United States in December

Holiday lights in New York, ski season opens; flights and hotels peak around Christmas and New Year.

• Northeast · New York, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, Mainecool

  Cold, sometimes snowy winters; humid 30 °C+ spells in July–August; late September to October is the pick for foliage and walking.

• Southeast and Florida · Miami, Orlando, the Keys, Savannah, Charlestonbest weather

  Winter is dry and warm in South Florida; summer brings daily storms and heat; hurricane risk June–November, peak August–October.

• Gulf and Deep South · New Orleans, Houston, Nashville, Atlantafine

  Spring and autumn are comfortable; summer is hot and humid; hurricanes reach the Gulf coast.

• Midwest and Great Lakes · Chicago, Detroit, Minneapoliscool

  Hard winters (−15 °C cold snaps and lake-effect snow), warm summers; tornadoes in spring on the Plains.

• Rockies and national parks · Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, Denvercool

  High roads (Going-to-the-Sun, Beartooth, Trail Ridge) open only about June–October; snow possible any month at altitude.

• Desert Southwest · Las Vegas, Phoenix, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Death Valleyfine

  Spring and autumn are park season; June–August tops 40–45 °C in the low desert, and July–September monsoon storms bring flash floods in canyons.

• California coast · San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Big Surfine

  Mild all year; San Francisco is foggy and cool in summer; wildfire smoke possible June–November; winter storms can close Highway 1 at Big Sur.

• Pacific Northwest · Seattle, Portland, Olympic, Mount Rainierrainy

  Grey and damp October–May; July–September is dry and clear, with wildfire smoke in some years.

• Alaska · Anchorage, Denali, Kenai, Inside Passagecool

  The visitor season is roughly mid-May to mid-September; winter is for northern lights in Fairbanks.

• Hawaii · Oʻahu, Maui, Big Island, Kauaʻifine

  Warm all year; winter brings big north-shore surf and more rain on windward coasts.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Christmas Day big impact

  25 Dec

  Most businesses closed; flights full from about 20 Dec to 2 Jan.

• Holiday season

  Mid-Dec–Jan 1 · New York

  Crowds and the highest hotel prices; tickets sell out.

Crowds · United States

High

Prices · United States

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Southeast and Florida

  Best weather of the year (Miami, Orlando, the Keys, Savannah, Charleston)