12 Best Cities to Visit in USA by Month

This post is about the best cities to visit in USA.

The US has tons of iconic cities, so it can be difficult to decide which one to visit next. Not only are the cities listed here the best cities to visit in USA but also the best cities to visit in the world!

You will probably recognize some of these cities, but my goal here is to help you decide when to visit them and what your budget should be for each of them. And of course, I’ll let you in on a few fun things to do in each place.

By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly which trip you’re booking next! And you’ll even have added some cities to your USA bucket list. There is literally something here for everyone, so no one will miss out on the fun.

One of the hardest parts of a trip is figuring out when to visit. Lots of cities have special festivals or unique holiday celebrations that you don’t want to miss out on! So, I am going to organize this list of best cities to visit in USA into a calendar. Each city will have its own month in which I recommend you visit in because of all the exciting things the city has to offer that month!

You don’t want to miss out on this one! Here are the best cities to visit in USA by month!

Best Cities to Visit in USA in Winter

Los Angeles, California – Best cities to visit in USA in January

Starting out with one of the most famous cities in the world, LA has so much to offer! Whether you’re here for the beaches of Malibu, the hikes of Hollywood hills, the nightlife of WeHo, or just the plain old sunshine, LAs got it all.

Visiting in January is a perfect time because the sun is still shining, but the temperature isn’t close to the hundreds just yet. It’s still warm enough to lounge on the beach if you dare to brave the chilly Pacific. But also, the crowds aren’t here. That means all of the tours you plan to go on visiting famous people’s homes or touring movie studios will be pretty empty. And of course, we can’t forget Disneyland and Universal!

There is honestly so much to do here that I already plan on making a bunch of posts to help you plan your stay in this amazing city. So far, I have one all about my favorite spot in Malibu, and I have one on what to eat in the Grand Central Market in DTLA.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – February – Best places to visit in USA for couples

What better city to spend Valentine’s Day in than in the city of brotherly love? Philly has a special place in my heart as it was literally in my backyard growing up.

The history of the US covers the whole city in statues, buildings, and artifacts. There are museums and tours that will fill your brain with so much knowledge and pride for this country.

But of course, Philly has plenty more to give than just history. There’s South Street, Reading Terminal Market, Mural Mile, and of course the “Rocky Steps”! And don’t forget to try a famed Philly Cheesesteak while you wander through the city.

Again, this is another city that I am dying to write more about, so stay tuned for a post on all things Philadelphia.

Chicago, Illinois – Best cities to visit in USA in March

Chicago has been labeled one of the most beautiful cities in the US, and I can definitely agree that she’s worth the visit! This Windy City has lots of activities such as the 360 Observation Deck, Millennium Park, the Bean, Chicago Riverwalk, and the Navy Pier!

What I have on my USA bucket list that you should have too is visiting Chicago during St. Patrick’s Day. For this holiday, the city turns green. Literally! Right around St Patrick’s Day, they dye the Chicago River green in celebration. And then of course the drunken festivities begin!

Best Cities to Visit in USA in Spring

Washington DC – April – Best cities to visit in USA with Family

The country’s capital cannot be missed! Widely known for its famous museums, you definitely need at least a long weekend here to visit most of the places on my to do list. I have a whole blog post about my long weekend in DC that’s great for the whole family.

But the reason you should visit in April is because of the cherry blossom festival! This has been on my list of things to do for a while, and the pictures itself should be more than enough to convince you to visit in April. The entire city gets covered in beautiful blossoms and makes everything look absolutely magical!

New Orleans, Louisiana – May – Best party cities to visit in USA

What better time to visit New Orleans than during the Jazz Festival? The entire city turns into one big party when the festival takes over the town. Hundreds of musicians and artists perform and show off their art to the thousands of people that come to celebrate this fantastic city and its history.

But of course, you don’t need to worry about missing the other popular things this city has to offer. I have a whole blog post about everything you need to see while you are in New Orleans. Also, I have a post about all of the bars and restaurants you need to visit around Bourbon Street.

I will say that even if the Jazz Festival isn’t your scene, or if it is out of your budget, May is still the perfect time to go. My sister and I visited during the tail end of the Jazz Festival, and the crowds were nowhere near what I have seen in pictures.

Best Cities to Visit in USA in Summer

Savannah, Georgia – June

This city is pure magic! Savannah is a place that I always find myself wishing to revisit, so I’m sure I’ll get back there soon. It has the southern charm that takes you back in time while also being the perfect place for all ages.

Whether you’re on a family trip with kids or celebrating a drunken bachelorette party, this city has plenty to satisfy everyone. There’s Tybee Island nearby that holds history and lovely beaches. There’s architecture and history in every building you walk by.

