The 10 best places to visit in May

The month of May is an ideal time to take a vacation. April's fickle rains are gone, the sun steadily shines longer every day, the weather is warming up and, best of all, summer prices haven't kicked into effect yet.

As the gateway to summer, May also brings the opening of parks and beaches in North America, seasonal property debuts in Europe, dry season in much of the Southern Hemisphere and a slew of special events that can make a trip feel like a celebration.

Here are 10 great destinations to consider for your May getaway.

Yosemite National Park, California

Our national parks are natural treasures, and May is the best month to make a pilgrimage to one of our oldest protected spaces: Yosemite, which was crowned the nation's second national park in 1890. May is shoulder season here, before the crowds of the summer start filling the park that's known for its spectacular giant sequoia and granite monoliths, Half Dome and El Capitan. It's waterfall season at Yosemite, too, where 25 different watery wonders cascade at full volume throughout the park, including the 650-foot Bridalveil waterfall and Yosemite Falls — North America's tallest waterfall. Before the summer heats up, late spring is also a great time to hike the park's scenic trails.

There is also lots to enjoy just outside the park, including hiking in the Sierra National Forest, sipping along the Madera Wine Trail, and stepping back in time for gold rush history and the oldest saloon in California (circa 1852) in Groveland.

TPG tip: For elevated glamping near the national park, head to the brand-new Under Canvas Yosemite, which opens April 16. The large and luxe tents have everything from king-size beds to full bathrooms, and the Stargazer options even sport clear domes over the bed so you can watch the stars cuddled under the covers. Book through World of Hyatt to earn and redeem points, from $346 or 30,375 points per night.

Related: Earn double Hyatt nights for glamping at Under Canvas

Orlando

For theme park lovers, Orlando is a must, and May is an ideal time to visit. You'll get warm and sunny temps without the blasts of humidity and heat that Florida famously offers up during the later summer months. And if you visit before Memorial Day, you can beat the school vacation crowds and nab a good deal on theme park tickets and hotels.

Last May, Universal Orlando opened Epic Universe — an entirely new park spanning a 740-acre campus with five innovative, interactive lands. The park is still enjoying a surge of visitors. This May, the ball is in Disney World's court as it rolls out "Cool Kids' Summer" featuring loads of entertainment for the littles and a cornucopia of updated, relaunched and new kid-friendly attractions and entertainment.

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Among the new Disney highlights to plan around are the updated Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attractions at Magic Kingdom; the opening of Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! and a reimagined Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu at Disney's Hollywood Studios; and Bluey's Wild World at Conservation Station launching at Disney's Animal Kingdom. And, just in time for American's 250th birthday, Soarin' Across America will open at Epcot.

TPG tip: If you're traveling with a large crew of family or friends, or you're just looking for room to stretch out beyond a typical theme park hotel, Villatel Orlando Resort is a top choice. With 270 vacation villas ranging from four to nine bedrooms, there's plenty of room for everyone. When you add in an 80-acre water park, outdoor sports courts, a playground, a Topgolf Swing Suite and free shuttles to both Universal and Disney, you have everything you need for a great vacation. Rates start at $391 or 38,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night for a two-bedroom apartment.

Indianapolis

Racing fans, start your engines and get ready to head to Indy, when it hosts the largest single-day sporting event on the planet — the Indianapolis 500 — on May 24. This is the 110th time this high-speed race has been held in Indianapolis, and it's sure to be another exciting day of racing action.

And getting to Indy will be easier this May, too, with new direct routes. First, American Airlines added daily flights to O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in February. In March, Frontier Airlines added flights to Indianapolis International Airport (IND) from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers. And Allegiant will follow with a new direct flight to the Los Angeles area via Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR).

While you're here, be sure to check out the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, fresh off an $89 million upgrade. It features 6,000 square feet of new exhibition space, seven garages detailing the track and its history, plus an immersive experience that lets you experience race day on a giant LED video board, no matter what day you visit Indy.

TPG tip: Look no further than the plush InterContinental Indianapolis when spending the night in Indy. Housed in the 100-year-old Illinois Building, close to the iconic Monument Circle and the Indiana State Capitol, the 170-room property is the first luxury hotel debut in the city in nearly two decades. Rates start at $303 or 53,000 IHG One Rewards points per night in May.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The pristine beaches and volcanic shores of the Galapagos Islands are pure magic for anyone who loves getting up close to wildlife. It's like Disneyland for naturalists, where you can swim alongside kaleidoscopic tropical fish, snorkel with penguins or walk among thousands of sea lions on the beach. Not to mention seeing century-old tortoises nearly as big as Volkswagen hatchbacks, comical blue-footed boobies dancing to get their mate's attention and iguanas sunbathing on every flat surface.

