United States in October

Best all-round month: New England foliage, desert parks, cooler cities. High roads start closing late in the month.

• Northeast · New York, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, Mainebest weather

  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, Charlestonstorm or typhoon risk

  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, Atlantabest weather

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

• Midwest and Great Lakes · Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolisbest weather

  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, Denverfine

  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 Valleybest weather

  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 Surbest weather

  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, Kauaʻibest weather

  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.

• Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day

  2nd Monday of October

  Federal offices closed; name varies by state.

Crowds · United States

Medium

Prices · United States

Medium

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
• A spare day in the plan: storms can cancel flights and ferries

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Northeast

  Best weather of the year (New York, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, Maine)

• Gulf and Deep South

  Best weather of the year (New Orleans, Houston, Nashville, Atlanta)

• Midwest and Great Lakes

  Best weather of the year (Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis)

• Desert Southwest

  Best weather of the year (Las Vegas, Phoenix, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Death Valley)

• California coast

  Best weather of the year (San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Big Sur)

• Hawaii

  Best weather of the year (Oʻahu, Maui, Big Island, Kauaʻi)

• New York

  Best walking month; busy.

Better another month

• Southeast and Florida

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