Visiting the USA in May: Weather, Events & Travel Tips
May is arguably the best month to visit the United States. The weather is warm across most of the country without reaching summer extremes. Crowds at national parks and major attractions are lower than June through August. School is still in session for most of the month, which keeps family tourism down. Hotel and flight prices have not yet hit their summer peaks — though Memorial Day weekend (last weekend of May) is the exception, when the country effectively declares summer open and prices jump accordingly.
Weather by Region
| Region | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg High (°C) | Avg Low (°C) | Rainfall | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast (NYC, Washington DC) | 70°F | 52°F | 21°C | 11°C | ~3.5 in | Warm and comfortable; pleasant evenings |
| South (Nashville, Houston) | 80°F | 60°F | 27°C | 16°C | ~4.5 in | Hot days; thunderstorm and tornado season |
| Midwest (Chicago, Kansas City) | 68°F | 50°F | 20°C | 10°C | ~3.5 in | Variable but warming; storm risk increases |
| Southwest (Sedona, Las Vegas) | 88°F / 95°F | 58°F / 69°F | 31°C / 35°C | 14°C / 21°C | ~0.5 in | Hot, especially Las Vegas; hike early |
| West Coast (San Francisco, Portland) | 64°F / 67°F | 51°F / 49°F | 18°C / 19°C | 11°C / 9°C | ~1 in (SF) | Dry, clear, and comfortable |
May is when San Francisco is at its best — the June fog (“June Gloom”) hasn’t arrived, days are clear and mild, and the city is far less crowded than summer. Portland and Seattle are also excellent in May: warm, dry, and green. The Southwest starts getting hot — Las Vegas in May regularly reaches 95°F (35°C) or above, which rules out extended outdoor time between late morning and early evening.
Major Events in May
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Late April–Early May) Jazz Fest carries into the first weekend of May at the Fair Grounds Race Course (1751 Gentilly Blvd). If you’re visiting for Jazz Fest, book accommodation in New Orleans many months ahead — the city fills completely. Day tickets run approximately $85–$105 in advance. See the April guide for full details.
Kentucky Derby — Louisville, Kentucky The Derby is run on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs (700 Central Ave, Louisville). It is preceded by two weeks of Derby Festival events across Louisville. General admission (infield) tickets run approximately $75–$100; reserved grandstand seating $200–$1,500 depending on section. Millionaires Row and premium hospitality packages run several thousand dollars. The infield is the traditional choice for first-time visitors — it’s a crowd, a party, and a spectacle, though you’ll see little of the actual race. Book Louisville hotels six months or more ahead for Derby weekend.
Memorial Day Weekend (Last Weekend of May) The unofficial start of summer. National parks, beaches, amusement parks, and major cities all see significant spikes in both traffic and hotel prices. If you’re not specifically targeting Memorial Day activities, avoid this weekend — hotel rates increase 40–80% and highways are congested. If you are targeting it: the Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 4790 W 16th St, Indianapolis) is one of the country’s great sporting spectacles; grandstand tickets start around $40.
Indianapolis 500 — Indianapolis, Indiana Run on or near Memorial Day weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. General admission infield tickets start around $40–$60; grandstand seats from $80 to $500+. The race draws over 250,000 spectators, making it one of the largest single-day sporting events in the world. Book accommodation in Indianapolis months in advance for race weekend.
Preakness Stakes — Baltimore, Maryland The second leg of the Triple Crown runs in mid-May at Pimlico Race Course (5201 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore). Infield tickets run around $80–$100; grandstand seats $120–$500. Baltimore hotels are manageable for Preakness — this is a less chaotic travel weekend than Kentucky Derby or Belmont.
Cinco de Mayo (May 5) While primarily a Mexican-American cultural celebration rather than a national holiday, major events are held in cities with large Mexican-American communities: San Antonio (TX), Los Angeles (CA), Chicago (IL), and Phoenix (AZ). Events range from free street festivals to ticketed concerts ($20–$80). San Antonio’s Market Square (514 W Commerce St) hosts one of the larger public celebrations.
Where to Stay
San Francisco (May): The Phoenix Hotel (601 Eddy St, Tenderloin) is a 1950s motor court-style boutique hotel with a heated pool and a music-industry history. Rooms from around $150/night in May. For something more central: The Good Hotel (112 7th St) from $130/night.
New York City (May): One of the best months to find genuine value. The Row NYC (700 8th Ave, Midtown) offers large rooms from about $160/night. The Arlo NoMad (11 E 31st St) is a sharper option from $150/night.
Louisville (Derby week): Expect $400–$800/night for central Louisville hotels during Derby weekend. Book the Brown Hotel (335 W Broadway) if budget allows — it’s the historic choice and rates start around $350/night during Derby. Pre- or post-Derby, the same hotel runs $160–$220/night.
Chicago (May): The Freehand Chicago (19 E Ohio St) combines hostel dorms ($50/night) and private hotel rooms ($150–$200/night) in a stylish River North property. For a full hotel: the Pendry Chicago (230 N Michigan Ave) from $200/night.
Where to Eat
San Francisco: Zuni Café (1658 Market St) for the roast chicken for two ($100 total), which takes 45 minutes and is worth every minute of it. For a quick lunch: Swan Oyster Depot (1517 Polk St) — a no-reservation, cash-only seafood counter. Crab salad and sourdough around $22; expect a queue.
New York City (May): Di Fara Pizza (1424 Avenue J, Brooklyn) for coal-fired square slices at around $7 each. Cash only; queue expected. For a proper dinner: Babbo (110 Waverly Pl, Greenwich Village) — Mario Batali’s original restaurant, pasta mains $26–$38.
Louisville: The Silver Dollar (1761 Frankfort Ave) for bourbon-focused Southern food and an extraordinary whiskey selection. Mains run $18–$30; the fried chicken is the anchor of the menu. Reservations recommended during Derby season.
Chicago: Au Cheval (800 W Randolph St, West Loop) for what many consider Chicago’s best burger — double cheeseburger around $19. Be prepared to wait; they don’t take reservations for parties under eight. The biscuits and gravy are also worth ordering.
May Packing List
- Light layers for evenings — even warm-day cities like Chicago and NYC can cool down sharply after 7pm
- Rain jacket — spring showers remain possible across the Northeast, South, and Midwest
- Sunscreen (SPF 30+) — UV intensity increases significantly from May onward
- Comfortable walking shoes — spring sightseeing is high-mileage
- One smart-casual outfit for nicer restaurants or events like the Derby
- Sunglasses and a hat for desert regions (Las Vegas, Phoenix) where May sun is intense
- Allergy medication — pollen counts remain high in the South and Midwest through May
- Light sweater or fleece for San Francisco’s consistent cool evenings regardless of day temperature
Practical Notes
Memorial Day weekend (typically Friday through Monday of the last full weekend in May) is the single busiest domestic travel weekend of the year. Fly on Memorial Day itself to minimize cost and congestion — it’s consistently the cheapest day of the weekend to travel.
May is the last month before national park crowds reach their summer peak. Arches, Zion, and the Grand Canyon South Rim are significantly more manageable in May than in July or August. Zion’s shuttle system runs but lines at peak times are shorter than summer. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon opens to vehicles on May 15 (approximately — check the NPS website for the current year’s date).
For urban travel, May is the strongest month of the year in New York City, Chicago, and Washington DC — warm enough to enjoy outdoor spaces, cool enough to walk without discomfort, and without the summer humidity that makes July in DC genuinely unpleasant.