The Happiness Function

Do you have a bucket list? I sure do. I have a list of places I’m dreaming of visiting in my phone notes.

I’m not big on crowds so I like to avoid the busy tourist seasons. With that in mind, I curated a list of some of my favorite places I’ve lived and visited in the U.S., and the best time of year to go to inspire your adventures.

With less crowds and pleasant weather in mind, here are top destinations to get outside.

January – Florida Keys

Who says you need to go abroad for an epic beach vacation? Florida has some of the best beaches in America.

We adore Florida, and the Keys will whisk you away to a tropical getaway without necessarily having to get on a plane and fly across an ocean.

Here, you’ll find sandy beaches, clear blue water, beachfront accommodations, and beautiful parks. During January, temperatures are in the 70s-80s Fahrenheit.

This part of Florida is an ideal place for a winter escape from the cold and snowy parts of the U.S., which is why the tropical destination ranks best in January.

February – Maui, Hawaii

We’ve been to Hawaii twice in February so I can say that the Hawaiian Islands this time of year make for a perfect winter getaway.

February is the off-season, meaning visitors can find cheaper accommodations with fewer crowds. February is also a prime time for whale watching. We could literally see humpback whales breaching from our condo’s lanai while we were in Maui one year.

If you like to hike, there are wonderful trails on the island. And don’t miss visiting Haleakala National Park. From the volcanic crater to the bamboo forests, the park is worth your time. We spent two full days exploring the park and can’t wait to go back.

March – South Padre Island, Texas

South Padre Island is a gem of the Lone Star State. It is also known for being a spring break paradise — but it’s not just for college students. I will say try to go before or after the official spring break weeks to avoid the crowds — the beginning or end of March are best.

You can spend the days fishing, surfing, dolphin watching, taking a boat tour, stand-up paddle boarding, hanging out on the beach, soaking up the sun rays, and playing in the sand.

I love that it is an affordable place to go for a beach trip. Fly into Brownsville, rent a car, and then drive to South Padre — that’s what we like to do. Find a waterfront hotel to stay at with a pool steps from the beach.

April – Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, Washington

I think one of Washington’s best-kept secrets is the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. You’ll will feel like you have been transported to Holland. The tulips begin blooming in April so this month is really the best time to visit.

Fly into Seattle and plan a road trip to Mount Vernon and the Skagit Valley. You won’t regret it.

May – Utah’s National Parks

Early May is a nice time of year to road trip around Moab. The desert is just starting to warm up, and you can usually beat the scorching 100-degree Fahrenheit summer temps. In early May, the mornings are still crisp, as well as the evenings — comfortable for camping and hiking. School hasn’t been dismissed for the summer so you can beat a good majority of the summer crowds.

Moab is world renown for two natural wonders — Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. The area is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. If you like hiking, mountain biking, rafting, rock climbing, and sightseeing — you’ll love Moab.

June – Black Hills of South Dakota

I’m from the Black Hills of South Dakota so I’m not exaggerating when I say the summers here are divine.

South Dakota is famous for Mt. Rushmore National Monument and is home to a few national parks, including Jewel Cave, Wind Cave, and the Badlands.

From hiking and camping to sightseeing the area’s famous buffalo, there are amazing things to do in the Black Hills during the summer.

July – Western Colorado

Escaping the summer heat on a trip to Colorado’s Rocky Mountains is always a treat.

Plan a trip to western Colorado — where I used to live. Towns I recommend visiting are Ouray, Ridgway, Telluride, Glenwood Springs, and Aspen.

If you’re headed to Ouray, don’t miss the Ouray Hot Springs or Orvis. But, just a heads up, Orvis is a clothing optional facility.

If you decide to visit Glenwood Springs or Aspen — Glenwood Hot Springs or Iron Mountain are great places to soak. Iron Mountain also has an adults only section.

August – Whitefish, Montana

Whitefish, Montana, is the gateway to Glacier National Park. It is also known for its huckleberries and August is prime berry picking season in this part of the country.

Spend a few days exploring Glacier National Park, walk around town, and paddle on the lake. We stayed at the Hidden Moose Lodge B&B — it was lovely.

September – Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama

Are you looking for white-sand beaches without the humid summer heat? Then you will enjoy a visit to Orange Beach and Gulf Shores in Alabama. This time of year temperatures are in the 70s-80s, and after Labor Day, there will be fewer crowds.

We love camping at Gulf State Park and then driving to the beach in the morning.

October – Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe is awesome during the fall. The days are warm, but the mornings and evening are cooler. The trees changing color this time of year are spectacular.

There are awesome day trips to take from Santa Fe, including visiting Bandelier National Monument, hiking, and driving the many scenic by-ways to view the fall foliage and experience the local history.

There is nothing like New Mexican food — dishes are smothered in green and red sauce galore.

November – Arkansas Ozarks

Arkansas is near and dear to our hearts. We live in northeast Oklahoma now so it’s a quick drive for us to explore the Ozarks. If you like camping and hiking, visiting Arkansas during November is a real treat.

Depending on the year, you can camp and hike with warm weather all the way into November — not to mention the fall leaves are spectacular.

I recommend hiking the Whitaker Point trail to Hawkbill Crag, camping at Buffalo National River, or staying in the quaint mountain town of Eureka Springs if it’s your first time to the area.

Don’t sleep on northwest Arkansas — it is magical.

December – New Orleans

When most people think of New Orleans, they think Mardi Gras. However, visiting New Orleans during December is probably one of the local best-kept secrets.

New Orleans restaurants are known for their French-inspired Réveillon menus, which only happens during December. That’s right, you can eat and drink some of the best food from world-renown chefs in the U.S.

New Orleans also decorates for Christmas. When we went, we had fun checking out the holiday light displays at The Roosevelt Hotel, The Ritz Carlton, The Bourbon Orleans, and Hotel Monteleone.

When we visited, we also decided to go on a swamp boat tour. We had a blast cruising the swamps in an airboat looking for ‘gators. I highly recommend the adventure. So, if you don’t want to sweat through your clothes on a trip to NOLA, December is a great month to go.

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