When is the best time to visit United States?

After the excitement of Christmas, things are much quieter across the country in January. The northern states in particular can feel bleak with short days and heavy snowfall affecting many regions. So you’ll need to bring your thickest winter coat to stay toasty in cities like Boston and New York, as well as Philadelphia, which hosts its annual Mummers Parade on New Year's Day. Instead of avoiding the snow, embrace it at ski resorts like Park City, Utah and Aspen, Colorado – both famous for their powder skiing and the latter for the Winter X Games competition held at the end of the month.

By contrast, southern states like Florida, Louisiana, and Texas are much warmer with average highs of 60–65°F. Southern California also attracts its fair share of sun seekers in January, mainly to the beaches of Orange County and laid-back San Diego, or the desert landscapes of Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, and Death Valley. But Hawaii is the place to go if you really want to escape the winter blues, with temperatures fixed in the low to mid 70s every day.

In February, the days are cold and dark across many of the northern states. However, it’s a great time to enjoy cozy mountain resorts and take advantage of discount prices at major destinations like Chicago and Washington D.C. You could time your trip with President's Day or the Superbowl if you don't mind the crowds. Alternatively, head into the wilderness of Wyoming and Montana for wolf-watching safaris and dog-sledding adventures – but be sure to bring your warmest clothes.

In the southwest, travelers flock to the Grand Canyon to see it covered in snow, or further east to New Orleans. There, locals and visitors alike will be gearing up for the legendary parades and masquerade balls of Mardi Gras at the end of the month. It’s much warmer down there during February, so make sure you pack lighter clothing and a colorful costume if you're planning to visit then.

With the first buds of spring, many Americans—especially those in the south—start thinking about festivals and holidays again. States like Georgia, Tennessee, and California start to warm up around this time, and it’s usually during March when many young travelers descend on Florida for spring break. This is the warmest part of the country, with average highs of about 72°F and more beaches than you can think of.

But the change isn’t quite so obvious further north, where continued snowfall keeps the ski season going strong in states like Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. You’ll need to wear plenty of layers if you’re planning a trip to cities like Boston or New York – two cities who duke it out every year to host the best St. Patrick’s Day parade. At the end of the month, there’s nowhere better than Washington D.C., where hundreds of pink and white cherry blossoms bloom around the capital’s Tidal Basin during the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

In April, the northern states can finally start shaking off the winter chill. Temperatures can climb into the mid-60s and sunny days start rolling in. However, much of the snow is replaced by rain—especially in coastal regions including New England and the Pacific Northwest—so it’s best to come prepared for wet and windy weather.

Down south, it’s road-tripping season. If you’re planning a cross-country drive, April is a great month to see the southern national parks while avoiding the summer crowds. The ones in Utah and Arizona are great options to explore while en route to Las Vegas, Nevada. Sin City isn’t too hot this time of year, and hosts its annual Great Vegas Festival of Beer at the beginning of the month. Other major events taking place in April include California’s Coachella Music Festival, Miami’s Wine and Food Festival, New Orleans’ Jazz & Heritage Festival, and The Boston Marathon. Other holidays this month include Easter Sunday and Earth Day (April 22), which are are celebrated nationwide.

April showers bring May flowers – or so the saying goes. By now, most of the country will be in full bloom. With daily highs of 64–73°F, it’s also warm enough to explore northern cities like New York, Chicago, and Washington D.C. without worrying about the cold – though you might want to take a light waterproof jacket just in case.

These peak conditions make May a prime time to experience the country’s natural wonders too. Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Utah’s many national parks are especially great to visit this time of year since the wildlife comes out of hibernation, while California’s Death Valley is in peak condition for amazing views of the Milky Way. The month’s big event is Cinco de Mayo, so try to enjoy the festivities wherever you may be. Then say hello to summer, as you ring in Memorial Day on the last Monday of the month.

The beginning of June is arguably the sweet spot for domestic travel in the US. For a week or two, the weather is warm and sunny almost everywhere you go, and there aren't too many tourists around yet. It’s a great time to visit national parks such as California’s Yosemite, when the waterfalls are at their most spectacular as the high-altitude snow causes rushing meltwater. Festival season is also in full swing, with major events including Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival (Manchester, Tennessee) and the legendary San Francisco Pride parade taking place.

