Best time to go to North America
Leaf-peeping is a national pastime in the USA and Canada in autumn, when forests from Quebec to the Appalachians to the Rockies turn bright red and gold.![]()
North America is often thought of as fairly homogenous in comparison to other continents – but this is highly misleading. West to east, there are six time zones on the mainland alone (while Hawaii is another two hours behind), and north to south the continent stretches from the polar bear inhabited reaches of the Arctic Circle to the sweltering swamps of the Everglades. In-between are towering mountain ranges, one of the earth’s hottest deserts, vast forests and Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastlines. In other words, when it comes to working out the best time to go to North America, there is always some time.
When to go to North America, month by month
Maine and Massachusetts self drive vacation
Tailor-made itinerary to coastal Maine and Massachusetts.
From
£3380
11 days
inc UK flights
Self drive tour of the National Parks of America
Explore the United States fantastic National Parks.
From
£6500
24 days
inc UK flights
Western USA National Parks vacation
Explore some of the highlights of America's southwest.
From
US $5640 to US $6580
17 days
ex flights
Alaska adventure vacation, salmon run
Active small group adventures in a retrofitted school bus
From
US $4980
20 days
ex flights
National Parks hiking vacation in America
A superb hiking adventure through the USA's most famous national parks
From
US $4490
14 days
ex flights
Denali National Park (Alaska, USA) Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
-25
-15
25
FEB
-23
-13
27
MAR
-20
-9
25
APR
-13
-2
17
MAY
-5
6
18
JUN
1
12
56
JUL
4
14
75
AUG
2
12
74
SEP
-3
6
45
OCT
-12
-4
20
NOV
-21
-12
23
DEC
-23
-14
23
North America & the climate crisis
It’s hard to talk about the weather in North America without mentioning the climate crisis. In 2021, North America sweated through its hottest June on record. This “heat dome” triggered Canada’s highest recorded temperature (49.6°C), 180 wildfires and 500 excess deaths in British Columbia alone. Another anomaly: the heatwave effected the Pacific Northwest, a region known for its temperate climate and reliable rainfall. Scientists concluded that climate change accelerated by human activity made the heatwave 150 times more likely.
Flooding is even more common and costly. Increasingly intense hurricanes soak the east coast, where low-lying communities like New Orleans are also exposed to rising sea levels and storm surges.
It all sounds frighteningly out of our control, but in fact our vacation choices make a difference to how local people cope with and combat the climate crisis. Tourism is often a source of income to the communities most vulnerable to climate change. When people visit, it encourages governments to protect landscapes that might otherwise be used for oil drilling and mining. We’re also big believers that experiencing our amazing world inspires us to take the actions needed to save it.
With that in mind, here are our tips for climate-conscious travel in North America.
Flooding is even more common and costly. Increasingly intense hurricanes soak the east coast, where low-lying communities like New Orleans are also exposed to rising sea levels and storm surges.
It all sounds frighteningly out of our control, but in fact our vacation choices make a difference to how local people cope with and combat the climate crisis. Tourism is often a source of income to the communities most vulnerable to climate change. When people visit, it encourages governments to protect landscapes that might otherwise be used for oil drilling and mining. We’re also big believers that experiencing our amazing world inspires us to take the actions needed to save it.
With that in mind, here are our tips for climate-conscious travel in North America.
Travel tips that help the climate
Festivals in North America
Mainly celebrated in Mexico, the Day of the Dead (31 October-2 November) is a bit of a misnomer. It’s in fact a celebration of life – and it lasts more than a day. Decorated calavera skulls and dance-till-you-drop street parades are part of it, but you’re more likely to be moved by the tiny courtyard altars decorated with offerings for loved ones. Go with a guide to fully understand the mix of indigenous and Catholic traditions at play here.
Go north for summer solstice festivals (June 21) that squeeze every drop out of almost 24 hours of sunlight. The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival in Ontario, Canada, brings together local chefs, musicians and dancers, and culminates in a pow-wow. Even further north, concerts, cookouts and late-night trail hiking go on into the eerily light early hours in Alaska. Fairbanks and Anchorage put on the most events, including Downtown Days and the Midnight Sun Baseball Game, which has been played since 1906.