May is an ideal time to visit these heavily protected islands. The air and water are delightfully warm (82 degrees and 74 degrees, respectively), and it's a true "circle of life" time where you can witness sea turtle and iguana eggs hatching. It's also mating season for sea lions and blue-footed boobies, who you'll get to observe in all their hopping, dancing, flirtatious glory.

TPG tip: For some of the best guides in the Galapagos, it's hard to beat the experts at National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. You'll snorkel with sea lions, kayak through mangroves, explore on Zodiac boats and hike through isolated outer islands; the cruise line's highly trained naturalists and regional experts will join you for every bird, fish and lizard sighting. Best of all, the company doubled its number of ships with two new additions to its fleet last year, providing better opportunities to book the always-in-demand cruises.

(Note that there are strict caps on the number of permits that allow tourists to visit the Galapagos Islands, so while these two ships increase the number of guests who can travel to the Galapagos with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, it doesn't increase the overall number of people who can visit the islands.)

Rates start at $7,705 per person for a 10-day cruise in May.

Related: My first cruise to the Galapagos: The good, the bad and the absolutely adorable

Kvarner Gulf, Croatia

If you've been waiting for a sign to visit Croatia, we have the perfect one: Starting April 30, United Airlines will begin the only nonstop flights between Split, Croatia, and the U.S. They will depart from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

After you've explored the beaches of Split, head to the quiet Kvarner Gulf on the northern Adriatic, one of our favorite 2026 destinations. The area is gaining attention both for its quiet beauty as well as its fantastic food scene which won it an accolade as a 2026 European Region of Gastronomy. The designation — awarded annually by the Barcelona-based International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism — celebrates the area's culinary heritage, including its delicious wines, olive oil, honey and local Kvarner scampi (a sweet langoustine considered one of the best in the world).

If that last part caught your attention, then we have even more good news: An annual Scampi Festival is held May 16 to 31, where you'll be able to sample the crustacean in traditional forms, including grilled and cooked with orzo, as well as in more unusual presentations like a pistachio tempura. Expect plenty of local sparkling wine and rose wine tastings to accompany the scampi, too.

TPG tip: Marriott opened its first Autograph Collection property in Croatia, The Isolano, Cres, on the Kvarner Gulf island of Cres in 2025. The adults-friendly property for guests 12 and up offers direct beach access and a 5,000-square-foot wellness area. Rates from $192 or 44,000 Marriott Bonvoy points in May.

Also keep an eye out for two new properties set to open later this year: The Opatija Marriott Resort & Spa and the Sealeven Hotel & Residences, an apartment-style Destination by Hyatt property.

Kansai Region, Japan

If you have Japan on your 2026 travel list, chances are Osaka and Kyoto are near the top. These cities are part of the Kansai region, which is quickly gaining traction with visitors as the place to go after Tokyo (or, at this point, possibly instead of that always bustling city). The food scene is hopping in Osaka, and the hotel scene keeps amping up the high-level entries like the Conrad and the Four Seasons.

And while Kyoto is known for its hundreds of impressive temples, May is also the perfect time to visit for seasonal highlights such as Aoi Matsuri, or Hollyhock Festival, held on May 15. This spring festival is one of the biggest events in Kyoto with a procession featuring elaborate Heian-period costumes (a style dating back a millennium), ox-drawn wagons and equestrian archery. The procession begins at Kyoto Imperial Palaces and continues through the city, before finally reaching Kamigamo Shrine.

TPG tip: The points-friendly Waldorf Astoria Osaka opened last year in a redeveloped lifestyle district on the former rail yards north of Osaka Station, an easy spot to jump to Kyoto, just a 25-minute train ride. Rooms in May start at $814 or 100,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

The Capella, Kyoto, which opened in March, is one of our most anticipated hotel openings of 2026. The newest hotel in the city is in one of the oldest areas just around the corner from the landmark Kenninji Zen temple. Expect a mix of traditional machiya elements mixed with contemporary amenities as well as outstanding dining at a French brasserie called Lanterne and the first international outpost of three-Michelin starred restaurant Single Thread. Rates from $1,800 per night in May.

Bali, Indonesia

May ushers in the dry season in Bali, making it a great time to check out the turquoise sea for everything from snorkeling, swimming and diving in calm waters to surfing on the gorgeous waves on the west and south coasts of the islands. It's also ideal weather for hiking to the island's pristine waterfalls and verdant mountain paths, exploring iconic temples and spending time on the island's famed beaches.