Further north, temperatures will be a little cooler but still consistently warm – especially in waterfront cities like Cleveland, Providence, and Atlantic City. There’s no shortage of events either. Take Chicago’s Blues Festival—a free, three-day party celebrating blues and jazz—or New York’s aqua-themed Mermaid Parade on Coney Island. But the main attraction is "Summerfest," held each June in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and currently the biggest domestic music festival.

July is one of the hottest and most crowded months to travel domestically in the US. With schools being out for the summer, American families join tourists at the national parks and beach resorts all over the country – so you’ll need to book your trips well in advance. Temperatures stay comfortably within the high 70s and hit the mid-80s in southwestern cities like Austin, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona. It’s more humid in the east, but occasional thunderstorms help cool things down.

If you want to get away for Fourth of July, one of the less rainy cities is best so you can still enjoy a barbecue with your family and don't miss the fireworks. July is also great for exploring the otherwise rainy Pacific Northwest, when it's mostly sunny even in cities like Seattle and Portland. The former hosts the Bite of Seattle food festival in July, while the latter goes craft beer-crazy at the Oregon Brewers Festival. Other July highlights include Santa Fe’s Folk Art Festival and Taste of Chicago – the largest food festival in the world.

September brings calm and cooler temperatures to much of the country, with only the hottest cities in the south featuring daytime temperatures above 86°F. Don't forget that September also marks the start of hurricane season in Florida, so it’s probably best to avoid it then. 9/11 is also in September, which is observed with the Tribute in Light at Ground Zero in New York City.

You'll find festivals all over the country in September. It kicks off with Labor Day, with New York’s Electric Zoo music festival and the Detroit Jazz Festival being two of the most popular ones. California’s wine harvest also occurs in September, while beer and bratwurst lovers celebrate the arrival of Oktoberfest to cities such as Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. But the ultimate party is none other than Burning Man – a 9-day jamboree of electro music, stunning artwork, and community spirit in the middle of Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.

Temperatures drop in style in October, as golden-red tones wash over the trees across the northern states. It's not too cold though, so you can comfortably explore the forests of New England and look for the viewpoints to admire the kaleidoscopic canopies. Other autumn leaf hotspots include the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, as well as Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri.

The southern states cool down but are still a bit warm, so now would be a good time to experience the dazzling lights and sights of Las Vegas. Further south, Fantasy Fest—Key West's answer to Mardi Gras—brings tens of thousands to the subtropical enclave in the ten days before Halloween. And Halloween itself is a big deal no matter where you celebrate it, with Halloween-themed parades taking place in New York, New York, Los Angeles, California, and Salem, Massachusetts.

Tourist numbers drop off sharply in November, as winter takes hold. Cold winds blow through many of the northern states, bringing plenty of rain and even snowfall to some. Down in Florida, the end of hurricane season triggers the start of a warm but drier period that makes it ideal for visiting the theme parks of Orlando. So what you pack really does depend on which region you visit, since the northern and southern climates are very different this time of year.

November also features Veterans Day on November 11, and Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of the month. Wake up early to catch the Macy’s Day Parade in New York, or stay up late to take advantage of the many Black Friday doorbusters around the country.

December is a busy month across the country. Not only do the streets of major cities become filled with Christmas shoppers, but it’s also the month that ski season kicks off in the Rockies. Resorts in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Utah are busy with winter sports lovers, determined to make the most of the fresh snowfall. Meanwhile, cities across the east and midwest are illuminated with incredible holiday displays—including European-style markets and ice-skating rinks—leading up to Christmas. You’ll need to bundle up if you're visiting the north in December – and it’s best to book your stays well in advance in order to avoid the highest rates.

Elsewhere, southern destinations like Miami and San Diego are still warm enough so that you can walk around in a t-shirt. Close out the year with a bang—literally—by watching fireworks on New Year's Eve, or the Times Square ball drop if you're determined enough to brave the crowds. December is also the best time of year to see the Aurora Borealis, otherwise known as the northern lights, throughout Alaska.