Best Places to Visit in the US: A Seasonal Guide

The United States is a land of contrasts, where every season paints the country in a new light. From New England’s fiery autumns to the Pacific Coast’s breezy summers, the best time to travel depends on what kind of experience you’re after. And, the U.S. is made up of different regions, each with its own unique climate, culture, and best travel seasons, so your experience can vary greatly depending on where you go.

Whether you’re dreaming of leaf-peeping road trips, desert adventures, or coastal escapes, this seasonal guide will help you decide when to go and where to let each season shine.

Best Places to Visit in the US: Quick Answer

Here's a snapshot of the best places to visit in the U.S. throughout the year so that you can discover your perfect adventure in any season.

Seasonal Summary:

• Fall (September - November): The Northeast is unbeatable for fall foliage, especially when the leaves burst into brilliant colors in late September and October. Alternatively, visiting the American West is a great autumn choice when summer crowds fade.

• Winter (December - February): For those seeking a classic winter escape, the snow-covered landscapes and festive charm of New England make December a cozy time to visit. As winter deepens, the rugged beauty and wilderness of Alaska offer long nights ideal for aurora viewing, while Hawaii provides warm breezes and sunny coastlines for a tropical break from the cold.

• Spring (March - May): As temperatures warm up, the U.S. Northeast becomes welcoming again — perfect for those interested in coastal towns, historic cities, and early-season charm along the Atlantic. Meanwhile, the Western U.S. and national-park regions open up nicely for springtime exploration when the weather is generally mild and before summer heat peaks.

• Summer (June - August): Summer is ideal for venturing into America’s great outdoors — the mountain ranges, national park regions, and vast landscapes of the Western U.S. offer long days, dramatic scenery, and the freedom to explore. Alaska again stands out as a top summertime destination, with its long daylight hours, wilderness, and natural grandeur.

Month-by-Month Highlights:

• January: Hawaii’s warm breezes make winter feel miles away as you explore its islands or unwind along their sun-soaked shores.

• February: Enjoy the tropical beauty of Hawaii or savor winter landscapes and night skies in Alaska’s rugged interior.

• March: Discover the canyon country of Arizona and Utah or wander through the historic streets of Charleston and Savannah.

• April: Take in the dramatic scenery of the Pacific Northwest or explore charming Southern cities as spring settles in.

• May: Soak up coastal New England’s seaside charm or venture west to iconic national parks and mountain landscapes.

• June: Cruise through the Pacific Northwest’s forests and coastline or enjoy classic New England islands and seaside towns.

• July: Enjoy long summer days in the Pacific Northwest or explore sweeping mountain and canyon landscapes across the West.

• August: Take in the cool coastal breezes of the Pacific Northwest or wander historic towns and scenic shores in New England.

• September: Experience crisp early-fall air in the Pacific Northwest or savor coastal beauty and island life in New England.

• October: Witness autumn scenery from the forests of New England to the rugged canyons and landscapes of the American West.

• November: Settle into the charm of Charleston and Savannah or enjoy the festive energy of New York City as the holidays begin.

• December: Celebrate the season with holiday lights in New York City or escape to warm island breezes in Hawaii.

Northeast: Best in the Fall

If there’s one word that defines fall in the Northeast, it’s spectacular. But don’t take our word for it; Travel & Leisure calls fall in New England “the stuff of fairy tales.” The region transforms into a mosaic of gold, amber, and crimson hues, from the mountains of Vermont to the streets of Boston. Crisp air, scenic drives, and apple orchards make autumn here a travel dream.

Pro Tip: Plan your visit from late September through mid-October for peak foliage. Late October can also be a great time to visit for those seeking fewer crowds and lingering autumn colors.

Featured Tour: Colors of New England

Southeast: Best in the Spring

Spring in the South is all about renewal: azaleas in bloom, warm breezes, and charming towns like Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia, bursting with color. Mild temperatures make it the perfect time for strolling through historic districts and savoring outdoor dining.

Spring is also an excellent time to enjoy delicious food at local festivals and outdoor restaurants, where you can experience the region's unique culinary scene.

Pro Tip: Visit between March and May to enjoy comfortable weather before the summer heat sets in.

