1. Machu Picchu, Peru

Hiking the Inca Trail to famous Machu Picchu is on many travel bucket lists. May is the perfect time to do it too. The rainy season is over, and the popular tourist season doesn’t begin until June. Additionally, traveling here in May means that along with the stunning views of verdant valleys, you also enjoy cooler temperatures, which means your hiking conditions are as close to perfect as they’re going to get.

Pack layers though, as it will be cooler at night. In fact, you need to book this trip well in advance to reserve your accommodations and get the required hiking permits. Fewer hikers will be out on the trails in May anyway so that should help. Remember, Machu Picchu is a very popular UNESCO World Heritage site and everything about this ancient Incan city and the surrounding area is unforgettable.

2. Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA

Travel back through the mists of time to this quaint, charming place. Take a ferry from Michigan’s Mackinaw City or even St. Ignace. Indeed, May is one of the best times to see Mackinac Island.

In May, the island is beautifully blooming. You can explore the area and enjoy the lovely landscape free of all the tourists who descend upon this pretty place during the summer. Be prepared to walk more than you might usually though as cars are not permitted here.

Don’t want to walk everywhere? No problem. You can also travel by bicycle, horse, and carriage.

In fact, if you’d rather not hike, the trails in Mackinac Island State Park can be visited via horseback. Visit the historic Grand Hotel, a once-popular getaway for the rich and famous, kick back by Lake Huron, and take in the scent of the lilac trees too.

3. Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA

“There once was a man from Nantucket” who said put this place on your bucket… list, that is. It features pristine beaches, charming cobblestone streets, and rather immaculate hotels. Yes, this historic place is a bit costly as a weekend getaway, but that’s why it is reportedly an “iconic” summer travel destination for the established East Coast elite.”

You’ll find it just 30 miles from popular Cape Cod. Ah, but if you venture here in the merry month of May, you enjoy the charm free of summer vacationers and at lower prices too. There is little rain and the temperatures are mild so you won’t get too hot to play outdoors. Build a sandcastle and stroll across the beautiful beaches. Dine at a diverse selection of delectable restaurants, and don’t forget to go check out the well-known Great Point Lighthouse either!

4. Nepal, South Asia

If you’re going to Nepal, it is best to go in May. The weather in Nepal in May is great for both sightseeing and hiking. In May you get here before the summer tourists, and the June rains up in the popular Himalayan Mountains and the sky is a pretty shade of blue.

Mind you, other adventurers may have the same idea so plan your trip well in advance to reserve your hiking tours and your lodgings. You have several different choices when it comes to hikes in Nepal. The hike to the Mount Everest base camp, which includes seeing some of the Buddhist monasteries and Sherpa villages, is the most popular. Another popular trek is the Annapurna Circuit hike, which will provide you with striking views of the area and the chance to check out some of the country’s diverse culture along the way.

5. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Much like other locations on this list, visiting the world-famous Yellowstone National Park is best visited in May for two significant reasons. First, you beat the summer tourist crowds, and second, if you plan on doing any hiking at all, the temperature there in May is perfect. It’s not too cold and it’s not too hot.

Yellowstone National Park is on many a traveler’s bucket list, and thus having an edge such as visiting in May is especially helpful. May is when winter is coming to a close and the hiking trails are once more open to visitors. Just remember that Memorial Day weekend is the obvious exception here! Otherwise, you can enjoy the verdant forests, peaceful streams, local wildlife, waterfalls, Yellowstone Lake, Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful and other great geysers, and more crowd-free.