There are thousands upon thousands of places to visit in the US. You could spend every day of the year seeing somewhere new and still not see everything you want to. If you want to try, we recommend beginning with the best places to visit first. This list can be lengthy as well, but it is more doable than a list of every destination in the US. You may want to start with a list of the best places to visit in the US by season. But we are going to get you started with a list of the best places to visit in the US by month. That way you can simply start in an area during your normal vacation times.
Best Places to Visit in the US
You will want to pay attention to the seasons for the months you want to take vacations in the US. One area of the country might be warmer and sunnier during the winter months than another, and the summer months can get quite steamy and sweltering in some parts of the country. Therefore, you will want to know what type of weather you like before choosing what you consider the best place to visit in the US.
Best Places to Visit in January in the USA
The Florida Keys
It can get quite cold in Florida during the winter, but one of the best places to visit in January in the USA is the Florida Keys.
The temperature rarely falls below seventy-five degrees, so you can bring shorts and t-shirts with you on your vacation. There are at least one hundred islands to spend time on when you are vacationing in the Florida Keys. However, we recommend spending a good amount of your time exploring Key West. This is definitely one of the best places to visit in the winter in the USA if you do not like the cold!
Aspen, Colorado
Aspen is one of the best places to visit during the winter in the USA, especially if you love the cold and snow. You will enjoy the slopes at multiple ski resorts like Buttermilk and Aspen Mountain during your visit.
If you plan your visit right, you may even get to watch part of the X Games, which are held at the Buttermilk Ski Area every January.
Dallas, Texas
One of the best places to visit in the USA in January is Dallas, Texas. This city is a cultural center, so you will find numerous museums to explore during your visit. Once you have wandered around the Dallas Museum of Art,
we recommend visiting Dealey Plaza to see the exhibits that focus on the JFK assassination. Many events are also held in Dallas at this time of the year, so you will want to check out the festivals and other family events taking place when you are visiting.
Best Places to Visit in February in the USA
San Diego, California
It can still be quite cold throughout most of the country in February, so a visit to San Diego should be at the top of your list. As one of the best places to visit in the USA in February, San Diego
has so much to offer. Your days can be filled with sailing and whale watching adventures. Just make sure you take time to wander through the San Diego Zoo, relax at the beach, and venture to Coronado Island.
Denver, Colorado
There is still snow in Denver in February, so add it to your list of best places to visit in the USA during the winter if you want to ski. We recommend checking out the slopes at Vail before heading to the other ski mountains in the area. When you tire of skiing, you can do a little ice skating at Skyline Park or get warm at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is another favorite place to visit in the USA during the winter.
Deer Valley Resort is the most popular for skiing, while it is all about cross-country skiing down in the Millcreek Canyon. If snowmobiling is more your thing, we recommend heading over to the Wasatch Mountains for a little adventure.
Best Places to Visit in March in the USA
Phoenix, Arizona
Everyone needs a warm place to escape to for a vacation in March. After all, this is when the boredom of winter begins to set in!
One of the best places to visit in the USA at this time of year is Phoenix, Arizona. This desert-like area offers warm temperatures year-round, but it won’t be too hot in March. Baseball’s spring training begins in March, so you will be able to catch some practices and maybe even a pre-season game or two.
Palm Springs, California
Out of all the best places to visit in March, Palm Springs might be the best.
The temperatures are starting to warm back up, and the limited rainfall means the sun will be out almost all day long. This is the perfect place to work on your golf game, hike the trails, and relax at poolside.
Miami, Florida
The city of Miami is always hopping, so add this best place to visit in the USA if you are looking for a party and a good time.
You may find yourself sleeping all day and hitting the clubs at night, thanks to the thrilling nightlife. Just make sure you make time to escape to the Everglades to take an airboat ride to see the gators. Oh, and a little shopping is always a good thing when you are in Miami, too!
Best Places to Visit in April in the USA
Washington DC
You will find the most people in Washington DC during the month of April. This is one of the best places to visit in the USA in April because the cherry trees are blossoming at that time of the year.
We recommend planning your trip to coincide with the National Cherry Blossom Festival if possible. The festival is three weeks long, so you shouldn’t have any difficulty planning accordingly. When you are not relaxing under a cherry tree, you can walk around the National Mall, wander through the museums, visit the monuments and memorials, and visit the zoo.
Charleston, South Carolina
It can get unbearably hot in Charleston, South Carolina during the summer. Therefore, we always recommend it as one of the best places to visit in the USA in the spring. In between walks through the historic districts, you can spend time on the sandy shorelines.
We do recommend visiting during the Festival of Houses and Gardens so you can see some of the beautiful private gardens and houses in the city.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is a beautiful city to visit any time of the year, but it is best seen during the month of April.
