Memorial Day might be the unofficial kickoff for summer, but why wait until then to take a vacation? There are plenty of reasons to squeeze in a trip before peak season starts, whether to soak up Caribbean culture at an under-the-radar literary festival or embracing your inner speed demon at one of F1’s most hairpin-turn-heavy circuits.
Here are our 10 best places to travel this May.
Bound by the French Alps to the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Côte d’Azur—aka the French Riviera—stretches from the Italian border to urban Toulon.
Photo by Josephine Clasen/age fotostock
1. Côte d’Azur, France
May is great for: roses and red carpets.
Visit the Côte d’Azur in late spring for a Goldilocks moment, when the weather will be balmy enough to idle away an afternoon on the patio of a beach club. Make sure to stop in Grasse, a village that’s a 30-minute drive inland from Cannes. It’s protected from the salty sea breezes by the hills and well-irrigated, favorable for the roses and jasmine grown here. From May 8 to 11, Expo Rose celebrates the former, covering the entire town with bouquets and bushes for sale. Stick around for the end of the month if you want a glimpse of Cannes at its glitziest: The 78th edition of its film festival will run May 13–24.
Where to stay: Château de Théoule
Steer clear of the hubbub in town by booking a suite at this brand-new hotel a short boat ride down the coast in Théoule-sur-Mer. The 44-room property, created out of a former soap factory built in the 1630s, perches on the edge of the water—and every single bathroom has a glorious view of the Med.
Insider tip
The hotel’s Stéphanie Carpentier says there are two liquid souvenirs no one should leave without: a beer from local microbrewery Socca Bièra, which uses chickpeas in its ingredient list, and a fragrance from Molinard, a perfumery dating back to the 1800s. “The basil tea perfume is outstanding,” she raves.
Use the Calabash International Literary Festival as an excuse to take literary pursuits beachside.
Photo by Romaine W/Shutterstock
2. South Coast, Jamaica
May is great for: Caribbean culture with a cultural edge.
The Calabash International Literary Festival (May 23–25) is a proudly homegrown effort. It was founded in 2001 by a trio of Jamaicans that include the poet Kwame Dawes, who devised a savvy combination of highbrow literary bona fides and funky local culture. Past years have included reggae-writing and storytelling workshops.
Combine the festival with a detour to Kingston, where the Biennial is running through the end of June. The current theme, “Green X Gold,” explores the innate tensions between seeing Jamaica as a paradise and the ecological footprint left by tourists chasing that high.
Where to stay: Jakes Hotel
The 49-room hotel on Jamaica’s rugged south coast is a bohemian hideout, with seashell and rock walls, recycled stained glass windows, and outdoor showers.
Insider tip
See the 625-acre fishing sanctuary at Malcolm Bay and Galleon Beaches in Crawford, suggests hotel chairman Jason Henzell. “Fish and wildlife have truly been able to thrive, and the sanctuary recently began offering snorkeling tours led by environmental wardens,” he says. “You can see parrotfish, angelfish, doctor fish, snapper, and squid, all protected by the intact reef.”
This spring, get panoramic views of Himalayan peaks.
Photo by Michelle Heimerman
3. Nepal
May is great for: exploring the rugged countryside in near-perfect conditions.
Yes, you’re not alone: Summiting Mount Everest is on so many avid travelers’ must-do lists; join the fray and scratch that itch this month. The main climbing season stretches to the end of May; include a stopover in Namche Bazaar, which lies at the heart of Sherpa culture and offers a chance to engage with the people’s traditions and lifestyle forged by the Himalayas.
Where to stay: Dwarika’s Hotel
Dwarika Das Shrestha opened a 10-room guesthouse in the 1950s to support his championing of traditional wood carving. Since then, it has expanded into a 76-room property where travelers can immerse in Nepal’s artistic traditions.
Insider tip
A five-minute walk from Dwarika’s Hotel is the shrine of Ram Mandir. Catherine Heald of travel specialist Remote Lands says that, exceptionally, non-Hindus are allowed to enter this temple’s inner sanctum to experience an evening Aarti, which she describes as “a mesmerizing Hindu ritual of light and devotion.”
The Monaco Grand Prix is considered one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world.
Photo by vichie81/Shutterstock
4. Monaco
May is great for: deep-pocketed speed demons.