And of course, there’s River Street. Much like New Orleans’s Bourbon Street, River Street is home to dozens of bars offering the perfect atmosphere for bar crawling. There are also haunted experiences, river cruises, and walking tours that all depart nearby this popular hangout spot.

Lake Tahoe, California – July

If you have spent any time on this blog, you have probably run into my opinion of Lake Tahoe once or twice already. But I cannot stop recommending this place! Lake Tahoe is such a beautiful place to visit no matter when you go. You can read all about my time in Lake Tahoe, and everything you should see while you are there!

I spent six weeks in this wonderful escape during February which is a very popular time for those who enjoy snow sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and snowtubing. But Lake Tahoe has even more to offer during the summer months making July the prime time to visit!

With the mountains still snowcapped, Lake Tahoe is the perfect backdrop to a summer full of fun. Whether you’re lounging on one of the dozens of beaches, hiking the hundreds of trails, or boating on the crystal-clear lake itself, there is no limit to the number of activities around the lake!

San Francisco, California – August

Another well-known city, San Francisco is one of the best cities to visit during the height of summer. Due to its proximity to the coastal breeze, the city usually stays pretty comfortable in temperature when compared to its other Californian sister cities like LA and San Diego.

San Francisco is a wonderful city for everyone with tons of activities and points of interest. You can take a ferry to visit Alcatraz, one of the most famous prisons in the world. You can visit the first Ghirardelli’s for a delicious ice cream sundae. And of course, you can visit the different popular streets like Lombard Street, Fisherman’s Wharf, or the Painted Ladies!

I have an entire blog post about how to see everything in San Francisco in 24 hours; however, I recommend spending at least a weekend here if you can afford this slightly pricey city.

Best Fall Cities to Visit in USA

St Louis, Missouri – September

Most famous for its giant white arc, St Louis has a little bit more to offer than just the exciting ride up to the top of the Gateway Arch. A great place for kids, the city has museums and zoos and lots more!

For the adults there are popular breweries, casinos, and even a great musical theater scene! September is the perfect time to visit since the city is finally starting to cool off after the scorching summer months.

Orlando, Florida – October

Ah, Orlando. Home to the happiest place on Earth—Disney World! Yes of course the main draw to this city is the countless amusement parks to visit. Whether you’re here for Disney, Universal, Sea World, Busch Gardens, or all of the above, there is a little magic found for just about everyone.

Of course, if you are visiting the amusement parks, the prices can be quite expensive. However, October is one of the perfect times to visit because of the lack of crowds making it really worth your money. Less people means less wait time to catch all the rides and all the best seats for shows, parades, and fireworks!

But the main reason I recommend visiting in October is for all of you horror fans out there. For spooky season, Universal Studios creates one of the most amazing, haunted attractions you will ever experience—Horror Nights! I promise you won’t regret this! Dozens of haunted houses, terrifying immersive experiences, and full access to all the Universal rides without the lines that plague the daily visitors!

Portland, Maine – November

Did someone say sweater season? The northeast is the place to be during the autumn months, so what better city to visit than Portland, Maine? This northern city has all of the charm of Maine in the fall with so much more. Check out my blog post detailing everywhere you should stop and visit around town!

You have freshly caught seafood and dozens of lighthouses to visit. Catch a boat tour or hop on a bike for a little self-guided tour of the place at your own pace. Of course, the city itself has plenty of history and gorgeous architecture to absorb and admire, but one of the best kept secrets of the city is the nightlife scene.

Looking for something faster in pace for the evenings? Switch that pumpkin spice latte for something a little stronger. Don’t miss out on what Old Port has to offer!

Best Christmas Cities to Visit in USA

New York City, New York – December

And last but certainly not least, we have arguably the most famous city in the whole US — New York City. Beautiful all year round, NYC is one of the most touristy cities on this list but for good reason.

NYC at Christmas time is one of the most magical things you could ever experience. There’s the lighting of the giant Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, ice skating in Time Square, Christmas shopping at the largest Macy’s you’ve ever seen. You will find hundreds of themed holiday adventures to choose from!

Of course, just because it’s Christmas, doesn’t mean you miss out on all of the usual activities in the Big Apple. There’s Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Broadway, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty herself.

And if you’re really up for a once in a lifetime experience, try to snag a spot in Time Square to watch the ball drop on New Year’s Eve! Definitely a bucket list item for sure!

Best Cities to Visit in USA by Month

And there you have it! Every city you need to visit during each month of the year. Of course, all of these cities are beautiful enough to visit year-round, but in specific months there are events that make each of them so special.

Although the pricing of each city varies, every single one of them can be done on a budget. Many of these cities I have already written about to help show you how easy they can be seen within the constraints of a small budget, so there is no reason to dismiss any of these us travel destinations just yet!

Here are all the related posts, so you can take a more in depth look at what these unique cities have to offer!

This post is all about the best cities to visit in USA.