The massive crowds will not have arrived yet, but you can still wander around the city and see the sites. A sightseeing cruise on the Savannah River is a must, as is heading out to Tybee Island. Don’t forget to stop at all the squares to walk around and pay close attention to the one that was used in the film Forrest Gump.
Best Places to Visit in May in the USA
Asheville, North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Mountains make up the background of the Asheville area, so you can understand why this destination is considered one of the best places to visit in the USA in May.
The temperatures are not overwhelming at this time of the year, so you can easily plan one adventure after another and not worry about heat stroke. We recommend spending a lot of time outside, especially on the nearby hiking trails. Don’t forget to visit the local breweries, though, because they make some of the best craft beer in the country.
Yellowstone National Park
Any of the national parks are perfect to visit in the month of May, but Yellowstone National Park tops the list. This is one of the best places to visit in the USA with family. Plus, a visit here will check off one of the boxes to get you closer to seeing all the national parks.
We recommend checking out Old Faithful first, then driving around to see the other geysers and the wildlife. The best part about visiting this park at this time of the year is you will beat the summertime crowds and still enjoy wonderful weather.
Memphis, Tennessee
It is all about the barbecued foods in Memphis, so plan on eating a lot when you are vacationing there. We recommend making a list of the best places to eat in Memphis before you arrive so you can simply plan your days around the restaurants where you will be eating each day.
This is one of the best places to visit in May in the USA because it is when the Memphis in May International Festival is held. This festival runs for practically the entire month, so it is easy to plan your trip and be there for part of it. Art, music, and other cultural performances are held at this time. Just don’t forget about the food included in the festivities, too!
Best Places to Visit in June in the USA
Anchorage, Alaska
You won’t catch the Northern Lights when you visit Anchorage in the month of June, but you will catch the amazing flora starting to bloom for the summer.
As one of the best places to visit in the USA in June, Anchorage will show you what true beauty looks like. After a visit to the Anchorage Museum, you can hike to the nearest waterfall or simply take a stroll through a field of blooming wildflowers. We recommend taking a few tours, so you can really get an authentic experience when visiting Anchorage.
San Juan Islands, Washington
Many people forget about the San Juan Islands in Washington, but honestly, they are one of the best places to visit in the USA during summer.
You must do a little island hopping during your visit. Each island is different, so what you enjoy on one, you won’t find on any of the others. We recommend going kayaking, hiking, and whale watching during your visit. You may also want to do a little horseback riding down by the ocean and canter across the sand while watching the sunset.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This is another national park on the 10 best places to visit in the USA. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an excellent destination to visit with kids because you can spend a lot of time outside.
There are numerous hiking trails throughout this park, and you must tackle many of them during your visit. You can easily camp during your visit, but there are plenty of hotels to choose from as well. Dollywood is nearby, so you can include an amusement park in your outdoor adventures, too.
Best Places to Visit in July in the USA
Atlantic City, New Jersey
One of the best places to visit in the USA during the summer is Atlantic City! The four-mile-long boardwalk is an excellent place to get your workout in. Of course, you will do a lot of shopping in the stores along the way.
The kids will love all the games they get to play along the boardwalk as well. When you are not on the boardwalk, you can be on the beach or on the carnival rides nearby.
Bar Harbor, Maine
One of the best places to visit in northeast USA is Bar Harbor, Maine. While Maine is known for being cold, that is not the case during the summer months.
You can hike the trails in Acadia National Park or check out the numerous lighthouses in the area. This is also the best place to eat seafood, so make sure you get your fill of lobster. You can do this by stopping at every seafood shack you see during your visit.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis is one of the best places to visit in the USA in July. Multiple events take place in this city during the month of July and you can easily head over to St. Paul for more action, too.
Before you head to events like the Best Days of Summer and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, you must rent a bike and ride along the river.
Best Places to Visit in August in the USA
Portland, Oregon
One of the best places to visit in the USA in August is Portland, Oregon. Yes, it rains a lot in Portland throughout the year, but the summer months bring less rain, more sunshine, and gorgeous views.
You must check out the Pittock Mansion and the Columbia River Gorge during your visit. We also recommend planning your visit for when the Bite of Oregon is taking place. This event joins incredible local cuisine with local craft beer. It is definitely an event no one will want to miss!
Boston, Massachusetts
Many places can get downright hot on the East Coast during the summer months. But with its location on the ocean, Boston stays fairly reasonable in terms of temperatures.
This is one of the best places to visit in eastern USA. It won’t be too hot to walk along the Freedom Trail, and if you are a little warm, you can head out on a whale watching adventure. Don’t forget to do a little shopping at Faneuil Hall and catch a Red Sox game when you are in the city. Oh, and if you are looking for events in Boston in August, choose from the Boston Seafood Festival, Boston Jazz Fest, and Fan Expo Boston.