The Monaco Grand Prix takes place this year between May 23 and 25 and is one of the most formidable circuits in the car racing world. The winding, narrow streets of the barely 500-acre country are deeded over to Formula One drivers as they tackle course features like exhilarating Portier turn. Come here to enjoy the race and to see drivers pass one another for the first-place title—the last race averaged almost 200 overtakes.
Where to stay: The Fairmont Monte Carlo
The 596-room property sits on the waterfront and is conveniently close both to Portier and to the new neighborhood known as Mareterra, which is the site of luxe apartments and a buzzy shopping-dining marina.
Insider tip
Fairmont Monte Carlo general manager Alexandre Ariel recommends booking a meal at Marlow, the hottest restaurant in Mareterra, which he says combines “British elegance and Mediterranean charm.”
Epic Universe is set to be the largest Universal park in the United States.
5. Orlando, Florida
May is great for: being head of the line at the first new park in a generation.
Universal’s Epic Universe opens on May 22 and is the first new park to join the roster of themed attractions here in more than 25 years. The anchor of the new experience will be themed areas dedicated to Harry Potter, Super Nintendo, and How To Train Your Dragon, with 11 new rides shared among them.
Look out for “Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry,” with omnidirectional elevators whisking you around an adventure pegged to the trial of Dolores Umbridge, and the family-friendly “Mine Cart Madness.” There’s also a Dark Universe section, aimed to appeal to slightly older visitors, where the spinning “Curse of the Werewolf” coaster will be the star attraction.
Where to stay: Waldorf Astoria Orlando
The 502-room mega resort sits on its own almost 500-acre nature preserve and just underwent a renovation that includes a redesign of its guest rooms and suites. Don’t bother renting a car if you stay here: The hotel offers its own gratis luxury transfers to and from the Disney parks.
Insider tip
Waldorf Astoria Orlando chief concierge Karina Trappen notes that the city’s food scene is often underestimated. She likes to send guests to the Boathouse at Disney Springs, and recommends the Maine-style lobster roll with a side of truffle fries there. Pair it with a fruity, bright blue Duck Duck Razz cocktail, which comes with a floating rubber duck as a garnish.
Throughout May, a slew of festivals will make Osaka even more colorful.
Courtesy of Juliana Barquero/Unsplash
6. Osaka, Japan
May is great for: comic heroes, movie stars, and rock ’n’ rollers.
Come to Japan’s southwestern city this month, and you can dive into a series of quirky experiences. Start with Osaka Comicon, which runs May 2-4 and will be a cosplay-heavy celebration of fantasy and sci-fi (Tom Hiddleston and Jason Momoa both made appearances last year). Japan’s hard rock and indie music scene is on par with 1990s Seattle, so linger longer to attend Metrock Osaka on the weekend of May 10–11. All that, plus World Expo is touching down in Osaka from April through October, the third time it’s been hosted here since 1970.
Where to stay: Waldorf Astoria Osaka
This brand-new, 12-story hotel sits right next to Osaka station—handy for high-speed trains to Kyoto and Kobe—in a mixed-use high-rise building. Peacock Terrace is the perfect spot for a balmy spring evening, with views over the city from the outdoor bar-restaurant.
Insider tip
Osaka is the spiritual home of the savory pancake known as okonomiyaki, but hotel general manager Andrew Moore recommends reaching beyond that to try more local specialties. He calls Kushikatsu Daruma a “hidden gem, old school spot” which serves superb deep-fried skewers known as kushikatsu, wreathed in “addictively crisp batter.”
7. New York City
May is great for: experiencing a melting pot of arts and culture.
This year is an especially exciting one for New York City, as 2025 marks 400 years since the city was founded. The reopening of the Frick Collection in April is just one reason to visit this spring. May brings a chance to celebrate the 150 cultures represented in the city with celebrations like Japan Fes (gorge yourself on everything from yakisoba to matcha sweets). If you’re still hungry, head to one of the Smorgasburg events in the World Trade Center or Williamsburg, which kick off in April and host more than 70 vendors cooking food from yet more of NYC’s immigrant communities—everything from Ethiopian-style stews to Canadian poutine.
Where to stay: Now Now NoHo
The brand-new pod-inspired hotel on the Bowery is a bargain crash pad for solo travelers, with what it calls “sleeper cabins” inspired by European train cars. There are shared bathrooms and a dedicated female-only floor.