Head to Hawaii in May for Mele Mei, when the islands are alive with the sound of ukuleles and mele hula chants. To get the most out of this music festival, finish off your vacation with a few extra days on Honolulu, where you can take your pick of surfside grills and cafés hosting live music nights.
Go north for summer solstice festivals (June 21) that squeeze every drop out of almost 24 hours of sunlight. The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival in Ontario, Canada, brings together local chefs, musicians and dancers, and culminates in a pow-wow. Even further north, concerts, cookouts and late-night trail hiking go on into the eerily light early hours in Alaska. Fairbanks and Anchorage put on the most events, including Downtown Days and the Midnight Sun Baseball Game, which has been played since 1906.
Head to Hawaii in May for Mele Mei, when the islands are alive with the sound of ukuleles and mele hula chants. To get the most out of this music festival, finish off your vacation with a few extra days on Honolulu, where you can take your pick of surfside grills and cafés hosting live music nights.
Things to do in North America
Things to do in North America
Things not to do in North America
Travel Team
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North America vacation advice
Natalie Morawietz, co-founder of our partner Infinite Adventures, shares her tips for traveling in the USA.
National park appreciation
“The national parks and wilderness are totally underestimated in the USA. You can get lost without cell phone reception, and in fact it can be very challenging... you can go and hike for a week and not see anyone. I haven’t seen this much accessible, untouched wilderness in all my travels in South America or Africa.”
Summer in Alaska
“Don’t be put off Alaska because you think it will be too cold… This summer we had so many days with 25°C, lots of sunshine, and then you arrive at the campsite and at 9pm you sit at the campfire with the sun shining on your face. It might only be 18°C by then, but because the sun is shining, it always feels warmer. I love that feeling. Don’t always associate Alaska with snow and ice.”
Souvenirs with soul
“Stay clear of the shopping malls that sell Native American jewellery. These are totally overrated. Go and find the real thing. We try and seek out craftspeople in the small outlets, where tribes don’t have to pay super commissions and rents in order to sell their products.”
Get talking
“Americans love to talk and are interested in other people. Even if you come from a culture that isn’t as open, go into a local bakery or shop and just talk to people. Tell them what you are interested in seeing locally and they will be more than willing to help you.”
Vicky Rodford, from our small group adventure specialists Intrepid Travel, recommends spending as much time as you can in Mexico.
Eat your heart out
“Some people get concerned about the food – they think it is all tacos, fajitas and fast foody. But the food is absolutely fantastic. Things like arrachera, which is a really tender cut of steak usually served with plantains and guacamole. It is really delicious… And the elote, which is corn on the cob with loads of cheese and mayonnaise. It is really simple, but really tasty.”
Watch out for wildlife
“The wildlife in Mexico is underrated. People don’t think of it as a big wildlife destination, but there is a lot of jungle out there, and with jungle comes wildlife. So you have spider monkeys and howler monkeys, toucans and other brightly coloured birds. There is so much going on in the trees around you.”
Choose your cenote wisely
“Swimming in cenotes is a top experience, but you need to be careful that you go off the beaten path a little bit, rather than going to one that is just off a highway that is packed... But if you find the right cenote it is stunning. You can swim underneath, into the dark, you can hear birds flying in and out, the water is absolutely crystal clear, and it is so peaceful. They can be gorgeous.”
Spring break
“Spring is an amazing time to go, around March and April… But you do want to be wary of the US spring break along the Mayan Riviera, as there is a massive influx of college students who are out to drink as much as they can in a two-week period… Autumn is also lovely in Mexico – not too hot.”
Peter Grubb founded our kayaking specialists ROW Adventures. He recommends focussing on one region in North America – and packing light.
Cool your jets in Canada
“Europeans tend to try to cover way too much on their travels in Canada. They want to do all the iconic things... They spend so much time driving that they don’t have the time to take it all in… But on a wilderness trip, you really get an intense experience of one area, and we love that in Canada.”
Pack light
“Headlamps are one of the best things to have on your travels, especially if you are going into wilderness areas. There is an awesome product called the Luci light – a little solar LED light that squishes down like a pancake, and then you inflate it so that it turns into a cylinder. It is the perfect night light for camping. They also float and are waterproof, so we love them as kayakers.”
More North America articles
Vacations to North America are epic adventures. Focus on the Rockies, explore national parks in Hawaii, or head south to Mexico.
