makes you want warm apple cider. The northern Midwest, New England, and Appalachia have stunning deciduous forests with fiery maples and golden ginkgos, while western states like Colorado’s yellow aspens glow in autumn.
Popular fall foliage destinations (e.g., Vermont, North Carolina) may have high crowds, but less crowded spots offer lower prices and still offer fall colors.
Budget travelers and city breaks prefer November–March.
As fall winds down, crowds thin and most places settle into a low hum as they prepare for winter. Hotel prices drop and crowds for big-name attractions and restaurants decrease, making now a good time to visit your bucket list city. Enjoy some of the country’s best museums during the cooler (and possibly wetter) weather.
Budget rule exception: mid-December to New Year, when places buzz with Christmas activity and people fly home for the holidays. As prices rise and supply falls, January calms down quickly.
The best skiing season is January–March.
Ski season officially begins in December, but slopes tend to peak after the holidays on both sides of the country. As of February, most places, especially the west, have a solid snow base and fresh powder. Sometimes lifts stay open until May, but ski season length depends on temperature and precipitation.
For mountain east hiking and spring colors, March to June is best.
Flowery everywhere. Bluebonnets in Texas, rhododendrons in Tennessee and North Carolina, and poppies in California are among the earliest blooms in the country as spring arrives.
Exploring eastern US’s ancient mountains is best now. Spring showers, warm sunshine, and humid forests in Appalachia, from Georgia to Maine, offer a vibrant display of mushrooms, wildflowers, and blooming trees. Overflowing creeks and stunning waterfalls.
Summer festivals, mountain west hiking, and water sports are best in June–August.
It’s summer! Higher temperatures, more crowds, and lots to do.
Large music festivals like Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, and Lollapalooza draw large crowds, while smaller regional festivals also attract attendees.
This is the best time to hike the mountain west because most roads will be clear and high-elevation terrain easy to navigate. Mountainside blooms, wildlife, and camping will be great. The parks will be crowded.
You can also enjoy the US’s many waterways during this time. Kayak on slow-moving rivers or explore whitewater rivers like the Gauley (West Virginia) or Snake (Wyoming). Enjoy the Great Lakes in the Midwest or the warm gulf waters on the southern coast.