Featured Tour: Southern Charm

Midwest: Best in the Summer

The Midwest comes alive in summer with festivals, lakefront adventures, and endless sunshine. Chicago buzzes with outdoor concerts, while the Great Lakes sparkle under long days, making them especially great for boating or walking along the waterfront. Summer is also baseball season, which is a perfect time to catch a game in cities like Chicago or St. Louis.

Pro Tip: Travel between June and August for the best weather and spirited city life.

Featured Tour: Mackinac Island

Southwest: Best in the Fall and Spring

The Southwest is breathtaking year-round, but fall and spring offer the most comfortable conditions for exploring canyons, deserts, and national parks. In spring, wildflowers bloom across Arizona and New Mexico; in fall, cooler air makes for perfect hiking weather. Fall and spring are also popular times for outdoor events and festivals throughout the Southwest, making these seasons ideal for enjoying local celebrations and activities.

Pro Tip: Visit from March to May or September to November for mild days and fewer crowds.

Featured Tour: Canyon Country

West Coast: Best in Late Spring and Early Fall

The West Coast dazzles with coastal cliffs, redwood forests, and cities where nature and culture blend effortlessly. Summer brings sunshine and crowds, so late spring or early fall delivers the same magic with more breathing room. Iconic attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge offer unforgettable views and are must-sees for any West Coast itinerary. Learn about the Best Cities to Visit in the U.S.

Pro Tip: Consider visiting in May to June or September to October to enjoy California’s coastal highways and Pacific Northwest charm without the peak-season rush. Early summer is also a prime time for events along the coast.

Yosemite National Park is especially stunning in late spring and early summer, when waterfalls are at their peak and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities abound.

Featured Tour: Pacific Northwest & California

Mountain West: Best in Summer

From the peaks of the Rockies to the valleys of Yellowstone, summer is the ideal time to explore the Mountain West. Warm days, wildflower blooms, and clear trails make this region a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

The average temperature in the Mountain West during summer typically ranges from the mid-60s to the low 80s °F, with higher elevations generally staying in the 60s and 70s. In comparison, lower elevations and southern areas can reach the low 80s. Therefore, summer provides comfortable conditions for hiking, sightseeing, and other outdoor activities.

Pro Tip: Visit from June through early September to experience alpine lakes and national parks at their best.

Featured Tour: National Parks of America

Pacific Northwest: Best in the Summer

Cool, misty, and wildly green — the Pacific Northwest shines brightest in summer. National Geographic said it best about the region: “The states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho…offer a unique natural beauty that begs to be explored.”

Plus, extended daylight hours in the Pacific Northwest make it easy to explore Oregon’s vineyards, Washington’s evergreen trails, and small-town charms in Idaho.

The Pacific Northwest also hosts a variety of music festivals during the summer, attracting visitors from across the country.

Pro Tip: July and August offer the driest, sunniest conditions — ideal for outdoor adventures.

Featured Tour: Pacific Northwest & California

Northern Lights

If you’re dreaming of witnessing the Northern Lights, visit Alaska. While the aurora borealis can be spotted in northern states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maine, and Michigan, Alaska remains one of the best locations in the U.S. for sightings. Plan your visit between late August and early April for the highest chance of catching the show. Longer nights, colder temperatures, and (usually) clearer skies from December through March make displays easier to see.

Featured Tour: Alaska’s Northern Lights

Winter Activities

Winter in the U.S. offers a wide mix of experiences, from snowy wilderness to festive cities and warm tropical escapes. For travelers seeking classic winter magic, Alaska provides long, dark nights ideal for spotting the Northern Lights and exploring dramatic snow-covered landscapes. On the East Coast, New York City shines with holiday markets, sparkling displays, and seasonal performances that bring extra charm to its iconic sights.

Those who enjoy cultural traditions and festive atmospheres will find plenty to love across the American South, where destinations like Nashville, Memphis, Gatlinburg, and Asheville celebrate the season with music, mountain scenery, and holiday events. Travelers looking for mild winter temperatures can enjoy the historic streets, cobblestone squares, and coastal views of Charleston and Savannah, which remain welcoming year-round.

If warm weather is a priority, Hawaii offers an ideal winter escape with sunny beaches, lush landscapes, and comfortably warm days perfect for outdoor exploration.

