When is the best time to visit the US?

The oversized nature of a country straddling six time zones means it's a permanent mega-fest when it comes to weather conditions and ideal windows for traveling around the United States. The good news, however, is that this makes the country a year-round destination. Whatever time of year you want to travel, the United States has something for you.

As a rule, there are warm days throughout the United States from June to August, but it can be too hot for comfort in southern states, such as Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Florida, where temperatures can reach 40C and even 45C. Look for summer on the east and west coasts, but outside of peak season in the south.

Is summer always the most expensive time to travel?

The summer months are usually the most expensive, but most American schools have returned by mid-August, so good deals can often be found at the end of the British school holidays. In many southern states (particularly Florida and Texas) summer weather lasts into October, and vacations are considerably cheaper if you avoid the period from late June to early August.

What is the cheapest month to travel?

Traditionally, it's February, right in the middle of the off-season. It's also the time of year (after the "holiday season," from Halloween to New Year's Day) when Americans don't like to travel, so you can get discounts on flights and hotels. The exception, of course, are ski resorts in states like Colorado, Wyoming and Vermont.

When is the summer season?

As in many countries, the "low season" is usually April to May and September to October. Fortunately, these are usually the best times of year for outdoor activities, especially in national parks such as the Grand Canyon and Utah's Power Five (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Capitol Reef and Canyonlands), all of which are located in areas of natural desert and can be ridiculously hot during the summer.

Is there a hurricane season?

Technically it runs from June to November (with a peak in August and September), but tornadoes (or "twisters") are actually extremely rare and if they are to make landfall there will be plenty of warning. The most affected states are those surrounding the Gulf of Mexico, especially Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, where humidity is extremely high, creating perfect conditions for storms. There's nothing that should scare vacationers, but when choosing which year to visit, it's a good idea to check travel advice before booking during hurricane season. You should also make sure your hotel allows penalty-free cancellation of reservations if a hurricane is forecast. (Check conditions on the National Weather Service's hurricane website.)

What is the best time of year to visit New York?

April to June and September to early November are usually the best months, when the weather is pleasant and the number of tourists is not so high. Winter can be brutal meteorologically. In October and November, New York can also be a fantastic launching pad for a visit to neighboring New England, where the fiery autumn leaves have become an attraction. Many of New England's top destinations are just a short train ride from New York's Grand Central Station.

Sun and rain

Not surprisingly, weather conditions vary greatly throughout this megaproject, as tropical states like Hawaii and Florida have very little in common, meteorologically speaking, with the northern plains of Montana and Wyoming. However, throughout the country, the hottest month is always August, with an average temperature of 26.4ºC, and the rainiest month is always June, with an average precipitation of 28.2cm.

Key dates for your calendar

• February Depending on where Easter falls on the calendar, Mardi Gras is celebrated in late February or early March, and marks the traditional start of Lent. The holiday is a big deal in many US cities, but nowhere more than in New Orleans, where celebrations range from colorful parades to booze-filled street parties and masquerade balls. The party in the city center is concentrated on Frenchmen and Bourbon streets in the French Quarter, and the best places are the second-story balconies and terraces that overlook the hedonistic crowd.
• March Americans celebrate St. Patrick's Day more vigorously than anywhere else in the world, with the possible exception of Ireland. On March 17 - or the nearest Saturday - the patron saint of Ireland is honored with marching bands, pints of Guinness galore and plenty of green attire, beads and face paint. There are parades in New York, Boston and Chicago (where the river is dyed green for the occasion), while celebrations in the southern states include big crawfish boils.
• July On July 4, the United States celebrates its birthday in style, with fireworks across the country and hundreds of millions of hot dogs and hamburgers sizzling on the grills. Top cities to enjoy the festivities are San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, where pool parties take center stage and the weather is 99% guaranteed.
• November On the fourth Thursday in November, families and friends gather for an all-day party that starts with football and ends with pecan pie. In between, you'll find roast turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes (often with a marshmallow crust), pumpkin pie, and a plethora of other delicious yet calorie-packed dishes. As a visitor, most traditional restaurants will offer a special Thanksgiving menu; He just has to prepare to return to the hotel, with his belt loosened, while the inevitable food coma sets in.

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▷ Conclusion: Go out, travel and live your life to the fullest.

This year, treat yourself to a break from the ordinary and seek an adventure abroad. You'll come back refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to bore all your friends with travel stories.

Any time of year is a good time to travel. Discover the best places to travel by month:

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December

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