Chicago, Illinois
It will still be windy in Chicago during the month of August, but not as windy as it is during the winter. Plus, the breeze will cool you down in the summer heat.
There are plenty of beaches to choose from on Lake Michigan, so find a couple to enjoy. You can also walk the Navy Pier, picnic in Millennium Park, and go to the top of Willis Tower.
Best Places to Visit in September in the USA
The Grand Canyon
The summer months are busy at the Grand Canyon because everyone is taking their summer vacation. Therefore, the Grand Canyon is one of the best places to visit in the USA in September.
It is still considered summer in this part of the country, so you can even consider this destination as one of the best places to visit during summer in the USA. You can still see both the south and north ends of the canyon during this month. It is a little cooler in this area throughout September, so you won’t find yourself sweltering in the heat like you would in July or August. We recommend hiking the trails, but make sure you only tackle the ones you have the experience to do. This is also one of the best natural places to visit in the USA, which is why it is on everyone’s must-do list.
The Berkshires, Massachusetts
Spending time in the northeast is one of the best things you can do during the fall. There is a crispness in the air, the leaves are changing, and there are plenty of activities to enjoy.
The Berkshires is one of the best places to visit during the fall the USA. You can go hiking along the trails, but one of the best activities is apple picking and watching apple cider being made.
Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff is one of the best places to visit in September in the USA. Surprisingly, you still get the changing of the seasons in this part of the country, so you can watch the leaves as they change colors.
You can hike amongst all those leaves on the hiking trails or simply walk around the historic downtown area. You will love all the shops and galleries you can wander through when you are visiting Flagstaff.
Best Places to Visit in October in the USA
Santa Fe, New Mexico
It can get extremely hot in Santa Fe during the summer months. Therefore, we recommend this as one of the best places to visit in the USA in October.
There are tons of festivals in Santa Fe during the month of October. We love the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, but you may prefer the Harvest Festival. When you are not at a festival, we suggest hitting the Aspen Vista Trail for a little hiking.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Most people visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras, but that doesn’t mean this city isn’t amazing at any time of the year. Visiting this area in the fall means leaving the crowds behind and enjoying the history of this city.
As one of the best places to visit in the USA, New Orleans will never disappoint. During October, you can attend the Voodoo Fest over in City Park or simply walk around the French Quarter. Don’t forget to hop on a streetcar to appreciate this city from a different vantage point.
Providence, Rhode Island
There is so much to enjoy in the fall when vacationing in Providence.
The leaves will be changing, so the ambiance of the city will change as well. Things will slow down, and you will notice the quiet as you walk along the streets. At night, make sure you head down to the river to see the WaterFire lanterns.
Best Places to Visit in November in the USA
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Plymouth is a significant part of history, thanks to the Pilgrims landing there back in 1620.
Add in the fact the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in this location and you will know why it is one of our best places to visit in the USA in November. If you love history, you will want to take one of the trolley tours through town.
Stowe, Vermont
The snow begins to fall early in Vermont, so skiers will love being able to ski at Stowe in November.
As one of the best places in the USA to visit, you will love the fact there is so much more for you to do when you are visiting. The Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory is nearby, as is the Cabot Cheese Factory. And if you happen to arrive before the first snowfall, simply head to the trails for a little hiking.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is home to several theme parks, which is why most people have it on their best places to visit in the USA with kids.
Your days can be spent at the Disney theme parks, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. Of course, you can also add in a trip to Disney Springs, and if you want to stay away from the theme parks, you can check out Kennedy Space Center, Blue Springs State Park, and the Cornell Fine Arts Museum.
Best Places to Visit in December in the USA
New York City, New York
One of the best places to visit during Christmas in the USA is New York City.
This amazing destination transforms into a Christmas wonderland during the holiday season. A walk along 5th Avenue is a must to see all the store windows decorated for the holiday season. Rockefeller Center goes all out as well, with the Rockefeller Christmas tree and ice-skating rink. Complete your time in the city with either a carriage ride through Central Park or by going sledding in the park.
Branson, Missouri
Branson is another one of the best places to visit for Christmas in the USA. You will be thrilled with all the activities available during the holiday season.
One minute you will be listening to holiday music and the next you will be watching a holiday parade pass by. Don’t forget to head over to Silver Dollar City for the Christmas light displays, although that isn’t the only light display in the city.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
You can’t go on vacation in December and not visit Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. As one of the best places to visit in the USA in December, it really brings the true meaning of Christmas to the states.
Of course, there is also a Christkindlmarkt for your shopping needs. It is at that market where you can purchase all types of glass ornaments and nutcrackers.
These are the best places to visit in the US throughout the year. As you are planning your next vacation, you can either choose which destination looks the most appealing to you or look to see which destinations are best for the month you plan on traveling. Either way, you will have an amazing time as you visit one of the best places in the USA.
