The best places to travel in May in the US
Big cities, a car-free island, national parks, and more.
Summer may be the most popular season to travel in the United States, but late spring can be a much more pleasant time to cash in on vacation days, thanks to fewer crowds and less muggy weather. Whether New York City, Michigan’s Mackinac Island, or Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks are calling your name, there’s a May adventure in store for all. From the rolling hills of Kentucky to the festival-filled streets of New Orleans, here are six of the best places to travel in May in the U.S.
Looking to head overseas? Visit our guide to the best places to visit in May around the world.
Summer in New York City can be brutally hot and humid, but May has almost perfect weather—not too warm, not too cold, with bright and sunny skies. It’s the ideal time to get outside in the city, whether to see the last of the cherry blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden or check out the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual rooftop exhibition. You might also want to take advantage of the mild temps to go for a walk on The Highline, catch a baseball game at Yankee Stadium, or sample up-and-coming food vendors at the open-air Smorgasburg market in Williamsburg.
Not only is the weather ideal in Kentucky in May (think sunshine and temps in the 60s and 70s), but the scenery is at its most epic, with blooming flowers dotting the famous hills and horse pastures. Speaking of horses, May brings the Kentucky Derby, one of the most well-known horse races in the world, to the beautiful Churchill Downs in Louisville. You could spend all week exploring the grounds, but you’ll also want to save time for a drive through the countryside to take in the bucolic surroundings. Base your stay at the 21c Museum Hotel, which features 91 stylish rooms alongside an impressive contemporary art collection, or the historic Brown Hotel, which, at almost 100 years old, reflects Louisville’s rich heritage.
Just a short ferry ride from Mackinaw City, MI, the car-free Mackinac Island gets pretty packed during the summer months. Go in May, however, and you’ll be able to enjoy a horse-and-carriage ride around town or lunch at the historic Grand Hotel without the crowds that come in June and July. You can also rent a bike to ride along the lakeshore; go shopping for the island’s world-famous fudge at spots like JoAnn’s Fudge and Kilwins Chocolate and Fudge Shop; and visit the historic Fort Mackinac, which the British captured in the first engagement on American soil in the War of 1812.
In May, the New Orleans social calendar is filled with festivals and parades. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which runs from April 28 to May 7, 2023, at the Fair Grounds Race Course and celebrates the city’s music and culture, should be on every traveler’s list. Expect performances by a mix of local legends and international headliners, plus food and booze stalls and an atmosphere that will leave you floating long after you return home. If you’re in town on May 10, 2023, you can also celebrate National Shrimp Day with a po-boy from hometown favorite Parkway Brewery and Tavern.
If you’re looking for consistently warm weather on your May getaway, Charleston is a great bet—daily temperatures average around 73 degrees. It’ll even be balmy enough for a beach day on Sullivan’s Island or an alfresco meal at one of the city’s many lauded restaurants. From May 3–7, 2023, check out the North Charleston Arts Fest, which brings artists of all kinds (dance, music, theater, visual arts, literature) to town for a five-day celebration of regional culture, with free exhibits, workshops, performances, and more.
Full of otherworldly red-rock formations, Utah’s national parks are among the country’s finest, especially when it comes to the “Mighty Five” (Canyonlands, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, and Arches). They’re at their best in May, when the weather is pleasant and there are fewer crowds. Plan a road trip through as many as you can to enjoy canyons and mesas by day, and clear, starry skies by night. Glamping company Under Canvas has locations in Moab, Bryce, and Zion that are just a few minutes from the park entrances.