Adventure Tours10 Awesome Places in the US to Spend Spring
Why These Are the Best Places to Visit in the US During Spring
These 10 destinations highlight some of the best places to visit in the US during spring, offering everything from colorful flower festivals to thrilling outdoor recreation. No matter your interests, spring is the perfect season to explore the country’s diverse landscapes and lively culture. Add these spots to your travel list and experience why they’re considered among the best places to visit in the US during spring.
Spring in the U.S. brings warmer temperatures, blooming flowers, and diverse outdoor activities and festivals. It’s a time of renewal and provides a range of experiences depending on where you are. Its temperatures range quite a bit between locations, but spring is characterized by a slow rise from March to May. Here are the most awesome places to visit in the United States in the springtime:
1. Washington, D.C. – One of the Best Places to Visit in the US During Spring
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a signature event in Washington, D.C., that celebrates the arrival of spring with events, exhibits, and performances related to the cherry blossoms and the relationship between the United States and Japan. The 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival is from March 20 to April 13. Important dates are the Opening Ceremony on March 22, a Kite Festival on March 29, PetalPalooza on April 5 and the Parade on April 12. The festival lasts over four weeks and features a parade, fireworks, concerts and special exhibits.
2. Asheville, North Carolina
Spring in Asheville, N.C., is a time of renewal, with mountainsides greening, flowers blooming, and warmer temperatures returning. Forbes Travel Guide and The New York Times name Asheville a must-visit in 2025. Spring comes to the Biltmore gardens, with over 100,000 blooms throughout the season, beginning with daffodils in early April and then tulips and azaleas. The gardens were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect who also created New York City’s Central Park.
3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee & North Carolina)
Spring is one of the best times to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park, when deciduous trees flush out their new leaves, wildflowers bloom, and wildlife gives birth. The park has over 1,500 flowering plants, most of which bloom from March to June. Elk calves are often seen in Cataloochee during the spring, and white-tailed deer, black bears and other fauna are abundant in Cades Cove.
Kayaking on Fontana Lake or the park’s rivers is a fantastic springtime activity, and kayak rentals can be found in Bryson City, NC. Fishing is also popular as trout become more active in the warming weather. The park has 730 miles of streams available for fishing.
4. Skagit Valley, WA – A Top Spring Destination for Tulips in the US
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival occurs every April. The event highlights Skagit Valley tulips, events, attractions, and growers. The tulips typically bloom between April 1 and April 30, but the timing is ultimately up to Mother Nature. With warmer temperatures, tulips could bloom in the middle of March, and with colder temperatures, they may bloom later.
Fields in the valley are planted with tulips, mostly between Mount Vernon and La Conner. The two central farms that are open to the public are Roozengaarde and Tulip Town. Each garden has its own charm, ranging from ornamental landscapes to unique tulip varieties. Skagit Valley Tulip Festival showcases local events, from sports and music to art and family activities. That’s what makes Skagit Valley one of the best spring destinations in the US for flower lovers.
5. Lake Tahoe (California & Nevada)
Spring in Lake Tahoe encourages skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and kayaking. This time of year, the region has “dual days,” when footers and skiers can have their fill of the mountains in the morning and lakes in the afternoon. Thanks to the snowmelt, spring is prime time for chasing waterfalls, and some of the most popular trails include Eagle Falls/Eagle Lake Trail and Glen Alpine Falls.
Lower-elevation hiking trails are largely snow-free. Mountain biking conditions are also good, particularly on trails like Tahoe Mountain and Emigrant Trail. You can also kayak and paddleboard on the lake, which is usually calm in the cooler months. Fishing is a favorite pastime here, with the lake having prolific Kokanee salmon and several trout species. Its blend of mountains and lakes puts Lake Tahoe among the best spring destinations in the US for outdoor fun.
6. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is one of the most walkable cities in America, and spring is a great time to explore its historic port, waterways, and vast urban green spaces. You can walk the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile path lined with red bricks, to see 16 of Boston’s most important historic sites, including Paul Revere’s house and the Old South Meeting House. You can also hop on the Old Town Trolley for a comprehensive sightseeing tour that takes you to more than 100 points of interest.
Spring is a wonderful season to visit the Boston Public Garden, which is filled with flowers, monuments, and the famed Swan Boats, which have been gliding through the park’s waters for more than 130 years. The Public Garden displays over 600 types of trees and a wide range of flowers.
The Boston Marathon, the world’s oldest annual marathon, draws around 500,000 spectators each year, on Patriot’s Day in April. ArtWeek highlights painting, dancing, public art and live music in Boston. The Charles River also hosts the annual Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival.
7. Big Bend National Park, Texas
Springtime in Big Bend National Park is warm and sunny. Temperatures can fluctuate greatly between the desert floor and the Chisos Mountains, which are about 10-15 degrees cooler. Deserts have large diurnal temperature variations, so visitors should be prepared for a wide range of conditions. Big Bend National Park, with over 150 miles of trail available for day hikes and backpacking trips, is a hiker’s paradise. Some of the best day hikes are found in the Chisos Mountains. Other famous hiking trails include Lost Mine Trail, Window View Trail, and South Rim Trail.
In April, wildflowers and cacti turn the desert into a riot of colors, particularly after a moist autumn. Cacti flowers bloom in April, and many species continue through the summer; more than 60 species adorn the rocky landscape. The famous Texas bluebonnets also make a blue patchwork among the grasses and other desert plants. Spring brings new leaves to trees, vegetation that draws visiting migratory birds.
8. Oahu, Hawaii
Spring break season in Oahu is a great time to explore the island’s many hiking trails with milder weather, less humidity, and it is less crowded than in summer. Mark your calendars for Oahu’s whale-watching season from mid-December to mid-May and spot humpback whales in their natural habitat. Look for these majestic mammals breaching and leaping from the water, either from a boat or the shore.
Also, visit the Kaneohe sandbar during spring break. The waters on the sandbar are usually knee-to-waist-deep and calm year-round. However, in March and April, they are at their lowest.
9. Ennis, Texas
Ellis County bursts into bloom with the Texas state flower every spring. Maps for self-guided tours along the Bluebonnet Trails, more than 40 miles of wildflower-flecked landscape, are available at the Ennis Welcome Center. The third week of April is generally peak bloom time. Peak bloom typically occurs the third week of April. The Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival is held in early April downtown Ennis. This three-day festival includes arts and crafts booths, live music, shopping, children’s activities and food.
10. Sedona, AZ – Best Springtime Adventure Destination in the US Southwest
Spring is one of the most popular seasons to be in Sedona, Arizona due to the beautiful weather and blooming desert wildflowers. Daytime temperatures in April reach the 70s, perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing in the red rock canyons. For a unique view of Sedona’s landscape, consider a hot air balloon tour over Red Rock Country. April is Earth Month, so find local initiatives and support businesses dedicated to sustainability. April 19, 2025, is Celebration of Spring event held at Posse Grounds Park.
Whether you’re chasing wildflowers, festivals, or scenic hikes, these are the best places to visit in the US during spring in 2025.