Featured Tours: Spotlight on New York City Holiday, New England Holiday

For those seeking a city break, Las Vegas dazzles year-round with its entertainment and nightlife. In contrast, the West Coast’s iconic cities, such as San Francisco, are best enjoyed during the shoulder season, when warm temperatures and fewer visitors make for a relaxed getaway. Discover the Best Places to Visit in the U.S.

No matter your travel style, the winter months in the U.S. offer a diverse range of experiences, whether you’re chasing the northern lights, hitting the slopes, or soaking up the sun in the desert. And remember, if you want to avoid peak tourist season and summer crowds, consider planning your trip during the shoulder seasons. Just keep an eye on hurricane season if you’re heading to the Gulf Coast or eastern states — late summer through early fall can bring wet and windy weather, so check forecasts before you go. Find a perfectly timed U.S. tour with Collette.

Best Places to Visit in the US: Month-by-Month Guide

Best Places to Visit in January in the US

January is an excellent time to escape winter’s chill in Hawaii, where warm breezes, coastal views, and tropical landscapes create the perfect seasonal retreat. The islands offer sunny days ideal for exploring beaches, volcanic scenery, and lush valleys.

Featured Tours: Hawaiian Adventure

Best Places to Visit in February in the US

February offers standout experiences in the warm, tropical beauty of Hawaii or the snowy wilderness of Alaska’s interior. Hawaii’s clear skies and pleasant temperatures make it perfect for relaxing beach days and scenic coastal exploration. In Alaska, long winter nights create ideal conditions for viewing the Northern Lights, offering an unforgettable combination of rugged landscapes and natural wonder.

Travelers may also enjoy the Southern charm of Charleston and Savannah, or the energy of New York City during the quieter winter season.

Featured Tour: Alaska’s Northern Lights

Best Places to Visit in March in the US

March is an excellent time to explore the canyon landscapes of Arizona and Utah, where iconic locations like the Grand Canyon region and the red-rock scenery of the Southwest begin to warm under mild spring skies. Travelers can also enjoy the Southern charm of Charleston and Savannah, where blooming gardens and historic districts make these cities especially inviting.

For those seeking cultural variety, Washington, D.C. emerges from winter with early signs of cherry blossoms, while New York City offers a lively mix of museums, shows, and landmark sightseeing before peak travel season arrives.

Featured Tour: Canyon Country

Best Places to Visit in April in the US

April opens the door to dramatic Pacific Northwest scenery, from Seattle’s waterfront to Oregon’s rugged coastline. Spring also brings comfortable weather to California, making cities like San Francisco and Monterey excellent for early-season exploration. Warm, blooming landscapes welcome travelers in Washington, D.C., while classic Southern charm shines in Charleston and Savannah.

In the West, mild temperatures make iconic landscapes in Arizona and Utah —including the Grand Canyon region—particularly inviting. Hawaii also offers warm, tropical conditions for those seeking a spring escape.

Featured Tour: Spotlight on Washington, D.C.

Best Places to Visit in May in the US

May brings near-perfect weather across much of the country. It’s a great time to experience much of the U.S. — from coastal New England to the Midwest’s Mackinac Island to the sweeping landscapes of the American West. National parks such as Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton — showcase spring colors while offering comfortable hiking conditions before summer crowds arrive.

Travelers can also enjoy the dramatic coastlines and evergreen forests of the Pacific Northwest, the mountain beauty of the Colorado Rockies, classic skyline views in New York City, Southern warmth in Charleston and Savannah, and tropical relaxation in Hawaii.

Featured Tour: National Parks of America

Best Places to Visit in June in the US

Across the country, June offers something for every traveler — from national parks out West to coastal escapes in New England. The Pacific Northwest shines with long daylight hours and low rainfall — perfect for exploring Seattle, Portland, or the rugged Oregon coast. It’s also prime time for visiting the National Parks of America, including Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon.

On the East Coast, New England — especially Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket — offers classic early-summer charm. Additional June favorites include New York City, the dramatic landscapes of Arizona and Utah, the scenic byways of South Dakota and Mackinac Island.

Featured Tour: Islands of New England

Best Places to Visit in July in the US

July is peak travel season in Alaska, where long daylight hours illuminate glacier-carved fjords, wildlife-rich tundra, and breathtaking coastal scenery. The month also brings excellent conditions to the Pacific Northwest and many of the American West’s iconic national parks, from the Grand Canyon to Yellowstone.

