The USA is so vast that the best time to visit depends entirely on where you are going. Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are the best times for most destinations — mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and lower prices. Summer is best for the national parks and Alaska. Winter is best for Florida, Hawaii, and skiing in Colorado.
Spring & Autumn: The Best Times for Most Destinations
Spring (April to June) is the finest time to visit New York City (cherry blossoms in Central Park, the Tribeca Film Festival, and the New York Marathon in November), Washington DC (the National Cherry Blossom Festival in April — the most beautiful event in the USA), New Orleans (Jazz Fest in April/May — the finest music festival in the USA), and San Francisco (mild weather, 15–18°C, and the city at its most vibrant). Autumn (September to November) is equally excellent — the fall colours in New England (Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine — the finest autumn foliage in the world, peak in mid-October) are extraordinary. The national parks are less crowded in autumn — Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon are at their finest in September and October.
Summer, Winter & Regional Highlights
Summer (June to August) is the best time for the national parks (Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon are all at their most accessible), Alaska (the midnight sun, whale watching, and glacier trekking — June to August is the only viable time), and the Pacific Northwest (Seattle and Portland are at their finest in summer). Summer is the most crowded and expensive time for most destinations — book accommodation and national park permits months in advance. Winter (December to February) is the best time for Florida (Miami and the Keys — warm, 22–28°C, and dry), Hawaii (the finest whale watching season — humpback whales in Maui, December to April), and Colorado skiing (Aspen, Vail, and Breckenridge — the finest ski resorts in the USA). New York City in December is magical — the Christmas decorations, the Rockefeller Center tree, and the New Year's Eve ball drop are extraordinary.