Insider tip
General manager James Bryant says that he’s a regular at Thai spot Fish Cheeks on Bond Street nearby and always defaults to the Crab Aob Woonsen, which he describes as “super flavorful, phenomenal, and family-style”.
On a clear day, travelers heading through Wales can get stunning vistas of the Irish Sea.
Photo by Kath Watson/Shutterstock (L); courtesy of travelib wales/Alamy Stock Photo (R)
8. Wales, United Kingdom
May is great for: hiking a quieter alternative to Spain’s footfall-heavy Camino.
As the summer looms and the mercury rises to more friendly levels, consider a trip to England’s often overlooked neighbor, Wales, which is a must-see for 2025. The North Wales Pilgrim’s Way is a spectacular alternative to the Camino de Santiago: The 135-mile walking route predates Spain’s world-famous pilgrimage by three centuries. Head to Wales this month to follow that path, which was revived by a group of local volunteers just over a decade ago and snakes around some of the extraordinary landmarks here, from the man-made Stone Age hill Y Gop to Y Gegin Fawr, a café that dates back more than 700 years.
Where to stay: Plas Uchaf
Britain’s Landmark Trust commandeers quirky, historic buildings to rehab and rent out as vacation accommodations. Try this hall-house on the side of a low hill in Dee Valley, with a show-stopping 16th-century fireplace in the great hall.
Insider tip
Amy Taylor from the Landmark Trust says that no one should visit Wales without trying homemade local Welsh cakes, the currant-spiked riff on a scone that’s synonymous with the country. Go to the Caernarfon Food Festival to sample a few. It takes place this year on May 10.
Ottawa has a population of just over 1 million and is home to Parliament Hill.
Photo by f11photo/Shutterstock
9. Ottawa, Canada
May is great for: blooming marvelous celebrations of decades-long friendship.
Tulipomania isn’t limited to the Dutch: For 11 days every May, the Canadian province of Ottawa succumbs to the same madness, with more than 300,000 blooms popping up around the capital in Commissioners Park. The Dutch government has gifted a bale of tulip bulbs to the country annually since 1945, and the riot of color each spring grows rowdier every year. In 2025, the Canadian Tulip Festival is May 9–19. Come to take selfies amid the flowers, or linger in the evenings for a sound and light show.
Where to stay: Fairmont Château Laurier
The crenellated fantasia of a property first opened in 1912 and has become a local landmark in the century-plus since, with almost 430 rooms. Book one of the Fairmont Gold options for access to a private lounge and personalized concierge.
Insider tip
Head to the festival in the morning for fewer crowds and take a bike instead of driving, as parking is tricky, says front desk agent Jessica LeClair. She also recommends the “Madweyàshkà | Like a Wave” exhibition at the Âjagemô gallery, which runs until May 19. “It showcases an incredible selection of works by First Nations and Métis artists from the Canada Council Art Bank collection. It’s a fantastic opportunity to experience Indigenous art and culture in a meaningful way,” she says.
The Gulf’s coast is a balmy, gorgeous getaway this month, with artsy towns like Ocean Springs as ideal spots to idle away an afternoon pinballing between the beach and local boutiques.
Photo by Jim Acebedo/Shutterstock
10. Coastal Mississippi, United States
May is great for: enjoying the small-town charms of the Gulf Coast.
This month is the chance to experience some of the best kitchen skills in Mississippi’s part of the Gulf Coast, through not one but two cook-offs. There’s the annual Taste Rattle & Roll fest on May 1 in Gulfport, where you’ll watch—and sample—as local chefs battle to be crowned the seafood champion of the region. Then there’s the Taste of Ocean Springs Food & Wine Festival two weeks later. Snap up a $40 ticket and you can roam downtown sampling the best dishes on offer, before adjudicating which local restaurateurs excelled and earned the right to be anointed the best of the best.
Where to stay: The Roost
This boutique hotel in downtown Ocean Springs is housed in an upcycled historic building and surrounded by live oaks. Both the beach and the buzzy town center are just minutes’ walk away.
Insider tip
Go for a snifter or two of wine or whiskey at Oak & Vine, says guest experience manager Angela Farnsworth; it has self-serve dispensers doling out a glass at a time. “You can sample a variety of wines at your own pace,” she says.
This article was originally published in 2024 and most recently updated on March 6, 2025, with current information.
