May is a great time to travel; the weather is still mild in most places in May, so you can enjoy the pleasant Springtime temperatures. May is also just before most schools let out for summer break, when popular travel destinations start to get more crowded. From flower fields filled with super blooms in Carlsbad, California to waterfront music festivals in the Florida Keys, here are the best places to travel in May.
Carlsbad, California
Carlsbad, California is a beach town located near San Diego. What makes Carlsbad, one of the best places to travel in May is its super bloom of colorful flowers that takes place in the Spring. The Flower Fields on the Carlsbad Ranch opens from March through May 10th, so you still have time to see the super bloom in May. Carlsbad, California is also home to Legoland and the Sea Life Aquarium, as well as several craft beer breweries, making it the perfect travel destination for any age.
Memphis, Tennessee
Another one of the best places to travel in May is Memphis, Tennessee. The city’s month-long bash, called Memphis in May. The event kicks off on May 3-5 with the Beale Street Music Festival, with the 2019 lineup including artists including Dave Matthews Band, The Killers, and Cardi B, among many others. From May 15-18, get ready for some mouthwatering barbeque at the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. Memphis In May culminates with the free Celebrate Memphis event on May 25 which will feature live music, a fireworks display, and the city’s first public drone light show to take place over the Mississippi River.
The Florida Keys
The string of islands off the southern coast of Florida known as the Florida Keys is one of the best places to travel to in May This is before the weather gets too hot and humid and before the rainy season begins. There is plenty to do in the Keys, including snorkeling, sunset cruises, and plenty of other outdoor activities.
Several unique events take place in the Florida Keys during the month, making the Keys one of the best places to travel in May. This year, from May 3-5, the Dolphin Rodeo in Key Largo is a fishing tournament to kick off mahi-mahi fishing season in the Keys, with refreshments, raffles, and live entertainment in addition to the competition. And from May 16-19, you can attend a number of waterfront concerts around the island at the Key Largo Original Music Festival.
Lofoten Islands, Norway
This island group located with the Arctic Circle off of Norway is home to striking scenery, with mountains and glaciers, dramatic coastlines, and seemingly untouched lands. The Lofoten Islands see warmer temperatures than other locations in the Arctic Circle due to its location near the Gulf Stream. May is a great time to visit the Lofoten Islands because it is just before peak tourism season in the area. You can also get a preview of the Midnight Sun– the two-month period when the sun does not set below the horizon– making Lofoten one of the best places to travel in May.
If you love adventure and the great outdoors, the Lofoten Islands offer spectacular hiking and mountain climbing as well as scenic drives. The most popular areas for rock climbing are on Austvågøy as well as Moskenesøya for more advanced climbers.
