Top 10 Travel Destinations In May for Redeeming Points & Miles

With the upcoming summer, you’re probably thinking about places to travel to. The best time to do so would be May because it tends to have beautiful, sunny weather in most destinations without the crazy summer crowds. Continue reading to see our top ten travel destinations in May.

See our best credit card bonuses here.

Jackson, Wyoming (USA)

The month of May in Jackson, Wyoming is filled with wildflowers, animals coming out of hibernation, the re-opening of national parks and plenty of events.

There is a great event called Elkfest, a weekend filled with Elk! This includes the Jackson Hole Boy Scout elk antler auction, a chili cookoff and educational gatherings that’ll teach you a thing or two about the surrounding area. The Jackson Hole Old West Days features a parade, stage coach rides, brewfest and the Jackson Hole Rodeo.

On top of the events, the weather is perfect for mountain biking, white water rafting, and this is the time when Snow King Mountain TreeTop Adventure re-opens.

Stockholm (Sweden)

For Stockholm, May is one of the driest times of the year and it is also when the city opens its opens and cafes open their terraces. It’s also the perfect time of the year for fika, a coffee and cake break that is a daily tradition in Swedish culture.

Make sure you bring some warm clothes when you explore Skansen, the world’s oldest outdoor museum fully equipped with a zoo, aquarium, gardens, restaurants, taverns and bakeries. Be sure you check out Gamla Stan (old town), the Royal Palace, and the Vasa Museum.

You might want to time your vacation around April 30 and May 1 to catch the celebrations of Walpurgis Night and May Day. Both involve parades, bonfires, music and festivities.

Tampa, Florida (USA)

Weather in Tampa, Florida can be described as being a little bit on the warmer side as it ranges from the 70s and low 80s. There are plenty of outdoor activities to choose from when you go hear such as Busch Gardens, historic Ybor City, boating, fishing, water sports, golf and catching a Tampa Bay Rays game.

An even that happens during this month is their Tampa Riverfest which is held along the Riverwalk. It consists of concerts, a wiener dog race, Taco Fest and other entertaining events.

French Riviera (France)

A famous town known from television and film as well as their famous events, Monaco is a small country on the Mediterranean side of the French Riviera. They have plenty of luxury hotels, yachts, and restaurants that cater to the high-end taste of some visitors. For risk takers, you can gamble at the Casino de Monte Carlo, and check out the designer stores and opulent decor at the Metropole Shopping Mall.

If you’re in to cars and some high speed action, then the Monaco Grand Prix is the even for your. If you don’t know what this is, it is simply where Formula One cars race through the narrow streets of Monte Carlo to Monaco’s harbor.

Since you’re already in this destination, people who love film and the arts should check out the Cannes, a hour trip away. The Cannes Film Festival is also held in May, so the city will be teeming with Hollywood stars.

Portland, Oregon (USA)

May in Portland is gorgeously mild, so the weather is perfect for Cinco de Mayo celebrations at Tom McCall Waterfront Park with concerts, mariachis, food, drinks and a tequila tasting. Later in the month, the Portland Rose Festival begins, featuring fireworks, concerts, a scavenger hunt and carnival-like entertainment over the span of three weekends.

Other stops that you should consider would be Forest Park, Waterfront Park, Knot Springs and Pittock Mansion.

London (England)

May is a great time for London because it doesn’t come with the big crowds of the high season. Starting this month, the Buckingham Palace Changing of the Guard will go back to its daily schedule, Photo London at Somerset House will bring a world-class photography exhibition to the British capital, and the annual RHS Chelsea Flower Show, attended by members of the British Royal Family, will feature flowers and landscape gardens.

On top of that, some local favorite past times would be to attend a football (soccer) match, going to a show at the theater, taking a sightseeing tour and taking a walk around London’s East End for the street art.

The Pacific Coast Highway, California (USA)

California stays relatively the same temperature year round but May is a great time if you want to avoid peak travel season. One of the best things to do during this time is to road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway.

If you’re there during the right time, you can even catch one of the many festivals that are hosted in this area such as the Roar & Pour Wine Festival in Santa Barbara where you can stroll through the Santa Barbara Zoo and taste some local wines, the Shabang Music & Arts Festival in San Luis Obispo with food trucks, artistic demonstrations, games and more, and the three-day California Roots Festival in Monterey featuring reggae music.

Anguilla (British West Indies)

A great time to travel to the Caribbean, May is the perfect time to go because there generally aren’t high prices and large crowds. With warm, sunny days and few showers here and there, this is the best time to visit Anguilla.

One of their main attractions during this time would be their Independence Day that includes a parade and an around-the-island regatta all on May 30.

Barcelona (Spain)

The weather in Spain is great in May because the days are longer and the extreme heat hasn’t arrived yet. There are a ton of great outdoor events to attend during this month such as Barcelona’s Spanish Grand Prix, a Formula One race, and the Primavera Sound Festival, a multi-genre music festival spread across 16 stages.

While you’re there, visit the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and the Barcelona Aquarium, see a flamenco show and indulge in some tapas and sangria.

Beijing (China)

In the month of May, Beijing tends to get good, warm weather without too much rain. This is great for heading outdoors and checking out the Summer Palace and the nearby Great Wall of China. If you’re in to techno music, check out the Great Wall Festival early in the month.

Also on the calendar is Art Beijing, which showcases contemporary, classic, design and public art, and the Interwine Beijing International Wine & Spirits Exhibition, an event for professionals in the wine and spirits industry.

Best Credit Cards To Redeem For Flights

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express CardDelta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express CardDelta SkyMiles® Gold American Express CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit CardUnited? Explorer CardCiti® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

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The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. You'll earn: • 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. • 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. • 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. • $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card. Enrollment Required. Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost. $150 Delta Stays Credit: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card Members can earn up to $150 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com. You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight. Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com. This card comes with a $350 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee. You'll also get fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®. (See Rates & Fees). Terms Apply. Click here to learn how to apply

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. You'll earn: • 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. • 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. • $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com. • $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel. Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card. Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com. You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight. There is a $150 annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150) and no foreign transaction fees. (See Rates & Fees). Now, you'll get get more savings with your first checked bag for free on Delta flights. Terms Apply. Click here to learn how to apply

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The United Explorer Card offers 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. You'll earn: • 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays. • 1x mile on all other purchases Perks of this card include: • Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary • Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply. • Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit • 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card There is a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95. Member FDIC Click here to learn how to apply

Top Destinations By Month

To start accumulating more miles & points, below is a list of the top destinations for each month during the calendar year:

• Top 10 Travel Destinations in January
• Top 10 Travel Destinations in February
• Top 10 Travel Destinations in March
• Top 10 Travel Destinations in April
• Top 10 Travel Destinations in May
• Top 10 Travel Destinations in June
• Top 10 Travel Destinations in July
• Top 10 Travel Destinations in August
• Top 10 Travel Destinations in September
• Top 10 Travel Destinations in October
• Top 10 Travel Destinations in November
• Top 10 Travel Destinations in December

Bottom Line

If you’re looking to travel during the Summer while also avoiding large crowds and high prices, May is the month to do so! During the month of May, not only are there great domestic U.S. destinations that have a lot to offer, but there are some great overseas destinations that have some very popular events going on too. For more posts like this, check out our list of credit card bonuses to see how you can save money during your travels.

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