May is also the start of the festival season, a highlight of which is the Ubud Food Festival (May 28-31), which offers hands-on cooking workshops, music, parties and plenty of opportunities to sample the island's tasty traditions.

TPG tip: There's a mountain's worth of new and notable hotels and resorts to choose from in Bali. Put yourself in easy reach of the Food festival and the lap of luxury at the posh Anantara Ubud Bali Resort high in the lush rainforest of Payangan (from $572 per night in May).

Or get some IHG love at the Regent Bali Canggu, a new beachfront resort on the golden sands of Bali's southern coast that opened in March. Rates start at $705 or 120,000 IHG One Rewards points per night in May.

Related: Bali's new tourist tax launches — here's how to pay it

Uzbekistan

If Uzbekistan — another of TPG's top choices for travel in 2026 — is not already on your bucket list, it will be soon. From the Silk Road's rural natural beauty to its monumental architecture, the country's unique blend of culture and history has created a tourist boom, with a 50% increase in visitors from 2024 to 2025. We expect that number to increase even more now that Americans can visit the Central Asian nation for up to a month without a visa — a change introduced at the start of the year.

A highlight of a trip here is Samarkand, one of the cities on the old Silk Road. It combines 2,500 years of history with restaurants and cafes, gardens, waterways and plenty of shopping. (Don't miss the Shahi Zinda necropolis to see the intricate blue tile work the region is known for.)

May is a great time to visit for pleasant weather and to arrive before the heat of summer. Another highlight of May timing: You'll also be able to visit the just-opened, multimillion-dollar Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, which offers a mix of museum exhibits and academic research facilities. (If you need help coordinating a trip, many upscale tour companies, including Audley Travel, now offer trips to Uzbekistan.)

TPG tip: The JW Marriott Hotel Tashkent made its splashy debut in December 2025, radiating Silk Road opulence, with shimmering beaded light installations, a hammam-like tiled spa, and both an indoor pool and rooftop infinity pool. Rates from $364 per night or 54,500 Marriott Bonvoy Points.

Ascona, Switzerland 

If you want to get off the beaten path in Europe, here's a secret: Skip Lake Como in Italy and head to Ascona, Switzerland, instead. Here, you'll find Lake Maggiore, which provides pristine lake views and an Italian-esque flair while providing a respite from the throngs of tourists looking for George Clooney by that other lake.

Nestled in the foothills of the Italian Alps on Switzerland's southern border, Lake Maggiore is known for its crystal-clear waters, picturesque shorelines and its very swimmable beach — another leg up on Lake Como, which is known for having steep, rock-filled shores.

From Ascona, you can also take bicycle tours around Ticino, hike to the Castelliere Ruins, explore the Monte Verita tea gardens, or enjoy the lovely small-town atmosphere and its perfect May weather.

TPG tip: The newly reimagined Hotel Eden Roc Ascona reopens for the season just in time for May travel. The property often refers to itself as the only true beach resort in Switzerland, with direct lakefront access and kayaking and paddleboarding right off its shores. It is also home to a spa and the two-Michelin-starred restaurant La Brezza. Rates start at $543 per night. Those with eligible cards can also book through the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts collection and receive perks like daily breakfast for two, a $100 food-and-beverage credit and guaranteed late checkout.

Madagascar

This island off the eastern coast of Africa — home to 107 species of endemic lemurs (including the notable ring-tailed and dancing lemurs) — has long been a bucket list destination for safari enthusiasts.

Note: The U.S. State Department raised Madagascar to a "Level 3: Reconsider Travel" warning in October 2025 following youth-led protests and a military coup but lowered it back to a Level 2 warning in December 2025, urging travelers to exercise increased caution. If you do decide to travel, the government advises avoiding demonstrations and crowds, monitoring local media for breaking events and being prepared to adjust your plans. It's always best to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program before going abroad.

Related: This is the best time to take an African safari

TPG tip: The safari-chic Namoroka Tsingy Camp is getting the kind of style-maker buzz that's new to this remote destination. It is in the biodiverse Tsingy de Namoroka National Park, which is known for having six ecosystems, including caves, forests and wetlands. The season runs from May and goes through October.

For a different take on Madagascar, head to Time & Tide's Tsara Komba, which is a remote beach retreat on an island off the northwest coast of Madagascar offering true Robinson Crusoe vibes. You can contact both properties directly for pricing and reservation information.

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