Travelers can also enjoy summer breezes along New England’s coast and islands, discover monumental landscapes in South Dakota, explore canyon regions in Arizona and Utah, take in mountain views in the Colorado Rockies, or enjoy classic urban experiences in New York City. Hawaii remains a warm, inviting option as well.

Featured Tour: Alaska: America’s Last Frontier

Best Places to Visit in August in the US

August is an excellent time for the cool forests and coastal cliffs of the Pacific Northwest, as well as the expansive landscapes of the National Parks of America, including Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon, and the soaring peaks of the Colorado Rockies.

New England’s coastal towns, from Cape Cod to Martha’s Vineyard, offer relaxed late-summer charm, while South Dakota’s Badlands and Black Hills deliver striking prairie and mountain vistas. Other August highlights include rugged canyon regions in Arizona and Utah, scenic alpine escapes in the Colorado Rockies, city adventures in New York City, and warm tropical getaways in Hawaii.

Additionally, the breezy shores of Mackinac Island are wonderful. Travelers especially enjoy this car-free retreat on Lake Huron, one of the Great Lakes, known for its Victorian architecture, horse-drawn carriages, and scenic shoreline paths.

Featured Tour: The Colorado Rockies

Best Places to Visit in September in the US

September is one of the best months for U.S. travel thanks to mild weather and fewer tourists across many destinations. It’s an ideal time to explore New England, where places like Boston, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Newport enjoy warm days and early hints of fall.

Across the West, cooler weather makes it a perfect month for national park adventures in Arizona, Utah, and Wyoming, including renowned landscapes surrounding the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone. Travelers can also take in the dramatic scenery of the Pacific Northwest, the historic charm of Charleston and Savannah, the sweeping vistas of South Dakota, the lakeside beauty of Mackinac Island, and the tropical warmth of Hawaii, which remains pleasant year-round.

Featured Tour: Pacific Northwest & California

Best Places to Visit in October in the US

October offers some of the most spectacular travel experiences of the year, especially across New England, where vibrant foliage transforms the landscape. Travelers can also enjoy the crisp fall atmosphere of Mackinac Island that feel especially magical under autumn colors. The season also brings cultural and culinary richness to New Orleans, Memphis, and Nashville, as well as dramatic coastal and forested beauty throughout the Pacific Northwest.

For those seeking national park adventures, October offers excellent conditions in Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone. Additional October destinations include Charleston and Savannah, and the mountain settings of Lexington, Kentucky, where rolling hills, horse farms, and Bluegrass Country scenery provide a peaceful, pastoral backdrop for fall exploration. October is also a great time to experience the American Southwest.

Featured Tour: Colors of New England

Best Places to Visit in November in the US

November offers a mix of festive city breaks and mild Southern getaways. New York City begins its holiday transformation, with sparkling lights, seasonal performances, and iconic attractions that make it an inviting destination. Travelers can also enjoy the historic charm and pleasant late-fall weather of Charleston and Savannah, where coastal scenery and cultural sites remain comfortably warm.

For those seeking a different kind of autumn atmosphere, the American Southwest offers dramatic red-rock landscapes and comfortable temperatures ideal for exploring places such as Sedona and Santa Fe. The region’s natural beauty, cultural richness, and clear late-season skies make it an appealing option before winter fully settles in.

Meanwhile, holiday-themed journeys through Nashville, Memphis, Gatlinburg, and Asheville bring music, mountain scenery, and festive displays to life.

Featured Tour: Spirit of the American Southwest

Best Places to Visit in December in the US

December brings holiday charm and winter wonderlands. New York City sparkles with decorations, festive markets, and iconic holiday events. New England offers the quintessential winter wonderland. But if you’d prefer a milder climate, experience December in the American South. Nashville, Memphis, and Charleston are prime locales for holiday cheer.

Featured Tour: Spotlight on New York City Holiday

Final Thoughts

The best time to travel in the U.S. depends on what calls to you — the crunch of autumn leaves, the buzz of summer activities, or the quiet beauty of spring blossoms. Each season tells a story, and every region offers something extraordinary.

With Collette, every journey is designed for discovery — no matter when you go. Our guided tours help you experience the U.S. at its most beautiful, in every season. Travel during a national holiday or the summer months can offer unique experiences, especially on the East Coast, with special events, lively celebrations, and seasonal attractions.

Ready to plan your next adventure? Explore our U.S. tours.